LSU: The Tigers returned to practice Tuesday after enjoying 11 days off for spring break. On the first day coming back, several players were experimenting at different positions. Defensive lineman Brandon Washington was moved to from defensive tackle to offensive tackle behind Nate Livings. Nick Saban has dropped hints all spring that the Tigers could have a stellar running game because of the development of the offensive line. The next scrimmage is Saturday at 1 p.m. Junior college transfer Mario Stevenson could be the sixth defensive back that Saban is looking for to back up Corey Webster, Travis Daniels, LaRon Landry, Jessie Daniels, Ronnie Prude. Junior defensive tackle Claude Wroten has been a pleasant surprise according to Saban. Senior cornerbacks Ronnie Prude and Corey Webster have been playing some receiver. The Tiger receivers including Sklyer Green, Dwayne Bowe and Craig “Buster” Davis look promising in spring drills. (Tigerbait.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Tailback Gonzie Gray could be considered the easy winner of the spring MVP honor. In Friday’s 90-play scrimmage, Gray carried the ball six times for 61 yards. In the first scrimmage, Gray had a 75-yard scoring run. Tailback Demetris Summers had four carries for 31 yards, but lost a fumble. Syvelle Newton is the No. 2 quarterback for the moment. He has made fewer mistakes than Blake Mitchell, who has thrown an interception in the past two scrimmages. (The State) Holtz was pleased that the defense was extremely physical during the scrimmage. He wants to promote a tougher attitude for the defense. Saturday afternoon is going to be the next scrimmage. Coach Lou Holtz is not sure if it will be an actual spring game or a controlled scrimmage. Holtz is not happy that the running back and quarterbacks have fumbled too much during the spring. (Gamecockcentral.com)

TENNESSEE: The Vols had a 50-play scrimmage Thursday (April 8) afternoon. Linebacker/defensive back Omar Gaither returned quarterback C. J. Leak’s fumble 46 yards for a score. Defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona played well. Jonathan Wade, who is still wearing a non-contact jersey, got a lot of work. Neither C. J. Leak nor Rick Clausen have taken the lead at quarterback. Leak has struggled in the past two scrimmages holding onto the football and throwing it on time. Clausen has not made as many turnovers, but he has not taken the team on scoring drives either. Some of the more positives performances this spring have been by redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Rob Smith, redshirt freshman receiver Robert Meachem, receiver Jayson Swain, linebacker Kevin Burnett, defensive back Jason Allen and Mahelona. Smith has been named the most improved offensive player of the spring and end Turk McBride the most improved defensive player. In Tuesday’s (April 13) 50-play scrimmage, tailback David Yancey, a walk-on, had a 53-yard scoring run against the first team defense. He led the rushers with eight carries for 92 yards. Leak was 3-of-12 for 52 yards and Clausen was 6-of-14 for 56 yards. The Orange and White game is Saturday at 2 p.m. (Volquest.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: In Thursday’s scrimmage, Omar Conner was 8-of-14 for 175 yards and three scores. In his first scrimmage, Conner was 6-of-15 for 77 yards and no scores. (Bulldogblitz.com) Receiver McKinley Scott had three catches for 122 yards and two scores. Guard Johnny Wadley is out for the rest of spring after having ankle surgery last Monday. Guard Brad Weathers has decided to give up football due to a nerve injury in his neck. He started eight games as a sophomore in 2002. Coach Sly Croom said tailback Jerious Norwood, Scott and the offensive line have improved in the past few weeks. Quinton Culberson, the backup to Adrian Griffin at cornerback, has come on this spring despite having a metal plate and seven screws in his lower right leg. He broke his leg last year in the Kentucky game. (Clarion-Ledger)

OLE MISS: In Friday’s two-hour scrimmage, the secondary made big plays. Cornerback Travis Johnson picked off two passes including one in the end zone. Sophomore safety Charles Clark returned a fumble 75 yards for a score. Clark and converted safety Bryan Brown combined for two sacks each. Redshirt freshman cornerback Nate Banks batted down a potential scoring pass. In the previous scrimmage, the secondary allowed three long scoring passes and a 73-yard run by starting quarterback Michael Spurlock (11-of-21 for 111 yards). The players credited newly hired secondary coach Jay Hopson, who came from Southern Miss, for the improvement. Sophomore Ethan Flatt was 10-of-23 for 140 yards in the scrimmage. The defense combined for 19 tackles-for-loss. (Clarion-Ledger)

