Arkansas was without several starters including nearly half a dozen defensive players in the spring game played in freezing temperatures last Saturday night. Michael Smith led the rushers with 30 yards on four carries including a 23-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Casey Dick was 8- of- 14 for117 yards and two scores. Fullback Peyton Hillis caught four passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Freshman defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard had three tackles including two for losses.

One of the most competitive slots is at cornerback where sophomore Jerell Norton, junior Jamar Love and redshirt freshman Ramon Broadway are battling for a starting slot.

Former Miami coach Larry Coker attended the Hogs practice last Thursday. Coker, who was considered as a possible replacement for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn after he went to Tulsa, was in town for a coaches clinic. Former Razorback quarterback Mitch Mustain said he would transfer to Southern Cal.

Kentucky, which has its spring game Saturday, has a problem with linebacker depth for various reasons. Wesley Woodyard, Braxton Kelly and Johnny Williams are a strong starting trio, but Ben McGrath (left for personal reasons) and Joe Schuler (concussions) will probably not be counted on in the fall. Redshirt freshman Brandon Thurmond, who was a pleasant spring surprise, tore an ACL in his knee last week and might miss all of the upcoming season. Sam Maxwell has taken advantage of the upheaval by pushing for ample playing time after seeing little action last season. Micah Johnson, a much- heralded recruit, is still trying to pick up the nuances of his position. Johnson has lost 15 pounds and is playing at 257.

Wildcat defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins will have shoulder surgery and miss the entire 2007 season. Doctors found a cartilage problem in his shoulder that required surgery. He played in 12 games last season and made 19 tackles.

Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said the strength of the team would be the offensive line—Michael Oher, John Jerry, Corey Actis and Reid Neely-- and running backs led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cordera Eason and Bruce Hall. Orgeron said he is pleased with the play of receivers Shay Hodge, Dexter McCluster and Marshay Green.

Mississippi State’s schedule is complete for the 2007 season. The Egg Bowl against Ole Miss has been moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving to be aired at noon by Lincoln Financial Sports. Jacksonville State has been replaced with I –AA Garner-Webb. The game comes in between contests with Auburn and South Carolina. Talks are ongoing for series with Houston, Memphis and Georgia Tech.

South Carolina’s spring game was a defensive struggle held in front of 35,000 fans. The Black team edged the Garnet team, 14-7. Quarterback Blake Mitchell, leading the Garnet team, completed only 13- of- 39 passes for 150 yards and one score. Chris Smelley, quarterbacking the Black team, completed 10- of- 22 for 83 yards. Coach Steve Spurrier said Smelley is now the second team quarterback after his spring performance. Cornerback Stoney Woodson led all tacklers with seven. Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart both intercepted passes. Bobby Wallace led all rushers with a game-high 61 yards. Linebacker Marvin Sapp, who is from Jacksonville, Fla., broke a bone in his ankle. He will have surgery soon to have two screws inserted in the ankle. Sapp, who was the second leading tackler last year with 51, will return in August.

Shaq Wilson (6-0, 210), an outside linebacker at First Coast High in Jacksonville, Florida, is the first verbal commitment for the Gamecocks. Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Minnesota, Ole Miss and Purdue are among the teams to offer him a scholarship.

Gamecock Dustin Lindsey, who missed all of last season due to academics, tore his ACL in the spring game. He will have surgery and not return until late September or Oct. Quarterback Stephen Garcia has been reinstated to all team activities. Spurrier is not happy with the offense line. Conversely, he said the defensive line featuring defensive end Eric Norwood is the best since he has arrived at the school. Except for Kenny McKinley, the rest of the receivers have not stepped up. Fortunately for USC, six freshmen receivers come in during the summer. Spurrier confirmed Wednesday that tailback Cory Boyd, defensive back Brandon Isaac and other players have been questioned by police for an incident that occurred Saturday night, but no arrests have been made. Spurrier celebrated his 62nd birthday Friday.

Alabama has its annual A-Day game this Saturday. All gates will be open and police will be staffed as if a normal game day. The Tide held its second scrimmage of the spring on Saturday in heavy rains. Cornerback Simeon Castille returned an intercepted pass 36 yards for a touchdown. Coach Nick Saban said he was impressed with punter P. J. Fitgerald who averaged nearly 40 yards per punt. Running back Terry Grant led the running backs with 72 yards on 14 carries. One of the most improved units is the offensive line with Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell.

