FAYETTEVILLE, Ark, — It’s been hammered all camp that Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green’s growth under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is fueling optimism.
Green, entering his second year as Arkansas’ starter, showed at least his teammates and coach some improved decision-making in a recent 115-play scrimmage at Razorback Stadium closed to the media and public.
With the offense pinned at its own nine-yard line, Green saw the defense preparing an inside blitz.
He checked out of the original pass play and audibled to an inside zone run. Running back Mike Washington Jr. took the handoff through the A-gap and raced 91 yards for a touchdown.
Senior guard Fernando Carmona described the play after the scrimmage.
“We got up to the line, and it was a pass play, but Taylen saw an interior blitz, checked it to a run, and from there Mike just hit that hole,” Carmona said.
Petrino, in his second stint with Arkansas, has noted Green’s improvement in reading defenses and making pre-snap adjustments.
“The biggest improvement in Green’s game is his ability to see the defense better and make pre-snap adjustments and checks at the line of scrimmage,” Petrino said during fall camp.
Green finished the 2024 season with 3,154 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, along with 602 rushing yards and eight rushing scores.
His performance ranked him among the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks and helped the Razorbacks’ offense climb into the top 15 nationally in total offense per game and passing yards per completion, according to university statistics and national rankings.
Teammates say Green’s development has increased trust throughout the offense.
“It starts with Taylen Green and his decision-making, and then it kind of goes down to the offensive line giving time for Taylen,” Carmona said. “From there, I have ultimate trust in the wide receivers and our tight ends. It obviously starts up front, then Taylen taking care of the right reads.”
Green’s progress was also evident in the scrimmage, where he threw a 32-yard touchdown to CJ Brown and a 53-yard score to Monte Harrison. He added an eight-yard touchdown run and completed three passes of at least 20 yards to different receivers to close out the day.
Hogs coach Sam Pittman praised the offense for limiting turnovers and penalties.
“I think we had one interception with the threes,” Pittman said. “We took care of it.”
Green’s improvement is attributed to both increased experience and Petrino’s coaching style. Petrino, known for his demanding approach, has a track record of developing quarterbacks who make significant strides in their second year under his system.
Green has also become one of college football’s most valuable athletes, with a name, image and likeness valuation of $2.1 million, according to a report by Fox Sports. Despite the attention, those close to Green describe him as focused and hard-working.
Arkansas faces a challenging SEC schedule this fall. Petrino said the offense is ahead of schedule compared to last year, but emphasized the need for consistency. “It’s about consistency. That’s the challenge,” Petrino said.
Green, who transferred from Boise State before the 2023 season, said his goal is to make the team better.
“I want to be remembered as someone who made the team better,” Green told local reporters.
As the Razorbacks prepare for the upcoming season, Green’s steady improvement and the offense’s cohesion are providing hope for a return to SEC prominence.