Paul Eck, a quarterback from Andale High in Andale, Kansas, should sign with the Rebels this week according to RebelGrove.com. His signing will be counted on the 2004 class. His signing is important because Ole Miss did not sign a quarterback in February. Eck was named to several state all-star teams last season. (RebelGrove.com) Saturday is the annual Grove Bowl. Linemen Chris Herring and James McCoy have returned to the team after leaving school and playing at a junior college for a year. McCoy left last summer after he had a dispute with teammates and ended up at Gulf Coast CC. Herring, who played nine games as a true freshman, played at Northwest Mississippi CC last season. (Clarion-Ledger)

GEORGIA: Kregg Lumpkin has solidified his hold on the starting tailback spot. He has also improved his pass protection. However, backups-Michael Cooper, Tony Milton and Albert Hollis- have seen little action because of recovering from injuries. In their absence, freshman tailback Danny Ware has assumed the No. 2 position. Returning starting fullback Jeremy Thomas has been suspended for the first two games of the season. (UGASports.com) The A. J. Bryant move from quarterback to receiver appears to be permanent. Attrition has hit Georgia hard with defensive tackle Darrell Holmes (shoulder), running back Ronnie Powell (shoulder), defensive end Preston Pannell (shoulder), offensive lineman Tommy Gainous (knee) leaving due to long-time injuries. Several other players have left for various reasons-linebacker Derrick Holloway (graduation), center Randall Swoopes (quit team), linebacker Dana Graydon (transferred to GMC) and fullback Christopher Hickman (quit team). Junior Greg Blue, considered by many on the team to be the team’s biggest hitter, is eager to fill the void left by junior safety Sean Jones. Jamario Smith is moving to linebacker. He played in nine games at fullback last season. He has missed the spring due to an ankle injury. Receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) and tailback Michael Cooper (migraines) won’t play in the G-Day game Saturday at 2 p.m. (Athens Online)

ALABAMA: In a Tuesday press conference held after returning from a fund raising cruise, coach Mike Shula said sophomore cornerback Ramzee Robinson is one of the team’s leaders in the offseason program. Shula said he was pleased with the development of the offensive line. He hinted that twice as many freshmen might play next year compared to five from last season. Shula also said he expects Brodie Croyle to be the starting quarterback, but not without a fight from Spencer Pennington and Marc Guillon. Croyle, who had recent shoulder surgery, is expected to play this season. Shula said Kyle Tatum has performed well at offensive tackle after being moved from defensive tackle. (Al.com)

KENTUCKY: In Saturday’s (April 10) 80-play scrimmage, the defense outplayed the offense. The defense did not allow a first down until the fifth series and surrendered only two first downs among the first 37 plays. The first points did not come until 45 plays into the game. Shane Boyd was 8-of-14 for 140 yards and one score. He also rushed for 25 yards on six carries. (Kentucky Sports Report)

AUBURN: The Tigers now have the second highest paid staff (1.28 million) in the SEC next to Alabama (1.31 million). Tiger officials have increased the staff pay by $240,000 since 2000 in order to be competitive. New offensive coordinator Al Borges was given a rare two-year contract worth nearly $200,000. (Mobile Register)

GEORGIA TECH: Redshirt freshman quarterback Pat Carter is back at practice after recovering from a dislocated right knee. He had progressed enough before the injury to move ahead of former starter A. J. Suggs as the backup to Reggie Ball. With the recovery of Carter, senior Mark Logan might be moved back to receiver. Logan was switched to quarterback after the Carter injury. The coaching staff has spent time putting in a shotgun package to take advantage of Ball’s athleticism. Coach Chan Gailey said junior Salih Besirevic has made the biggest leap of anyone in spring practice. The Bosnia native (6-7, 280) is making a strong push to start at right offensive tackle. Chris Reis has been moved from reserve strong safety to a starting linebacker. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

