Arkansas Football: Post-Spring 2-Deep Depth Chart

The Arkansas Razorbacks enter the 2012 season as one of the favorites to win the SEC. They return a lot of their key starters, but did suffer a major blow with the recent loss of their head coach, Bobby Petrino.

That's why spring practices and their spring game was so important, to try and build on last year's chemistry and improve as a unit despite the off-the-field issues. The game was a very positive sign if you're a Razorback fan, and many players may have moved up the depth chart with some of their performances.

With a few months off before fall arrives, here's what the post-spring depth chart for Arkansas should look like.

Quarterback

Starter: Tyler Wilson

Backup: Brandon Allen

Tyler Wilson is without question one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and probably the entire country. He threw for over 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. No quarterback battle here.

Running Back

Starter: Knile Davis

Backup: Ronnie Wingo, Jr.

Knile Davis is still recovering from an injury that forced him to miss the entire year last season. But he did step on the field for a play or two during the spring game, which shows he should be ready by the time fall camp rolls around. Davis rushed for over 1,300 yards and had 14 total touchdowns in 2010.

Wide Receiver

Starter: Julian Horton

Backup: Marquel Wade

Horton will finally get a chance to start due to several wide receivers graduating at the same time. He has good size at 6'1", 200 pounds and is a very strong receiver. He has a total of 13 receptions in his first two seasons combined; you can expect those numbers to easily double this year.

Wide Receiver

Starter: Cobi Hamilton

Backup: Maudrecus Humphrey

With Jurius Wright and Joe Adams no longer on the roster, that opens the door up for Cobi Hamilton to be the No.1 option. He's caught over 30 passes the last two seasons, but he'll have to take the next step to be considered the top target in this offense. He has the skill set to take his game to the next level and the size at 6'3".

Wide Receiver

Starter: Javontee Herndon

Backup: Keante Minor

Much like Horton, Herndon has experience in this offense, but has seen limited action. Now, he'll likely end up in a starting role and put those skills to the test. He's a physical receiver at 6'1", 200 pounds and could wind up being a nice compliment to Hamilton.

Tight End

Starter: Chris Gragg

Backup: Austin Tate

Gragg was one of the more productive tight ends in the country last year, racking up 41 catches for over 500 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught both of Wilson's touchdown passes in the spring game. I think it's safe to say his starting job is safe.

Left Tackle

Starter: David Hurd

Backup: Jason Peacock

The battle to protect Wilson's blindside will carry over into the fall, but as of right now, Hurd looks like the starter. Peacock was the starter last season, but due to an arrest in the offseason and not playing well in the spring, this is a competition to keep an eye on entering August.

Left Guard

Starter: Tyler Deacon

Backup: Mitch Smothers

Smothers was the first true freshman to start for the Razorbacks last season, but ended up losing his tackle position to Jason Peacock. Now he'll move to a position he's more comfortable with at guard, but he'll have to battle walk-on Tyler Deacon. Both are very talented players, and much like majority of the line, this is a position that isn't settled yet.

Center

Starter: Travis Swanson

Backup: Ray Gervasi/Luke Charpentier

Swanson is a massive center who will keep his position as the starting center. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List last season and should once again be one of the better offensive linemen for the Razorbacks, a team that lost a couple of starting linemen.

Right Guard

Starter: Alvin Bailey

Backup: Luke Charpentier

With all of the holes this offensive line has going into the fall, Alvin Bailey is one of the bright spots, winning All-Conference player last season. For whatever reason, Charpentier was the starter during the spring game and has been receiving majority of the reps with the first team. Until we find out why, I refuse to believe Bailey isn't the starter in September.

Right Tackle

Starter: Brey Cook

Backup: Chris Stringer

Cook is a former 5-star recruit from the 2011 class, and although he didn't play much last season, he'll likely be thrown into the starting lineup this year. He has terrific size at 6'7", 300-plus pounds and plays with a high motor. Don't count Stringer out just yet either; both of these players are inexperienced, and it should remain a battle into the fall.

Defensive End

Starter: Chris Smith

Backup: Austin Flynn

Smith will get a starting role this season after playing well in limited action last year. He's fantastic at pressuring the opposing quarterback and could easily lead the Razorbacks in sacks while replacing Jake Bequette.

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Byran Jones

Backup: Alfred Davis

Jones will return as one of the starters in the middle of the defensive line. He finished last season with 47 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. With a full year under his belt, he should be able to build on last year's success.

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Robert Thomas

Backup: DeQuinta Jones

Robert Thomas finished last season with 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack his first season of playing time. Now that he has some of that experience, he says he's a lot more comfortable in the defense and was absolutely killing it this spring.

Defensive End

Starter: Trey Flowers

Backup: Colton Miles-Nash

Flowers will compete for the starting position along the defensive line with Tenarius Wright moving to the middle linebacker position. Flowers is only a sophomore, but showed some of his talent last year, picking up 28 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and breaking up a couple of passes. He also had two sacks in the spring game.

Linebacker

Starter: Matt Marshall

Backup: Jarrett Lake

With Arkansas losing some linebacker depth, Marshall, who's a senior, will be moved up into the starting lineup despite spending most of his career playing special teams. Marshall has the size and speed to contribute to this unit and could end up being the X-factor to this defense.

Linebacker

Starter: Alonzo Highsmith

Backup: Robert Atiga

If there's any starter from a year ago that shouldn't have their position questioned, it's Highsmith. He did everything for this defense from interceptions to forced fumbles and picking up 80 tackles. Expect similar production from the senior linebacker.

Linebacker

Starter: Tenarius Wright

Backup: Braylon Mitchell

Wright was a defensive end, but with the need for speed and athleticism at linebacker, he switched to middle linebacker and could end up finding a permanent home there.

“It’s a dream come true,” Wright said about the switch via Arkansas News. “So I’m trying to live it.”

Cornerback

Starter: Tevin Mitchel

Backup: Davyon McKinney

Mitchel is a gifted corner who saw time as a true freshman last year. The 4-star recruit played so well he'll end up starting this season and will be expected to make plays for this Razorbacks defense.

Cornerback

Starter: Darius Winston

Backup: Kelvin Fisher

Winston is a former 5-star recruit who hasn't quite lived up to expectations throughout his career at Arkansas. With that said, he's entering his senior season and should provide some leadership to a defense that has a few holes in it.

Safety

Starter: Eric Bennett

Backup: Alan Turner

Bennett will return as starter at safety after having a fabulous sophomore season. He was fourth on the team in tackles and second on the team with three interceptions. There's no question the junior will return as a starter in the defensive backfield. 

Safety

Starter: Jerry Mitchell

Backup: Ross Rasner

Mitchell started at safety, then moved to cornerback, now should end up moving back to his more natural position. With all of the losses the Razorbacks suffered on the defensive side of the ball, Mitchell must continue to show progress in the fall in order to play this position.