Some of the Georgia freshmen linebackers are going to play such as Darius Dewberry, who has moved up to the No. 2 spot at Sam linebacker. A different quarterback emerges each day in practice. Wednesday it was Blake Barnes, Tuesday it was Joe Tereshinski and Monday it was Matthew Stafford. One factor in Stafford’s favor is making the transition from the shotgun formation to taking snaps under center. Richt joked that all quarterbacks were playing so well that Georgia might be the first team in history to play four quarterbacks. The success of the offense could depend on senior center Nick Jones’ health. There is presently no backup center, but Kevin Perez, Ian Smith, and Zeb McKinzey are the top three possibilities. Redshirt freshman safety Antavious Coates will miss his second straight season with a knee injury after tearing the ACL in his right knee. He missed all of last season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. Senior defensive tackle Marquis Elmore is on crutches for a possible bone bruise. The severity of the injury is unknown. Elmore was pressing Ray Gant and Jeff Owens for a starting spot.

FLORIDA: Defensive end Steven Harris is on the roster despite being suspended since the spring for an off the field incident. A decision on his status is expected this week. Defensive tackle Joe Cohen has taken over the starting spot left open by Harris. Cohen has dominated drills. The Gators are six- to- seven deep at defensive tackle. Reggie Nelson was a highlight film Sunday at the cornerback position. Freshman offensive lineman Maurice Hurt is down from 347 to 315 and Carl Johnson is down from 350 to 325. Utah transfer Ryan Smith is on the roster after enrolling in graduate school. If he plays well, Nelson could be moved back to safety. The first team offensive line consists of Phil Trautwein, Jim Tartt, Steve Rissler, Ronnie Wilson and Drew Miller. Tartt is still struggling with an old shoulder injury. He has had three shoulder surgeries. Freshmen Percy Harvin, Jarred Fayson and Trent Pupello (who had made the two-deep depth chart) provided many of the highlights on Sunday. Meyer said Wednesday that freshmen Fayson (at quarterback), Harvin and linebackers Brandon Spikes, A J Jones and Dustin Doe have caught his eye. Harvin is the first freshman to have his rookie stripe removed.

Freshman safety Bryan Thomas re-injured a knee that he had scoped two months ago. He had surgery to repair a broken blood vessel and is out 4-6 weeks. Defensive back Brandon James, the St. Augustine signee, has made defenders look silly trying to tackle him in early kick return drills. Even linebacker Brandon Siler, who is usually a sure tackler, missed him. Meyer said Gator receiver Kenneth Tookes has earned a starting job. Tight end Tate Casey has a boot on his leg due to a bruised bone. Freshman receiver Jamar Hornsby (knee operation in February), who is a redshirt candidate according to Meyer, is out for a few days with a concussion. Nelson and Wondy-Pierre Louis, both cornerbacks, are recovering from sore backs. Left guard Jim Tartt is still struggling with an old shoulder injury. He has had three shoulder surgeries. Simon Codrington and Hurt are vying to replace him. John Jones (6-3, 205), a defensive end from Sarasota Booker, committed to the Gators. Auburn, Michigan, Georgia, and LSU are among the schools to offer him.

ALABAMA: Nick Gentry (6-1, 272), a four-star defensive tackle from Prattville, Ala., is commitment No. 13 for the Tide. Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida and Louisville have offered him. Freshman Andre Smith, who is getting more work at left tackle, came into camp weighing 340 and needs to loss 15 pounds. Tackle Cody Davis has been working with the No. 1 offensive line in place of Kyle Tatum, who has 24 straight starts. Sophomore offensive lineman Trent Davidson has missed two straight practices. Justin Britt is making the transition from defensive line to offensive guard. Receiver Tyrone Prothro is on the 105-man roster so that he can continue to rehab, but he is not going to play this season. Several freshmen looked good in the first day of drills including defensive back Javier Arenas, who had two picks. Receiver D. J. Hall is back in school, but he is out of shape. Freshman signee Earl Alexander, a former quarterback, could work out at receiver.

Tide kicker Jamie Christensen continues to improve, but Leigh Tiffin, the son of former heralded alumnus Van Tiffin, can compete on the college level. Ken Darby is the starter at tailback, Roy Upchurch is second and Jimmy Johns is third. At receiver, Matt Caddell and Keith Brown are working with the No. 1 unit and Will Oakley and Nikita Stover are with the second group. Unlike many freshman linebackers, Charlie Kirschman, who is from Nease (Fla.) High, has had no problem with fundamentals. Safety Jeffrey Dukes has been impressive in drills.

