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Remembering the Tyler Wilson switch from TU to Arkansas
Published: 10/29/2012 3:37 PM
Last Modified: 10/29/2012 3:37 PM

If Tyler Wilson had remained loyal to his University of Tulsa commitment, he might now be a senior quarterback for the Golden Hurricane.

Instead, Wilson is the fifth-year senior quarterback of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who on Saturday host the Golden Hurricane for an 11:21 a.m. contest in Fayetteville.

In media reports related to football recruiting, there should always be these sentences: “Verbal commitments are not binding. Recruits may sign national letters of intent in February.” Commitment switches are common.

In September 2007, as he began the process of leading Greenwood High School to a third consecutive Arkansas state championship, Wilson announced his commitment to TU and its new coach Todd Graham and new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn (himself a former superstar Arkansas high school coach).

The Tulsa World report ended with this: “(Wilson) said he won’t waver on his decision to attend Tulsa.”

Ultimately, the Wilson commitment did unravel. This series of events resulted in his switch to Arkansas:

Nov. 27, 2007: Only three days after having coached the Razorbacks to a victory over top-ranked LSU, Houston Nutt resigned from Arkansas’ head-coaching position.

Dec. 11, 2007: With three games remaining on the Falcons’ schedule, Bobby Petrino infamously resigned as Atlanta’s head coach. A few hours later, he was introduced as the new Arkansas head man.

Dec. 13, 2007: On the Hawgs Illustrated website was this headline: “Will Petrino go after Tyler Wilson?” From the article: “The fact that the University of Arkansas hired Bobby Petrino certainly got the attention of Greenwood quarterback Tyler Wilson. Wilson (6-3, 185) is currently committed to Tulsa and just led the Bulldogs (12-2) to a third straight state title – his second as a starter – while passing for 3,939 yards and 43 touchdowns. Wilson’s quote: “I haven’t heard from coach Petrino yet, but I certainly would be interested in talking with him.”

Dec. 16, 2007: Almost immediately after meeting with Petrino in Fayetteville, Wilson no longer was a TU commitment. He announced his commitment to Arkansas. Wilson was the first recruit who committed to the Petrino-led Razorback program.

Entering Saturday’s homecoming clash with the Golden Hurricane, Wilson has broken 26 school records. His career completion percentage of .619 is the best in program history.

-- Bill Haisten

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colhi64 (3 months ago)

TU has had some good quarterbacks in that time frame. We could use him this year though.

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TU Sports

Tulsa World Sports Writer Bill Haisten was named the 2010 Oklahoma Sportswriter of the Year. He is the World's only staff member to have covered OU, OSU, TU and ORU sports on a beat basis. He was on the OSU beat from 2004-2012. A Texas native, he has covered two Super Bowls and two national championship football games for the World.

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