1. UCLA
2. Texas
3. Notre Dame
4. Oklahoma
5. Georgia
6. FSU
7. Southern Cal
8. Ohio State
9. Texas A & M
10. Nebraska
11. Miami
13. Clemson
14. Alabama
15. LSU
17. Ole Miss
22. Tennessee
23. Arkansas
25. Boston College

Alabama received a visit this weekend from Tyler Love (6-7, 285), a Rivals100 offensive lineman from Mountain Brook, Ala. He has narrowed his final five down to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and FSU. He is visiting Georgia for the third time on July 20. Former Alabama quarterback Jimmy Barnes has transferred to Weber State, who opens their season Aug. 30 against Boise State.

Auburn has 19- of- 30 signees on campus. The Tigers are still awaiting word on defensive end Antoine Carter of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard and Tim Lamb, a defensive lineman from Tallahassee (Fla.)Lincoln. Ryan Williams of BC Rain and Nick Fairley of Williamson are still waiting on the results of the Mobile school board’s investigation into grade changes. Enrique Davis, a running back from Lynn Haven (Fla.) Mosley, is taking a class this summer and not expected until August. At least six prospects are “sign-and-place” players who signed with Auburn and will begin their careers elsewhere. Tiger coach Tommy Tuberville underwent a successful outpatient appendectomy Wednesday in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Auburn has signed a series with Clemson that begins in 2010 in Auburn. The Tigers make the return trip to Clemson the following year. The two teams have not met since 1971. Auburn and Clemson cancelled a four game series that was scheduled to begin in 2003. The Tigers also play West Virginia in 2008 and 2011. Clemson dropped a series with Pitt to play Auburn.

Florida is trying hard to sign Jamie Harper (6-0, 210), a running back from Trinity Christian in Jacksonville, Fla. Harper said his top five schools are Clemson, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina with Central Florida and Illinois on the outskirts. Although he grew up a FSU fan, he said Florida and Clemson are battling for the top spot. Mark Barron (6-2, 205), an athlete from Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s, has narrowed his list to Alabama, FSU, Florida, LSU and Auburn. Florida AD Jeremy Foley (12 national titles and 77 SEC titles) has agreed to an 11-year extension worth $1.2 million per year. The next highest paid athletic directors are DeLoss Dodds of Texas ($843, 834), Gene Smith of Ohio State ($625,000) and Dave Hart of FSU ($557,821).

Speed is the key word with Gator coaches. Recruiting has brought in Bubba Caldwell, Chevon Walker, Percy Harvin, Riley Cooper, Jarred Fayson, Mon Williams, A J Jones and Brandon James. Receiver signee Deonte Thompson is the state’s track athlete of the year. Florida has around a dozen players who can run a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash or less.

Darryl Stonum (6-2, 180), a Rivals100 receiver from Sugar Land, Texas, is expected to make his decision known Sunday night among a trio of Florida, Michigan and Southern Cal. Stonum said the depth chart at USC is in his favor. He has teammates at Michigan and he said he fits well in the Gators offensive scheme.

Gator basketball coach Billy Donovan landed Kenny Kadji (6-10, 240), a five-star center from Bradenton, Fla., as a verbal commitment Friday. FSU, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Memphis and UConn have offered him. Kadji is the No. 21 ranked player in the class of 2008. His teammate Ray Shipman, a 6-3, 180 pound small forward, committed last week.

Georgia receiver signee Aron White (6-4, 215) is going to lineup at receiver not tight end contrary to some rumors. Coach Mark Richt and his family have returned from a mission trip to Honduras. Neil Williamson, the sports marketing director for WSB radio, told the AJC that Larry Munson, the voice of the Bulldogs, has an open agreement and can do whatever he wishes in regards to Georgia games. Josh Davis, a reserve offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, is trying to gain weight for this season. He is up to 292 from 275 pounds. He wants to add another 20 pounds. Richt said he believes senior tailback Thomas Brown will not have to be redshirted after tearing his ACL months ago. Richt said Wednesday that punishment has not been set yet for backup quarterback Blake Barnes and tight end Tripp Chandler for alcohol-related incidents. The school’s typical policy for a similar infraction in the past has been a suspension of two games. Strength & conditioning coaches have said this group of freshman is the best in the weight room since 1999. Even the kicker Drew Butler has been impressive.

Kentucky has a verbal commitment from Gene McCaskill (6-0, 165), a receiver from Chester, S.C. Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, Marshall and Duke have shown interest.

LSU coach Les Miles met with the media on Wednesday. He said there is nothing new pertaining to quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, who are both in summer school. Miles praised the worth ethic of quarterback Matt Flynn. Miles wasn’t reluctant to say that signee Chad Jones would benefit more from playing football at LSU then going to the NFL rather than minor league baseball. Jones was drafted in the 13th round by the Houston Astros. Receiver signees DeAngelo Benton and junior college transfer Demetrius Byrd are still trying to clear academic hurdles in order to join the team in August. LSU has recruited 196 in-state players during the past 13 signing classes. Currently, 32 of those signees have made either first or second team All-SEC.

