Gregory works as ‘pounder

’FAYETTEVILLE — With three tailbacks out and Arkansas focusing on the inside run, sophomore Chip Gregory piled up the carries Wednesday.

The team’s biggest running back at 6-3, 218 pounds, Gregory worked frequently behind starting tailback Michael Smith as the Razorbacks put on shoulder pads for the first time for their third practice. Gregory, a converted linebacker, saw a good deal of action in goal-line drills and had his busiest day since moving to tailback in the spring.

“I just want to be a pounder,” Gregory said. “I’m loving it at running back. What’s better than having the ball in your hands and getting to do what you love ?”

A high ankle sprain slowed Gregory virtually all spring, and a bevy of freshman backs entered the picture behind Smith to start preseason camp.

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However, junior Brandon Barnett remained sidelined Wednesday while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Freshman Dennis Johnson was out with a strained hamstring, and freshman Albert Gary did not dress due to an undisclosed reason but watched practice.

“I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him all three practices,” Coach Bobby Petrino said of Gregory. “He really came in with a good attitude and he’s working hard. He started behind the two freshmen [De’Anthony Curtis and Johnson ], and now he’s working his way forward.... Again, that’s a big, good-looking back.”

Gregory’s performance was hampered by one fumble.

“He’s done fine and probably has earned the right to get more reps, and he probably will,” running backs coach Tim Horton said. “I thought he had a good day.”

Petrino used big backs with consistently good results during his tenure at Louisville and wants to do it at Arkansas. “I know Mike Smith and DeAnthony and Dennis, and when Brandon Barnett gets back, they’re real fast guys and they’re going to run around them and make them tired,” Gregory said. “Then when I get in I can just pound on them.”

Linebacker jack The linebacker position continues to draw scrutiny with the addition of the “jack” position and its seeming lack of depth. First-team middle linebacker Jerry Franklin also left practice early for undisclosed reasons Wednesday, giving true freshman Tenarius Wright a big day with the first unit.

Senior Walner Leandre appears to be in the lead for the starting role at jack, which is a hybrid spot combining outside linebacker, nickel back and safety responsibilities. Leandre was ushered to the training room after practice Wednesday and unavailable for interviews.

Safeties Dallas Washington and Bret Harris are also working at the spot.

“You’re closer to the line of scrimmage, so you’ll be more in the action,” Harris said. “But everybody’s bigger than you.”

Said Washington: “I’m working the tight safety spot and the nickel spot, which in this defense is kind of the jack spot.”

Asked the biggest challenge about the jack spot, the 5-11, 210-pound Washington said: “Just being used to being so low and so close to the box, just showing up on run responsibilities.”

Arkansas defensive coordinator Willie Robinson said he’d still consider it a 4-3 alignment when the Hogs employ the jack. “They’re all looking like linebackers right now, so they’re doing real good,” senior linebacker Elston Forte said. “They have to fit up for the run and just be a big enough body in there to really cause some distractions.”

Injury report Safety Rashaad Johnson, running back Dennis Johnson and cornerback Darrell Glasper joined the list of nicked up players Wednesday. Those players worked on the sideline with running back Brandon Barnett (knee ), linebacker Wendel Davis (knee ), tight end Lance Thompson (groin ) and offensive lineman Kareem Crowell. Linebacker Ryan Powers was forced to the sidelines with heat-related fatigue, Coach Bobby Petrino said, and receiver London Crawford experienced leg cramps.

Not high on Hogs Add Sports Illustrated to the list of magazines forecasting a gloomy season for Arkansas. In SI’s college football edition — which features No. 1 Georgia on the cover — Arkansas is projected to finish last in the SEC West and 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the conference. Since joining the SEC for the 1992 season, the Razorbacks’ worst conference record has been 2-6, most recently in 1997. Arkansas All-America center Jonathan Luigs is included in the SEC “players to watch” section. Nationally, SI rates Arkansas 69 th and Arkansas State 100 th among the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Fan Day Razorback Fan Day is set for Saturday, Aug. 16, from 3 p. m. until 5 p. m. at the Gardens, located south of Walton Arena. Arkansas coaches, players, mascots and the spirit squads will be on hand to sign autographs. The Razorbacks kick off the Bobby Petrino era Aug. 30 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium against Western Illinois.