OLE MISS: Jada Brown (6-2, 243), a defensive end from College Park, Ga., has committed to the Rebels. Michael Oher (6-5, 330), an offensive lineman from Memphis (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian, has also committed to the Rebels. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 56 player in the nation. He chose Ole Miss over Tennessee. (RebelGrove.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Calvin Johnson (6-5, 336), an offensive lineman from Hattiesburg, Miss., has committed to the Bulldogs. Florida and Ole Miss are recruiting him. He made his announcement at his mother’s hair salon called “Perfect Impressions by Mildred”. (Clarion-Ledger and Bulldogblitz.com)

GEORGIA: Michael Turner, a sophomore offensive lineman, who played little in two games this year, was arrested Monday after drugs were found in his car after he was stopped for speeding. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner turned down an opportunity to interview at LSU for a vacancy on the Tiger staff. Garner will be given a raise. He was making $155,000. Garner is the only remaining member of Jim Donnan’s former staff. He has been at Georgia since 1998. During the time he was talking with LSU, athletic director Damon Evans called him from China and President Michael Adams phoned him from London. Coach Mark Richt has withdrawn from the Hula Bowl. Kirby Smart, who left the LSU staff, is the new running backs coach and John Jancek, formerly of Central Michigan, is the new linebackers coach. Bryan Evans (6-0, 175), the defensive back from Ed White High, has narrowed his list down to Georgia and Tennessee. Evans’ father told UGASports.com that Bulldog secondary coach Willie Martinez has visited with him four times, but the Tennessee secondary coach has yet to visit him. Georgia has 16 verbal commitments and will sign close to 20-21. One of the recent commitments is Corey Moon (6-4, 235), a defensive end from Decatur High. Auburn and Tennessee are recruiting him. Larry Cox (6-5, 250), a defensive end from Fort Valley, Ga., visits Georgia this weekend. Bulldog coaches visit defensive end Jeff Owens (6-2, 275) from Plantation, Fla., Thursday, but he plans on visiting Florida and FSU the next two weeks. He is a verbal commitment to the Dawgs. (UGASports.com and Ledger-Enquirer.com)

ALABAMA: Linebacker Freddie Roach decided to stay for his senior season. Chris King, Alabama’s associate athletic director for compliance has interviewed to be the athletic director at Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. He was hired to replace Marie Robbins. King was criticized for his role in three Alabama players not being allowed to practice with the team in Nashville. Nick Kyles (6-2, 182), a receiver from Milledgeville, Ga., and Antonio Forbes (6-4, 262), a defensive end from Meadowcreek, Ga., committed to the Tide this week. Mike Ford (6-2, 205), a running back from Sarasota, Fla., also committed. Auburn, Michigan State and South Carolina are recruiting him. Quarterback Marc Guillon said tests have shown that he has a herniated disk and a stress fracture in two lumbar vertebrae in his lower back. He said this means he will not be 100% for spring practice that starts next month. Guillon started consecutive games against Arkansas and South Carolina, but never played another snap after being pulled in the third quarter of the USC loss. Freshman John Parker Wilson and two walk-ons will be the healthiest quarterbacks in the spring. (Mobile Register, BOL.com)

LSU: Candidates for the vacant defensive coordinator position are linebackers coach George Edwards and Dave Campo from the Cleveland Browns staff. Tiger officials are trying to fill a hole in next year’s schedule after Arkansas State moved its 2005 game to 2004 (the Tigers won 53-3). LSU begins the 2005 schedule with North Texas, Arizona State and after an open date they play Tennessee. LSU continues to negotiate with Oklahoma for a home-and-home series. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell had surgery to remove scar tissue from his elbow. Defensive end Kirston Pittman had similar surgery on his ankle. Receiver Early Doucet was charged with resisting arrest outside a Lafayette nightclub. Junior offensive lineman Rudy Niswanger announced this week that he is returning for his senior season instead of enrolling in medical school. Jerrell Powe (6-3, 335), a defensive tackle from Wayne County, Miss., committed to LSU over Auburn in the U. S. Army All-American Bowl, but later told Rivals.com that the Tigers are not his final choice. (Tigerbait.com and theadvocate.com)

