If you’re a native of the great state of Arkansas or a fan of the Razorbacks, you know the importance that Warren, Ark., had to Bobby Petrino’s success as head coach at Arkansas.
It only has a population of 5,227, but huge NFL-level wide receivers seem to be something the south Arkansas city has in surplus. Located 45 miles south of Pine Bluff, Warren claims three of the nine Arkansas receivers to eclipse 2,000 yards.
The latest lumberjack to become a Razorback is Antionio Jordan. Yesterday, Jordan called the Hogs, becoming the 15th commit of the 2025 recruiting class.
At 6-foot-6-inch, 230-plus pounds, he shares a lot in terms of size with another Warren product. Treylon Burks was 6-foot-3-inch, 225 pounds at the time of his recruitment. Another thing they have in common is that they never attended camps as recruits. Undoubtedly, it resulted in a lower rating for Burks, and it might be the same case with Jordan. But the history of the small town doesn’t end begin with Burks.
By now, Petrino knows the town well. Three of his best receivers to play in Arkansas came from Warren. Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, and Chris Gragg (TE) were all former lumberjacks. Childs' career took off his sophomore season with 894 yards and seven touchdowns. His momentum continued into the next year but was cut short by a season-ending injury. He still recorded 2,066 yards in his career.
Jaruis Wright was one half of the dynamic duo in Petrino's offense in 2010 and 2011, the other being Joe Adams. Wright holds the record for career receiving yards with 2,934 yards and 24 touchdowns. Gragg, on the other hand, was recruited as a WR but switched to tight end. He still hauled in 72 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
If Petrino somehow makes it through this season with a job, the potential that he would have a Treylon Burks-esque type of receiver in the near future should strike fear into all SEC teams.