Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Tuesday’s Arkansas football practice …

I. Welcome Back
Freshman wide receiver Quinta Funderburk was back on the field Tuesday after missing six practices for undisclosed reasons.

No additional light was shed on Funderburk’s recent absences, but Bobby Petrino issued a statement welcoming him back.

“It’s great to see him back on the field,” Petrino said through a spokesman.

It was the first practice for Funderburk since March 30. Funderburk’s return came after his former high school coach, Richard Morgan, told the Virginian-Pilot that the receiver was “done” with football.

“He doesn’t want to play football anymore,” Morgan said. “It has nothing to do with him being out of state or anything like that. He just doesn’t want to play football for whatever reason.”

Funderburk sent a message to Razorback fans via Twitter on Monday saying he was coming back to the team. “I Still Play for the Razorbacks Lately I Jus Been Goin Threw Sum Things.”

Arkansas will be able to use Funderburk to add depth to its receiving corps this year. Funderburk, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder, recorded 64 receptions for 1,412 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season in high school.

II. Corner Competition
Cornerback Isaac Madison began the spring at the top of the depth chart at one of the team’s cornerback positions. He’s been slowed by injury and is not where coaches want him to be despite returning to practice.

“He was out there a little bit. We weaned him in there a little bit with more reps and stuff. He’s got to come to me and say: ‘I’m ready to go. I want to be on the field,’” defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “I want that to come form him as opposed to us urging him on. We’ve urged him on enough. He needs to stand up and say, 'I want to play. Get me out there.’”

While Madison works to get where coaches want him to be and Darius Winston missed time to focus on class work, Greg Gatson has filled in admirably and created a three-man battle at the spot. He’s fundamentally sound and learning to use his speed better to defend deep passes, an area he struggled in last season.

“Greg has had a great spring for us,” Robinson said “…I think his confidence has risen tremendously.”