Brandon Allen's father is the director of high school relations at Arkansas. APRIL L. BROWN / AP
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Sophomore Brandon Allen is making an impressive case to be Arkansas' next quarterback.
Allen, seeking to replace Tyler Wilson - now with the Oakland Raiders - seized command in the spring and it has continued in August drills.
In the spring game, Allen completed 11-of-16 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown and did not commit a turnover against the first-team defense.
He has been nearly flawless in August, including 16-of-17 passing for 207 yards and a TD against the first-team defense in the first preseason scrimmage.
"I would say after the first week back from spring break to where we are now, every day he seems to go forward," first-year coach Bret Bielema said after the Aug. 10 scrimmage.
The 6-3 quarterback competed early in the spring with senior Brandon Mitchell. Allen performed well while learning a new offense, and Mitchell transferred in the summer to North Carolina State.
"Most improved position on the team since I have been on campus is quarterback," Bielema said. "I can't say enough about the growth of Brandon Allen."
An All-State quarterback at Fayetteville High, Allen is the son of Razorbacks Director of High School Relations Bobby Allen, an Arkansas defensive assistant from 1998-2012.
"Obviously with Pops being around the game as long as he has, it's important to (Brandon)," Bielema said. "He's grown up a Razorback. I know that's something you can never put a price tag on."
That price tag seemed marked down as Arkansas followed up an 11-2 season under Bobby Petrino with a 4-8 record last season under interim coach John L. Smith after Petrino was fired.
Allen saw major playing time during losses with Wilson injured.
Allen inherited a 21-7 lead against Louisiana Monroe when Wilson suffered a concussion just before halftime. Allen quarterbacked a touchdown drive to open the second half but foundered (6-of-20 with an interception) and 30-point underdog ULM won in overtime 34-31.
With Wilson still sidelined, national champion Alabama overwhelmed Arkansas 52-0 the next week in Allen's lone start.
At least, Allen knows with Bielema's reputation for running the ball, Arkansas won't abandon the second-half run when up 21.
"Yeah, that would be all right," Allen said. "I wouldn't mind that."
Petrino, renowned for coaching quarterbacks, projected eventual stardom for Allen.
Petrino's prediction seems on point so far.
"I really worked on studying the offense more than I had previously," Allen said. "Getting out after spring break and running the reps, it really all came together."
Bielema said one of two freshmen, Austin Allen or Damon Mitchell (no relation to Brandon Mitchell), could be the third quarterback behind Allen and A.J. Derby, originally a University of Iowa quarterback who transferred in January from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
"A.J. is throwing the ball better than he did in the spring," Bielema said. "A.J. has got it (second-team quarterback), but there's not a distant third."
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Coach: Bret Bielema (first year)
2012 record: 4-8, 2-6 SEC
2013 schedule: See FB16
Returning lettermen: 46
Returning offensive starters (4): C Travis Swanson, OT David Hurd, TE Austin Tate, FB Kiero Small
Returning defensive starters (8): DE Chris Smith, DE Trey Flowers, DT Byran Jones, DT Robert Thomas, CB Tevin Mitchel, CB Will Hines, SS Rohan Gaines, FS Eric Bennett
Special teams: K Zach Hocker
Key additions: RB Alex Collins, TE Hunter Henry, LB Martrell Spaight, QB AJ Derby
Key losses: QB/WR Brandon Mitchell, WR Mekale McKay
Turned pro early: RB Knile Davis, OL Alvin Bailey.
Graduated 2012 seniors: QB Tyler Wilson, RB-KR Dennis Johnson, WR Cobi Hamilton, TE Chris Gragg, OG Tyler Deacon, LB Alonzo Highsmith, P Dylan Breeding
Original Print Headline: Lifelong Razorback Allen taking QB reins
