TIGER RECRUITING: LSU enjoyed a top three finish in the mythical recruiting rankings for the third time in four years. The Tigers had four Parade All-Americans: Glenn Dorsey (6-2, 295), a defensive tackle from East Ascension (La.) High, Early Doucet (6-2, 211), a receiver from St. Martinville (La.) High, Xavier Carter (6-3, 190), a receiver from Palm Bay (Fla.) High, Lavelle Hawkins (5-11, 175), a receiver from Edison (Calif.) High and Dorsey. Ali Highsmith (6-0, 215), a linebacker from Miami Central (Fla.) High, who originally signed with Miami, signed with the Tigers. They did lose commitment Patrick White (6-2, 180), a quarterback from Daphne, Ala., who signed with West Virginia. Linemen were a priority and the Tigers signed 10.

OLE MISS: The Rebels had one of their best signing classes in years. Lavarus Giles (6-2, 207), a running back from Benoit, Miss., was wavering to Alabama, but he signed with Ole Miss. The Rebel receiver class was solid with Tony Burks (6-4, 200), who is from Harrison Central in Gulfport, Miss. Burks was one of five players the Rebels signed from the Clarion-Ledger top 10. The others were Garry Pack (6-1, 210), a linebacker from Oak Grove, Giles, Terrell Jackson (5-11, 185), a defensive back from Puckett, and Lance Lee (6-5, 280), an offensive lineman from Oxford. Pack was arguably the state’s best player. Five defensive linemen including Corey Mills (6-4, 265) from Memphis Christian Brothers in Tennessee inked with the Rebels. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 3 rated prospect in the state of Tennessee.

ALABAMA: Marcus Manson (6-1, 195), a running back from Hillcrest (Ala.) High in Tuscaloosa, visited Alabama last weekend without changing his commitment from Florida. He signed with the Gators. However, the Tide had a strong signing class of 27 including Justin Britt (6-4, 270), a lineman from Cullman High; Simeon Castille (6-1, 185), a defensive back from Briarwood Christian in Birmingham; D. J. Hall (6-3, 170), a receiver from Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; Nikita Stover (6-2, 187), a receiver from Hartselle, Ala., and Lorenzo Washington (6-5, 275), a defensive lineman from Grayson (Ga.) High. Of the 27 signees, 21 were from the state of Alabama. Tide coach Mike Shula said he has a plan on how to use the 19 available scholarships and still utilize the other 8 players who signed. Six receivers were signed all over 6-foot-1.

ARKANSAS: The Hogs have inked a deal with Louisiana-Monroe to play five times over the next 10 years beginning in 2004. ULM will be technically designated as the home team. Beginning this fall, all Division I-A colleges must host a minimum of five home games against Division I-A competition (HawgSports.com). Six Hog coaches visited with Fred Bledsoe (6-4, 290), a defensive tackle from Little Rock (Ark.) Central. Bledsoe, who signed with Arkansas over Tennessee. The Hogs met their goal of signing defensive backs (9) and defensive linemen (5). Coach Houston Nutt was glad to get a couple of players out of Tulsa in Zach Snider (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Union and Michael Tate (6-4, 250), a defensive end from Booker T. Washington High. Out of 32 players that visited campus Jan. 16 and 23, 25 signed our pledged to walk-on (Hawgsports.com).

AUBURN: Some of the late commitments that eventually signed with Auburn were Mike McLaughlin (6-2, 226), a fullback from Waynesboro (Miss.) Wayne County, (Nebraska, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and West Virginia offered him); Chris Browder (6-4, 240), a defensive lineman from Southwest (Miss.) CC; Tyronne Green (6-3, 275), a defensive tackle from Pensacola (Fla.) Woodham;. Korey Raymond (6-4, 270), a defensive lineman from Reserve (La.) East St. John (Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern State); Steve Gandy (6-1, 195), a defensive back from Wayne County High in Mississippi (Ole Miss); John Watts (6-6, 270), an offensive lineman from Russellville (Ala.) High (Watts is recovering from an ACL injury); Tony Bell (6-2, 205), a safety from Alabaster, Ala., (LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee); Pat Sims (6-4, 280), a defensive tackle from Ft. Lauderdale Dillard (Rutgers, N. C. State and Ole Miss). Recruiting information from AuburnSports.com.

The Tigers have added Tulane in 2006 and South Florida in 2007. Auburn opens the season against Louisiana-Monroe and will play at Mississippi State on Sept. 11 (Huntsville Times). Tommy Tuberville announced that Hugh Nall has been moved back to offensive line coach. Tuberville will have a national search to hire an offensive coordinator (AuburnSports.com). Possible candidates are Rob Spence, offensive coordinator from Toledo and Shane Montgomery, offensive coordinator from Miami of Ohio. Phillip Lolley, the former secondary coach, is now the Director of High School Relations and Jimmy Perry, the former Director of High School Relations, is the Director of Football Operations.

