Atlanta Journal Constitution has early fall projections for the
SEC East
1. Florida.
2. Georgia
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt

West
1. LSU
2. Arkansas
3. Auburn
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Miss State

The AJC predicts the ACC as follows:

Atlantic Division
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3.Wake Forest
4. Boston College
5. Maryland
6. N C State

Coastal Division
1. Georgia Tech
2. Virginia Tech
3. Miami
4. Virginia
5. North Carolina
6. Duke

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford will not be disciplined for Internet photos of him holding up a beer keg. Coach Mark Richt knows about the photos and the school will not comment. The Bulldogs have lost a verbal commitment in B J Brand (6-4, 323), an offensive lineman from Douglas, Ga., who decommitted from the Bulldogs. He is looking at FSU, Auburn, South Carolina, N C State and Georgia.

Bulldog coaches released their depth chart Monday night. Backing up Stafford is Joe Cox with Blake Barnes behind him. At tailback, Knowshon Moreno is the No. 2 tailback behind Kregg Lumpkin mainly because Thomas Brown is still recovering from an ACL surgery. Brannan Southerland is the top fullback with Shaun Chapas penciled in behind him. Chapas is trying to hold off Fred Munzenmaier. Seniors Sean Bailey and Mikey Henderson are the starting receivers with Mohamed Massaquoi expected to be the starting slot receiver and backup to Bailey. The biggest question mark—the offensive line—appears to be solid with Trinton Sturdivant, Chris Davis, Fernando Velasco, Scott Haverkamp and Chester Adams. In related news, offensive lineman signee Ben Harden said he is finally qualified after receiving his latest academic scores. Harden attended Hargrave Military Academy last fall.

Defensively, the linebackers are extremely thin, especially with linebacker Akeem Hebron being suspended for the entire upcoming season. Some sources in Athens are saying that Hebron could be placed at Georgia Military College for a year before returning to Georgia. The starters at linebacker are Darius Dewberry, Brandon Miller and Dannell Ellerbe. Darryl Gamble, who missed spring with a broken foot, is expected to see time at Will linebacker. Kelin Johnson is the undisputed leader of the defense at strong safety. C J Byrd is getting his first start at free safety. He will be pushed fiercely by Reshad Jones. Paul Oliver is unquestionable one starter at cornerback, but Bryan Evans is fighting off Prince Miller and Ramarcus Brown.

Florida has nine players taken in the draft, the most of any team. Ohio State was second with eight. Ramon Buchanon (6-1, 195), an outside linebacker from Melbourne Palm Bay, said he is deciding between Florida and Miami. Additionally, he has offers from Auburn, Georgia, FSU, Wake Forest, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Alabama could have one of the best special teams in the SEC with place kicker Jamie Christensen (13 of 17 field goals), punter P J Fitzergerald (38 yards per punt) and return specialists Javier Arenas, Glen Coffee and Jonathan Lowe. Brad Smelley (6-3, 220), an athlete out of Tuscaloosa’s American Christian Academy, has committed to Alabama. His brother is Chris Smelley, a reserve quarterback at South Carolina. Ole Miss and Alabama have offered him. Alabama already has nine verbal commitments. Last year, they didn’t have their first commitment that eventually signed with them until May 25.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is hoping his team gets more involved in offseason workouts than in his first two seasons. Under NCAA rules, teams are off during the month of May, but begin offseason workouts again in June. Spurrier admitted that it took too long last season for the coaches to determine the best offseason linemen. He told a booster group that ESPN reporter Holly Rowe made mention of how much bigger the Tennessee players were than the South Carolina players. Spurrier said he is hoping his team can match their size soon. He also expects no player to have academic trouble when grades are posted in the next few days.

Kentucky is in terrific shape at running with the return of Rafael Little, junior Tony Dixon and sophomore Alfonso Smith. John Conner is a capable fullback. At receiver, Keenan Burton had a great spring. Steve Johnson continued his good work from the bowl game and Dicky Lyons, Jr. was solid. Jacob Tamme, who lost some weight in the spring, is a capable tight end. Offensive lineman Zach Hennis is giving up football after multiple shoulder surgeries.

Ole Miss has sold 26,000 season tickets thus far. Last season, Ole Miss sold 39,000 season tickets that included student tickets. The student tickets have not been sold yet, but Rebel ticket officials expect another 7,400 to be added to the number. Kermit Tyler (6-4, 320), an offensive lineman from L W Higgins (La.) High, has committed to the Rebels. LSU, Miss State, Duke and Tulane are among the schools to show interest. He is the eighth verbal commitment for the Rebels. Quarterback Jevan Snead, a Texas transfer, played almost the entire second half of the spring game. He will have plenty of time to learn the Rebel offensive system.

Mississippi State center Royce Blackledge has been named to the Rimington Watch List that goes to the best player at that position. John Paul Alford (6-3, 275), a center from Kosciusko, Ms., is the third verbal commitment for the Bulldogs.

LSU has a verbal commitment from Rocky Duplessis (6-2, 185), a safety from Belle Chasse (La.) High. Ole Miss and La. Tech have offered him. Alabama, Texas A & M, Oklahoma and Arkansas have shown interest. He increased his stock at the Nike training camp last month at Florida State.

Auburn has officially announced the addition of the first high definition video of any SEC school. The video screen will be available for the 2007 season. Blair Irvin (5-11, 180), a cornerback from Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College, has committed to the Tigers. LSU, Oklahoma and Alabama have shown interest.

