Ryan Mallett‘s foot has been on the minds of Arkansas fans for the last six months (see Foot Watch). Entering fall practice, the pressure to perform, rest those minds and show that his foot is fine may only be outweighed by the high expectations surrounding the program.

Sure he’s set records in his first season at Arkansas, but how does he respond after three surgeries in the offseason (two on his foot, one on a shoulder) and the glare provided by the national spotlight?

It’s easy to see why Mallett, whose name is mentioned 111 times on the very Arkansas media guide cover he graces all by his lonesome, is one of The Slophouse’s Three 2 Watch entering fall camp.

THREE 2 WATCH: FALL PRACTICE

No. 2 — RYAN MALLETT

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6-6, 238
Class: Junior (RS)

The skinny

Ryan Mallett‘s left foot will have more eyes and camera lenses focused on it than any of the other 104 players’ faces Thursday at the start of fall camp. After breaking the left foot in conditioning drills Feb. 17, the quarterback has undergone two surgeries on the foot, burned through at least two weight-supporting scooters and a pair of crutches, and donned a protective boot or cast for the better part of five months.

He shed the protective boot at SEC Media Days last month, just short of two months since he had a surgery to replace a screw June 9.

He’s still upbeat, smiling and talkative. He’s also embraced high expectations, setting sights on a national championship, and has pushed aside the fact that he set or tied 16 school records last season in order to focus on 2010.

He’s Arkansas’ leader on and off the field. The locker room looks to him for guidance, but  there’s quite a difference between a hobbled leader and a completely healthy field general.

Ryan Mallett looks to follow up his record-setting sophomore season at Arkansas with a championship in 2010. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/WILLIAM MOORE)

What 2 Watch

Keep a close eye on the foot, especially during play-action plays and when Mallett rolls out or steps into his throws. Well, keep your eyes peeled pretty much the entire time.

Mallett tells us he’s shortened his stride, providing the opportunity for better execution and a quicker release of the ball, but does he have the confidence when the bullets are flying at him in scrimmages?

Mallett struggled early last season rolling out of the pocket, but improved throughout the season and was a terror for defenses throwing the ball on the move. Can he get back to that after being off the playing field (and the foot) for five months?

Mallett, who threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns with seven interceptions last season, is still most effective sitting in the pocket and reading the defense. The question is whether he’s matured enough to look to his receivers near the line of scrimmage when his options down field are covered.

Coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee say Mallett will get the bulk of the snaps in pre-season camp. He has some conditioning (physically and mentally) to improve upon and a bevy of snaps to handle on the field.

What 2 Expect

Coaches expect Mallett to be full speed when they take the field Thursday afternoon, but do the coaches trim down roll outs and plays that require sudden movement?

The Arkansas coaching staff has never been known to hold back from testing players, so I expect Mallett to be thrown in the fire early (if he’s completely cleared by doctors). All signs point to a healthy Mallett, and if that’s the case, highlight-reel throws will be the norm in practice.

Still, eyes will remain on that left foot until he strolls to the locker room after his first full game back on the field.

And what about backups Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell? Will they be ready if Mallett is sidelined?

What 2 Say

“We do have to be a little bit cautious as we get started, just because you don’t want to throw him out there and do too much too early. We do expect it to be healed, ready to go. All the reports from the doctors have been great — thumbs up, we’re right where we need to be. And they’re really excited about it, as well as I am.”

— Coach Bobby Petrino on Ryan Mallett

THREE 2 WATCH: FALL PRACTICE

No. 1 — ???

No. 2 — Ryan Mallett, quarterback

No. 3 — Alex Tejada, kicker

Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.

— Brandon Marcello