LSU: Running backs coach Larry Porter has been promoted to assistant head coach this week. He will continue to coach the running backs. Porter was on Les Miles’ staff at Oklahoma State for three years. Junior receiver Xavier Carter was named the 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. He won the 400 meters and finished second in the 200 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

FLORIDA: The Gator spring game is Saturday. Linebacker depth is a concern for coach Urban Meyer. There is not much consistency behind Brandon Siler and Earl Everett. Redshirt freshman Jon Demps is injured and not participating in spring drills. Brian Crum, who has been a journeyman, has lined up with the starters. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Stamper is battling for playing time. Siler said one of the few reliable backups is Darryon Robinson, a walk-on transfer from Bethel College in Tennessee. Strong safety Tony Joiner has been moved to outside linebacker in certain situations. Freshmen Dustin Doe, A J Jones and Brandon Spikes will come in during the summer.

Gator sophomore Louis Murphy, sophomore Nyan Boateng and redshirt freshman David Nelson could make an impact behind starters Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell and Jemalle Cornelius. Senior defensive tackle Marcus Thomas will miss the rest of spring with hernia surgery. In Saturday’s scrimmage, receiver Jemalle Cornelius went 80-yards on a screen pass. Siler stopped tailbacks Markus Manson and DeShawn Wynn behind the line in the scrimmage to preserve the win for the offense. Sophomore defensive end Derrick Harvey also had a big scrimmage. Meyer praised Billy Latsko for moving to tailback and presenting some problems for the defense. Latsko is not the answer at tailback, but he gives Meyer some toughness that he likes.

Florida defensive back Avery Atkins has missed four straight practices due to a family matter. Meyer said it is not a discipline issue. He has expressed a little more confidence in the running backs especially DeShawn Wynn, who has had an attitude change this spring. Meyer has been excited about the defense even without Steven Harris, who has missed spring for undisclosed disciplinary reasons, Thomas (hernia), Ray McDonald (double ACL surgery) and Atkins. Redshirt junior defensive end Clint McMillan continues to earn praise weekly from Meyer. The coaches will hold a draft today to divide up the teams.

ALABAMA: Doctors have cleared linebacker signee Charlie Kirshman to work out without limitations after his shoulder surgery. He is now working out with the bench press and power clean. He has slimmed down from 250 to 225-230.

GEORGIA: The Bulldog defensive line is coming around with defensive ends Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses. Johnson, who is 270 after losing 15 pounds, had two sacks in the spring game. Roderick Battle, a redshirt freshman, has become a reliable backup at end behind Johnson. Junior Marcus Howard provides depth at the other end behind Moses. At tackle behind senior Ray Gant and sophomore Jeff Owens are senior Dale Dixson, redshirt freshman Kade Weston and freshman Ricardo Crawford. Sean Bailey, who tore an ACL in his right knee before the Sugar Bowl last year, is on schedule to play this season. He wants to compete with Kenneth Harris, A J Bryant, T J Gartrell and Mike Moore. Bailey does have a redshirt available for this season, if needed. After spring practice, Thomas Brown, who is up to 190 pounds, is the No. 1 tailback, followed by Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware. Richt said Brown might have had the best spring of any player.

From 2001-05, Miami has had 39 players sent to the NFL. Ohio State has had 36, Georgia and FSU has had 31. Georgia’s 31 players picked in five years is just one less than the total number (32) of Bulldog players picked in the previous 10 years to coach Mark Richt’s coming. Trinton Sturdivant (6-5, 281), an offensive lineman from Wadesboro, NC, has committed to Georgia. Sophomore linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is working to be reinstated to the team after he stole a teammate’s vehicle and crashed it. He was charged with felony auto theft and driving under the influence.

TENNESSEE: The Vol offensive line has plenty of question marks with Arron Sears and David Ligon being the only players that Fulmer said were starters coming out of spring. Guard Ramon Foster and right tackle Eric Young are two other likely starters. Highly regarded recruit Josh McNeil is healthy and up to 290 pounds. Coach Phil Fulmer said the most improved lineman was Steven Jones.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier, who had a birthday Thursday, told a booster meeting that he was upset that less than 10,000 fans showed up for the spring game despite inclement weather. He said there should have been as many 25-30,000 fans at the game as Florida, Tennessee and Georgia have. Spurrier added that the school has inadequate training rooms, academic center and cafeteria. Spurrier said two recruits-offensive tackle Mike Berry and defensive lineman Byron Isom—chose Auburn over South Carolina due to facilities. Although he did not name specific players, Spurrier said several others face disciplinary action. Former tailback Taylor Rank transferred to Montana State.