GEORGIA: Last year, the Bulldogs spent nearly all their $507,000 recruiting budget. Georgia paid about $21,500 for the 24 players it signed to make official campus visits. The other 14 prospects Georgia didn’t sign cost close to $33,000 while visiting Athens. Most of the expenses come from chartered flights. Schools charter flights because many players are involved in basketball games on Friday nights (AJC.com). Rated by some as the No. 1 player in the state, Brandon Miller (6-4, 225), a defensive end from Colquitt Miller County signed with Georgia over FSU and Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs signed 10 of the top 15 players in the state of Georgia. Sandy Creek receiver Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech), Hart County linebacker Jae Thaxton (FSU) and Grayson defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington (Alabama) were few of the ones that signed with another team. Bulldog coaches were able to turn Josh Johnson (6-2, 225), a linebacker from Stephenson High, from Miami and Ramarcus Brown (5-11, 162), a defensive back from Tri-Cities de-committed from Oklahoma. Dannell Ellerbe (6-2, 196), a linebacker from Hamlet Richmond, N. C., was one of the last minute signees that Bulldog coaches coveted. Last season, Georgia signed 21 of 24 players from instate.

FLORIDA: Derrick McPhearson (5-11, 175), a receiver from DeMatha Catholic High in Hyattsville, Maryland visited this past weekend and signed with the Gators. He chose Florida over Maryland, and Virginia Tech. Eric Rutledge (6-1, 230), a running back/linebacker from P. K. Yonge High in Gainesville, was a late commitment to Florida. He will likely play fullback at UF. Michael Brown, a lineman from Westlake (Ga.) High signed with Florida over Georgia. Mike McIntosh (6-2, 180), a receiver from First Coast in Jacksonville, changed his mind and signed with Florida after committing to Clemson. McIntosh and his father went to Gainesville Sunday and watched the Super Bowl in coach Ron Zook’s office (Florida Times-Union). Dane Guthrie (6-3, 240), a tight end from Miami (Fla.) Killian, shunned the Canes and signed with the Gators. The additions of Guthrie, McIntosh, McPhearson, Javier Estopinan (6-3, 235), a linebacker from South Miami, Derrick Harvey (6-5, 235), a defensive end from Greenbelt (Md.) Roosevelt and Cornelius Ingram (6-5, 215), a quarterback from Hawthorne (Fla.) High, were impressive because it happened within a 48-hour time period of signing day. The Gators had only five signees from outside of Florida. Zook has replaced offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher with Larry Fedora. Zaunbrecher will remain as quarterback coach.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Sophomore quarterback Aries Nelson injured his non-throwing shoulder in an automobile wreck last Wednesday. Junior quarterback Kyle York is expected to recover from shoulder surgery he had in December to his right throwing shoulder despite chronic soreness (Clarion-Ledger). Kenny McClellan (5-11, 175), an athlete from Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington High, has verbally committed to State. He chose the Bulldogs over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Jonathan Lowe (5-8, 170), an athlete from Phenix City (Ala.) signed with the Bulldogs. He is the son of former Alabama star Eddie Lowe.

TENNESSEE: The Vols had around six scholarships left to offer recruits in the last few days. Secondary positions are important for the Vols because they have 10 on scholarship and normally have 15 defensive backs. The Vol have signed 19 Parade All-Americans from 10 different states during the last four years. Florida is second with 16. LSU and Georgia each signed just five Parade All-Americans. Inquoris “Inky” Johnson (6-0, 175), an athlete from Atlanta Crim High, has signed with Tennessee over Georgia and Mississippi State. Jerod Mayo (6-2, 214), a linebacker from Hampton (Va.) Kecoughtan, chose Tennessee over Virginia Tech. Chris Brown (6-3, 235), a tight end from New Orleans Jesuit, has signed with Tennessee after visiting Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida. His final decision came down to the Vols and Auburn. Robert Ayers (6-3, 220), a linebacker from S. C., chose Tennessee over Florida, FSU, N. C. State and South Carolina. Brent Schaeffer (6-3, 190), a quarterback from Deerfield Beach (Fla.) signed with Tennessee over N. C. State and Auburn. Demonte Bolden (6-5, 294), a defensive tackle from Chattanooga, was one of the defensive stalwart signees for the Vols. Ell Ash (6-5, 260), a lineman from Willingboro, N.J., committed to Tennessee Tuesday and was the first to fax in his LOI. He chose Tennessee over N. C. State, Clemson, Notre Dame and Pitt.

