Dec. 13, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -The mother of Arkansas freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain said Wednesday that players' parents who expressed concern about the Razorbacks' offense respect coach Houston Nutt's prerogative to shape the team's strategy.

The team's offense was discussed in a meeting between athletic director Frank Broyles and the parents of several freshmen.

Beck Campbell, Mustain's mother, said in a statement that she discussed concerns about her son's future as a football player. Campbell said she did not seek promises or guarantees, and that playing time was not an issue.

"It was agreed by all parties involved that the head coach has the valid right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the team would develop," she said.

The No. 12 Razorbacks rode the running of Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, another 1,000-yard rusher, to a surprising Southeastern Conference title game appearance this season.

Campbell, along with the parents of tight end Ben Cleveland and receiver Damian Williams, visited Broyles last week. The three athletes played together at Springdale High School last year under Razorbacks offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who was hired by Nutt after the 2005 season.

On Wednesday night, Nutt said Williams will be given his release to transfer.

At Springdale, Malzahn used a spread offense that leaned heavily on the passing game.

Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting.

"Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year," Cleveland told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity."

Williams caught 19 passes this year for 235 yards, while Ben Cleveland caught 11 for 98 yards. Both were named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. Only one Arkansas receiver has caught more than 60 passes in a year.

Rick Cleveland described the situation as "fluid" when discussing the possibility any of the Springdale players could transfer.

Nutt has not talked about the complaints. Broyles said he had told the parents to meet with Nutt, but they came to his office anyway and he "didn't want to be rude." He has not discussed the details of the meeting.

Mustain was the Parade magazine high school player of the year in 2005 and one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation before signing with Arkansas. Malzahn became Arkansas' offensive coordinator shortly before Mustain signed.

Campbell said Mustain "loves his teammates, and he feels a deep sense of regret and sadness that his presence on this team has created a division in a state he loves."

The Razorbacks face No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.