“Only thing I know is to keep working harder each week , be prepared and try to not have any regrets that I didn’t do my best.” – Tyler Wilson to Hawgs Illustrated
I think its finally safe to say that Arkansas Razorbacks QB Tyler Wilson is currently regretting not entering the 2012 NFL Draft. John L. Smith isn’t
image credit: AL.com
winning and to make matters more embarrassing for himself and the Razorbacks program, he’s going around making ridiculous gaffes, confusing his program with Alabama. Yes, seriously. Bobby Petrino is gone and Arkansas has lots its identity and its never been more clear that Tyler Wilson made the wrong choice.
I’m not Mel Kiper, but I believe Wilson would have been a first-round draft pick, but instead he’s a ridiculously talented QB playing for one of college football’s worst teams this season. Nobody expected them to beat Alabama, but losing to Rutgers and getting crushed by Texas A&M have the preseason #10 Hogs at 1-4. Worse than anything else, you can tell the players and the coach have already given up and Wilson wasn’t afraid to voice that after the Bama defeat:
“Obviously, it wasn’t very pretty to watch. It wasn’t pretty for me to sit on the sideline and watch as a player. It sucks I can’t be out there to do anything about it. Do I feel that we, at times, gave up out there? Yeah. Absolutely.”
image credit: USAtoday.com
That statement coupled with the season Arkansas is having is causing Wilson’s draft stock to plummet. Some are calling his character into question after those comments and there is serious tension brewing in that Hogs locker room, especially after Wilson’s other post game rant after getting rolled by the Tide. He told an in-house TV crew, “If you’re not in the boat, then get the heck out.” The truth is, the Razorbacks are not all on the same page and its Wilson’s job as a team captain of that football team to step up both as a player and leader. Arkansas LB Ross Rasner said, “Its not the coaches…its on all us players.”
I think there’s a good chance, many NFL scouts will forgive Wilson’s poor decision making and inaccuracy thus far, but his leadership abilities are being seriously called into question and Wilson has caused some serious damage to his resume for the 2013 NFL draft. He may not be a Heisman candidate anymore, but he can certainly stop his draft stock from falling further by becoming a leader again like he was last season.
Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Raju Kansagra
Team leader … give me a break. Second most overrated to Davis. This mess is on Jeff Long – firing one of the best coaches in the nation when alternative punishment could have been discussed. You self-described-moralistic talking suit … please leave the program.
Any natural born leader that plays QB for what is supposed to be a national power house of a program doesn’t launch tirades against his team and he certainly takes accountability for poor play. Wilson has failed at both…and his decision making continues to get worse. If there was any question as to whether or not he’s a selfish guy, its clear now. As a Hogs fan, I couldn’t care less where he gets drafted to in the NFL because he won’t last.
I still think he CAN be a top 10 NFL draft pick, but he’s got to act like a leader, else he’ll end up falling into the 2nd round without question because he’s a huge roll of the dice otherwise. Nobody wants another Jay Cutler in their locker room.