Hogs RBs still mum about draft status

FAYETTEVILLE Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones remain tight-lipped about their decisions to either remain in school or enter the 2008 NFL Draft.

But one of the Razorbacks new assistant coaches could have unknowingly offered a sneak peek Wednesday.

Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, who spoke to the media along with coach Bobby Petrino and the rest of the Arkansas staff, was asked for his assessment of the running backs after facing them the past three seasons at Mississippi State. His response was eye-raising.

"They're great players," Johnson said. "I wish they weren't leaving."

Arkansas officials said Johnson's comments weren't an announcement for either player. The running backs have until the NFL's Jan. 15 deadline to declare for early entry into the draft.

McFadden's departure would be no surprise. The Little Rock native is considered one of the draft's top prospects after finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up the past two seasons.

Jones has garnered plenty of buzz, too, after putting together back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons. But his decision isn't as clear-cut.

Jones is regarded as a potential first-round pick, though some analysts believe the Tulsa native would be better off returning for his senior season.

Petrino, who has spoken with Jones, said the running backs should announce their intentions soon.

Running backs coach Tim Horton, a former Conway standout, said he has spoken to McFadden and Jones, too, and has a good feel for their future plans.

"We've talked about a lot of things," Horton said. "We communicate almost daily. Probably more with Felix than Darren. But we talked to Felix (Tuesday) and I'm going to see both of them (today)."

BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER

Petrino said the Razorbacks will be hitting the weight room as well as the classroom when they return to campus Monday.

Players will meet a new strength and conditioning coach, too. Former Louisville strength coach Jason Veltkamp has replaced Don Decker, who has been hired by Houston Nutt at Ole Miss.

"In my opinion, we need to get bigger and stronger on the fronts, and we work extremely hard on our quickness and speed and change of directions," Petrino said. "My philosophy is, the weight room starts it and we'll set some themes in the weight room that will carry over to football and try to put it all together as one."

PERSONNEL OPINION

Johnson said it's much too early to predict how the Razorbacks' defensive personnel stacks up with the rest of the Southeastern Conference. But he believes Arkansas does have talent to work with.

"I think they have a good, young nucleus of players coming back," Johnson said. "I think there was a drop-off from (2006-07) in the talent level of big-time playmakers. I think any of you who followed it would probably agree with that. ... But there was still, I think some above average to solid team speed and I think we've got a good young nucleus of younger players that we can build on."

Arkansas must replace departing seniors like cornerbacks Matterral Richardson and Michael Grant, linebacker Weston Dacus and defensive lineman Marcus Harrison. However, players like cornerback Jerrell Norton, linebacker Freddie Fairchild and defensive lineman Adrian Davis will return next season.

MEMORY LAPSE

Petrino attended the Cotton Bowl, but getting him to remember much about the 38-7 loss to Missouri wasn't easy Wednesday.

"I can't remember. When was the Cotton Bowl?" Petrino joked.

Petrino said the loss is something the Razorbacks must put behind them as they enter a new phase.

"I think if you learn something from it, you need to understand how much you do have to have focus, how hard it is to prepare for a game," Petrino said. "The situation that the players were put in was very difficult. I do feel like the staff and (interim coach) Reggie (Herring) really gave a great effort and did a nice job in practice and preparing and handled everything with a tremendous amount of class.

"It was a difficult situation for everybody."

TRANSFER DENIED

Former Louisville running back Anthony Allen lost an appeal that would have allowed him to transfer to Arkansas, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Allen, who played for Petrino in 2006, received his release from Louisville in December. However, the program would not allow him to transfer to any other school on their schedule for the next three years or to Arkansas to rejoin his former coach.

Allen led Louisville in rushing last season with 696 yards and seven touchdowns.