KENTUCKY: The Wildcat spring game is Saturday. In an 83-play scrimmage last Saturday, the defense continued to dominate the offense holding them to a single touchdown and forcing four turnovers and collecting three sacks. Junior defensive end Dominic Lewis, who has moved up to the No. 3 man in the rotation, had three tackles; two quarterback hurries, a sack and a pick. Quarterbacks Andre Woodson and Curtis Pulley struggled. Matt McCutchan, the Wildcat starting center the past two years, has been granted a sixth year of eligibility.

AUBURN: The Tigers and LSU have the best SEC records the past six years. Auburn is 36-12 while LSU has been 35-13. Alabama is 24-24 during that stretch. Ole Miss is 22-26 and Arkansas is 21-27. Mississippi State has won only 10 conference games this decade.

OLE MISS: The Rebels have a lot of inexperience at receiver after losing Mike Espy, Mario Hill and Taye Biddle. Sophomore Burnell Wallace, junior Carlos Suggs, freshman Marshay Green and redshirt freshman Michael Hicks are battling for playing time. Tailback Mico McSwain has been moved to receiver.

MISSISIPPI STATE: Coach Sly Croom said spring practice was excellent. He praised the improvement of quarterback Michael Henig, the receivers and the defense that returns six seniors.

BOBBY GASTON: The former official and coordinator of officials has announced his retirement after 50 years. He has been the coordinator of officials since 1988. Rogers Redding, who retired from officiating in 2003, replaces him. Redding has a doctorate in physical chemistry.

FLORIDA STATE: Spring practice saw the emergence of underclassmen like linebackers Lawrence Timmons, Geno Hayes and Derek Nicholson as well as freshman Myron Rolle. Young corners Korey Mangum and Jamie Robinson played well. Mangum had four straight pass-breakups on Greg Carr. The results of Russell Ball’s MRI for his knee are not good. He tore his ACL and will have surgery following final exams. Jacksonville receiver Rod Owens is ahead of schedule on his rehab for knee surgery and plans on playing this fall. Former Nole receiver Fred Rouse is expected to transfer to either UTEP or LSU. Linebacker signee Marcus Ball has a shot at qualifying this year after being a long shot earlier in the year. Two years ago, defensive back J R Bryant and offensive lineman Jacky Claude qualified late.

MIAMI: The Cane defense dominated the spring game holding the quarterback to 16- of- 34 for 85 yards and two picks by Kirby Freeman. Coach Larry Coker said he believes Freeman will remain with the team after spring practice. Miami rushed for 119 yards on 39 carries. The offense had no touchdowns and one field goal in the game. Several offensive linemen had Mohawks. Punter Brian Monroe had one catch for six yards. Defensive lineman Teraz McCray did not participate due to a knee injury. He has a MRI soon. Linebacker Willie Williams missed 10 days of practice and lost 16 pounds.

VIRGINIA TECH: The Maroons beat the White team, 14-10, in the annual spring game. The quarterbacks-Sean Glennon, Cory Holt, Ike Whitaker and Greg Boone- were 17- of- 26 for 217 yards with two scores and a pick. Glennon and Holt, both redshirt sophomores, had most of the reps.

ACC TITLE GAME kicks off next season at 1 pm. Last year, it was a night game. ABC will televise the game.

GEORGIA TECH: Jahi Word-Daniels, a sophomore cornerback, had a MRI on Wednesday to check out a knee injury. He is the 13th player on the two-deep depth chart to miss time with an injury or illness. Quarterback Reggie Ball is back after missing a lot of time this spring with an arm injury.

NEW BOWL GAME: Birmingham might get a new bowl game after a 15-year absence. Charlotte-based ESPN Regional TV has put in a proposal with the NCAA for a bowl game on Saturday, Dec. 23 that would match teams from the C-USA and either the Big East or the MAC. ESPN Regional already owns the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl and the Fort Worth Bowl.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FLA., HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON ESPN 1460 ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS ON THE RUMBLE WITH MIKE DEMPSEY AND TOM MCMANUS.