The right offensive tackle spot is up for grabs. Sophomore Mike Johnson was the right tackle during the scrimmage, primarily due to injuries. Linebacker Prince Hall led the defense with eight tackles and intercepted a pass. Receiver D J Hall continues to play well. He led the receivers with three catches for 72 yards.

LSU kicker Chris Jackson is balancing school, trying out for NFL teams and playing infield for the Tiger baseball team. He averaged more than 41 yards per kick during his Tiger career. LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri said Jackson would also be a professional baseball prospect if he decided to concentrate solely on the sport.

Tiger offensive lineman Zhamal Thomas, offensive lineman Kyle Anderson and defensive back Troy Giddens were arrested last week and accused of burglarizing a campus apartment then running up charges on a stolen credit card. Both have been permanently suspended from the team.

Auburn fans can look forward to something no other SEC team has when they open the season at home against Kansas State. Tiger officials have installed a high definition video display board that cost nearly $3 million.

The Tigers released its post spring depth chart with a few changes. Sophomore Sen’Derrick Marks have moved from defensive tackle to defensive end where he is listed at the starter opposite Quentin Groves. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp declined to name a starting strong safety between Eric Brock and Zac Etheridge. The same happened at the right cornerback spot where senior Jonathan Wilhite is listed with sophomore Jerraud Powers. Junior Blake Field held down the No. 2 quarterback position. Ross Gornall is the No. 1 kicker after a strong spring. Alonzo Horton, a defensive end, has transferred from Auburn to Jackson State. He didn’t participate in spring practice. He played in nine games last season collecting three tackles. Rivals.com rated him the No. 9 player in the state of Louisiana coming out of high school.

Florida had its spring game last Saturday in front of 47,500 fans as the Blue team beat the Orange team, 27-21. Blue team quarterback Tim Tebow was 17- of- 27 for 216 yards and three scores. Orange team quarterback Cam Newton was 20- of- 30 for 275 yards and one score. He struggled in the first half completing 7- of- 13 passes for 78 yards. Receiver David Nelson caught eight passes for 90 yards to lead the Orange team. Gator coach Urban Meyer said after the spring game that receivers Jarred Fayson, who had five catches for 75 yards, and Louis Murphy, who had eight catches for 129 yards, and cornerback Markihe Anderson had earned starting positions. He added that freshman cornerback Joe Haden will not be redshirted. Senior Joey Ijjas and Jonathan Phillips are battling for the place- kicking job. Ijjas made kicks from 47, 55 and 60 yards. Meyer made it clear that Kestahn Moore, Brandon James, who gained 20 yards on nine carries, and Chevon Walker, who rushed for 75 yards on 14 carries, were the pecking order at running back. He also said end Jermaine Cunningham, sophomore middle linebacker Brandon Spikes and Haden were the standouts. Redshirt freshman defensive end Lawrence Marsh, redshirt freshman safety Dorian Munroe and sophomore Brandon Spikes also enjoyed productive practices.

Meyer’s offense will be more of the spread this season meaning longer passes (from Tebow and Newton), receivers running with the ball and more option. The class of ’06 came through big with impact from Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Fayson, Marsh, Percy Harvin and Cunningham. Florida doesn’t have the depth to overcome injuries in the fall to numerous players. Freshman Aaron Hernandez is battling Tate Casey at tight end.

Gator offensive lineman Eddie Haupt had shoulder surgery to repair ligament damage. He is expected to be out for four months. Marsh also had shoulder surgery and is expected to be out for nearly a month. Earl Okine (6-7, 240), a defensive end from Gainesville High (Fla.) has verbally committed to Florida. FSU, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss have offered him. Last season, he had 87 tackles and 10 sacks.

Tennessee is counting on its running backs progressing this season after the Vols failed to gain over 100 yards in eight of 13 games last season. Coach Phil Fulmer constantly lauded the efforts of LaMarcus Coker and Arian Foster during the spring. Montario Hardesty is also expected to be in the mix. Coker continually shows big play ability, but he must improve his attitude and his academics. Quarterback Erik Ainge said this week that he is 95% recovered from his knee surgery. He added that he could play if the Vols had a game this Saturday.

Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford was 13- of- 23 for 219 yards with one score and two picks in front of 25,000 fans at the spring game. Xavier Lee was 13- of- 26 for 163 yards with two scores and two picks. The offense had four interceptions and a fumble. Cornerback Michael Ray Garvin picked off a pass and returned it 42 yards for a score. Pat Robinson and Myron Rolle also picked off passes. Tailback Antone Smith was the offensive MVP of the spring and Andre Fluellen was the defensive winner. Fluellen was also the Hinesman winner meaning he was the most dominant player. Anthony Kelly is the most improved linebacker over the spring. Kelly missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in August.

The Noles picked up two big verbal commitments from the same school in Nigel Bradham (6-2, 230), a linebacker from Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla and his teammate safety C J Holton (6-2, 195). Nigel Carr (6-3, 220), a linebacker from First Coast High (Fla.) in Jacksonville also committed. Vincent Williams (6-0, 225), an outside linebacker from Davenport, Fla., has committed to FSU. LSU, South Florida, Florida and Alabama are among the schools to offer him.

Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper, who was 15- of- 24 for 147 yards, locked down the starting job in front of 20,000 fans after throwing for three scores and no picks in the spring game to lead the Orange team over the Purple team. True freshman Willy Korn, who quarterbacked the Purple team, was 13- of -25 for 135 yards with one touchdown and two picks. The linebackers are not showing the playmaking ability that the coaches desire. Cortney Vincent and Jeremy Campbell led the Tigers in tackles with 10 and 9 respectively. James Davis ran for 100 yards on six carries in the game including a 65 yards jaunt.

North Carolina redshirt freshman quarterback T J Yates was 10- of- 15 for 163 yards and three scores in the spring game. Butch Davis is trying to schedule a Thursday night game.

N C State had three rushers top the 100 yard mark in the spring game with Jamelle Eugene leading the way with 168 yards on 15 carries in front of nearly 15,000 fans. Toney Baker carries 23 times for 163 yards and Andre Brown gained 112 yards on 11 carries

Virginia Tech cancelled its spring game Saturday after the shootings last Monday. Tech had its second scrimmage last Saturday. Starting quarterback Sean Glennon was 8- of- 14 for 160 yards and three scores. Backup quarterback Ike Whitaker was 8- of- 17 for one touchdown passing and running. Tailback Branden Ore gained 57 yards. Receiver Justin Harper caught four passes for 108 yards. Josh Morgan caught three passes for 16 yards. Linebacker Vince Hall had eight tackles and a sack. Xavier Adibi had seven tackles. Defensive back D J Parker and Brandon Flowers had four tackles each.

Miami fullback James Bryant is transferring to another school. He has been troubled by position switches and discipline problems.

SEC HOOPS

Tennessee guard Chris Lofton, who led the SEC in scoring last season averaging 20 points per game, said he is considering leaving early for the NBA draft, but projections do not have him in the first round. Still, Lofton is motivated to take the Vols on another deep run into the NCAA Tournament. Next season the Vols also add Arizona transfer J. P. Prince, who didn’t play last season, but practiced with the team.

Ole Miss has four of its 13 scholarships available for the 2007-08 season after seniors Bam Doyne, Clarence Sanders, Todd Abernathy ran out of eligibility and point guard Justin Cerasoli quit the team in December. Rebel coach Andy Kennedy is hoping to sign four players before the spring signing deadline of May 16. Kenney is excited about having Florida transfer David Huertas, who is 6-foot-5, available next season.

Mississippi State didn’t sign anyone during the spring signing period after inking three in November. After losing only two seniors—Dietric Slater and Piotr Stelmach—from last year’s team that won 10 of its last 15 games, the Bulldogs are early favorites to win the SEC Western division. They also add Louisville transfer, Brian Johnson, who sat out last season.

Arkansas officials got the coach they wanted in South Alabama’s John Pelphrey. Both Razorback athletic director Frank Broyles and Chancellor John White wanted to hire Pelphrey, but he wouldn’t deal with them until the Kentucky job was decided. White said Pelphrey was actually Kentucky’s second choice behind Billy Gillispie, who took the vacant Wildcat job. Former Ole Miss and Arizona State coach Rob Evans has joined Pelphrey’s staff.

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.