GEORGIA: Bryan Evans (6-0, 175), a defensive back from Ed White High in Jacksonville, Fla., has committed to Georgia over Tennessee. Tavares Kearney (6-1, 210), a linebacker from Tucker, Ga., has also committed to Georgia over Ohio State. His mother is a radio personality in Atlanta. He committed on her radio show. Jeff Owens (6-2, 263), a defensive tackle from Plantation, Fla., an early commitment to the Dawgs, is wavering to either Florida or FSU. Tailback Kregg Lumpkin, who missed all of 2004 with a torn ACL, is performing drills without any discomfort. (UGASports.com)

FLORIDA: The Gator coaching staff persuaded several players who had made earlier commitments to change their mind. Ryan Stamper (6-2, 215), a linebacker from First Coast High in Jacksonville, Fla., de-committed from Auburn and committed to Florida. Eric Sledge (6-3, 195), an athlete from Apopka, Fla., has also committed to Florida after de-committing from South Carolina. Dorian Munroe (6-0, 180), a safety from Miami Coral Reef, committed to Florida over FSU. Munroe wants to play with his friend Kyle Jackson. David Nelson (6-5, 195), a receiver from Wichita Falls, Texas, spurned Notre Dame and committed to the Gators. Another commitment this week was Jonathan Phillips, a kicker from Wellington (Fla.) High. Kestahn Moore (5-10, 196), a running back from Summit High in Mansfield, Texas has also committed to the Gators over Oklahoma State. Florida is still in the running for several heralded prospects. O. J. Murdock (6-0, 185), a receiver from Tampa (Fla.) Middleton, is choosing between South Carolina and Florida. Darryl Gresham, Jr. (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Roanoke, Va., is down to either Virginia or Alabama. Brian Ellis (6-4, 235), a tight end from Daytona Beach Mainland, is deciding between either Florida or FSU. Stan Drayton, who was the running backs coach at Mississippi State in 2004 after coming from the Green Bay Packers, has been hired as the new Gator running backs coach. (GatorBait.net and Gainesville Sun)

TENNESSEE: Chris Scott (6-5, 300), an offensive lineman from Lovejoy, Ga., has committed to Tennessee over Florida. Rivals.com rates him as the No. 2 offensive guard in the nation. (Volquest.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Former NFL coach Dan Reeves, an USC alumnus, said he would be interested in the replacing the retiring Mike McGee as Gamecock athletic director. Florida associate athletics director Greg McGarity said he would also be interested. Both men denied any contact from the school. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

OLE MISS: Tyson Andrus (6-1, 183), a cornerback from Lafayette, La., has committed to Ole Miss. He is the commitment No. 8 from the state of Louisiana for the Rebels. Michael Hicks (6-4, 206), a receiver from Andrew Jackson High in Jacksonville, Fla., has committed to the Rebels. Benjarvus Green-Ellis, a running back from Indiana, is transferring, possibly to Ole Miss. (RebelGrove.com)

ARKANSAS: Michael Bibbs (6-2, 210), a safety/outside linebacker from Atlanta (Ga.) Booker T. Washington, has committed to the Hogs. Felix Jones (5-11, 200), a running back from Tulsa Washington High, is down to Arkansas and Texas A & M after he eliminated Tennessee. (Hawgsports.com)

LSU: The Tiger Board of Supervisors approved a contract for new coach Les Miles for seven years at $1.25 million per year. Miles is still looking for a defensive coordinator after Mark Synder remained at Ohio State in the same position. Kevin Myers (6-6, 379), an offensive lineman from Compton Community College in Calif., has switched his commitment from LSU to Southern California. LSU wants to sign four offensive linemen, but they are down to only one commitment. Ryan Perrilloux (6-2, 210), a quarterback from East St. John (La.) High, has narrowed his schools down to Texas, LSU and Mississippi State. (TigerBait.com and advocate.com)

