AUBURN: Noseguard T. J. Jackson has returned after missing two weeks with a dislocated elbow. During his absence, redshirt freshman Josh Thompson has worked with the first team. Also returning is defensive end Stanley McClover, who missed a week with a strained hamstring. Tight end Cooper Wallace has come back after dealing with hamstring and calf problems. With the loss of David Irons to knee surgery and the transfer of Courtney Denson, sophomore Montae Pitts has stepped up his play. On special teams, Carnell Williams and Devin Aromashodu are returning kicks and Tre Smith, Williams and Silas Daniels are handling punt returns. Philip Yost and John Vaughn are still competing for the place kicking job. Offensive lineman Jarrod Britt had successful shoulder surgery and he should be ready to return in spring. (AuburnSports.com)

FLORIDA: Receiver Reggie Lewis is back on the practice field after spending three days in the hospital. He will not return to full contact drills until next week. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Clint McMillan drew praise from Coach Ron Zook for making two sacks in last Saturday’s scrimmage. (GatorBait.net)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Sophomore quarterback Aries Nelson has decided to leave the program. Nelson, who entered the fall as the backup quarterback, fell behind Kyle York into the No. 3 position. Marvin Byrdsong, who played at weakside linebacker last year, has moved to middle linebacker. (BulldogBlitz.com)

TENNESSEE: Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders is taking a look at calling plays from the press box instead of standing on the sidelines. Sanders has implied that he would prefer to be on the sidelines. Defensive end Turk McBride has experimented at the tackle position. Corey Larkins and Gerald Riggs have seen time at the top two tailback positions. David Yancey, Riggs and Larkins have been more consistent than Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis. Coach Phil Fulmer said Wednesday that the freshmen quarterbacks-Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer-did some “silly things” in practice. Right tackle Albert Toeaina and defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, both junior college transfers, received plenty of praise from Fulmer after Wednesday’s practice. (VolQuest.com and The Tennessean)

ARKANSAS: Senior running back DeCori Birmingham and junior receiver Carlos Ousley appear to be getting the most work at returning punts. Redshirt sophomore Chase Pressley has moved from defensive tackle to guard to shore up the offensive line. Former defensive end Anthony Gray had been moved to tight end. Junior James Johnson, also a converted defensive lineman, was the projected starter at left guard, but he won’t play because of a knee injury. Redshirt freshman quarterback Landon Leach, who injured his right throwing shoulder in Saturday’s scrimmage, is scheduled to see a doctor this week. (Hawgsports.com)

OLE MISS: Tailback Jamal Pittman, who is suspended for the first six games, was allowed to join the team for the first time Monday. Tailback Brandon Jacobs sprained his MCL, but he should be able to play in the opener against Memphis. In the last scrimmage of the preseason, quarterback Michael Spurlock was 11-of-13 for 128 yards and a touchdown throw to Mike Espy. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion-Ledger)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz said Monday that he was not sure who the starting tailback will be because none of the five tailbacks-Demetrius Summers, Cory Boyd, Daccus Turman, Gonzie Gray and Andrea Gause-have taken over the job. Freshman fullback Antonio Lamar has been cleared to work out for the first time. The receivers-senior Matthew Thomas, junior Troy Williamson and sophomore Noah Whiteside- have improved significantly under receivers coach Rick Stockstill. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

GEORGIA: Redshirt freshman cornerback Mikey Henderson underwent surgery Wednesday morning for a broken ankle. Coach Mark Richt said Henderson will miss six games. The injury meant senior Albert Hollis will move back to safety. Henderson had been battling for a number two corner spot with Paul Oliver since spring. Brandon Coutu will handle the kickoffs and Andy Bailey the field goal kicking. Coutu or Bailey have played in a game yet.

