Can Taylen Green Take the Next Step in Year Two Under Petrino

In his first season as Arkansas’ starting quarterback, Taylen Green put together a productive year. The Razorbacks averaged 459.2 yards per game, second best in the SEC, and threw for 274.7 yards per game, ranking fifth in the conference. Quarterbacks have historically flourished under Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The question now is, can Green continue his success and elevate his game like other notable Quarterbacks under Petrino.

Ryan Mallett

Mallett is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in Arkansas history. After sitting out a year due to transfer rules, Mallett made his debut in 2009 as a redshirt sophomore for then head coach Bobby Petrino. He started all 13 games, throwing for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns with only seven interceptions while completing 55.8 percent of his passes. In 2010, Mallett improved those numbers, passing for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns with a 64.7 percent completion rate and 12 interceptions. He led Arkansas to a 10-3 season and a Sugar Bowl appearance.

Mallett holds the program records for single-season passing yards and touchdowns, and in just two seasons ranks third all-time in career passing yards at Arkansas. Only two quarterbacks ahead of him were with the program for five seasons. Mallett went on to play six years in the NFL. His life was tragically cut short in 2023 due to a drowning accident in Destin, Florida. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest to wear a Razorback jersey. Rest in peace, Ryan Mallett.

Tyler Wilson

Wilson backed up Mallett before taking over as starter in 2011. That season, Wilson led Arkansas to an 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win. The Razorbacks finished No. 5 in the final rankings. Wilson completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 3,638 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He holds the school record for most passing yards in a single game with 510 against Texas A&M in 2011. He also ranks second in career passing yards and single-season passing yards at Arkansas.

Lamar Jackson

Jackson, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football history, also thrived under Petrino at Louisville. As a freshman, Jackson started eight games and totaled 1,840 passing yards and 960 rushing yards with 23 combined touchdowns. In his sophomore season, Jackson won the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,571 yards and 21 more scores. He was named ACC Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017 and was a Heisman finalist again in his junior season. Jackson has gone on to have a stellar NFL career, earning two MVP awards and multiple All-Pro honors. He currently holds the NFL records for most career and single-season rushing yards by a quarterback.

Can Taylen Green Be Next?

In his first season under Petrino, Taylen Green delivered the best performance of his collegiate career. The Boise State transfer had previously redshirted in 2021 and started 10 games in 2022, throwing for 2,042 yards and rushing for 588 yards with 24 total touchdowns. His redshirt sophomore year saw a statistical dip, with 1,752 passing yards, 436 rushing yards and 20 combined touchdowns.

In 2024, Green started all 13 games for Arkansas and posted career-best numbers. He threw for 3,154 yards and rushed for 602 yards, accounting for 23 total touchdowns. While the Hogs finished just 7-6, Green’s individual season ranks among the best in school history. He recorded the second-most single-season offensive yards, trailing only Mallett, and the second-most single-game offensive yards.

Though Green showed inconsistency at times and made questionable decisions, there’s no doubt about his raw talent and athleticism. With a challenging 2025 schedule ahead, Arkansas will go as far as Green can take them.