TAT: Allen Named Starter After Spring Practice

This article originally appeared in the 2013 Orientation Issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

After going into spring practice with two quarterbacks at the top of the depth chart, Arkansas named redshirt sophomore Brandon Allen as their starter at the end of the 15 practices.

Allen, who has appeared in five games and started one for the Razorbacks, separated himself from senior Brandon Mitchell over the three-week spring practice period.

“Brandon Allen really made progress all the way along,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “The last two weeks (of spring practice) were exceptional.”

Last season, he completed 21 out of 49 passes (42.9 percent) for 186 yards and one touchdown.

Some Arkansas fans are weary about Allen as the starting quarterback. They point to his performance in his only start, against No. 1 Alabama, when he was 10-for-18 for 60 yards.

However, Allen’s high school quarterback coach and former Razorback Zak Clark don’t think this is fair.

“That’s a tough spot. It’s always tough going into the game after an injury and then to start against (Alabama), who is really good on defense,” Clark said. “I’m proud of him. You can forget what the fans are saying. In my opinion, he played really well for his first start.”

The decision to name Allen the starter came down to protecting the football, Bielema said.

In the Red-White game, Allen did not commit a turnover, while Mitchell threw an interception.

“One thing we can’t do is turn the ball over and I think Allen did a much better job of that overall,” Bielema said.

Allen credits his success to his confidence, which has been aided by the extra reps he has received in practice compared to past years.

“I think my confidence has grown a lot from the beginning of spring to the end,” Allen said. “I’m the kind of guy that needs to get those reps in on the field.”

Because he had taken a majority of the first team reps, being named the starter “wasn’t really a shock” to the other players, senior center Travis Swanson said.

Being in that role has forced Allen to take more leadership responsibilities, as well.

While he was working on his on-the-field leadership ability, Allen also recognized the importance of being a leader off the field.

“As a quarterback, you’re always expected to put in extra work,” Allen said. “I’m trying to learn how to be the real quarterback, and that’s not just on the field, but it’s behind the scenes.”

Even his teammates are noticing his locker room presence.

“I feel this year he just really stepped up and has become a huge leader in the locker room and letting his voice be heard,” senior kicker Zach Hocker said.

Allen thinks being the starter is an “honor,” but he is not satisfied, he said. This summer, he will continue to throw passes with his receivers and study film.

He will also have the opportunity to pick the brain of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney.

Before coming to Arkansas, Chaney was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, where he helped guide quarterback Tyler Bray to a 3,619-yard, 34-touchdown season in 2012.

He was also the offensive coordinator at Purdue when Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees led the NCAA in total offense in 2000, with 349.1 yards per game.

“He’s had great quarterbacks in the past, so obviously he knows what it takes to be a great quarterback,” Allen said. “He’s definitely someone that I can write down everything he says.”

Following the announcement that Allen was the starter, Mitchell decided to “utilize the NCAA graduate transfer exception” and was granted his release from the football team May 6, according to a statement by Bielema.

With Mitchell gone and Chaney as the offensive coordinator, Allen could have a solid season.

“I played against him in high school and I hated playing him because he was so athletic on the field,” Hocker said.

Allen’s athleticism will be on display for the first time as the full-time starter August 31, when the Razorbacks play Louisiana-Lafayette in Fayetteville.