By Jimmy Carter

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett fully participated in the Razorbacks’ first fall practice Thursday.

The junior worked out without the boot he wore throughout the spring after breaking a bone in his left foot in February.

“I feel great,” Mallett said. “It’s been a while. I could tell I was a little rusty today, but it’s a process in fall camp. My legs are a little sore with it being my first full practice and all, but other than I feel good. My muscles (are sore), not my bones.”

Mallett reassumed his starting role as the Hogs worked out in helmets.

“I thought he did good,” Petrino said about the 6-foot-7, 238-pound signal caller. “I thought he was on balance. I thought his timing was pretty good. He made good throws for the most part. He was very, very comfortable and it was great to have his leadership back out there.”

Mallett looked sharp going through his first full practice since his injury, junior receiver Greg Childs said.

“Ryan looked great, just like he always does,” Childs said. “He came back just where he left off. He’s been out with us when we’ve been doing (pass skeleton) in the summer. He’s been out there trying to guide us and coach us up.”

Mallett said the Razorback offense was in-sync, despite him missing spring practice.

“I thought it was the best mental practice we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Mallett said.

The newcomers worked out earlier in the day along and the veterans took the field at 6:30 p.m. Several younger Razorbacks, including redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Mitchell, also worked out with the freshmen.

“The young guys obviously have a lot to get used to as far as the tempo we practice at,” Petrino said. “Some of them did a really nice job. Some of them, their endurance and mental toughness isn’t good enough yet, but it is a very talented group.

“We’re trying to give Brandon (Mitchell) a chance to step in and lead all the young players. He knows that we’re expecting him to lead these four (separate) practices. We want to see him take control, run the show and work as a starter would work.”

The Hogs’ executed well in their first of 19 August practices.

“We had a lot of carryover from spring ball and the work they did in the summer, so there wasn’t a lot of errors out there,” Petrino said. “We’ve got to build on it, continue to work hard and they have to push each other to play with great effort.”

Splitting the veterans and newcomers aided the older Razorbacks.

“We felt great, especially with that veteran group out there,” Bequette said. “Practice was crisp and everyone was confident in their assignment. I think it was a good idea (to split up the veterans and newcomers). It was good for those new guys to get a lot of one-on-one attention.

“For us it was better to get out there, be crisp and be with guys who know what to do.”

First practice depth chart

Here’s how the Hogs lined up in Thursday’s practice.

OFFENSE

QB – Ryan Mallett, Tyler Wilson

RB – Ronnie Wingo, Dennis Johnson

WR – Joe Adams

WR – Greg Childs

WR – Jarius Wright

TE – D.J. Williams, Ben Cleveland

OT – DeMarcus Love

OG – Grant Cook

C – Seth Oxner,

OG – Alvin Bailey

OT – Ray Dominguez

DEFENSE

DE – Tenarius Wright, Demario Ambrose, Colton Miles-Nash

DT – Lavunce Askew, D.D. Jones

DT – Patrick Jones, Alfred Davis

DE – Jake Bequette, Ryan Calendar,

OLB – Jerico Nelson, Brett Harris

MLB – Jermaine Love, Freddy Burton, Austin Moss

OLB – Jerry Franklin, Ryan Powers

CB – Isaac Madison, Andru Stewart

S – Rudell Crim, Elton Ford

S – Tramain Thomas, Anthony Leon

CB – Ramon Broadway, Darius Winston