Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

If you’re a starting quarterback, almost anything you do is up for scrutiny.

People keep score of performances on the field. They pay extra attention in interviews. Body language, haircuts and all manner of things that might generally go unnoticed for somebody else are analyzed.

Haircuts?

Yep. Even a change in grooming is noteworthy when it involves somebody playing the most high-profile position in college athletics for a Top 15 team.

Which is why Tyler Wilson found himself answering a question about his hair in an interview session following the Arkansas spring game. Wilson’s look had gone from frat-tastic to professional at some point in the spring and the subject came up 15 questions into a 17-question interview.

“Sometimes,” Wilson explained, “you need to change up.”

In the grand scheme it was a relatively subtle change. But it speaks to a more mature approach for the fifth-year senior.

Spring brought plenty of evidence that Wilson is growing up. He was noticeably more comfortable than he’s ever been interacting with media, and he became the face of the program. Not to mention Wilson enjoyed his best spring as a Razorback and the offense had arguably the best spring in at least the last five years.

Keep in mind this all happened amidst the turmoil of the Bobby Petrino scandal. While the former head coach was out acting like a kid, Wilson was becoming a man.

Fans will see Wilson run onto the field this fall wearing the No. 8 that he’s had since arriving on campus. Wilson is not, however, the same player.

It’s something he freely acknowledges. Then he takes it a step further.

“You see a new guy,” Wilson said. “That’s what I’m happy about. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been.”