A record 69 early entries enrolled in January right out of high school in BSC-conference schools according to CBSsportsline.com. Just three years ago there were 35 enrollees. Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier started the trend back in 1991.

Arkansas has a verbal commitment from Austin Eoff (6-5, 308), an offensive lineman from Fort Smith, Ark. He had offers from Arkansas State and Tulsa. Auburn, Kansas, Mississippi State and Texas Tech have shown interest. Former Hog receiver Damian Williams, who transferred to Southern Cal, will not even practice with the Trojans following his second shoulder operation in two months.

Auburn has a commitment from Deron Furr (6-3, 212), a dual-threat quarterback from Columbus, Ga. Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tulane have offered. The Tigers also received a commitment from Jermarcus Hardrick (6-4, 333), an offensive lineman from Sardis (Miss.) North Panola. LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida and Louisville are showing interest in him.

Florida has a verbal commitment from Dee Finley (6-3, 210), a Rivals100 safety from Auburn, Ala. Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Oklahoma, Vandy, Alabama, Auburn and Clemson have offered him. Florida’s expanded football offices are going to be more expensive than originally projected rising from $14 million to $28 million due to inflation. The renovation will include an expanded weight room, new football offices, a banquet room, and a museum of sorts on the first floor. There will also be a 55-foot high red brick façade outside the new offices that features the Gator logo and the national championship years-1996 and 2006. Gator reserve quarterback Cam Newton is wearing a brace for the next three to four weeks due to a small crack discovered in his back.

Georgia has a verbal commitment from Bryce Ros (6-4, 233), a tight end from Kennesaw, Ga. Louisville, N C State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Auburn and Clemson have offered him. Coach Mark Richt and his family are on a mission trip this week to Honduras. Ben Jones (6-2, 306), an offensive lineman from Bibb County, Ala., has committed to the Bulldogs. Air Force and UAB have also offered him. He is commitment No. 16 for the Bulldogs.

Bulldog officials are happy with their new academic policy of fining athletes for each unexcused tutor session and suspensions for missing too many classes. During a three-week period in January, athletes missed 46 classes or tutor sessions, down 90% from 421 over a three week period in September. For the first time more than half of Georgia’s athletes had a 3.0 grade point average in the spring semester.

Chris Little, a Bulldog offensive line signee, will be ready for fall drills despite a broken bone in his wrist. Little was rated the No. 11 offensive guard prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. Cornerback signee Vance Cuff is awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on two courses. Safety signee John Knox is going to land at Hargrave Military Academy.

Bulldog announcer Larry Munson, 84, is considering retirement due to a number of health issues. Munson, who has been the voice of the Dawgs for 40 years, said spinal stenosis is a real problem for him. Munson is pushing for Scott Howard, his analyst in the booth to get a shot at replacing him. He announced on Wednesday that he will probably not travel with the team on road games.

Alabama’s baseball play-by-play voice David Crane has accepted a job to do play-by-play for UAB. Crane also did play-by-play for Alabama’s tape delay broadcasts.

LSU signee Chad Jones said he has not had an offer from the Houston Astros after being drafted in the 13th round this month. According to new major league rules, every organization must sign its draft choices by August 15.

Tennessee has lost receiver Slick Shelley, who is transferring to Tulsa and signee Deshaun Barnes, who is from Lincoln High in Tallassee, Fla., has been released. After redshirting as a freshman, Shelley didn’t play last season after recovering from an appendectomy last August. Running back signee Dennis Rogan was the MVP of the Tennessee team, in the Kentucky-Tennessee all-star football game after he gained 174 yards.

Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson will see more time at running back this season. He ran the ball in the bowl game scoring a touchdown. Johnson is down to 253 pounds after weighing 268 last season.

Florida State receiver signee Taiwan Easterling has decided to cut off negotiations with the Florida Marlins, who drafted him in the sixth round the Major League Baseball Draft. Easterling, who was named Mr. Baseball in the state of Mississippi by the Clarion-Ledger, moved to Tallahassee this past weekend. Will Hill (6-3, 203), a five-star Rivals100 athlete from Jersey City, N. J., is visiting FSU and Florida next month. Florida, FSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers, Southern Cal and Virginia have offered him. Safety Kenny Ingram is back on the team after spending last year at junior colleges trying to become eligible. Ingram hasn’t been in a Seminole uniform since 2004.

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher’s numbers at LSU according to Warchant.com:

• 2001—11th in total off; 58th in rushing; 11th in passing and 29th in scoring
• 2002—86th in total off; 29th in rushing; 102 in passing and 75th in scoring
• 2003—31st in total off; 27th in rushing; 43rd in passing and 19th in scoring
• 2004-38th in total off; 20th in rushing; 72nd in passing and 41st in scoring
• 2005-60th in total off; 52nd in rushing; 55th in passing and 43rd in scoring
• 2006-11th in total off; 31st in rushing; 18th in passing and 9th in scoring

Miami might receive a verbal commitment from Aldarius Johnson (6-4, 212), a receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern. He has been compared to receiver Calvin Johnson. Florida, FSU, Miami and Minnesota have offered him.

Georgia Tech has a fullback transfer from UConn named Luke Cox. His brother, Mike, is Tech’s starting fullback. Tech’s Rambling Wreck was actually wrecked as it was being towed on the way to a wedding last Friday. Yellow Jacket officials said it will be ready for the home opener on Sept. 8.

Boston College has a commitment from Josh Haden (5-7, 190), a running back from Fort Washington (Md.) Friendly. He has narrowed his decision to Boston College, Michigan and Florida. Haden, who will enroll this coming January, benches 405 pounds and he does 225 a total of 25 times.

Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither (6-9, 350) is academically ineligible for the upcoming season. He could enter the supplemental draft or re-enroll in the fall to become eligible for the 2008 season. Gaither has been in trouble with the coaching staff throughout his first two seasons for academics.

Florida governor Charlie Christ signed a bill Tuesday for athletes in football, baseball and weightlifting to be tested randomly for steroids under a one-year pilot program. The FHSAA will supervise the tests. Florida has 426 public schools and 224 private schools. The law starts in effect on July 1. Tests will be administered to 1% of the athletes. Legislation is providing $100,000 in funding to pay for testing. An athlete who refuses to provide a urine sample would be suspended and if a player tests positive, he or she could be reinstated if they pass a follow-up test.

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.