FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks open fall camp Thursday with plenty of optimism but lots of questions.

The Hogs, coming off an 11-2 season and a Cotton Bowl victory, can match returning talent at the skill positions with virtually any team in college football. Quarterback Tyler Wilson, tailback Knile Davis, receiver Cobi Hamilton and tight end Chris Gragg take a back seat to no other such combination in the country, and the offensive line has three starters returning.

Davis and Wilson toured New York City and ESPN studios last week on a media blitz aimed at getting the Razorbacks more attention from members of the national media.

“The more exposure we can get, the better,” Arkansas Coach John L. Smith said. “[Recruits] are going to take a look at Arkansas, and we want that logo out as much as we can get it out.”

The interest in Arkansas begins with its offense, which ranked No. 29 in the nation last season with an average of 438 yards per game and No. 15 with 36.8 points per game.

Defensively, Arkansas should be able to send out afront four, plus middle linebacker Tenarius Wright, that can match up with other SEC units. But the big question is whether the Razorbacks can improve appreciably from their No. 74 ranking against the run, which new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes has deemed a top priority.

The defense, which ranked No. 47 overall, also lost key players in NFL Draft pick Jake Bequette, leading tackler Jerry Franklin and interceptions leader Tramain Thomas.

Then there is the loss of former coach Bobby Petrino. The college football world is waiting to see how the Razorbacks will respond without his hard-driving, ultra-competitive presence.

1. FINDING PLAYMAKERS AT LINEBACKER

The depth situation at the linebacking spots is such that Tenarius Wright returned to his old middle linebacker spot after beginning to carve a name for himself as an end and fullback Kiero Small is in consideration for spot relief at one of the inside positions.

Alonzo Highsmith is fully recovered from the partially torn pectoral tendon he sustained at the outset of spring drills, so he’s solid at the inside “Will” linebacker position.

“The best thing that Alonzo did while he was hurt, and even this whole summer, is that he studied the game,” defensive coordinator Paul Haynes said.

Other possible contributors on the inside include touted freshman Otha Peters, as well as Braylon Mitchell, Austin Jones, Terrell Williams and Robert Atiga. Mitchell, Jones, Williams and Atiga have taken snaps with the first-team defense at various times.

Peters might be able to impact the rotation early.

“He has all the tools,” Haynes said. “He has what you want. Now let’s see him get out there and do it.”

Matt Marshall is aiming for a big senior year at the strongside spot, and the group of players who could get reps outside includes Jarrett Lake, Daunte Carr and incomingfreshman A.J. Turner.

Smith listed linebacker as the biggest position of concern heading into camp. There are plenty of names here and the Razorbacks just need some of them to play well enough to have people remember them.

2. SOLIDIFYING AN OFFENSIVE LINE ROTATION

The Razorbacks have needed to make in-season tweaks to the starting five in recent years, so establishing a cohesive unit in the next three weeks is a priority.

One starter seems set - Rimington Trophy candidate Travis Swanson at center - while other jobs are up for grabs, including the guard slot held by 26-game starter Alvin Bailey. Bailey, Travis Deacon, Luke Charpentier and Mitch Smothers will battle for playing time at guard, while Smothers and Charpentier are also in the mix as backup centers.

The tackle scenario will bear close watching. Ninegame starter Jason Peacock has earned his way out of the doghouse following his theft arrest and leads a pack that includes Brey Cook, David Hurd, Grady Ollison and Chris Stringer. Hurd, a former walk-on, took a lot of firstteam reps during the spring and had the most productive session, according to offensivecoordinator Paul Petrino.

3.FINDING PLAYMAKERS IN THE SECONDARY

One of the most overlooked statistics about Arkansas’ defense in 2011: The Hogs ranked 17th nationally in pass efficiency defense, which is a product of completion percentage, yards per pass play, touchdowns allowed and interceptions.

Arkansas brings back established players in cornerbacks Darius Winston and Tevin Mitchel and safety Eric Bennett, but filling in around those players will be critical.

Ross Rasner, the top backup at the roving “Jack” spot last year, is listed as the starting free safety beside Bennett, and Haynes will continue to use Rasner’s flexibility by setting him up closer to the line in the “star” position on occasion.

Safety depth should come from Jerry Mitchell, Alan Turner, Rohan Gaines and incoming freshman Defonta Lowe.

A strong year by Winston in man schemes could be the key to defensive flexibility, as long as Mitchel continues apace with his learning curve and play-making skills. Behind those two at corner looms redshirt freshmen Kelvin Fisher Jr. and Davyon McKinney, as well as transferKaelon Kelleybrew, a Little Rock native who had some strong scrimmage work in the spring. Newcomers Ray Buchanan Jr. and Will Hines also aim to impress in camp.

4. LOCATING MORE PASS CATCHERS

Cobi Hamilton, tight end Chris Gragg and the veteran backs are bonafide SEC threats, but there is only one wideout in that bunch.

Quarterback Tyler Wilson lost his go-to guy in Jarius Wright, and the biggest pass catcher in the spring, Marquel Wade, whose burglary arrest and subsequent failure to adhere to team standards earned him the boot, is no longer around.

There is a huge list of potential candidates in the wings, including Javontee Herndon, Julian Horton, Keante Minor, Demetrius Wilson, Keon Hatcher, D’Arthur Cowan, Eric Hawkins, Mekale McKay and Jeremy Sprinkle.

5. WHO WILL THE HOGS BE?

NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, who attended a recent 7-on-7 tournament in the area, framed up this storyline well when he discussed how the Razorbacks would form their identity.

The Razorbacks learned how to practice hard and win and they played with an edge under former coach Bobby Petrino. The question is whether they can do it for Smith and the returning cast of assistants.

“It’s going to start when that coach decides this is what we’re going to be, this is who we’re going to be, and this is what we’re going to stand for,” Lott said. “I look at this team, they’ve got the talent. They’ve clearly got the talent, and they clearly have the opportunity to do some damage in the SEC.

“The question is going to be the emotion and the character and how they find themselves.”

Sports, Pages 15 on 08/01/2012