Arkansas Football: Guard Alvin Bailey Heading to the NFL
By Ryan Wright
Oct 27, 2012; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorback quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) calls a play as offensive linemen Tyler Deacon (76), Alvin Bailey (67) and center Travis Swanson (64) line up during a game against the Ole Miss Rebels at War Memorial Stadium. Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Fayetteville, Ark. – Junior offensive guard Alvin Bailey has notified the University of Arkansas that he is forgoing his senior season and preparing to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
The suspense of who will stay and who will go for new Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema is slowly coming to an end. Junior running back Knile Davis announced his intentions to go pro earlier in December and now Bailey will join him as a group of former college football players hoping for an invite to the NFL combine.
Bailey, 6’5”, 315 pounds, leaves Arkansas after a solid yet fully unfulfilled college career.
Bailey, 21-years-old, started in all 38 games Arkansas played since he stepped foot onto the Arkansas campus.
In 2010 he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team and earned Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America after helping the Hogs to their first BSC Bowl Game appearance.
After a Top Five finish for the Hogs in 2011 Bailey was named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly. Then in the spring of 2012 Bailey somehow was put in the proverbial doghouse by the former Arkansas coaching staff being demoted to second team during spring and fall practices.
Bailey’s strength, size, durability, and blocking ability have never been in question. The real shame is not seeing all of his potential culminate in All-SEC honors or All-American honors as his early college career suggested would happen.
Morgan Advisory Group out of Arizona has signed Bailey. Morgan Advisory Group also represents former Arkansas defensive end Tenarius Wright.
The loss of Bailey to the NFL leaves Bielema with three returning starters on the offensive line for the 2013 season; tackles Brey Cook and David Hurd, and center Travis Swanson.