1. USC
2. LSU
3. Oklahoma
4. West Virginia
5. Michigan
6. Texas
7. Louisville
8. FSU
9. Virginia Tech
10. Penn State
11. Georgia
12. Hawaii
13. South Carolina
14. Florida
15. Ohio State
16. Wisconsin
17. Alabama
18. Oregon
19. Missouri
20. Texas A & M
21. UCLA
22. Nebraska
23. TCU
24. USF
25. Tennessee

Others:
27. Miami
38. Notre Dame
41. Auburn’
42. Georgia Tech
45. Clemson

Phil Steele predicts: SEC WEST --
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Auburn
5. Mississippi State
6. Ole Miss

SEC EAST-
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Vanderbilt
6. Kentucky

Phil Steele predicts: ACC-Coastal Division—
1. Virginia Tech
2. Miami
3. Virginia
4. Georgia Tech
5. North Carolina
6. Duke

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

South Carolina has a verbal commitment from Reid McCollum (6-4, 195), a quarterback from Summerville, S.C. Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Duke, Georgia Tech and N C State have shown interest. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior year.

Georgia receiver signee Israel Troupe was drafted in round 31 of the Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies. Troupe was rated the top receiver in the state by several recruiting services. Jonathan Owens (6-5, 295), an offensive lineman from Blountsville, Ala., is commitment No. 14 for the Bulldogs. Georgia Tech, Troy and UAB have offered him. Bulldog quarterback Blake Barnes was arrested Sunday morning on an open container charge and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Tight end Tripp Chandler, who was the only healthy tight end during spring practice, was arrested on open container and underage possession charges. Chandler was poised for a breakout season. Now, either Coleman Watson or redshirt freshman NaDerris Ward must step up. According to athletic department policy, both must miss 10% of the season. Georgia has had five arrests since last December: offensive lineman Ian Smith (second), linebacker Akeem Hebron (two arrests), Barnes and Chandler. Hebron will miss the entire season, Smith six games, Barnes and Chandler two.

The Bulldogs are recruiting Etienne Sabino (6-3, 230), a linebacker from Krop (Fla.) High in Miami. Sabino visited Georgia and Georgia Tech this past weekend. He said he really likes coach Mark Richt’s character. Florida, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Southern Cal have offered him.

Florida is recruiting Josh Haden (5-7, 190), a running back from Fort Washington Friendly (Md.) High. Haden, the brother of freshman signee Joe Haden, has narrowed his list of schools to Boston College, Florida and Michigan. The Gators are also recruiting Tyler Love (6-7, 285), an offensive lineman from Mountain Brook High in Birmingham, Ala. Love is down to five schools—Florida, Alabama, FSU, Georgia and Oklahoma. Former Gator player Avery Atkins was arrested last Friday on charges of possession of a stolen firearm and drug possession. Former Gator quarterback Chris Leak will help Illinois coach Ron Zook with his quarterback camp this weekend.

The Gators have had their share of legal issues since winning the national title as chronicled this week by the Orlando Sentinel. The latest was the arrest of Brandon James for purchasing and possessing eight grams of marijuana. Guard Ronnie Wilson’s original charges of two felonies and a misdemeanor for an April gun incident have been reduced to two misdemeanor charges (one count of battery and one count of discharging a firearm in public). He was accused of firing an A-K47 in the air to scare a man who had followed him to his car outside a nightclub. Wilson is currently not enrolled in classes. Safety Dorian Munroe was charged with theft in May after he removed a UPD boot from his car and put it in the trunk. Cornerback Jacques Rickerson (marijuana possession resolved without legal punishment), linebacker Dustin Doe (public brawl charges dismissed) and little-used safety John Curtis (probation violation after failing to do community service) have faced misdemeanor charges. Safety Jamar Hornsby had a sworn complaint against him in April after allegedly tossing a man onto the hood of a woman’s car in a parking lot.

In February of 2006, receiver Kenneth Tookes fired a gun into an occupied apartment and also present were receiver Andre Caldwell, and cornerbacks Reggie Lewis and Dee Webb. Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas was dismissed after failing three drug tests. Receiver Louis Murphy (marijuana possession) was hindered in getting on the field by his legal troubles.