The Vols have released their 2004 schedule after adding Louisiana Tech on Sept. 25. Tech replaces Memphis on the schedule. The first four games (UNLV-Sept. 4, Florida-Sept. 18, La. Tech-Sept. 25 and Auburn-Oct. 2) are at home. Tennessee doesn’t leave the state until they play Georgia, Oct. 9. They visit Ole Miss, Oct. 16. Alabama (Oct. 23) and Notre Dame (Nov. 6) come to Knoxville. (Volquest.com)

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats signed some huge players such as Lonnell Dewalt (6-7, 220), a receiver from Warren Central in Bowling Green, Ky., Micah Jones (6-4, 317), an offensive lineman from Mayfield (Ky.) High and Kane Hannaford (6-6, 340), an offensive lineman Palmetto (Ky.) High. Rafael Little (5-11, 195), a tailback from T. L. Hanna in Anderson, S. C., the Rivals.com No. 9 rated all-purpose back, also signed.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks coaches did a good job of salvaging a class that was unsettled due to the transition in the coaching staff. USC received a late verbal from Chris Hampton (6-1, 175), a safety from Melrose High in Memphis, Tenn., who had previously committed to Louisville. James Thompson (6-5, 310), an offensive tackle from Sumter, South Carolina, signed with USC over Clemson, Florida, N. C. State and North Carolina. Marque Hall (6-5, 305), a lineman from Wingate, N. C. Forest Hills, was a major signee for the Gamecocks. Rivals.com rated him the 10th best defensive tackle by Rivals.com. He chose South Carolina over Tennessee, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jacket 2004 schedule has been released. Miami (Oct. 2) and Virginia (Nov. 20) highlight the home schedule. Virginia Tech visits for an ESPN Thursday night game, Oct. 28. This is Tech’s 17th ESPN Thursday night game since 1991. Tech opens the season at home against Samford, Saturday, Sept. 4 (JacketsOnline.com) Giff Smith (Tulane) has been hired as the new defensive line coach and Brian Jean-Mary (North Alabama) is the new linebackers coach. Patrick Nix has been promoted to offensive coordinator from quarterbacks coach and running game coordinator. Darryl Richard (6-4, 285), a defensive lineman from Destrehan, La., signed with Tech over Miami. Darrell Robertson (6-5, 205), a defensive lineman from Jonesboro, Ga., signed with Tech after committing to FSU. Tech signed 23 players from nine states, including 11 from Georgia. (JacketsOnline.com)

CLEMSON: The Tigers 2004 football schedule features four tough opening games: Wake Forest, Sept. 4 and Georgia Tech Sept. 11 are at home, then the Tigers go to Texas A & M Sept. 18 and FSU Sept. 25. They also have a game at Virginia, Thursday, Oct. 7. Clemson travels to Miami, Nov. 6. (TigerIllustrated.com)

The Tigers lost out on Leon Hart (6-5, 290), an offensive lineman from Spring Valley High in Columbia, S. C., who went to Auburn, Robert Ayers (6-3, 229), a linebacker from Marlboro County in St. Clio, S. C. and Sinclair Cannon (6-3, 190), a defensive back from Greer, S. C., who went to Tennessee, Lawrence Timmons (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Florence, S. C., went to FSU and Mack Frost (6-5, 260), a defensive tackle from Spring Valley High in Columbia, went to Maryland. Conversely, Clemson beat out several teams for Corey Lambert (6-7, 300), an offensive lineman from Greenville, S.C., and took several athletes from South Carolina such as Michael Hamlin (6-3, 185), a defensive back from Lamar, S.C. Clemson coaches were pleased to sign their top quarterback target, Tribble Reese (6-3, 190) from Mountain Brook, Ala. Joining Reese was Cullen Harper (6-3, 200), a quarterback from Alpharetta, Ga. Another priority for the Tigers was Dorrel Scott (6-3, 290), a defensive tackle from Columbia, S. C.

