Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Tyler Wilson worked to add strength and speed in the offseason. He built rapport with a new batch of go-to receivers by throwing with them. There was time spent cleaning up his footwork.

Wilson’s offseason also included a lot of time just planted in front of the TV.

Well, when the scenes playing before you include NFL and college quarterback greats, hours spent watching TV can be a productive venture.

Wilson studied hours of coach-suggested and self-selected clips featuring Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), Tom Brady (New England Patriots), Eli Manning (New York Giants) and Peyton Manning (formerly of the Indianapolis Colts). Former college quarterbacks like Southern Cal’s Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinart also made the cut.

Each quarterback possess his own unique skill set. But Wilson came away with one uniform lesson.

“They play at a really fast and intense level,” Wilson said. “That’s what I try to relay to myself and the rest of the guys. We’ve got to play fast. That’s kind of what I’ve been working on in the offseason.”

It is natural Wilson would watch pro quarterbacks in their element and at their best. Playing in the NFL is a stated goal of Wilson’s. He had an opportunity to leave after his junior year, but elected to return to Arkansas after throwing for 3,638 yards with 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

The Sporting News recently tabbed Wilson as one of the top quarterbacks in college football entering 2012. A pro scout told the publication that “there were a lot of people disappointed when he didn’t come out [early].”

Watching film should better prepare Wilson for the pro game. Improvement on his first year as a starter also figures to help the Razorbacks as they look to build on an 11-victory season and top 10 finish in 2011.

Arkansas coaches noted it was important Wilson, who has a bit of Favre’s gunslinger demeanor on the field, didn’t just watch quarterbacks similar to him. They wanted him watching not just guys who can throw on the move, but more traditional drop-back passers as well.

Coach Bobby Petrino described the film segments as “a combination of everything.”

“I try to watch a lot of guys,” Wilson said. “I have respect for guys that play different than I do. I have respect for guys that have real similar ability and how they use it. I can learn from it to get better.”

Wilson studied the way quarterbacks threw the ball. He paid close attention to their footwork and delivery. But Wilson also took a deeper look at what the best in the game were doing in hopes of improving his ability and playing speed.

Getting a better tempo for the offense can come from something as seemingly understated as the depth of a handoff to the running back.

“They get the ball back so deep to the running backs,” Wilson said. “I think that is really important because it gives Knile and some of those guys a chance to see the hole and make cuts that they wouldn’t make if you’re not getting the ball deep.”

Wilson came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the game. He has a better grasp of finer points of playing the quarterback position, something coaches were hoping to see from Wilson.

Quarterback coach and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino was pleased with the time Wilson put into refining his craft.