AUBURN: Freshman linebacker Craig Stevens worked with the first team defense on Sunday. Stevens work is indicative of the reshuffling after the suspensions of Kevin Sears and Tray Blackmon. Stevens and receiver Tim Hawthorne are two of the top freshmen. Center Joe Cope’s injury turned out to be a sprained knee. Sophomore Pat Sims and sophomore Tez Doolittle are stepping up on the defensive line. Chris Browder has moved from tackle back to end. He had gained 25 pounds in the offseason to play tackle, but with the emergence of Sims at tackle he was moved back to his original position. Sophomore linebacker Steve Gandy is out indefinitely due to being hospitalized after complications arose from a thigh bruise. New Mexico State, coached by Hal Mumme, has been added to the 2007 Auburn schedule.

In the Tigers Wednesday scrimmage, junior college transfer Jonathan Wilhite intercepted a pass (that was called back), made three tackles including one for loss. There were no major injuries in the scrimmage. Cope is expected back by the end of the week. Defensive lineman Quentin Groves led the scrimmage with six tackles. Tailback Kenny Irons led the running backs with six carries for 68 yards. Junior Carl Stewart was right behind him with 65 yards. The next scrimmage is Saturday morning.

TENNESSEE: Senior middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell fully reinstated to the team. He is expected to play against Cal. Redshirt freshman tailback LaMarcus Coker weighs 195 after he has lost 15 pounds. He is in a walking boot due to a foot bruise. Turk McBride has been moved from defensive tackle to defensive end. Walter Fisher, a defensive end, hopes to be cleared for contact by the opener after undergoing shoulder surgery. Backup quarterback Jonathan Cromptom said his shoulder is 100% after undergoing surgery last year. Senior receiver Bret Smith is talking to the media after avoiding them for the past two seasons. Tennessee is still waiting word from the Clearinghouse on defensive end Gerald Williams and receiver Stephaun Raines.

In Tennessee’s first scrimmage (55 plays) on Tuesday, receivers Robert Meachem and Lucas Taylor made big plays. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said the line was physical and Arian Foster and LeMarcus Coker ran well. Tailback Montario Hardesty was held out after he fell on his knee earlier. He had surgery on both knees last year and the coaches have been cautious with him. Defensive lineman J T Mapu played well despite being away on a Mormon mission for two years. Tennessee’s first full scrimmage is Saturday. Redshirt freshman Josh McNeil continues to work with the first team at center.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Derek Sherrod (6-6, 309), an offensive lineman from Caledonia, Miss., has committed to the Bulldogs. Florida, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Miami have offered him. His brother, Desmond, is a junior tight end. Receiver Omarr Conner weighs 217 and wants to be down to 205-210 before the season starts. Quarterback Mike Henig is in control of the offense.

OLE MISS: Quarterback Brent Schaeffer is getting a crash course in learning coach Dan Werner’s system. The Rebels started practice Saturday. Freshman defensive tackle Jerrell Powe has yet to be approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Freshman outside linebacker Jonathan Cornell continues to push up the depth chart.

LSU: Four incoming freshmen-running back Keiland Williams, running back Richard Murphy, offensive lineman Steven Singleton and defensive tackle Al Woods- have not been certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Heralded defensive tackle Charles Deas did not qualify. Coach Les Miles said he wants JaMarcus Russell around 255 pounds after two-a-days. The roster released this week has him at 260 pounds. Tailback Alley Broussard is now 250 pounds, up from 237. Broussard and Justin Vincent, both recovering from ACL tears, worked without braces. Freshman Tyson Andrus reported to the team on Tuesday after he transferred from Ole Miss. Defensive end Kirston Pittman will miss his second consecutive season this time due to a torn right Achilles tendon. Last year, he missed the season after injuring his foot in fall drills.

ARKANSAS: After the first two practices, Casey Dick has been the best looking of the three quarterbacks. Robert Johnson, who is still recovering from sports hernia surgery that he had in May, was off on his throws and freshman Mitch Mustain was constantly harassed by the Hog rush. As the week progressed, Dick missed two days because of a stiff back, but Mustain improved considerably. Redshirt freshman tailback Michael Smith has turned heads in camp, but he sustained a hamstring injury Tuesday night. He struggled with hamstring problems last year. Coach Houston Nutt was full of praise for freshman receiver London Crawford. Freshman Van Stumon has been moved from linebacker to fullback. Defensive back Matterral Richardson has had a great camp according to Nutt.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks started practice Saturday with receiver Sidney Rice and quarterback Blake Mitchell receiving praise for their performance. Mitchell had several highlight reel catches in front of 1,500 fans. Coach Steve Spurrier praised the throwing of Tommy Beecher, who nearly transferred, and freshman Chris Smelley. Syvelle Newton was held out of practice one day because he missed a mandatory meal. At Friday’s media days, Spurrier said the defense is inexperience but he added that he was glad some of the players he watched last year were seniors because “I can’t stand watching them play much longer.” The defense ruled the scrimmage on Sunday night. Spurrier said he quarterbacks didn’t exercise enough patience to throw underneath. The quarterbacks were 11-of-22 with three picks in 7 on 7 drills.

