N. C. State, Clemson and Virginia Tech are also looking at him. Boateng, who is deciding between Nebraska and Florida, plays in the Army All-American game this weekend. Avery Atkins (5-11, 180), a defensive back from Daytona Beach Mainland, confirmed his commitment to the Gators this weekend. He is also looking at FSU and Miami. Jared Gaither (6-9, 330), an offensive tackle from Hargrave Military Academy visited over the weekend. He is a Maryland commitment. Jon Demps (6-4, 225), a linebacker from Pensacola (Fla.) Washington is going to visit Florida and Auburn. He has visited Miami and LSU. Mikell Simpson (6-0, 185), a 4-star running back from Harrisburg, Pa., will also visit Florida this weekend. He had narrowed his choices down to Alabama and Virginia until he got a call from Meyer. Darryl Gresham, Jr. (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Roanoke, Virginia is no longer committed to Virginia. He said the Cavs and the Gators are his top two choices.

Mike Locksley, Florida’s former running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, has accepted the job of offensive coordinator with Ron Zook of Illinois. Mickey Marotti is the new strength and conditioning coach at Florida replacing Rob Glass who went to his alma mater, Oklahoma State. Marotti has been at Notre Dame since 1998. (Gatorbait.net and Gainesville Sun)

LSU: Former Tiger assistants Derek Dooley, Bobbie Williams and Will Muschamp followed Nick Saban to Miami. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has decided to stay with Les Miles. Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, an All SEC selection, said he would return for his senior season. Miles has a new 7-year contract worth $1.25 million per year. (Tigerbait.com and advocate.com)

GEORGIA: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has left the Bulldogs to take the linebacker position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a candidate for the Ole Miss coaching job. Secondary coach Willie Martinez has been named his replacement. Georgia also lost running backs coach Ken Rucker who left for the same position at Texas. Kirby Smart, formerly of Saban’s staff, is expected to be in Athens Thursday to interview for the vacant spot on the defensive staff. Saban has offered Smart, a former Bulldog player, an assistant’s with the Dolphins. Offensive lineman Max Jean-Gilles has decided to return for his senior season. This means the entire offensive line returns intact next season. Sanford Stadium could be renamed Dooley-Sanford Stadium in the future. Tavares Kearney (6-1, 220), a linebacker from Tucker, Ga., has qualified and now has several schools after him including Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Ohio State. (UGASports.com and Ledger Enquirer)

ALABAMA: Tide quarterback Spencer Pennington has ended his football career in order to concentrate on baseball. Former Alabama assistant coach Ronnie Cottrell applied for the head coach’s job at Foley High School, but he did not receive an interview. Mike Ford (6-2, 205), a running back from Sarasota, Fla., is down to Alabama and South Carolina. Jimmy Johns (6-3, 230), a quarterback from Brookhaven, Mississippi, is commitment No. 25 for Alabama. Florida is also recruiting him. He is the 18th best dual- threat quarterback prospect nationally by Rivals.com. Chris Rogers (6-1, 172), a defensive back from Lakeland (Fla.) High, has committed to Alabama over South Carolina and Maryland. Outside linebacker DeMeco Ryans has decided to forego the NFL draft and return for his senior season. Ryans has 231 tackles in 38 games. (BOL.com, Al.com and Ledger Enquirer)

TENNESSEE: Safety Jason Allen has decided to return for his senior year after announcing his decision at a Thursday morning press conference. The coaching staff told him that he could play cornerback instead of safety. Running backs coach Trooper Taylor turned down an offer of $170,000 from Texas. His salary at Tennessee is $110,000. He will receive a raise and a title at Tennessee. Taylor has already been instrumental in the commitment of several top recruits. Vol tailback Gerald Riggs credited Taylor for his turnaround this season. Patrick Turner (6-5, 210), a receiver from Goodpasture (Tenn.) could announce his decision this week. He is looking at Southern California, Miami and Tennessee. (Volquest.com and Tennessean)

OLE MISS: Center Chris Spencer has opted for an early departure to the NFL. He was a full-time starter last year. Gary Riggs (6-1, 184), a defensive back from Jennings, La., has committed to the Rebels. South Carolina and Louisiana Tech are also recruiting him. New coach Ed Oregeron has taken advantage of media opportunities such as Countdown to Signing Day, SEC- TV and Rivals Radio in order to get across his recruiting message. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion Leger)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Defensive end Moe Thompson and offensive tackle Jabari Levey has decided to stay for their senior seasons. Defensive coordinator John Thompson has agreed to a salary of $175,000, the most ever for a Gamecock assistant. Tyrone Nix, the co-defensive coordinator will be paid $165,000 per year and Dave Wommack $150,000. Jared Cook (6-5, 210), a receiver from North Gwinnett, Ga., verbally committed to USC. Arkansas, Ohio State and Mississippi State are also recruiting him. Gerrod Sinclair (6-1, 200), a safety from Mandarin (Fla.) High, has chosen South Carolina. Lemuel Jeanpierre (6-4, 255), a defensive end from Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek, has also committed to South Carolina. Louisville, Georgia Tech, Northwestern and Wake Forest are recruiting him. (Gamecockcentral.com and The State)

