Arkansas released its depth chart Friday and eight starting positions were still undecided.

It’s two days before the season-opener against Tennessee Tech and Razorback coach Bobby Petrino said the coaching staff is still looking at several position battles.

“We’re not talking about starters right now,” Petrino said. “We’ll see how that all plays out. We’ve still got a lot of evaluation of the video on practice. We still have some guys still rotating in. Those ‘OR’s’ (on the depth chart) are there for a reason.”

The No. 17 Razorbacks had better practices Wednesday and Thursday after a lackluster effort Tuesday.

“It was good to change from the grind of fall camp and get into a game week,” Petrino said. “Tuesday we came out and didn’t like what we saw. The guys reacted last night and did a very good job tonight. Our execution was good and our energy was very good.”

The players and coaching staff are ready to kick off the season.

“The best part is we get to quit talking,” Petrino said. “This is it. No more talking. We get to go out and play and show what we’re about. Everyone’s a little tired of talking and answering the same questions over and over since (SEC) Media Days in Birmingham. Mainly the head coach, but I know our players are (tired), too.

“It’s time to go out and play football. I think we’re real excited. I think the main thing is that we focus on us, doing our job right and playing the brand of football we want to play.”

The Razorbacks established starters at linebacker after much shuffling during fall camp. Senior Anthony Leon will start at will linebacker, Petrino said.

The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder moved from safety to linebacker midway through fall camp and was listed as a co-starter with junior Jerry Franklin on the depth chart last week, but Franklin was moved to mike linebacker Tuesday and will start in the middle for the Hogs.

“They’ve all been working hard,” Petrino said.

Sophomore Dylan Breeding will get the nod at punter, Petrino said in his Wednesday SEC teleconference. Breeding had competed with freshman Zach Hocker for the starting job.

Hocker, fellow freshman Eddie Camara and senior incumbent Alex Tejada competed for the placekicking duties in fall camp. Hocker or Tejada will earn the start and Petrino said the competition between the two was good.

“They’re both taking it very seriously,” Petrino said. “They both go back-and-forth a little bit. Coming inside today (to the Walker Pavilion) was not ideal, but we wanted high school games at the stadium.

“We’ll just have to see how it plays out.”

The Hogs have four co-starters at running back. Petrino said juniors Broderick Green and Dennis Johnson and sophomores Ronnie Wingo and Knile Davis have impressed in preparation for the season-opener.

“They know that they don’t get as many reps in practice as everybody else, because there are four of them splitting (the reps),” Petrino said. “What they have to do is stand in the back and get mental reps. They’ve done a very nice job of that.

“They know every play. They stand back there, get their reads and talk about it. The communication has been great. It’s a good group of guys cheering for the other guy. They all want to be (the starter), they all want to compete, but they love their teammate and they’re pulling for their teammate to do well.”

Junior cornerback Isaac Madison will start in his first game action since the 2008 season when he made 11 starts. He tore his ACL in fall camp last season and redshirted, but has provided leadership for the Hogs in fall camp.

“Isaac is one of the quietest leaders on the team,” Petrino said. “There’s not one person on the team that doesn’t respect him and what he’s all about. He’s all about working hard and doing the right thing on and off the field.”

Sophomore tight end Chris Gragg will also play for the first time since 2008. Gragg broke his ankle in fall camp last season, but will help the Razorbacks’ passing attack this season.

“Having Chris back really helps us because it gives us a lot more speed down the field and to stretch the defense,” Petrino said. “He can run and catch and make a lot of plays. He’s worked really hard on his blocking, his technique and toughness. I’ve been really impressed with that.”

Petrino said he’d like to play the Hogs’ top three quarterbacks Saturday. Junior Ryan Mallett will start, but Petrino said he wants sophomore Tyler Wilson and redshirt freshman Brandon Mitchell to both get work.