Tailback Cory Boyd hurt his hand and has missed most of the week of practice. With Boyd and Davis (foot infection) limited, Taylor Rank, who nearly transferred, could be the main back for a few days. Spurrier has been impressed with Smelley and another Alabama native cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. Freshman defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (6-5, 350) has spent several days of practice jogging around the practice area. Spurrier said Ellis will likely redshirt. Spurrier said “We don’t want him to hurt anyone if he falls on them.” Another lineman who needed to lose weight was Stanley Doughty had done so and made an impact. Daytona Beach freshman linebacker Brent Davis, who quit the team last month, has returned and asked to be reinstated.

VANDERBILT: Earl Bennett, the heralded Commodore receiver suffered a leg injury in Sunday’s practice. No official word has been given yet, but the coaching staff thought it might be a hamstring injury.

SOUTHERN MISS: (Florida’s first opponent) Two veteran players, fullback Cole Mason, a sophomore, and junior receiver Tavares Williams, have been declared academically ineligible. Mason played in eight games last year. Williams, who is from Palatka, Fla., had 15 catches last year. He had emerged from spring as one of the leading receivers. The Golden Eagles are deep at receiver. Ryan Ellis, who is from Ponte Vedra, Fla., comes in as a freshman seeking playing time.

ACC DEFENSE: Last season, the ACC was second only to the SEC (20. 7) in scoring defense allowing 21 ppg. In 2004, the ACC allowed 24 points among the nine member teams. Virginia Tech allowed 12 ppg, Miami 14 ppg and BC 15 ppg. Nine ACC schools return at least six starters on defense.

MIAMI: Cane coaches have the challenge of replacing four of five starters on the offensive line. Currently, the right tackle spot goes to Tyrone Byrd. Left tackle is rather secure with Reggie Youngblood. The guards are players with experience in Derrick Morse and Andrew Bain. Center Andrew Wollschalger is the only returning starter. A J Trump will back up both guards. The NCAA Clearinghouse has not certified freshman offensive lineman Orlando Franklin (6-6, 326), who played high school ball in Canada. He won’t be allowed to participate until certification occurs. Franklin flew to Canada to deal with the problem.

Cane defensive lineman Teraz McCray is still struggling with knee problems. He had his knee scoped following spring and the knee still bothers him. McCray, who is expected to be on hand for the FSU opener, is backing up Bryan Pata. Kareem Brown is the other starter at defensive tackle. Calais Campbell is starting at end after Pata moved to tackle. Freshman receiver Sam Shields catches a touchdown nearly every day in practice. Tailbacks Charlie Jones and Derron Thomas will be held out of practice until the end of the week. Freshmen Javarris James and Kylan Robinson are getting a chance to practice. Second team cornerback Carlos Armour has a pulled hamstring. Freshman offensive lineman Ian Symonette (6-9, 338) has been told to lose 20 pounds.

BOSTON COLLEGE: After physicals were conducted last week, coach Tom O’Brien discovered that senior strong safety Ryan Glasper (hip surgery in April) and defensive end Jim Ramella (right shoulder surgery) will not be ready for camp and might miss the season. Sophomore Paul Anderson, who played last year, will replace Glasper. Redshirt freshman Austin Giles and freshman Brendan Deska are battling to replace Ramella.

VIRGINIA TECH: Sophomore Sean Glennon is slightly ahead in the quarterback race due to his consistency. Sophomore Cory Holt and Ike Whitaker are still in the race.

FLORIDA STATE: With the addition of tight end Brandon Warren, 28 of 30 signees are in school. Linebacker signee Tim Rawlinson still has not been officially cleared. Matt Dunham, who signed in 2005, has found a position at fullback. Five players-cornerback Tony Carter, receiver Chris Davis, freshman receivers Preston Parker and Damon McDaniel and freshman cornerback Patrick Robinson are competing to return punts. Davis is the favorite to win the job. Receiver Rod Owens is thinking about a redshirt season if his knee doesn’t respond as he wishes. Dionte Allen (6-0, 175), a four-star cornerback from Lake Mary, committed to the Noles. Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame have also offered him.

GEORGIA TECH: Starting fullback Mike Cox injured his left shoulder Wednesday and might miss the opener against Notre Dame. Tech and Georgia Southern are having talks about a possible series. Coach Brian VanGorder has changed the GSU offense to a more conventional attack instead of the option offense they ran before.

NORTH CAROLINA: Trimane Goddard, a starting safety, is out for the season with a broken bone in his foot.

CLEMSON: Quarterback Will Proctor’s backup could be redshirt sophomore Cullen Harper, who had an edge over sophomore Tribble Reese. Coach Tommy Bowden has been complimentary of freshman tailback C J Spiller.

VIRGINIA: Coach Al Groh has made it clear that Chris Olsen is the starting quarterback. Senior safety Tony Franklin has returned to the team after being reinstated.

RHETT BOMAR: Texas A & M Commerce has asked for permission to contact the former Sooner quarterback. Bomar had expressed an interest in TCU.

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.