Vol Freshman receiver Quinton Hancock (5 catches for 68 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage) and sophomore Austin Rogers are fighting hard for one of the receiver positions. Rogers had a 50- yard punt return and a 30- yard catch. Michael Frogg has beaten out Josh McNeil for the starting center position. Redshirt freshman linebacker Rico McCoy played has a lot with the starting linebackers. Strong safety Antwan Stewart led the defense with seven tackles and returned a punt for a score. Senior receiver Jason Swain has had one of best camps of all the players. Tennessee had its final scrimmage of camp Tuesday night. In Tennessee’s third scrimmage, the starters were limited in their work. Crompton was 11- of- 17 for 129 yards and two scores, both to Hancock. Sophomore defensive end Robert Ayers has stepped up to the challenge of being pushed by the coaching staff.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier reminded the media Friday after practice that freshman quarterback Chris Smelley has a lot to learn including changing the plays at the line of scrimmage. He was 10- of- 16 for 181 yards in Wednesday’s scrimmage. Syvelle Newton has decided to play this season after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Spurrier is also pleased with freshman defenders Eric Norwood, a defensive lineman and linebacker Rodney Paulk. Defensive backs Captain Munnerlyn (if he becomes eligible) and Darian Stewart and safety Emanuel Cook will also play early as freshmen. The Gamecocks will wear black jerseys for the opening game. This would be the first time since 2004 when they beat Arkansas.

The Gamecocks’s final scrimmage was Tuesday night. Smelley was 14- of- 20 for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Cade Thompson was 4- of -15 for 31 yards. Mitchell was 10- of- 20 for 135 yards. Tailback Cory Boyd ran for 78 yards on nine carries. Overall, USC ran for 229 yards on 45 carries. Spurrier also said Newton could be come in at quarterback for a series- or- two. Receiver Sidney Rice gave the coaches and fans a scare when he sprained his shoulder earlier in the week, but he is back at practice with the shoulder wrapped. Freshman receiver Moe Brown has a sprained ankle. School started Thursday. Freshmen Kenrick Ellis and Munnerlyn have not practiced for most of the week due to lack of certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

OLE MISS: Quarterback Brent Schaeffer sat out Saturday’s scrimmage to rest. Seth Adams was 15- of- 33 for 204 yards and a touchdown. Freshman offensive lineman John Jerry (6-5, 350) had moved up to the first team, before being held out of practice due to pending certification by the NCAA. He was cleared on Wednesday. Darryl Harris, Andrew Wicker, Thomas Eckers and Michael Oher all played on the first team offensive line. Tailback BenJarvis Green-Ellis gained 79 yards on 17 carries. Tight ends Lawrence Lilly and Robert Lane caught a combined six passes for 90 yards. The defensive line consisted of Jeremy Garrett and freshman Hayward Howard at the tackle spots and freshman Marcus Tillman and junior Viciente Deloach at the defensive end positions.

Rebel freshman quarterback Cliff Davis has returned to practice after missing several days. Linebacker signee Rory Johnson, who is from Hinds Junior College, has been admitted to school. Defensive tackle Jerrell Powe still has not been certified.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: In Saturday’s scrimmage, the offense scored four times with quarterback Michael Henig (12- of- 20 for 168 yards) throwing scoring passes to receiver Keon Humphries (3 catches for 86 yards) and tight end Eric Butler. Freshman tailback Anthony Dixon ran for 145 yard on 31 carries. Walk-on Justin Williams gained 85 yards on 12 carries.

