By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has emphasized competition at every position during preseason practices this month.
If Arkansas’ depth chart is any indication, that competition will spill over into game week.
The Razorbacks released their depth chart for the opener Friday, but it revealed little about who has earned starting jobs at some of the most tightly-contested positions. Battles at eight spots — including running back, weakside linebacker, center and place kicker — remain open a week before the Tennessee Tech game.
It should come as no surprise. In fact, Petrino alluded to taking his time in making decisions on starters when asked about the place kicking battle Thursday night.
“One thing I’ve tried to do in being a football coach is not make a decision until you have to,” Petrino said.
Arkansas has not made a decision on two starting spots along its offensive line. Seth Oxner and Travis Swanson are both listed on the depth chart at center, while Wade Grayson and Grant Cook are battling at weak guard.
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said earlier this week those decisions might not be cleared up for some time. A starter will be determined for the opener, but he’s expecting competition to continue all season.
“You’re going to have to play well in the game to keep your position,” McGee said. “Hopefully we can build chemistry throughout the offense so that we can change people in and out. But you’re going to have to play well week-in and week out to keep your position.”
The same can be said for the logjam in the backfield, where four players are locked together. Arkansas has been urging one or two backs to emerge this week, but Knile Davis, Broderick Green, Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. were all listed on the same depth chart line.
“They all like carrying the ball,” Petrino said. “They’re all pretty good at carrying the football. But we’ve got to trust that they’re not going to get the quarterback hit when we call a pass play. That’s the major evaluation right there. That’s the tape that I look at.”
Defensively, Arkansas has not indicated a starter at weakside linebacker, field cornerback and nose guard.
Anthony Leon and Jerry Franklin, the team’s leading returner tackler, are still fighting for a starting job at weakside linebacker. But defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said Leon, Franklin and Freddy Burton (second-team at middle linebacker) all will play roles this year.
“We’re still working Freddy at the Mike backer,” Robinson said. “We’re working Jerry at the Will and the Mike backer. We’ve got some packages where we’ve got Jerry and (Leon) on the field. We think that those three, those three guys, now we’re solid with three that we can play with one being able to swing all the time.”
Arkansas also will choose between three players — Alfred Davis, Byran Jones and Zach Stadther — at nose guard next week. And junior Isaac Madison is locked in a battle with sophomore Darius Winston — who has been slowed by an injury to his right middle finger — in the secondary.
“I think we have a competitive situation at the field corner with Isaac and Darius Winston,” Robinson said.
Other depth chart notables include:
• Eight freshmen are listed on the depth chart, providing an indication of who might play immediately. It includes Jones, defensive end Chris Smith, and receivers Javontee Herndon, Maudrecus Humphrey and Julian Horton.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out,” Petrino said of the wideouts. “If we’ll able to redshirt any or if they’ll just have to line up and go play.”
• Fullback Van Stumon and offensive tackle Anthony Oden are not listed on the depth chart. Both players were arrested on alcohol-related charges in the offseason. Petrino was not available for comment Friday and a spokesperson said there was no word on whether the two have been suspended for the opener. Tight end Austin Tate is listed as the first-team fullback, while Grant Freeman and Tyler Deacon are Arkansas’ second-team tackles.
• Arkansas’ kickoff returner (Johnson) and punt returner (Joe Adams) have been decided, but kicking duties remain open. Dylan Breeding, who has impressed coaches with his improvement, is still trying to hold off freshman Zach Hocker. And three — Hocker, Alex Tejada and Eddie Camara — continue to compete for place-kicking job.
Petrino said Friday’s mock game would include more kicking than the previous week’s scrimmage, giving Arkansas another opportunity to evaluate the position.
So far, he likes what the competition has meant to improving Arkansas’ inconsistencies on field goals.
“I think our field goal kickers have done a nice job in competing and it’s still ongoing,” Petrino said. “They’re all doing a good job of handling the competition.”
