Former Arkansas Razorback quarterback Tyler Wilson answers questions Friday about the Hogs and his future.
Former University of Arkansas and NFL quarterback Tyler Wilson sat down with The Bulletin on Friday and answered 10 questions about what he expects from the Razorbacks — and himself — this coming football season.
BB: The Razorbacks have probably the highest expectations for a season since you were there. What should they expect to encounter with such lofty expectations?
TW: Any time there are high expectations in football, it’s exciting for the fan base, because they rally around the Razorbacks, which is Arkansas’ version of a pro team. I think with high expectations also comes pressure. I think Arkansas will do well this year. You can expect 8, 9 or 10 wins. You don’t want to put limitations on it or put the bar too low, though. This team is in a position to do real well.
Wilson loving golf, still a football guy
BB: Brandon Allen. You would know about the expectations that are on his shoulders.
TW: When you look at his numbers, he’s improved every year he’s been a starting quarterback. He had 20-something touchdowns versus five interceptions (in 2014) — great numbers in terms of being efficient and managing a football game. What I think you’ll see from him this year, is when he gets late in a game, he’ll start making plays to win the game instead of making plays to manage the game. With (offensive coordinator) Dan Enos and adjustments that have been made, he’ll have a great opportunity.
BB: He’s looking at potentially breaking some records this year.
TW: This is his fifth season at Arkansas, his third as a starter, and he played some as I was banged up and injured in a couple games (in 2012). He has four years of statistics he can add toward being among record-holders. It’s up to how he does this year, obviously. Brandon can impact that this year.
BB: How impressed are you with what (Arkansas head) coach (Bret) Bielema has been able to do in the short time he’s been there?
TW: It’s a totally different direction of football than what I was exposed to. As I’m not as familiar with that style, I do appreciate that style, and I know the effects it can have if it’s ran the right way. I know Arkansas fans saw bits and pieces of that last year and got excited about that mentality — that tough, physical mentality — and saw it wear on defenses. You see players rally around that, too. You see the offensive line and the change that’s happened there.
BB: You’re not a defensive guy, but I have to ask how impressed you are with (defensive coordinator) Robb Smith’s defense and those two shutouts last year.
TW: Very impressed. Nineteen and a half points (allowed) per game last year. That’s real impressive no matter where you are. The offensive side of the ball really helps the defense. Arkansas, I think, was fourth in the country in time of possession. When you’re dealing with less plays you have to defend, that’s less amount of points you could potentially give up.
BB: A hot topic lately has been how Bielema recruits, shying away from players with red flags on Twitter and other instances. How does it help a program to have the right type of people?
TW: When he speaks, people love to listen. He tries to get the right guys in the room and not recruit problems. He had that statement a few days ago: “you recruit your own problems.” I think that’s the way to approach the game. He’s doing a great job.
BB: What’s next for you?
TW: I’ve given this until August. That’s kind of been my timeline. Sometimes, you’ll do an interview and say, “I’m excited for what’s next,” and it’s turned into me not having passion for the game of football or I’m done with the game of football. I would love to play football. I would play until I’m 50 if I could. The bottom line is there is only so much where you can sit around and wait on a phone call. I have to entertain my mind to think about other things. What possibly is my future if it’s not football? As much as I’d love to get a phone call tomorrow and go play — I eat sleep and breathe football, that’s why I do a camp — I have to understand the potential to not get a call as well. I’ve entertained a number of ideas lately.
BB: Which (August) is only a week or two away.
TW: The end of August is when the season starts, so your probability of getting picked up is in the middle of a season when you’re not familiar with an offense or you haven’t been to training camp and got a lot of reps. In the position I would be coming into (in preseason), you’re getting few reps anyway. Your rate of success goes way down.
BB: What are you doing to keep yourself ready?
TW: I work on a regular basis, five or six nights a week with current quarterbacks at the high school level, even lately at the college level, as well. I continue to throw with them, and I have access to a number of facilities to stay in shape. I wake up early in the morning and do the radio, which allows me to be completely flexible. If I get a call, I can go. I know if I jump into the corporate world, then I’m going to be somewhat in concrete. I certainly like this gig right now and the freedom it comes with.
BB: And time to play golf.
TW: That’s right. And time to play golf on Friday.