ALABAMA: The Tide went through a 99- play scrimmage Saturday. Alabama’s defense led by defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry (four tackles including two sacks) dominated the offense. Tide coaches hailed the improvement of the offensive line. The first team offensive line consisted of freshman Andre Smith and Chris Capps at tackle, Antoine Caldwell at center and Justin Britt and B J Stabler at guard. Quarterback John Parker Wilson (14- of- 21 for 173 yards) was efficient on the day with a two touchdown and a pick. Receiver Keith Brown had five catches for 92 yards. Coach Mike Shula called redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Rogers the hardest working player on the team after he had two pass breakups in the scrimmage. Defensive back Javier Arenas was credited with an 84-yard punt return for a score. Prince Hall and Matt Collins are still battling at middle linebacker. Hall can make some plays that Collins can’t. Tailback Ken Darby gave the coaches a scare when he was helped off the field with a knee injury only to return to the sidelines later walking with an ice pack. Running backs Tim Castille and Jimmy Johns along with receiver D J Hall have been impressive in the latest practices.

In Alabama’s scrimmage on Tuesday, the offense scored on its first drive as Wilson (4- of- 7 for 86 yards) hit receiver Will Oakley and tight end Nick Walker on 38 and 24 yards passes respectively. Camp ended for Alabama after the Tuesday scrimmage. Darby is close to being 100% after injuring his knee Monday. Shula named Rogers and receiver Will Oakley as two of the standouts at camp. Shula is hoping starting kicker Jamie Christensen will be available by Sunday. In his absence, Leigh Tiffin has been kicking well.

ARKANSAS: The Hogs had a very unproductive non-tackling scrimmage on Saturday. The coaching staff said very little was accomplished. Quarterback Casey Dick was throwing 30-yards passes with ease before the scrimmage. Freshman receiver London Crawford and offensive lineman Tony Ugoh are struggling with minor injuries. Crawford returned to practice Monday, but he will have to get a MRI for precautionary measures. Razorback tailback Darren McFadden had the pin removed from his big toe after being involved in an altercation less than three weeks ago. He is limited in his workout ability because of the pain in his toe. Michael Grant, the former Georgia commitment, has won one of the starting safety jobs over junior college safety Matt Hewitt.

AUBURN: Walk-on sophomore Rod Smith has been promoted to first team receiver replacing Prechae Rodriguez. Tiger linebackers Karabi Dede and Will Herring are struggling with hamstring injuries. Starting mike linebacker Merrill Johnson is struggling with a foot injury. His absence allows freshman Craig Stevens and sophomore Courtney Harden more playing time. Running back Carl Stewart has been one of Auburn’s most improved players. He has spent time at fullback and tailback. Freshman Zac Etheridge is back after being out with a hip pointer. In Friday’s scrimmage, quarterback Brandon Cox hit Smith for two scores or more than 50 yards. Tailback Brad Lester had two good runs in the game. Defensive end Marquis Gunn had two sacks. Senior defensive tackle Chris Browder has moved to first team with a solid camp. He has gained 25 pounds and is up to 270.

Tiger receiver signee Alex Rose won an appeal with the NCAA. His academic status could be known today after he enrolls. Coach Tommy Tuberville said Rose is a redshirt candidate. The no-contact list that contained as many as a dozen players now has only one—offensive lineman Oscar Gonzalez. Safety Steve Gandy, who has lost 20 pounds, is back in street clothes after leaving the hospital for several minor surgeries for a thigh injury.

FLORIDA: After Saturday’s full-padded practice, coach Urban Meyer said DeShawn Wynn and Kestahn Moore are the two best running backs. Wynn was also tried as a kick returner, but was held out later with a bruised shoulder. Meyer is concerned about the right tackle position currently manned by Carlton Medder. He also said quarterback Chris Leak is playing his best football. Nose tackle Marcus Thomas is back from a minor ankle sprain. Freshman safety Bryan Thomas lost his stripe. Meyer said Reggie Lewis is the team’s best cornerback right now. Linebacker Jon Demps has elected to have surgery on his knee.

