LSU: Jimbo Fisher is staying at LSU as offensive coordinator after the Cleveland Browns hired former Southern Miss offensive coordinator Rip Scherer in the same position. Fisher had interviewed with the Browns earlier this month. LSU has rewarded Fisher with a three-year deal worth $400,000 per year. (Advocate.com)

KENTUCKY: Rick Petri, a veteran SEC assistant coach, has been hired as the new defensive line coach. Rich Brooks has faced some internal criticism from veteran players who complained because younger players, especially the 2004 signing class, have seen more time on the field. (Kentucky.com and CatsPause.com)

AUBURN: The Tigers have started spring practice. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Cox is trying to maintain his starting job over redshirt freshmen Calvin Booker and Blake Field. Sophomore Leon Hart will also be in the spotlight after he made the move from tackle to center for spring drills. This is an important spring for cornerback David Irons, who is coming off knee surgery. At tailback, Tre Smith, Kenny Irons, a South Carolina transfer, Carl Stewart and Brad Lester are vying for playing time. (AuburnSports.com and Al.com)

FLORIDA: Oregon State running back Jimtavis Walker, who transferred from Florida, tried to pay a cab driver for their $20 fare with marijuana. After the cabbie refused, Walker and teammate Star Paddock got out and were later arrested. They have been charged with assault, robbery, theft of services and attempted delivery of a controlled substance. Walker was slated to be the top tailback this season. Coach Mike Riley recently compared Walker’s talent to former OSU tailback and NFL running back Steven Jackson. The new four-year contract signed by FSU and Florida changes the way the officials are used in the game. SEC officials will work the game in Gainesville and ACC officials will be used in Tallahassee. Coach Urban Meyer said that week that his goal for spring practice is for the players to learn the offensive and defensive systems and stay healthy. Gator co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison praised linebacker Brandon Siler props for his leadership during preseason workouts. (Oregonian, Gainesville Sun and GatorBait.net)

TENNESSEE: Redshirt freshman Sinclair Cannon, who is listed as an athlete, is recovering from a car crash. He did not sustain any broken bones. (Tennessean.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Brandon Whittie (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Englewood High in Jacksonville, Fla., is signee No. 28 for the Bulldogs. He was a late qualifier. Nine starters return this season on defense. Head coach Sly Croom said this week that the playmakers on defense are Quinton Culberson and Titus Brown. Culberson started in the secondary and is now at outside linebacker. Titus Brown, who is up to 240 pounds, is also at a new position at linebacker. (Florida-Times Union, Bulldogblitz.com)

GEORGIA: The Dawgs have to replace starting linebackers Odell Thurman and Arnold Harrison and they have a new linebacker coach in John Jancek, who came from Central Michigan. Danny Verdun Wheeler is the only returning starter. Junior Tony Taylor, who missed all of 2004 with a torn ACL suffered on the first day of spring camp last year and Derrick White have first team experience. Taylor is up to 240 pounds. The loss of Jarvis Jackson and Jamario Smith due to injuries is a setback. Sophomore Brandon Miller, who played his freshman season on special teams and linebacker, is also a possibility. Sophomore Marcus Howard and redshirt freshmen Dannell Ellerbe and Josh Johnson will compete for playing time. Offensive linemen Zeb McKinzey (drinking) and Michael Turner (another alcohol related incident) have been suspended for the first game. Defensive lineman Darrius Swain (speeding/suspended license) will not be disciplined. Georgia reports for spring practice Saturday. The senior class consists of quarterback

D. J. Shockley, offensive guard Max Jean-Gilles, center Russ Tanner, defensive lineman Kedric Golston and Gerald Anderson and defensive backs Greg Blue, DeMario Minter and Tim Jennings. Running back Kregg Lumpkin is limited after suffering a torn ACL in the first practice last season. Receiver Mario Raley and offensive guards Josh Brock and Bartley Miller are back at full speed after injuries forced them to redshirt last season. (UGASports.com)

ALABAMA: Quarterback John Parker Wilson has developed well in the early going. Redshirt freshman left guard Antoine Caldwell has impressed offensive line coach Bob Connelly. Chris Capps and Cody Davis are battling to replace Wesley Britt. Offensive lineman Von Ewing has left the team. Kyle Tatum, Mark Sanders, J. B. Closner, Caldwell and Capps are running first team. Redshirt freshman guard B. J. Stabler made his first appearance at practice after undergoing hand surgery last August and having his knee scoped in January after tearing cartilage in his left knee. Tailback Ken Darby has successful surgery in Philadelphia to repair a “sports hernia”. He will need six weeks to three months to recover, but he should be ready in August for fall drills. Junior defensive tackle Dominic Lee could be headed for surgery on the same foot that was operated on last year. (BOL.com)

OLE MISS: Ed Orgeron is changing the Rebel defense from a 4-2-5 to a more conventional 4-3 scheme. Orgeron said he is determined to stop the run and prevent the long ball. Ole Miss starts spring football Monday. The quarterback job is wide open after Micheal Spurlock, Ethan Flatt and Robert Lane had varying degrees of success last year. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion Ledger)

INSTANT REPLAY: SEC athletic directors voted Wednesday to recommend the use of instant replay in conference games to presidents and chancellors. (Gainesville Sun)

FLORIDA STATE: After the Noles defense finished in the top ten in several categories last season, the defensive coaches received a raise. Linebacker coach Kevin Steele’s raise was around $25,000. He is close to making $200,000 per year. Defensive lineman Broderick Bunkley has his cast off of his ankle that was surgerically repaired after he tore a tendon. The players and coaches have a final meeting on Friday before leaving for spring break. Spring practice starts March 18. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

CLEMSON: The Tiger offensive linemen have taken a Judo class for the past six weeks on Wednesdays. Judo helps linemen with leverage. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning has made some depth chart moves. C. J. Gaddis moves from cornerback to strong safety. Akeem Robinson shifts from offensive tackle to defensive end. (TigerIllustrated.com and The State)

MIAMI: Cane athletic director Paul Dee has begun talks with former director of football operations Pete Garcia to bring him back to Miami for an unspecified role. Garcia’s strength is evaluating recruiting talent. Linebacker James Bryant has been moved to fullback. Cornerback Terrell Walden is moving to receiver. The Canes start spring football Tuesday. (Canesport.com)

NORTH CAROLINA: Receiver Adarius Bowman and defensive tackle Isaiah Thomas have been kicked off the team for unspecified reasons. Both players were suspended last October for six games including the bowl game after six grams of marijuana were found in their room. (SI.com)

N. C. STATE: Receiver Richard Washington has been dismissed from the team. Washington, who was second in receptions, with 29 for 348 yards, was not available for comment and the school offered no reason for his dismissal. Kicker Tyler Lewis has already left school and is planning on transferring. (SI.com)

CONFERENCE USA SCHEDULES: Memphis plays two SEC foes this season. The Tigers begin the season at home against Ole Miss and plays at Tennessee Nov. 12. Marshall begins at home against William & Mary before hosting Kansas State and traveling to UCF to weeks later. They play at Virginia Tech Oct. 8. Rice begins the season against four bowl teams: at UCLA, at Texas, home against Navy and at UAB. The Blazers open at Tennessee on Sept. 3 and then travel to Troy Sept. 10. UTEP has a non-conference schedule consisting of at New Mexico State, at home against Nicholls State and two weeks later hosting New Mexico. UCF opens at South Carolina and two weeks later goes to South Florida. (Collegefootballnews.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.