Arkansas released its post spring depth chart Wednesday. Junior Jeremy Davis is no longer the first team kicker. Davis, who is the starting punter, has been replaced by Brian Vavra. Springdale High kicker Alex Tejada, a freshman, could win the job when he reports in August. Sophomore London Crawford and senior Robert Johnson are listed as first team flankers. Senior Fred Bledsoe for the first time is on the two deep chart. He is currently listed as the No. 2 defensive end behind senior Marcus Harrison, who is recovering from an ACL tear. If the depth chart holds to form for the opening game, Arkansas will start five seniors each on defense and offense.

Tennessee has hired former quarterback Jim Bob Cooter as a graduate assistant.

The last FSU offensive player to go in the first round of the draft was receiver Javon Walker in 2002. FSU has had seven first round selections in the last three years and all were defensive players. Travis Arnold (5-10, 182), a safety from Madison County High, is on the verge of committing to FSU. The Noles need help at that position. LSU, FSU and Florida have offered him. Geno Hayes and Charlie Graham are former Madison County players. Terry Bowden, the former Auburn coach and son of Bobby Bowden, has been with his father during some of the booster meetings. He appreciates the renewed enthusiasm for his father and predicts the Nole will win 10 games this season.

Miami athletic director Paul Dee, 60, has announced his retirement that will be effective in a year. Dee, who has been the Miami AD since 1993, will remain as a faculty member. He has guided Miami through a period of refurbishing the athletic facilities. During his tenure, Dee also presided over Miami’s joining of the ACC. He also hired basketball coach Perry Clark and football coach Larry Coker, who were both fired. Dee said the school has raised nearly $10 million since December. Possible replacements that have been mentioned are Barry Alvarez (60 years old), the former Wisconsin coach, FIU AD Pete Garcia, who was the senior associate AD at Miami,

Dee met on Tuesday with a group of donors to update them on the negotiations to move to Dolphin Stadium. Dee said no decision has been made, but two people in the group told the Miami Herald that a better move would be to leave the Orange Bowl. In a later interview on Thursday, Dee said city of Miami officials are making a promising proposal that involves necessary changes and there is a chance the Canes could stay put.

The Canes have had 15 first round picks in the past five years and 25 this decade. Offensive coordinator Patrick Nix said freshman Robert Marve, who was 204 after gaining 19 pounds of muscle, has a chance to play this year, especially if Kirby Freeman and Kyle Wright struggle. Taylor Cook (6-7, 210), a quarterback from Altair, Texas has committed to the Canes. Several Texas schools have shown interest. Former Miami coach Larry Coker told the Miami Herald that he is going to sit out the upcoming season although he wants to coach again. Coker said Butch Davis never offered him the offensive coordinator job at North Carolina. Coker said he turned down two head coaching jobs, but did not name them. Tulane made an overture toward him.

Clemson wants to return to a more balanced offense which means the receivers must step up. Jacoby Ford and Aaron Kelly both had productive springs. Rendrick Taylor, who has been injury prone (fractured arm and wrist) sustained a broken finger in the spring game. Freshman Xavier Dye came in during the spring and will probably avoid a redshirt. Former FSU signee Markish Jones could also see playing time this fall.

Boston College is close to signing a two-year deal with Southern Cal beginning in 2011. BC resumes its series with Notre Dame this season.

Draft Notes: Of the 255 players drafted, 175 came from BCS conferences according to the Orlando Sentential. Out of the first 100 players drafted, 21 came from the SEC. The SEC led all the conferences with 41 players selected with the ACC next with 31. Big East teams have 16 players selected, but the WAC had 17. Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Northwestern, Texas A & M, Vanderbilt and West Virginia had no draftees.

Several BCS coaches are trying to get university presidents to petition the NCAA for a NFL draft opt-out rule that would allow eligible underclassmen who declare for the draft to return to school if they don’t hire an agent according to The Sporting News. The cutoff date would likely be after the Scouting Combine possibly March 1. This would allow players time to take a look at their draft prospects.

SEC HOOPS

Jai Lucas (5-10, 160), a point guard from Houston (Texas) Bellaire High School, has narrowed down his schools to Kentucky, Florida and Oklahoma State after eliminating Oklahoma and Maryland. Lucas, the son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas, is the No. 42 prospect on the Rivals150. Patrick Patterson (6-8, 228), a five-star Huntington, West Virginia forward, has narrowed his list of schools to Florida, Kentucky and Duke. He dropped West Virginia, Virginia and Wake Forest from his list. Rivals.com lists him as the No. 2 power forward and the No. 15 overall prospect. Patterson mentioned Florida as the school where he could go and play right away. The final signing day is Wednesday, May 16.

Georgia coach Dennis Felton has been chosen to participate in “Operation Hardwood”, a six-day visit to military bases in the Persian Gulf starting on May 22.

Tennessee, 16-0 at home this season, averaged 19,661 in attendance this season, the most since 1987-88. As a result, donations have poured in and work has begun on a new $16 million practice facility that includes two full gyms. Also, Thompson-Boling arena will have an additional $18 million renovation. Work is expected to be completed in five months.

LSU has lost signee D J Wright, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard from Toronto Academy Prep School in Canada, who has been granted his release from his letter- of- intent.

Ole Miss has had its share of transfers in football and basketball. In the three years that Ed Orgeron has been the Rebel football coach, 25 players have transferred. Since Andy Kennedy came to Ole Miss in March, seven basketball players have transferred.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.