John L. Smith moving on without arrested/suspended players

AP

The fate of Arkansas’ suspended trio of Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey and Andrew Peterson was thought to be known by Aug. 2. 

Turns out, we may know already.

Arkansas coach John L. Smith said on the second SEC media day that the all suspended players, including linebacker Tyler Gilbert, were not in the school’s media guide, and according to Arkansassports360.com, “indicated that this is permanent.“

Smith has been saying the suspended players were not part of the program for some time, but now it seems there’s no coming back. The four players were arrested this spring.

Wade would be the most notable Razorback not to return, having eight receptions for 62 yards last year.

In other Arkansas news, both quarterback Tyler Wilson and running back Knile Davis said they have spoken to former coach Bobby Petrino, who was fired this past spring for an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate (and lying about it). Both said the former coach called to apologize to them about what happened.

“I think there is genuine remorse there,” Wilson said. “I think he feels bad about what happened.”

From Davis:

“He called me. He said, ‘Man I hope you have a very good year.’ He apologized. He said, ‘I’m sorry for everything that happened.’ I let him know, he was very humble, he was very hurt on the phone. I told him not to be so hard on himself. I told him, ‘You made a mistake. You’ll get back from it.’ He said, ‘Thank you man, I love you.’ That was pretty much it.