CLEMSON: The spring game was played in front of 15,000 fans. Charlie Whitehurst was 19 of 47 passes for 290 yards. He played most of the game because backup quarterback Will Proctor left early with a minor eye injury. The defense forced four turnovers and nine sacks. The offensive line continues to have problems especially at the tackle position. Playing in place of the Kelvin Grant, who did not play because of “family issues”, receiver Michael Collins caught two touchdown passes of 8 and 9 yards. Grant’s suspension is not permanent. Stephen Furr appears to have won the starting kicking job. (The State)

MARYLAND: True freshman quarterback Dan Gronkowski went 7-for-8 for 108 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage. Joel Statham, Sam Hollenbach, and Ryan Mitch are battling for the starting position. Redshirt freshman linebacker Wesley Jefferson led the team in tackles with 12. Receiver Steve Suter, who has recovered from knee surgery, had three catches for 106 yards and two scores. (Collegefootballnews.com)

VIRGINIA: The Cavs have their seventh verbal commitment in Patrick Slebonick (6-5, 290), an offensive tackle from Stafford (Va.) North Stafford. Senior guard Elton Brown (Jacobs Blocking Trophy-ACC’s top blocker) and junior tight end Heath Miller (lead all tight ends with 70 catches) have been named to the 2004 Playboy All-American Football team. (Wagononline.com)

VIRGINIA TECH: Quarterback Marcus Vick was 9-of-16 for 148 yards and a score in the third scrimmage of the spring. Starter Bryan Randall was 7-of-18 for 83 yards and a suffered an interception. Defensive end Darryl Tapp had five tackles and three sacks. Tailback Cedric Hubbs, the possible starter, fractured his left fibula. He will have the rehab for the next few months. (Collegefootballnews.com)

WAKE FOREST: Redshirt freshman Ben Mauk went 6-of-8 for 102 yards and a score in the final scrimmage of the spring. He also ran for 93 yards and a score on seven carries. (Collegefootballnews.com)

NORTH CAROLINA: Quarterback Darian Durant was 5-of-5 passing in the limited action during the spring game. Defensively, linebacker Khalif Mitchell, a true freshman, and defensive back Kareen Taylor were the stars of the game. (Collegefootballnews.com)

FLORIDA STATE: Two heralded 2004 signees are optimistic of qualifying this season. J. R. Bryant, a cornerback from Miami Killian, told Warchant.com that his core grades have improved and that he feels that he did well on his ACT. Jacky Claude, an offensive lineman from Edison High, told Warchant.com that he too has raised his core average and feels good about his chances on the ACT.

MIAMI: Coach Larry Coker said the most improved players this spring have been defensive lineman Teraz McCray, linebackers Glenn Cook and Leon Williams, and defensive backs Antrel Rolle, Greg Threat, and Kelly Jennings. (Canesport.com) The Canes offensive line appears to be set with juniors Rashad Butler (right tackle) and Tony Tella (left guard) joining Eric Winston, Joel Rodriguez and Chris Myers (right guard). The second team consists of Tyler McMeans and Andrew Bain at tackle, Alex Pou and Derrick Morse at guard and Anthony Wollschalger at center. Buck Ortega, who up from 210 to 225, has fit in well at tight end. Receiver Roscoe Parrish had successful knee surgery (scoped) last week. The Cane coaches have said McCray and Orien Harris, a defensive lineman, has been virtually unblockable this spring. Miami has its annual spring game Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Orange Bowl. The biggest disappointment of the summer has been redshirt freshman Terrell Walden’s ACL tear. (Miami Herald)

TEXAS TECH: Red Raider officials and coach Mike Leach have agreed to a three-year extension to pay him more than $1 million per year through 2008. Leach, 31-21 in four seasons, has taken Texas Tech to a bowl in each of his four seasons. They have led the NCAA in passing offense the last two seasons. (ESPN.com)

RECRUITING CHANGES: Initial recommendations from the NCAA task force indicate no major changes in recruiting this season. The length and number of visits will remain the same. Some of the proposed changes are: limit air travel to commercial coach class and do not use limos to transport recruits; schools to provide only standard meals and lodging for student athletes; schools not to provide personalized jerseys and personalized audio or video presentations of recruits. Furthermore, host schools could be encouraged to develop a set of “best practices” concerning alcohol and entertainment. After going up the usual channels, the final recommendations will be considered by the management council in July and ultimate approval coming by the NCAA Board of Directors in August. (Warchant.com and Gainesville Sun)