By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — When Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson ran his route across the middle of the field Friday, he knew he was going to be open space. So when the sophomore caught a pass from quarterback Brandon Mitchell only one thought entered his mind.

“Score,” Johnson said with a smile. “I’ve got all this open field to do something with it. You’ve just got to score.

“So I was telling myself, ‘Go ahead and score.’”

Johnson did just that, completing a 58-yard catch and run during Arkansas’ 160-play scrimmage on Friday. It was the biggest play of the day and one of several Johnson has turned in during the first two weeks of spring practice.

In addition to the touchdown catch, Johnson rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries. He broke tackles to get out in the open field, plowed through piles for yards, and churned his legs to break tackles all afternoon. He didn’t lead Arkansas in rushing, but did make another impression in what has been a strong spring.

“Dennis does that it seems like every day,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “He makes a cutback and goes for a touchdown, breaks a couple of tackles.”

Johnson has been determined to stand out this spring after being listed below Ronnie Wingo, Knile Davis and Broderick Green on the depth chart. Technically, Johnson was one of three backs listed as second-team players behind Wingo, but there’s no doubt the spot didn’t sit right with the veteran of the group.

What it has resulted in is a back who has made it his mission to make plays this spring. The Razorbacks will use all four next year, but to this point, Johnson is proving to be a dependable, every-down guy because of his combination of speed and strength.

“Dennis is a tough little runner,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “He’s powerful. He’s quick and I’m starting to see him grow up and become a leader. … I like what Dennis is doing right now.”

Petrino had one problem with Johnson entering spring practice: He said the back got dinged up too easily. And when he did, Johnson proved to be an ineffective and undependable runner.

It’s a criticism that landed Johnson in the doghouse once last season and resulted in his spot on the depth chart to open the spring. But when healthy, Johnson has proven capable.

He is, after all, the back that stunned Florida’s stingy defense by bouncing off defenders en route to a 100-yard afternoon last year. And he’s also the guy who filled in for Michael Smith against LSU in 2008, leading the Razorbacks to an upset win.

Petrino thinks Arkansas’ depth could help Johnson next year.

“I think it’s good for Dennis that we have more depth at running back because he can stay fresher,” Petrino said. “When he’s not nicked up, he’s a very, very good football player.”

Petrino and the Razorbacks have also watched Johnson turn into a leader, too. Arkansas was lacking in that department because of the departure of Smith, who guided a young group last season.

Johnson said he wants that role this year, though, and has done as much as he can to be a vocal player this spring.

“I’m getting older,” Johnson said. “I have to get to the young folks ready to go and teach them how to lead. … I’m going to replace him and be the leader of the running backs.”

Davis said earlier this week the Razorbacks know who their leader in the backfield is this spring.

“Dennis has definitely taken over the Michael Smith role,” Petrino said. “He’s keeping us up and making sure we’re meeting on time. He’s growing up. He’s maturing and taking us under his wing and showing us things that we don’t know.”

Will it help him inch ahead of teammates? Well, Johnson was the first back on the field for Friday’s scrimmage after his solid performance during the first six practices.

But he continues to face stiff competition. Green (12 carries, 48 yards and a touchdown), Wingo (13 carries, 65 yards, three total touchdowns) and Davis (14 carries, 56 yards and a touchdown) all turned in solid performances Friday.

The starting job — which will likely be determined by which personnel group Arkansas opens in — remains up for grabs as spring practice continues next Tuesday. But at the very least, Johnson has made a pitch for the job after seven practices.

“Everybody knows they’ve got to come out here and compete and do what they’ve got to do to win a starting job at running back,” Johnson said. “So we’re going to come out and compete.”