Petrino Offers Fayetteville Sophomore

Fayetteville receiver Demetrius Dean became the first prospect in recent history to receive a football scholarship by Arkansas during his sophomore season. Dean, a 6-foot-2, 225-pounder, received the offer during an unofficial visit with Bulldogs coach Daryl Patton to the Arkansas campus on Monday. "I'm really surprised to get (a scholarship offer) so soon," Dean said. "I think it's pretty cool." Dean had 10 catches for 109 yards and tied a school record with three touchdown receptions in a 42-37 win at Jefferson City, Mo. First year Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino attended the game and cheered as his son, Bobby Petrino, intercepted a pass in the end zone to win the game. "He's got great hands," Patton said. "He hasn't dropped but maybe two passes since this spring out of maybe 600 catches. And he caught everything in that game from slants to stops to fades to posts and really showcased his skills as a receiver. "We're awfully glad that Demetrius Dean wears Purple. He'll have many more offers to come." Dean moved to Fayetteville from Forrest City, where his dad still lives, when he was in the fifth grade. He said he grew up a Florida Gators fan early on, but added that Arkansas has been "my first team for quite a while." "I haven't talked at all with my family about it," Dean said. "But I'm going to wait and see what else comes though as far as colleges being interested. It'll probably be next year before I make a decision." Only a sophomore, Dean has plenty of time. Word is Dean won't be the only Bulldogs' sophomore with a scholarship offer from the Razorbacks for long as quarterback Brandon Allen is expected to hear the news any day. Allen, the son of Arkansas secondary coach Bobby Allen, has completed 38 of 53 passes for 596 yards and 8 touchdowns through two games.