AUBURN: Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has been named the Broyles Award winner as the best assistant coach in the nation. Other nominees were Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long, Boise State offensive coordinator Chris Peterson, Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker and UCONN offensive coordinator Norries Wilson. The winner receives a 100-pound statue, $2,500 in cash and a set of golf clubs. Chizik has been offered a deal for $300,000 to remain at Auburn after N. C. State offered $270,000 for his services. He reportedly interviewed for a position with the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Texas has also made contact with him. He could meet with them this week for the vacant defensive coordinator position after Greg Robinson left for Syracuse. FSU linebacker coach Kevin Steele has also been mentioned for the vacant Texas position.

Tiger offensive lineman Marcus McNeil and receiver Anthony Mix are returning for their senior seasons after considering an early exit to the NFL. (Auburnsports.com and Al.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Michael Gates (6-4, 260), an offensive tackle from Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek, has committed to the Bulldogs. (Bulldogblitz.com)

SEC NEWS: Commissioner Mike Slive has made it known that he is going to investigate the plus-one system (an extra game after the BCS bowls) after unbeaten Auburn was denied a chance to play for the national title. (Birmingham News)

NCAA STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: The top five most difficult schedules according to the NCAA were Texas A & M, North Carolina, Arizona, Arizona State and Auburn. Other schools and their rank were Arkansas (8), Georgia (9), Oklahoma (11), Southern California (18), LSU (26), Tennessee (30), Florida (32), Kentucky (36), Ole Miss (41), Alabama (42), South Carolina (77) and Mississippi State (79). (Huntsville Times)

SEC INSTANT REPLAY: Although issues remain, SEC coaches are in favor of immediately adopting instant replay. SEC athletic directors will consider in March whether or not to adopt a replay system. (ESPN.com)

NCAA NEWS: The idea of a permanent 12th game has passed an initial NCAA committee. However, the additional game would likely not be implemented before the 2006 season. (ESPN.com)

CONFERENCE USA: The conference has added College Sports TV to its ESPN package. ESPN will carry the majority of the football games and the games not carried by the network will go to CSTV. (Clarion-Ledger)

VIRGINIA: All-American tight end Heath Miller has decided to opt for the NFL. Miller set ACC records for tight ends with 144 catches, 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns. (CBSsportsline.com)

CLEMSON: Former Ole Miss defensive ends coach Marion Hobby has joined the Clemson staff. Last week, Vic Koenning, the former Wyoming coached, agreed to accept the defensive coordinator position. ABC might move the 2005 opener against

Texas A & M to Sunday afternoon Sept. 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tiger assistant coach Brad Scott has denied rumors that is interested in become the offensive coordinator at N. C. State. He was offered a position on the South Carolina staff last month and turned it down.

(TigerIllustrated.com and The State)

FLORIDA STATE: Starting free safety Pat Watkins said he would stay for his senior season. He had four picks in 2004. Watkins is valuable because the secondary loses three starters next season. Offensive lineman Eric Broe is considering giving up football after his knee failed to respond to treatment after surgery. Of the six offensive linemen signed in 2001 including Broe, only Matt Meinrod has had any significant playing time. Korey Mangum (6-0, 185), a defensive back from LaMarque, Texas, has his last visit to FSU on Jan. 28. He de-committed from Texas A & M and is looking at Kansas, TCU, Houston and Florida. Russell Ball (5-9, 165), his teammate, has already committed to FSU. Rod Owens (6-0, 170), a receiver from Wolfson High in Jacksonville, has committed to FSU. Defensive lineman Bobby Greenwood (6-6, 245) from Prattville has put Alabama at the top of his list after visiting Tuscaloosa last weekend. He visits FSU this weekend. (Al.com, Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

MIAMI: Gabriel McKenzie (6-3, 220), a tight end from Davidson (Ala.) High, is down to Miami or Auburn. He is also considering Alabama. Neefy Moffett (6-1, 215), a linebacker from Palm Bay (Fla.), who visited FSU last weekend, lists the Noles and Canes as his two favorite teams. He is scheduled to visit Georgia this weekend. Winston Salem linebacker Derek Nicholson (6-0, 230), the younger brother of FSU’s A. J. Nicholson, is visiting Miami Jan. 21 and FSU Jan. 28. He was the MVP of the Shrine Bowl pitting the best players from North and South Carolina. Nicholson is also on the East squad in the All-American Bowl. California Oceanside High quarterback Derek Shaw (6-4, 205) has decommitted to the Canes. After playing in the CaliFlorida game, Shaw experienced homesickness and changed his mind. He is now looking at Arizona State. (Canesport.com and Al.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.