ALABAMA: In Tuesday’s scrimmage, the defense-which made six sacks and limited the offense to 93 rushing yards and 133 passing yards- played better than they did in the previous scrimmage. Marc Guillon and Spencer Pennington are still battling for the backup quarterback spot. Freshman Aaron Johns led all rushers with 75 yards including an impressive 35-yard scoring run. Strong safety Charlie Peprah, who missed the first two scrimmages, looks to be back at full speed. Coach Mike Shula said Wednesday that he would play at least 10 freshmen including receivers D. J. Hall, Keith Brown and Zeke Knight. Johns and Will Oakley, a receiver who is struggling with a hamstring, are also possibilities for playing time in their first season. Left guard Evan Mathis has practiced some at center to provide depth behind starter J. B. Closner and Taylor Britt. (BamaOnline.com)

KENTUCKY: Curtis Pulley (6-3, 186), a quarterback/athlete from Hopkinsville (Ky.) has committed to the Wildcats. Wake Forest, Louisville, Indiana, Illinois and Marshall have offered him. (Kentucky Sports Report)

FLORIDA STATE: Freshman receiver Kenny O’Neal is sitting out while the NCAA Clearinghouse reviews his case. Another freshman, linebacker Rodney Gallon, underwent a MRI Tuesday morning on his injured knee and the results were negative. He hurt his knee on kickoff coverage. Linebacker Ernie Sims is being held out of practice after suffering two mild concussions. Offensive lineman Bobby Meeks (high ankle sprain) and linebacker A. J. Nicholson (knee swelling after minor surgery) have also been limited in practice. If Meeks can’t start the Miami game, Ron Lunford will get the start. Behind Nicholson at weakside linebacker, is Marcello Church. Center David Castillo is questionable for the Miami game and John Frady has been getting most of the snaps in his place. Leon Washington, the starting tailback, is on the first team for punt and kickoff returns. On kickoff returns, he could be matched up with either Willie Reid or Antonio Cromartie. Freshman fullback Joe Surratt, who weighs 266 pounds, could see plenty of playing time behind B. J. Dean and James Coleman after the career-ending injury to Torrance Washington and Chad Canfield being out with a concussion. Cro Thorpe is not the slam-dunk starter for the flanker position because Chris Davis and Dominic Robinson have pushed him hard. Four championship rings belonging to defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews were put on eBay without his knowledge. He is in the process of recovering them now. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

MIAMI: Offensive linemen Tony Tella, who was moved from left guard to right tackle because of an injury to Rashad Butler, has missed practice because of back pain. Tailback Frank Gore rested his knee during Wednesday’s practice. (Miami Herald) Freshman linebacker Willie Williams is out two months after knee surgery to repair a torn lateral collateral ligament. A source close to Williams told the Miami Herald that Williams would not have been allowed to play in at least the first four games because of school-imposed rules. Defense lineman signee Kellen Heard will have surgery next week on his knee. (Miami Herald and Canesport.com)

N. C. STATE: Jay Davis, a junior, has been selected as the starting quarterback in the opener against Richmond. He is competing against Marcus Stone, a redshirt freshman. (newsobserver.com)

CLEMSON: All practices are now geared toward Wake Forest. The Tigers will be focused since Wake won easily last year. Freshman La’Donte Harris is expected to be in the mix at receiver. Coach Tommy Bowden also praised the play of freshman tackles Barry Richardson and Akeem Robinson. Defensive lineman Chris McDuffie has been suspended for the opener against Wake Forest. He was arrested earlier in the year for marijuana possession and distribution. (TigerIllustrated.com)

VIRGINIA: Safety Robbie Catterton has left the team and enrolled at James Madison. Catterton was one of seven true freshmen who played last year. He had a key interception in the bowl game against Pitt. Catterton is the second player from Virginia Beach to leave along with receiver Shannon Lane, a Salem High graduate who redshirted last year. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NORTH CAROLINA: In the team’s second scrimmage, sophomore Ronnie McGill rushed for 79 yards on seven carries. Sophomore receiver Adarius Bowman caught five passes for 56 yards and a score. Coach John Bunting was pleased with the play of linebacker Fred Sparkman, strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh and linebacker Larry Edwards. (CarolinaBlue.com)

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.