FLORIDA STATE was rewarded with a big verbal commitment and a signing from Jae Thaxton (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Hart County in Hartwell, Ga. He chose FSU over Georgia and LSU. Tallahassee Lincoln’s Rodney Gallon, the nation’s No. 9 linebacker, announced his decision to attend FSU Monday night on the CBS Tallahassee affiliate. He narrowed his choices to FSU, Auburn and Tennessee before choosing the Noles. Yet another Tallahassee Lincoln player, Joe Manning ((6-0, 175), a defensive back, announced his decision to sign with FSU on Wednesday. He visited Auburn, FSU, Nebraska and Tennessee. Emmanuel Dunbar (6-5, 265), a defensive lineman from Deerfield Beach High, signed Wednesday after receiving offers from Oklahoma, N. C. State and FSU. Darius McClure (5-11, 188), a safety from Minor (Ala.) High backed off his commitment to Auburn after visiting FSU over the weekend and signed with the Noles. Tony Carter (5-9, 175), a cornerback from Mandarin High, signed with the Noles after considering Tennessee. (Warchant.com)

The FSU 2004 football schedule has been released. After traveling to Miami for a Labor Day night game, the Noles do not play again until Saturday, Sept. 18 when UAB comes to town. FSU travels to Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 9. (Warchant.com)

VIRGINIA: Two of the more heralded Cavalier signees were Clint Sintim (6-3, 254), a defensive end/linebacker from Woodbridge (Va.) Gar-Field, who had offers from Virginia Tech, Maryland, Ohio State and Tennessee and Olu Hall (6-3, 220), a defensive end from Fairfax (Va.) Robinson, has committed to the Cavs. Rivals.com rates him as the No. 7 defensive end in the nation. The Cavs have six home games this season. They open the season Sept. 4 on the road at Temple. They have three straight home games the rest of the month: North Carolina (Sept. 11), Akron (Sept. 18) and Syracuse (Sept. 25). Virginia has an ESPN Thursday night, Oct. 7, home game against Clemson. Miami, one of the newest conferences members, come calling Nov. 13. They end the season with two road games at Georgia Tech Nov. 20 and Virginia Tech Nov. 27. (WagonOnline.com)

NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels have six home games this year against William & Mary, Georgia Tech, Louisville, N. C. State, Miami and Virginia Tech. They have road games at Virginia, Florida State, Utah, Wake Forest and Duke. The schedule features eight bowl teams from last year (Virginia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, FSU, N. C. State, Utah, Miami and Virginia Tech). Connor Barth (6-1, 175), a kicker from Wilmington, N.C., might be the answer to any Tar Heel kicking woes. Another big pickup for the Tar Heels was Calvin Darity (6-4, 275), an offensive lineman from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln High. Darity, the No. 1 rated guard by Rivals.com, visited Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, LSU and FSU. (CarolinaBlue.com)

MIAMI had 10 football players to be selected to the Big East All-Academic Football team including linebacker Jonathan Vilma (finance), quarterback Brock Berlin (liberal arts), cornerback Kelly Jennings (finance) and kicker Jon Peattie (business management according to the Miami Herald. The Canes had several late commitments from several players including Khalil Jones (6-3, 206), a receiver from Miami Northwestern; Cedric Hill (6-2, 206), a tight end from Valdosta (Ga.) High; Josh Kerr (6-4, 275), an offensive lineman from Strongsville (Ohio) High; Willie Williams (6-2, 227), a linebacker from Miami City Carol; Antonio Dixon (6-4, 319), a defensive tackle from Miami Booker T. Washington; Rashaun Jones (6-2, 195), an athlete from Lake City (Fla.) Columbia; his teammate, George Timmons (6-2, 180), another athlete, also signed with the Canes; Lovon Ponder (6-1, 185), a safety from Monsignor Pace High. He chose Miami over N. C. State. Miami did lose J. R. Bryant (6-1, 170), a defensive back from Miami Killian and Trevor Ford (6-1, 187), a defensive back from Miami Northwestern to FSU and Guthrie to Florida. (Canesport.com)

The Miami football schedule has been released for 2004. After hosting FSU on Monday night, Sept. 6, the Canes do not play again until Thursday night, Sept. 16 at home against Louisville. Other non-conference games are at Houston, Thursday, Sept. 16 and home vs. Louisiana Tech, Saturday, Oct. 16. Miami hosts Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 6. Virginia Tech comes to Coral Gables for the season finale, Saturday, Dec.4. (Canesport.com)

SOUTH FLORIDA: The Bulls defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, Jr. will receive a sixth year of eligibility after losing the majority of two seasons to knee injuries. JUCO All-American running back Andre Hall (5-9, 200) signed with the Bulls.

FLORIDA A & M: Rattler president Fred Gainous is hoping to delay the school’s move to Division I-A this fall. Gainous said the athletic facilities have not been improved and more financial support needs to be raised. (Tallahassee Democrat.com).

PITTSBURGH: Coach Walt Harris is receiving more criticism for losing some key recruits. There are some rumors that Harris might be going to the NFL after next season. The Panthers lost verbal commitment Anthony Morelli (6-4, 210), a quarterback from Penn Hills in Pittsburgh, to Penn State.