(UPDATED) Monday Practice Notes: Depth chart released
The Razorbacks’ depth chart for the Western Illinois game was released this afternoon. Noticeably absent from the depth chart is senior Will linebacker Elston Forte, a team captain who has been battling an unknown injury for several weeks.
Forte was on the practice field this afternoon.
“He’s gotten better. He’s improved a lot,” UA coach Bobby Petrino said after Monday’s practice. “We were hopeful that he might be out today and be able to work today, but he was not. But he is running full speed. If we’re going to err, we’re going to err on the side of caution with him.”
Five true freshmen will start against the Leathernecks Saturday on offense and defense. True freshmen will also make up the entire return game on kickoffs and punts. Nine true freshmen are listed as second teamers.
Here are your movers and shakers:
- Sophomore Wade Grayson will get the nod over senior Mitch Petrus at offensive guard.
“He’s played well,” Petrino said. “He runs real well, gets out and pulls, does things that we like and [he's] very reliable. I think the combination up front, right now, we feel good about.”
- Michael Smith is your starter at running back and Dennis Johnson is second team. De’Anthony Curtis, who has been hobbled, is listed as fourth team behind junior Brandon Barnett.
Petrino said Curtis participated in individual and group work prior to the Razorbacks’ closed mock game Friday. Curtis was back in action Monday, rotating in and out.
“I think tonight and tomorrow morning will tell exactly where he’s at,” Petrino said. “We do expect some swelling. Just how much will determine whether he’s ready to practice full speed tomorrow and hopefully prepare for the game on Saturday.”
- Nathan Dick OR Tyler Wilson will back up senior quarterback Casey Dick in the opener.
- Junior receiver Lucas Miller is a starter at one of Arkansas’ three receiver positions, overcoming sophomore Carlton Salters and freshman Chris Gragg at the “W” slot.
- Freshman Jarius Wright will start at the “Z” receiver position with Joe Adams backing him up and Crosby Tuck at third team.
- Senior Walner Leandre is your first-team Jack linebacker. Freshman Jerry Franklin will start at Mike linebacker and freshman Jelani Smith will line up at the Will spot.
“The kid likes to hit,” Petrino said of Jelani Smith. “He likes to run and hit. He plays real physical. He’s done a great job of learning the scheme and has a lot of natural instincts. He really understands blocking schemes, how to slip them, how to take them on. I think his production in the scrimmages he was in is off the charts in the number of tackles and assists that he made. He just has a great instinct of playing the position”
- Matt Harris is the starter at strong safety and freshman Elton Ford will line up at free safety. Isaac Madison is starting at cornerback.
- Special teams is freshman heavy. Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Dennis Johnson will return punts in that order, and Elton Ford and Jarius Wright are your kick returners.
You can download a PDF of the chart (see page 7), by clicking here.
So what do you think Hog fans?
3 Responses to “(UPDATED) Monday Practice Notes: Depth chart released”
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I think it’s time for some football. Although they will be better than expected this year, regardless, with the influx of young talent, the Razorbacks should be very good in years to come. Go Hogs!
I think this depth chart is written proof that Petrino and his coaching staff will settle for nothing less than total commitment. If you’re totally committed to their brand of football and prove yourself, you’re a starter.
It doesn’t matter if you started last year or not. It matters nothing if you are an upper classman or not. They said last spring that EVERY position is up for grabs. And, they meant it.
This team might be a little rough around the edges when they come out of the bottom of the Broyles complex Saturday night. But, the starters have truly earned the right to take their respective positions. I think the team as a whole is ready to play more than the prognosticators are forecasting. Those teams and opposing coaches that also underestimate them are in for a most unpleasant surprise.
[...] for those who haven’t seen it here is the link (see page 7 of the pdf)…DEPTH CHART. The slophouse blog notes their observations and notices we’ll be very young this [...]