Bobby Petrino building relationship with Arkansas 2025 QB commit Grayson Wilson

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

To win on the college level, especially in the SEC, teams must have a dynamic playmaker in the pocket. For the Razorbacks, they have one locked in with 2025 in-state three-star Grayson Wilson (6-3, 190). Beyond having the arm to stretch defenses vertically, Wilson can move the chains downfield with his wheels bringing an extra dimension to any offense.

Fitting Central Arkansas Christian’s (Little Rock) big play offensive to a “T”, Wilson slung the rock past 4A Arkansas defenses for 3,413 yards connecting on 41 touchdowns with just two interceptions tossed. There’s more to the impressive numbers; 837 rushing yards and 15 more scores.

“We run wide splits,” Wilson said. “Our receivers have wide splits lining up in a 3-1 or 2-2. Sometimes we go 11-personnel. In our offense, we take a lot of deep shots. We mix in the run game and throw shorter routes off of that.”

Four games into the 2023 schedule, Bauxite felt Wilson’s offensive wrath.

“My best game was probably our first conference game against Bauxite,” Wilson stated. “I threw for 395 yards and six touchdowns, and I ran for over 100 and had another touchdown. They were a good team; they won games in the playoffs.

“The key to our success was preparation. Knowing their players, their strengths and weaknesses, and getting on the same page with my coaches and receivers. Knowing which plays we will run in certain situations and knowing who to attack on defense was key.”

Working under head coach Tommy Shoemaker proved to be a difference maker for the rising talent.

“My decision making improved a lot,” Wilson shared. “We got a new coach; he really helped develop me mentally this year compared to last year. Being on the same page with him, knowing the route combos depending on the defense, knowing when the defense switched what to do, and knowing when to check into a different play at the line of scrimmage helped my decision making.”

The big stats and 10-3 season turned in is motivation for Wilson going into his offseason workouts.

“This offseason I am working on my footwork, getting my footwork ready to be an SEC quarterback, and working on my body,” Wilson said. “I want to get bigger. Being 190 pounds is good for high school, but in college they want you to be 205 to 210 pounds. I have a year to put on about 10 pounds.”

Five teams have offered Wilson: Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Illinois, Pitt, and Central Arkansas. Keeping other college programs at bay, Wilson verbally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on April 15. The connection Wilson has with the Hogs hasn’t stopped Kansas State from letting Wilson know they are interested.

“Kansas State has been showing the most interest,” Wilson shared. “They send me a lot of mail and their coaches have been reaching out to me. But coach (Collin) Klein just left for A&M (OC), we’ll see if anything changes on that. Oklahoma State is interested in me. They reach out and send me stuff as well.”

As the interest rolls in, Wilson has been focused on the Hogs.

“I went to Arkansas like four or five times this season,” Wilson stated. “My relationship with Arkansas’ staff is pretty good. Coach (Bobby) Petrino, I met him. He came to my school; I talked to him. We talked about football, sports, and we talked about skiing. It was good to meet him. He called a couple of days ago, and we caught up. He wants me to get up to Fayetteville. This spring he wants me to watch practice and have me sit in on meetings so I can see how he does everything.”

On head coach Sam Pittman hiring coach Petrino as Arkansas’ new OC, Wilson replied, “It is exciting. You don’t always know what to expect when a new coach is hired, but he seems interested in me. It is exciting to know he is interested in me. Off how he treats me, he wants me up there and wants me to get acclimated in the system. That is encouraging. I like his offense; he tries to get the ball in the playmakers’ hands.”

Wilson is contributing to Arkansas’ recruiting efforts.

“I have talked to several recruits,” Wilson shared. “One of my buddies from Bauxite was committed to Arkansas; Marcus Wimberly. He decommitted. I am still trying to get him. I have talked to several offensive linemen including one from Shreveport (Devin Harper) and a linebacker from Florida, Elijah Melendez (Osceola). Recruiting really is about making relationships with different guys.”

Fans will be able to see Wilson in action this weekend at the National Army Combine held in San Antonio.

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