Torrey Davis (6-5, 290), a five-star defensive lineman from Seffner Armwood (Fla.) High, has committed to Florida after leaning heavily to FSU. Some reports stated that he was a FSU commitment. Left tackle Phil Trautwein sat out Monday’s practice with a sore foot. He is much better the last few days. Classes began Wednesday. Freshman tailback Brandon James had his knee scoped and is out for four weeks. Meyer said several players such as Percy Harvin, Dustin Doe, Brandon Spikes and A J Jones will see time on the kickoff team. He also said the quarterbacks can go deep more often with a healthy Bubba Caldwell and a faster Dallas Baker.

GEORGIA: Coach Mark Richt has named Joe Tereshinski as the starting quarterback in the opener against Western Kentucky. Joe Cox is No. 2 and Blake Barnes and Matthew Stafford are co-No. 3’s. In Friday’s scrimmage, Tereshinski was the only quarterback not to throw a pick along with two scores. Cox, Barnes and Stafford combined to throw four picks. Ramarcus Brown still has an edge at one of the cornerback positions. He is battling Bryan Evans (out for three games with an injured MCL), Prince Miller and Asher Allen. Linebackers Brandon Miller, Dannell Ellerbe, and Darius Dewberry all return to practice after recovering from various injuries.

The Bulldog coaching staff and Stafford have denied any transfer rumors involving the freshman that came about on Buck Belue’s sports talk show Wednesday. The final scrimmage of camp, which is more preparation for Western Kentucky, was Thursday at 4:05 pm. The starting jobs up for grabs are the starting flanker (Kenneth Harris, Mikey Henderson and A J Bryant), nickel corner, holder and long snapper.

LSU: The Tigers had a no-tackle scrimmage on Saturday that resulted in zero injuries. In last year’s first scrimmage, the Tigers lost running back Alley Broussard for the season. Coach Les Miles singled out defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey for his four tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Luke Sanders broke up a pass and had a sack. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was 10- of- 13 for 88 yards. Receiver Early Doucet had four catches for 44 yards. Receiver Brandon LaFell is working his way up the depth chart with three catches for 44 yards. Freshman defensive lineman Al Woods, who has been certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse, did participate in the scrimmage. Jacob Hester was the leading rusher with three carries for 24 yards.

The Tigers had their final scrimmage of camp Tuesday night. Receiver Craig Davis is recovering from a hamstring injury. The NCAA has certified offensive line signee Steven Singleton and running back Keiland Williams. LSU is still waiting word on the eligibility of running back Richard Murphy. In Tuesday’s scrimmage, Russell was 16- of- 23 for 203 yards. Freshman Charles Scott gained 62 yards on 10 carries. Doucet had six catches for 97 yards and a score. Safety LaRon Landry led the defense with seven tackles.

FLORIDA STATE: Tight end Charlie Graham has missed time with an ankle sprain, but freshmen Brandon Warren and Caz Piurowski have gained on him. Piurowski has an edge for the starting job. In Saturday’s situational scrimmage, quarterback Xavier Lee was 9- of -14 for 96 yards and had a 21-yard run. The offense did not give up a single sack after surrendering 10 the previous week. Sophomore linebacker Derek Nicholson had several big plays in the scrimmage. Freshman receiver Damon McDaniel caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Lee in the scrimmage. Freshman cornerback Patrick Robinson is making a name for himself. Sophomore defensive tackle Letroy Guion is back after missing most of the summer with a shoulder injury. Junior linebacker Anthony Kelly will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Tim Rawlinson, an outside linebacker signee from Prattville, Ala., did not qualify. Rawlinson will likely attend a junior college. Freshman offensive lineman Matt Hardrick is awaiting the results of a MRI. The Noles are also scrimmaging Tuesday.

In FSU’s scrimmage on Tuesday, Weatherford (8-of-11 for 166 yards) and Davis connected five times for 162 yards and a score. Timmons had six tackles, three sacks, two pass break-ups and one interception. Lee was 9- of- 19 for 104 yards and one score. Freshman linebacker Dekoda Watson had six tackles and three sacks. There have been few, if any, major injuries during camp. Alex Boston has been limited at the defensive end position due to a sprained ankle so D. J. Norris is getting most of the snaps. Redshirt freshman cornerback Jamie Robinson is back in action after recovering from a high ankle sprain that has limited him during camp. MRI results revealed that redshirt freshman offensive lineman Matt Hardrick only has a high ankle sprain. Freshman defensive back Myron Rolle is back on the practice field after recovering from a bruised shoulder.

