FAYETTEVILLE — Demetrius Dean has been catching a lot of passes while also trying to catch his breath through Arkansas’ first four spring practices.
“After one route, I’m breathing hard,” Dean said. “I’m dying. I’ve got to get in better shape real quick.”
Dean’s conditioning may need some work, but the Razorbacks’ coaches have been impressed with the freshman tight end’s skill set as he makes the adjustment to playing college football after sitting out last season while waiting to become academically eligible.
Coach Bobby Petrino called Dean “a real special talent” because of his ability to run after the catch.
“I am really impressed with the way he can open his hips and stay running downfield and catch balls behind him,” Petrino said. “He makes it look easy. He’s got great hands, so we’re excited.”
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Dean has been a bright spot in practice.
“There are times as practice goes on he gets a little tired and worn down, and he’s maybe not used to taking as many reps because of the year off, but he doesn’t look rusty getting in and out of breaks and catching the ball,” Paul Petrino said. “He’s just someone who can get open, and he has real soft hands.
“His hands look like he picked it right back up.”
Dean signed with Arkansas as part of the 2011 recruiting class after having 29 receptions for 444 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at Fayetteville High School. But he wasn’t certified as eligible by the NCAA clearinghouse until December 2011, so he had to delay enrolling at Arkansas until January.
When Dean attended Arkansas’ practices and games last season, he said he watched from the stands in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“It seemed weird, because I was supposed to be out there with them,” Dean said. “It was pretty tough. I missed playing.”
Then Dean got the news he was eligible and could finally begin his college career after the Christmas break.
“I was jumping everywhere, I was so happy,” he said.
Dean, who is listed at 6-3 and 250 pounds, said he weighs about the same as he did in high school but feels stronger and faster, thanks to going through the Razorbacks’ offseason conditioning work for several weeks leading into spring practice.
“He’s made a lot of improvement just in the time he’s been here,” Bobby Petrino said. “He came in heavy, obviously, not doing a lot of work. But I’ll tell you what, he’s got a great attitude. He’s worked hard.”
Dean is among a crowded field at tight end competing for playing time behind returning starter Chris Gragg.
“Demetrius is a guy that’s really stepped in there quite well,” said Tyler Wilson, the Razorbacks’ All-SEC quarterback. “Throwing routes to him early on, I knew immediately he was a talent, and obviously he’s a big target, so we like that.
“We’ve got to get him adjusted to the offense so when we break the huddle he knows what he’s doing. I’ve got to help him with that, and he’ll continue to get better and learn the system as practice goes on. I think he’s done a great job transitioning so far, and he’s going to be a really good player.”
Fayetteville Coach Daryl Patton said it’s been fun and exciting to see Dean practicing with the Razorbacks.
“I’m very, very proud of him,” Patton said. “He looks like he’s filled out some, and I know he’s working hard. I saw him make one catch where it looked like he jumped 12 feet high to get the ball. He has unbelievable hands. You never see him drop a pass.
“I know I’m biased. I coached him and he’s one of my boys. But working with the Razorback coaches I know he’s going to keep getting better each and every day, and by the time he’s ready to leave Arkansas, I think he’ll be one of the better guys to play there.”
Patton said Dean’s quick feet, sure hands, speed and ability to find open spaces in the defense remind him of former Razorback D.J. Williams, who won the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end in 2010 and now plays for the Green Bay Packers.
“I know there’s a lot of ball to play, but I really feel like he can be another D.J.,” Patton said.
Bobby Petrino also has said Dean’s skills remind him of Williams.
“I think he has D.J. Williams’ talent,” Petrino said. “But he’s got to go out there and show it on the field.”
Dean said he’s eager to make a good impression when the Razorbacks scrimmage today.
“I hope I get a lot of reps,” Dean said. “That’s what I want, and that’s what I need.”
Sports, Pages 17 on 03/30/2012