AUBURN: Tiger coach Tommy Tuberville has signed a seven- year contract worth $18.2 million. He has a $7 million buyout the first two years of the contract. The buyout decreases every year afterwards. The Tigers start spring practice next Tuesday with new defensive coordinator David Gibbs. His NFL experience means the Tigers might move the defensive ends to the tackle position on passing downs. Because of the impending schedules going to a permanent 12th game, Tuberville said some traditional rivalries such as Auburn vs. Georgia could be moved to the middle of the season instead of the end. (Auburnsports.com and Columbus-Ledger)

FLORIDA: Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen told GatorBait.net that the tight end is an integral part of Urban Meyer’s offense, but the fullback has a much smaller role. Mullen said the offense will try to create mismatches on the field. He also said most defenses that played Utah last season admitted that the Utes were the most physical team that they played. (Gatorbait.net)

KENTUCKY: Linebacker Dustin Williams has quit the team after having an injury-plagued career. He missed most of last year with a torn hamstring and broken arm. (Kentucky.com)

GEORGIA: Defensive ends coach John Fabris left the coaching staff to take a similar position with Oklahoma, changed his mind and returned to Georgia. Academic Progress Rate (APR) is going to soon be a big buzzword in college athletics. The longer students can stay eligible the better it is for a school’s APR. It is designed to improve academic success and graduation rates. (UGASports.com)

OLE MISS: Ed Oregon has added Tony Hughes to his staff. Hughes was an assistant at Louisiana Tech. Billy Tapp (6-5, 215), a quarterback from St. Petersburg (Fla.) Catholic, has decided to sign with Ole Miss over Columbia in the Ivy League. Tapp, who visited Ole Miss last weekend, led his school to the state semifinals this past season. (RebelGrove.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Brad Weathers is back with the team as a starting left tackle after being out with a shoulder injury. Former defensive end Deljuan Robinson is now the starting defense tackle. (Clarion-Ledger)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Ticket prices for football have gone up slightly. The biggest ticket increase was for non-conference games, especially the Clemson game. Nearly 40 applicants have been received for the upcoming athletic director vacancy to replace Mike McGee. (The State and Gamecockcentral.com)

TENNESSEE: Center Richie Gandy has suffered an ACL tear during a pickup basketball game. He was expected to battle David Ligon for the spot after the Vols lost Chuck Prugh and Jason Respert. Gandy started five of the Vols last six games. Ligon and Anthony Parker will battle for the spot this spring. Tennessee signed the No. 1 center prospect in the nation in Josh McNeil from Mississippi. Kicker James Wilhoit is going to have a second opinion from an orthopedic specialist to check out his sore foot that has bothered him for months. He hit 10-of-17 field goals. Wilhoit made a 50-yard field goal to beat Florida. (Volquest.com and Tennessean.com)

FSU: The latest rumor that involves linebacker coach Kevin Steele is that he turned down a job by Nick Saban to join the Dolphins staff. Steele would neither confirm nor deny the report. Steele’s children are both in high school and he said after moving his family four times in 10 years that he does not want to do it again. Receiver Chris Davis made a perfect score of 24 in mat drills this week. He is the first player to do so. He and Lorenzo Booker were neck-and-neck until the end. (Warchant.com)

N. C. STATE: Steve Dunlap, the defensive coordinator at Syracuse last year, has been named to the same position at N. C. State. Dunlap spent the last four years at Syracuse. Dewayne Dixon, the former Gator receiver coach, has accepted the same job with the N. C. State staff. (Wolfpacker.com)

CLEMSON: Reserve receivers Michael Collins, a Tennessee transfer, and Gerald McCloud will not return next season. Collins had sustained a degenerative hip injury and McCloud is transferring to a Division I-AA school. Chansi Stuckey could live up to his potential this season is he becomes stronger and more durable at receiver. (The State and TigerIllustrated.com)

MARYLAND: Junior running back Josh Allen, who tore his ACL and MCL in Maryland’s last game against Wake Forest, is continuing his rehab. Allen has no chance of playing this season. In his place, Keon Lattimore, Mario Merrills, Lance Ball and J. P. Humber are vying for the starting tailback job.

MIAMI: A lack of depth at quarterback means redshirt freshman Kirby Freeman and redshirt sophomore Kyle Wright will see most of the snaps this spring. Wright has more experience, but both are very mobile. At tailback, Tyrone Moss, Charlie Jones and Derron Thomas get most of the work. Andrew Johnson will not compete because he is still rehabbing a torn ACL. He was considered the fastest of the backs before he sustained his injury. Thomas could end up as a third down back. Converted defensive back George Timmons could also get a look at tailback. Quad Hill is the returning starter at fullback. Tight end is a thin position this spring compared to last season. Greg Olsen is still rehabbing a broken wrist from last year. Buck Ortega will get plenty of reps this spring. Last year’s tight ends Kevin Everett graduated and Brandon Sebald transferred. Defensive end Chris Zellner might get a look at tight end. (Canesport.com)

SOUTHERN MISS: ESPN has picked up the Golden Eagles opener against Tulane for a broadcast on Sunday, Sept. 4, of Labor Day weekend. The network has also selected the Alabama game the following week, at UAB on Friday, Oct. 21 and at Marshall, Tuesday or Wednesday, Nov. 8 or 9. (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.