MIAMI: Chris Rutledge has passed Cyrim Wimbs as the first-team right tackle. Rutledge moved to that position when Tyrone Byrd went out with a minor injury. In Saturday’s scrimmage, receiver Sam Shields caught a 50-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Wright for the highlight of the scrimmage. Otherwise, the offense was rather unproductive. The offense failed to score and allowed several sacks and tackles for loss. The defense caused three picks and one fumble. Freshman tailback Javarris James worked with the first team due to injuries to Charlie Jones and Derron Thomas. Both Jones and Thomas returned Monday. ESPN GameDay is going to be at the FSU opener.

Former Cane linebacker Willie Williams did not enroll at the College of Sequoias, but has landed at the West Los Angeles College. Offensive lineman signee Orlando Franklin is still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Cornerback Ryan Hill has been moved to receiver because of a lack of depth. Brian Monroe and Hill are second team receivers. Shields, Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins are first team. Khalil Jones (sprained ankle) and Terrell Walden are out with injuries.

BOSTON COLLEGE: Tailback L V Whitworth gained close to 100 yards including a 79 yard touchdown in Thursday’s (Aug 18) scrimmage and had nearly 50 yards receiving. The tight ends—Ryan Purvis and Trey Koziol—caught passes of 42 and 33 yards. Quarterback Matt Ryan was 13- of- 27 for 206 yards, a pick and a touchdown. In three scrimmages, Ryan is 30- of- 63 for 367 yards, two scores and three picks. Linebacker Jolonn Dunbar had an interception and a sack in the scrimmage. On defense, redshirt freshman safety Marcellus Brown led the team with eight tackles, one for loss.

CLEMSON: In Saturday’s scrimmage, quarterback Will Proctor was 16- of- 20 for 185 yards and two scores. Proctor led the No. 1 offense to three scores against the No.1 defense. He threw a 15-yard scoring pass to receiver Chansi Stuckey and a 38-yard scoring grab to tight end Durrell Barry. He completed passes to nine different receivers. Quarterback Cullen Harper was 14- of- 21 for 82 yards and Tribble Reese was 8- of- 10 for 58 yards. Receiver Jacoby Ford led the team with six catches for 32 yards. Freshman tailback C. J. Spiller had five carries for 23 yards. Linebacker Tramine Billie broke his ankle and is out for several weeks. Either sophomore Antonio Clay or freshman Jeremy Campbell will have to step in. Former reserve tight end Paul Muse is transferring to Florida Atlantic.

MARYLAND: Senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach had a rare bad outing on Thursday (Aug. 25). Nose tackle Dre Moore is playing very well.

GEORGIA TECH: Sophomore David Brown has moved from the defensive line to offensive line. Sophomore Jahi Word-Daniels, junior Pat Clark and junior Avery Roberson are battling for a cornerback spot.

SOUTH FLORIDA: Quarterback Paul Julmiste is still holding on to the starting quarterback job. Bull officials will find out soon whether or not Kansas State transfer Ryan Schmidt, a center, will be eligible immediately. Florida transfer Julian Riley, a defensive tackle, is eligible to play this season.

UCF: The Golden Knights had a scrimmage on Saturday with officials. Tailback Kevin Smith had several long runs against the second team. Quarterback Steven Moffett connected several times with Sergio Joachim and Mike Walker.

BILL BATES CLASSIC: Nease High school and Memphis University School play at UNF Saturday at 3 pm in the Bill Bates Classic that supports the J T Townsend and the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. Both teams won state titles last year. For more information go to Neasefootball.com

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.