AUBURN: Tiger reserve running back Jerald Watson has transferred to Southeastern Louisiana. He played in six games in 2004. Alonzo Horton (6-2, 209), a defensive end/outside linebacker from New Orleans, de-committed from Auburn, committed to Ole Miss and pledged back to Auburn. (AuburnSports.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Tim Holloway (6-4, 215), an athlete from Seminary (Miss.), has committed to the Bulldogs. Richard Burch, a junior offensive tackle, has been suspended for selling marijuana. He started all 11 games at offensive tackle last year. (BulldogBlitz.com and Clarion-Ledger)

FLORIDA STATE: Except for finding a replacement for departed offensive line coach Jimmy Heggins, Nole Coach Bobby Bowden might not be making any more changes on his offensive staff. Clarence Ward (6-1, 175), a free safety from LaMarque High in Texas, has de-committed from Alabama and committed to FSU. Ward had an impressive showing in the California-Florida all-star game. This is a big weekend for the Noles with some high profile players like Fred Rouse (6-4, 190), a receiver from Lincoln High in Tallahassee, Antone Smith (5-8, 180), a running back from Pahokee (Fla.) High and Derek Nicholson (6-0, 220), a linebacker from Winston-Salem, N. C., are visiting. Callahan Bright (6-2, 315), a defensive tackle from Bryn Mawr, Pa., said FSU leads over Texas A & M and Auburn. He plays lacrosse, wrestles, throws the shot put and benches 400 pounds and squats 700. Eugene “Geno” Hayes (6-2, 210), a linebacker from Madison County, has de-committed from Tennessee and says Clemson is his leader. He is set to visit FSU this weekend. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

ACC SCHEDULES: One of the bigger non-conference weekends this upcoming season is Saturday, Sept. 3, featuring Boston College at BYU, Texas A & M at Clemson, Georgia Tech at Auburn, Maryland vs. Navy (Baltimore, Md.) and Virginia Tech at N. C. State. (Warchant.com)

CLEMSON: The Tigers begin the 2005 season at home against Texas A & M, then they travel to Maryland, and come home against Miami and Boston College. Senior defensive end Vontrell Jamison will not be returning this fall because the NCAA has denied him another year of eligibility. Jamison, who broke his arm last year and tore an Achilles tendon, played in only three games last season. (Warchant.com and TigerIllustrated.com)

GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets begin the 2005 season against four bowl teams: at Auburn, home against North Carolina, at Virginia Tech and home against UCONN. (Warchant.com)

MARYLAND: The Terps begin the 2005 season at on the road against Navy, home against Clemson and West Virginia, at Wake Forest and home against Virginia. (Warchant.com)

NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels have a brutal stretch in the 2005 schedule that starts at Georgia Tech, home vs. Wisconsin, at N. C. State, home with Utah, at Louisville, home vs. Virginia, at Miami and home against Boston College. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: Brian Robiskie (6-3, 190), a receiver from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is considering committing to Miami after he and his father Terry Robiskie, the Cleveland Browns coach, visited this weekend. He could take a final visit to either Ohio State or Florida.

Kenneth Phillips (6-2, 195), a free safety from Miami, said he is down to Tennessee and Miami. He might visit to FSU this weekend. Lavar Lobdell (6-3, 195), a receiver from Syracuse N. Y. Christian Brothers Academy, has committed to the Canes. He may be the only receiver Miami signs. Brian Cushing (6-4, 230), a linebacker from Oradell (N. J.) Bergen Catholic, said his favorite school is Southern California followed by Miami, Florida and Boston College. (CaneSport.com)

N. C. STATE: Former Miami Dolphin assistant Marc Trestman has received offers to be the new offensive coordinator from the Wolfpack and the New Orleans Saints. (BenMaller.com)

SOUTHERN MISS: The Golden Eagles have set their non-conference schedule next season with games at Alabama and N. C. State and home against McNeese State. They have five home games and six road games. (Clarion-Ledger)

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