AUBURN: Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has left the Tiger staff and joined Texas as the co-defensive coordinator. Over 12,000 fans celebrated Auburn’s unbeaten season Saturday. Coach Tommy Tuberville has been named the winner of the 2004 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year award. The other finalists were Pete Carroll of Southern California, Dan Hawkins of Boise State, Urban Meyer of Utah, Bobby Petrino of Louisville and Mike Price of UTEP. Southern Miss has moved its 2005 game with Auburn to 2008. The Tigers open, Sept. 3, at home against Georgia Tech. Jonathan Wilhite (5-11, 185), a defensive back from El Dorado (Kan.) Butler Community College and Sen’Derrick Marks (6-1, 256), a defensive lineman from Mobile, Ala. Vigor High, have committed to the Tigers. Auburn received two commitments from heralded tight ends this week. Gabe McKenzie (6-3, 230), a tight end from Mobile (Ala.) Davidson, has chose Auburn over Miami, LSU, Florida and Alabama. Tommy Trott (6-4, 235), a tight end from Montgomery (Ala.) Trinity has committed to Auburn over Alabama. (Auburnsports.com and Al.com)

KENTUCKY: Jimmy Heggins is the new offensive line coach for the Wildcats. He had coached the FSU offensive line for the past 11 years. Five new players have enrolled at Kentucky: Trevard Lindley (6-0, 175), a cornerback from Hiram, Ga., Mikhail Mabry (6-2, 230), a linebacker from Mililani, Hawaii, Myron Pryor (6-1, 295), a defensive lineman from Louisville, Ky., Fatu Turituri (6-2, 290), an offensive lineman from Long Beach, Calif., and Johnny Williams ((6-3, 235), a linebacker from Fletcher High in Jacksonville, Fla. (Kentucky Sports Report)

FLORIDA: The Gator coaching staff went through media interviews last week. Offensive line coach John Hevesy who said he was determined to curb the late hits and the holding penalties. Quarterback Chris Leak shot down any rumors that he had hurt his shoulder in the FSU game. Leak he was fine despite suffering a stinger in the FSU game.

Mikell Simpson (6-0, 185), a running back from Harrisburg, Penn., said he enjoyed his visit to Gainesville last weekend. He is also looking at Alabama and Virginia. Nyan Boateng (6-2, 186), a receiver from Brooklyn, N.Y., has committed to Florida. Chris Scott (6-5, 300), a lineman from Lovejoy (Ga.) is down to either Tennessee or Florida. DeSean Jackson (5-11, 170), a receiver from Long Beach, Calif., was named the MVP of the All-American Bowl. Florida, Cal and USC are recruiting him. Ryan Stamper (6-2, 215), the linebacker from First Coast High in Jacksonville received a visit from Gator coach Urban Myer and assistant coach Charlie Strong. Florida came in on him late. He is an Auburn commitment, but he might visit Florida. Avery Atkins (5-11, 180), a cornerback from Daytona Beach Mainland, said he is down to either Florida or FSU. He is scheduled to visit FSU this weekend and UF the following weekend. Brian Roche (6-4, 275), a tackle from Ramsey, N. J., Don Bosco Prep, is visiting this week. Notre Dame, Louisville, and N. C. State among others are recruiting him. Jordan Hemby (5-10, 176), a cornerback from Morganton (N. C.) Freedom, is visiting this weekend. He has over 15 offers. Quinton Andrews (6-0, 196), a receiver/safety from Miami (Fla.) Monsignor Pace, is down to West Virginia and Florida. He visits Florida Jan. 28. (GatorBait.net and Gainesville Sun)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Steve Spurrier’s debut as Gamecock coach against Central Florida has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 3 to Thursday, Sept. 1 for an ESPN broadcast. Spurrier said five to six players are in academic trouble. Six Gamecocks including offensive lineman Woodly Telfort, quarterbacks Syvelle Newton and Dondrial Pinkins and defensive lineman Freddy Saint-Preux, have been charged with theft after pictures and laptop computers were taken from Williams-Brice Stadium last November. Ron Cooper will coach outside linebackers and help on special teams. Shea McKeen (6-6, 271), a tight end/defensive end from Princeton (N.J.) has committed to USC. Southern California, Florida and FSU are recruiting him. Marvin Sapp (6-1, 215), a linebacker from Sandalwood High in Jacksonville, Fla., has de-committed to Georgia Tech and committed to USC. Cade Thompson (6-3, 190), a quarterback from Maryville, Tenn., has de-committed from North Carolina and committed to USC. He grew up a big Tennessee fan. His nickname is “The Mute” because he is so reserved. Jarriel King (6-6, 273), a defensive lineman from North Charleston, N. C., has committed to the Gamecocks. Athletic director Mike McGee has announced his retirement in June. Baseball coach Ray Tanner, broadcaster Todd Ellis, LSU senior associate athletic director Dan Radakovich and Southern Miss AD Richard Gianninni have been mentioned as possible replacements. (Gamecockcentral.com and The State)

