Bobby Petrino reveals what kind of quarterback fits his system

Bobby Petrino made his return to Fayetteville this offseason assuming the role of Arkansas‘ offensive coordinator. He brings plenty of experience to the table, regarded as one of the best offensive minds in college football who’s coached some high level talent, especially at the quarterback positon.

From Lamar Jackson to the late Ryan Mallett, Petrino has coached his fair share of elite college quarterbacks. And when he was asked what kind of quarterback best fits his system, he used both aforementioned QBs to explain what he looks for.

“Ryan was pretty perfect because Ryan was as smart as you could possibly be,” Petrino said. “He understood the game, he understood his players around him, he understood when you made a call what you were thinking. He was really a guy that you could anticipate what he was going to do when you saw the coverage and the play call, he would go the way he did in practice.”

Petrino continued to emphasize the importance of a high football IQ at the position, even from a player like Jackson whose dazzling athleticism and playmaking ability could often outshine his high level of football savvy.

“Lamar was the same way. Lamar was a guy that really studied the game plan, really knew what he wanted to do, what we wanted to do as a staff. Both could get you out of a bad play. You’re not always gonna hit the call as a play caller and you can be really really aggressive when your quarterback can go out there and say oh yeah, this play actually isn’t gonna work because they’re blitzing two guys off the the left side and change the play or the protection for you,” Petrino explained.

His track record proves that he’s a high-level offensive play-caller, but Petrino made it clear that a quarterback with elite pre and post-snap decision making takes his abilities as a coordinator to another level.

“And that’s what those guys allowed you to do, you could just call it up and have a lot of freedom in your thoughts of being aggressive and then if it wasn’t worth a darn they can get you out of it and get from a bad play into a good play,” Petrino said. “The freedom they give you as a play caller really helps.”

As it currently stands, there’s plenty of talent in Arkansas’ quarterback room. Starter KJ Jefferson is yet to decide his future with the team and the Razorbacks recently secured a commitment from former Boise State quarterback Taylen Green.

But Petrino didn’t mention talent or any physical traits in his description.

Both quarterbacks have proven they can get it done with their arm and legs in their careers, but a mental mastery of Petrino’s offense sounds like it would take whoever is under center for Arkansas next season a long way.