Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas’ spring game last weekend was a pretty good indicator that the program is becoming nationally relevant. ESPN was in the house to broadcast the spring game and a school-record crowd of 42,000 was in Reynolds Razorback Stadium on a beautiful spring day to witness what amounted to a glorified practice.

Both TV exposure and crowd support are nice ways to gauge where the program is headed. But there was an even better measure of what the Razorback brand is beginning to mean outside of Fayetteville.

If you happened to glance up at the big screen or down at field level during the game, you probably noticed a number of former players congregated on the sidelines. They were calling the Hogs, sharing stories from their playing days and — here’s the important one — lending a significant amount of credibility to the direction Bobby Petrino is taking the program.

Former players have been back for spring games under Petrino, but this was by far the most star-studded group I can remember returning. Not only were the former players here, they’re currently some of the biggest names or part of the biggest teams in the NFL today.

Let’s start with Super Bowl winner Brett Goode. Yeah, he’s “only” a deep snapper, but Goode has a Super Bowl ring, something any current or future Razorback would no doubt like to have in his possession.

Maybe skill positions are more your thing. Fine. Former first-round running back picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were on hand. Peyton Hillis, who is vying for the cover of the Madden '12 video game, wasn't at field level, but was in attendance.

That was a pretty storied group of franchises on display too. Safety Ken Hamiln was there repping the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants offensive guard Mitch Petrus was also on hand. McFadden is an Oakland Raider. Goode plays for the Green Bay Packers. Jones is a Dallas Cowboy; Hillis a Cleveland Brown.

Future pros like tight end D.J. Williams and quarterback Ryan Mallett were also in attendance. Both Mallett and Williams were featured during interview segments on ESPN, furthering the exposure for the Arkansas football program.

Think the 70-plus recruits on hand weren’t aware those guys were in their midst?

Skeptics might look at some in this group as largely recruited and coached by the previous staff. True, but that’s what makes the presence of guys like Hamlin, McFadden and Jones so notable.

They didn’t play a snap for Petrino. McFadden and Jones met with him on their way out the door to the NFL, but that was about it. However, each one of them has kept tabs on their program and their presence at the game suggests they like what Petrino is doing with it.

“It’s great being back, being home. I love being able to come back here and show support,” McFadden said. “I love what Coach Petrino is doing with the program. He’s doing a great job, got them to a BCS Bowl game. I’m looking forward to the next season.”