CLEMSON: James Davis (6-0, 200), a running back from Douglas High in Atlanta, Ga. has committed to Clemson. He has visited Alabama and might visit Florida next weekend. Coach Tommy Bowden said this could be his finest recruiting class. National recruits such as Josh Miller (6-1, 210), a linebacker from Manning, S. C., Rendrick Taylor (6-2, 210), a receiver from Bennettsville-Marlboro County, S. C., Ray Ray McElrathbey (5-11, 180), a defensive back from Atlanta, (Ga.) Mays, and T. J. Williams (6-1, 175), a receiver from Tallahassee (Fla.) Leon, will make this a top 20 class. (TigerIllustrated.com)

FLORIDA STATE: The Noles had two visitors this weekend: Bobby Greenwood (6-4, 239), a defensive end from Prattville (Ala. and Auburn) and Graham Gano (6-1, 180), a kicker from Cantonment, Fla. Graham is a FSU commitment. Tailback Leon Washington has officially announced that he is returning for his senior season. He led the ACC last year averaging 95 yards per game. Washington was second nationally in average yards per carry (6.89). Linebackers coach Kevin Steele squashed the rumor that Texas was looking at him. The Florida Times-Union is reporting the hiring of Marshall coach Mark McHale as the new offensive line coach replacing Jimmy Heggins. McHale was a graduate assistant under Seminole coach Bobby Bowden at West Virginia. Rover Kyler Hall, center John Frady, and quarterback Drew Weatherford have asked for medical redshirt seasons after sustaining injuries during the season. Weatherford played one snap in the North Carolina game before spraining an ankle. Frady played early in the season before dislocating his elbow in late September. Hall also sustained a neck injury against Clemson in the third game of the season. Neither player has redshirted. Willie Jones, Jr. is seeking a sixth year of eligibility. B. J. Ward, a senior safety, who missed most of the season with ankle and back injuries, will not seek a sixth year of eligibility. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

MIAMI: Luqman Abdallah (6-4, 310), a defense tackle from Princeton, New Jersey, the Hun School, has committed to the Canes. He was eligible to come in January, but he is waiting until May. Matt Pipho (6-6, 265), an offensive lineman from

La Porte City, Iowa Union High, has also committed to the Canes. He has cancelled visits to Oklahoma and Nebraska. Kenny Phillips (6-2, 195), a safety from Carol City (Fla.) High, is down to Miami and Tennessee. He visited Tennessee Monday. The Canes have 13 verbals and expect to sign 20. Antone Smith (5-8, 185), perhaps the state’s most heralded tailback, is looking at Auburn and Miami. (Canesport.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.