Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Tuesday’s Arkansas football media availability…

I. High Praise
An Arkansas tight end couldn’t ask for a much better compliment than Bobby Petrino paid Chris Gragg.

Petrino said Gragg is allowing the offense to do things it did with D.J. Williams on the field. Williams, a consistent receiver and blocker, is currently with the Green Bay Packers and was named the Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top college tight end for 2010.

“We have great confidence that he’ll convert third downs for us,” Petrino said. “[Arkansas is] starting to get back and do some of the things we did with D.J., which helps a lot. It helps you move the sticks. And then he’s improved tremendously in his blocking.”

Gragg has 25 catches for 266 yards. He had 62 yards on a career-high five catches at Vanderbilt.

At 6-5 and with 4.5 speed, Gragg has proven to be difficult for opponents to defense. Wide receiver Jarius Wright describes Gragg as “a great mismatch.”

Gragg gives the seventh-ranked Razorbacks an additional weapon heading into Saturday’s 6 p.m. game with No. 9 South Carolina.

“I always want to catch the ball when my number is called,” Gragg said. “Just trying to get that trust with me and Tyler together, it makes the offense even better.”

II. Childs Back
Whatever issues that kept Greg Childs out of practice last week and off the field at Vanderbilt have improved. Coach Bobby Petrino said Childs had a “tweaked knee,” but the senior receiver was back at practice on Tuesday.

“He looked really good. I'm really excited for him,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “He understands it's a huge game for us. He's been around here a long time. ... I think he's going to have a big game.”

Childs has been slow to recover from a patella tendon injury suffered against Vanderbilt in 2010. He enters Saturday’s game against South Carolina with nine catches for 109 yards and no touchdowns.

Prior to practice on Tuesday Childs sent a message on Twitter saying, "Getting ready for great day of practice."