Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Marquel Wade, Maudrecus Humphrey and Andrew Peterson are not currently enrolled at Arkansas and are not taking part in football activities following their arrests for residential burglarly charges earlier ths month.

Coach John L. Smith said the trio is not allowed to work out with the team and the three players do not have access to football facilities as they wait for the legal process to run its course. Smith indicated there is a chance they do not return to the Razorbacks.

“They’re not a part of this football team until this thing gets cleared up or they may never be a part,” Smith said prior to a Northwest Arkansas Razorback Club meeting on Wednesday. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Wade was charged with one count of residential burglary while Humphrey and Peterson were each charged with nine counts of residential burglary. They allegedly took approximately $5,000 worth of textbooks, DVDs, laptops and cash from dorm rooms earlier this month.

Six Razorbacks have been arrested since March. Smith met with the team to discuss the recent arrests and to outline the standard of conduct for Arkansas team members.

“I think for the most part our guys are paying attention,” Smith said. “They’re wanting to do the right things, even our guys that have made some mistakes. Hopefully they understand, ‘You’re going to have to correct it or you won’t be here.’

"It’s pretty simple.”

Smith said offensive lineman Jason Peacock (theft of property) and linebacker Tyler Gilbert (aggravated burglary) are still allowed to work out with the team, though both have felony cases pending. Kane Whitehurst was arrested on misdemeanor drug and paraphernalia possession charges and has left the team.

II. Getting Hit
Running back Knile Davis spent the spring without getting hit. He won't likely have to wait for a game to get contact.

Smith was asked about the status of Davis during a fan Q&A portion of the club meeting. Davis fractured his ankle in preseason camp last August. Smith said rehabbing from an injury of that nature goes beyond the physical aspect.

“I think a lot of it is mental, and I think he’s going to have to have a hit or two,” Smith said. “Now, maybe not three or four. But a hit or two … I think he needs it for his sake in being as healthy and as good as he can be during the season, I think he’s going to need to take a hit on it.”

III. More To Come
Wide receivers Kane Whitehurst and Quinta Funderburk have left the Arkansas program this spring.  So has linebacker Brock Haman.

Those don’t figure to be the only players to leave before fall camp begins. Smith didn't get specific, but acknowledged more could come.

“We’ll definitely let you know. That’s a distinct possibility,” Smith said when asked if he expected additional players leaving.

Speaking Out
“Usually it’s coming from my mouth, but not from my hands.”
—John L. Smith on who is behind his official Twitter account. Smith said Mark Robinson, director of football operations, is the inspiration for using Twitter.