Florida and Louisville are the only two schools in the country who have played in the College World Series, a BCS Bowl game and the Final Four in the past three seasons.

LSU signee Chad Jones, an athlete from Baton Rogue Southern Lab, was drafted in round 13 of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. Jones is interested in playing football and baseball for the Tigers. The Tigers started summer workouts Monday. Two players-quarterback Ryan Perrilloux (suspension) and defensive back Ricky Jean-Francois (academics) are not working out with the team. Receiver Trindon Holliday will return to the football team after considering turning pro in track. FSU’s Walter Dix beat out Holliday at the NCAA Track & Field Championships last week. Last year, former Tiger receiver Xavier Carter signed a pro contract with two years of eligibility remaining.

Alabama sophomore quarterback Jimmy Barnes is transferring to an I-AA program. Barnes played in two games last season during his redshirt freshman season before tearing an ACL in bowl practice last December. Barnes has three years of eligibility remaining. Backing up starter John Parker Wilson are redshirt freshman Greg McElroy an freshman Nick Fanuzzi. Coach Nick Saban’s contract has been approved by the Board of Trustee’s compensation committee. It is an eight-year deal worth $30 million. Saban said Thursday that freshman running back Jamar Taylor remains in the team, but the staff is trying to help him work through some personal issues at home. He also said 17 of 24 freshmen signees are in summer school. Three of the remaining five are expected to enroll for the second semester. Sophomore offensive tackle Andre Smith has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list. He is the only sophomore to be named.

Auburn junior receiver Rod Smith, a former walk-on, was awarded a scholarship in a meeting last Friday. He turned down offers from Georgia Southern and Bethel in order to walk-on three years ago. Smith started all 13 games last year. He has put on 15 pounds and is up to 192.

Georgia Tech has a verbal commitment from Kamaron Riley (6-1,180) receiver from Hawkinsville, Ga. Indiana, Marshall and Vanderbilt are recruiting him. Riley runs a 4.5 in the 40- yard dash along with a 36- inch vertical leap.

Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee finally admits that he has brought in to a better work ethic. He will have a chance to fall to win the quarterback job with the new staff. Lee has also reverted back to his old high school jersey No. 1. Sophomore defensive end Kevin McNeil is nearly back to full health after being involved in a car accident on March 2 in Missouri that killed one of the passengers. He had 16 tackles and three sacks as a freshman. E J Manuel (6-4, 200), a five-star dual threat Rivals100 quarterback from Virginia Beach, Va., is visiting FSU next weekend. He will meet with Bobby Bowden and school president T K Wetherell. Alabama, BC, FSU, LSU, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers and Tennessee have all offered him.

Miami safety signee Damien Berry, who comes from Belle Glade Glades (Fla.), is recovering from ACL surgery last December. Berry, who has bulked up to 210 after weighing 195 last year, said he has increased his bench press from 235 to 285. Jacory Harris (6-4, 169), a dual-threat quarterback from Miami Northwestern, has committed to the Canes. Minnesota, UCF, FIU, BC and LSU have offered him. Harris said he is solid with Miami, but he’ll take other visits.

Clemson has a verbal commitment from Xavier Brewer (5-10, 173), a cornerback from Bartram Trail in Jacksonville, Fla. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame and Southern Cal have offered him. He said in an article on June 12 that Clemson, Alabama, Florida and LSU are his top schools. Bartram Trail quarterback Kyle Parker committed to Clemson earlier in the year.

Orlando Sentinel prep writer Bill Buchalter is retiring after 40 years. Times-Union prep writer Chase Goodbread is leaving the paper to join Bamaonline.com.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen had elbow surgery on Wednesday. He will be ready when team camp opens Aug. 6. The Miami Herald reported in January that Clausen had bone spurs in his elbow. Clausen, redshirt freshman Demetrius Jones and junior Evan Sharpley would compete for the starting job. Redshirt freshman Zach Frazer has already been granted permission to transfer. He is looking at Rutgers, UConn, Miami, Louisville and East Carolina.

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.