BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The talk in Fayetteville, Ark., has been surrounding their 6-foot-7, 238-pound Heisman Trophy candidate and clear-cut leader of the Razorbacks.

But the returning talent around junior quarterback Ryan Mallett could set Arkansas apart from the competitive Southeastern Conference.

Arkansas brings back an SEC-high 18 starters and 59 lettermen from an 8-5 season in 2009, including three running backs with more than 300 rushing yards and three wide receivers with at least five touchdowns last season.

The Razorbacks’ protection of Mallett should also be steady with four offensive linemen returning to the trenches.

“Expectations are very high,” said Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. “It starts with our players, which is a good thing. Our players’ expectations for the season is high. Our coaches’ expectations for the season is high. Our administration’s expectations for the season is high.”

Mallett’s left foot has been a hot topic of conversation after he broke it Feb. 17 and missed all of spring practice.

Petrino said the junior quarterback will be ready for fall camp Aug. 4.

“He’s fought through this injury that he’s had,” Petrino said. “He got a lot out of spring football without taking a rep just because of his concentration, his attitude [and] his love for the game.”

Mallett studied game film and used swimming to exercise while he couldn’t workout with the team.

“I’m right on schedule,” Mallett said. “[I’ll] be ready to go during camp,”

The Texarkana, Texas, native said he still isn’t back fully on his normal routine.

“I’m doing my pool work still for conditioning,” Mallett said. “I’m not conditioning running yet. But the first day at camp, I’ll be out there with cleats on, pads on.”

Mallett completed his first complete season in 2009, starting all 13 games for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns and setting or tying 16 different school records.

“We’re excited with the fact that he is healthy, that he has been throwing the last I think three weeks now,” Petrino said. “We feel like when we step on the field two weeks from now, he’ll be 100 percent healthy and ready to go.”

Petrino, who also coached quarterback Brian Brohm during his time at Louisville, said Mallett brings something special to the Razorbacks.

“The greatest thing about Ryan is when he comes into a room or steps on the practice field, everybody’s energy goes up because of the smile that he has and how much he loves competition and loves the game of football,” Petrino said.

Mallett has been dubbed as the top quarterback in the SEC with many conference teams undergoing changes under center or still developing their quarterback.

“I don’t think you can name a best quarterback in the SEC until the season’s over,” Mallett said. “I had an OK year last year. The expectations of me are high. They’re even higher for myself. That’s just how I was brought up. That’s how I am.”

Arkansas ends its season against LSU on Nov. 27 in the Battle for the Golden Boot in Little Rock.

A rivalry has developed between the two teams, stemming from tough competition as of late.

“LSU is a very good football team,” Petrino said “It’s always very competitive.”

The last three matchups between the Tigers and Razorbacks have been decided by a combined six points.

“We’ve had two really good games against them the last two years,” Petrino said. “They’ve come down right to the last play of the game, which is a lot of fun. You like games like that.”

LSU comes into 2010 with bragging rights after escaping the Razorbacks, 33-30, last season on senior kicker Josh Jasper’s 36-yard field goal in overtime.