Bret Bielema raves about Arkansas QB Brandon Allen at SEC Media Days
Brandon Allen is the most important player on the Arkansas roster as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks must improve from the player who struggled mightily in the Hogs’ 3-9 season.
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Bret Bielema spoke at SEC Media Days on Wednesday afternoon and raved about the offseason the junior quarterback had and if his comments are any indications, we may see a completely different Allen on the field this season.
And they need it to snap their 12-game losing streak in the SEC and nine-game losing streak after beginning Bielema’s first year at Arkansas and the SEC with a 3-0 record.
"Brandon Allen has had one of the best off-seasons anyone can have..." -Bret Bielema
— Aaron Peters (@APReal_Estate) July 16, 2014
.@BretBielema "Bringing back a starting QB in Brandon Allen." "He has gotten stronger mentally."
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) July 16, 2014
Allen better have had a unrivaled off-season based on his sophomore campaign that saw him complete 49.6 percent of his passes for 1,552 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He finished second in the SEC with interceptions and struggled on third down, but he is the best option Arkansas has at the moment at the position.
His younger brother Austin Allen and true freshman Rafe Peavey are not prepared to take the job from him and Bielema has said as much dating back to the spring game.
Arkansas boasts a dynamite running back rotation with Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams and Korliss Marshall, but there was no semblance of a passing game that could threaten opposing defenses, that has to change this year, and it appears that Allen has worked his tail off and is ready for the challenge.
If he’s not, Arkansas will have a difficult time winning more than the three games they did last season.
But if Allen can be one of the biggest surprises this season, the hope that Bielema has been selling about his Arkansas team could prove to be prophetic if Allen delivers on his praise.