Ole Miss had its annual Ladies Day Camp last Saturday which drew a record 400 participants. Eli Manning, the former Ole Miss quarterback, helped to grow the attendance. At a recent men’s fantasy camp, some of the Rebel coaches provided some player updates. At quarterback, Seth Adams is the leader competing with Brent Schaeffer and Michael Herrick, a redshirt freshman from California, who has bulked up to 183 pounds. Tailback Bruce Hall, who backs up starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis, has also put on weight. He is up to 210 from last year’s 193. Fullback Jared Cook, who was 218 two years ago, is now 250.

Dominique Davenport (5-10, 175), a cornerback from Baldwyn, Ms., committed to Ole Miss over Mississippi State. Josh Tillman (6-4, 245), a three star defensive end from Franklin County (Ms.), committed to the Rebels. His cousin is Marcus Tillman, who played for the Rebels last year. Chris Wilkes (6-4, 220), a quarterback from Dr. Phillips (Fla.) High in Orlando, committed to Ole Miss. Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Southern Miss and Tulane have offered him. Bryan Powers, a punter from College of San Mateo (Calif.), has signed a letter of intent. Powers, who will have three years of eligibility left, averaged 38 yards per punt.

Arkansas officials announced Wednesday that Chuck Barrett, who announces Razorback baseball games, will replace the late Paul Eells, who was the play- by- play voice of the Hogs for three decades.

South Carolina offensive line signee Quintin Richardson has been released from the hospital and is recovering from knife wounds he sustained in an argument that turned physical. An arrest has been made in the case.

Hoover High in Alabama is being investigated for academic impropriety allegations involving athletes and teachers being pressured. A Hoover math teacher said a football player’s grade was changed without his consent in order for the player to play in college.

Prep school requirements: in 2002, a freshman athlete needed a combined 820 on the SAT and grade point average of 2.5 in 13 high school core courses. Today, an athlete can be eligible with a SAT score as low as 400 or a 37 on the ACT as long as they have a GPA of 3.55 or higher in 14 core courses (the number of core courses will increase to 16 in 2008).

ESPNU is sponsoring an all-star game at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando on Jan. 5, 2008, which is around the same time as the U S Army Game in San Antonio. Some 40 players have been invited. ABC will broadcast the game at 1 pm.

Clemson opens the 2007 season with three homes games for the first time since 2003 and just the eighth time since 1923. Cullen Harper is easily the starting quarterback. He has also improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.57. Harper is in the best shape of his life.

Virginia Tech’s opener against East Carolina has been moved from ESPN2 to ESPN. College Gameday will open the season in Blacksburg.

Miami freshmen reported on Tuesday minus two players—running back Shawnbrey McNeal, who is from Dallas, Texas and defensive lineman Adewale Ojomo, who is from Hialeah, Fla. McNeal is awaiting test scores while Ojomo has been unreachable by phone. Miami officials are still deciding on whether to move to Dolphin Stadium. Some officials are saying it is a 50/50 decision. In the past few weeks, several key trustees have said the deal must be perfect in order to move. There are still about a dozen lingering issues that have yet to be worked out. The City of Miami made an offer recently that closes the revenue gap from the original $4 million difference between the two sites to now around $1.5 million more from moving to Dolphin Stadium. For the past three weeks, Miami officials have been working only with the Dolphin Stadium group.

Florida State has a commitment from E J Manual (6-4, 201), a Rivals100 quarterback from Virginia Beach, Va. Alabama, BC, FSU, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers and Tennessee were his final schools. Manuel is also contacting outstanding prospects such as running back Darrell Scott, receiver Julio Jones, receiver Deion Walker, receiver Brice Butler, offensive lineman Tyler Love, offensive lineman Matt Patchan and athlete Will Hill. FSU is trying to recruit more speed as evidenced by the signing of freshmen receivers Brandon Paul and Bert Reed, who both run a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.

William Green (6-4, 215), a Rivals100 defensive end from Spain Park in Hoover, Ala., visited FSU this past weekend. Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Southern Cal and Tennessee have offered him. Defensive lineman Paul Griffin is in trouble after failing to appear in court Tuesday. Last November, Griffin was arrested for a DUI. He failed to meet all the requirements of his probation and was arrested for a suspended license while on probation.

Wake Forest quarterback Ben Mauk has transferred to Cincinnati after breaking his arm last year in season opener. Riley Skinner, who led the Demon Deacons to an ACC title last year, is the returning quarterback.

Boston College has a commitment from Donte Elliot (6-0, 180), an athlete from Houston, Texas. He is the fourth player in the last eight days to commit to BC. He played quarterback and safety last season. Kansas, Oklahoma State and Rice are recruiting him.

Justin Tuggle (6-3, 205), a three-star quarterback from Duluth, Ga. Indiana, Mississippi State, Ohio and Western Kentucky are recruiting him. Tuggle is the son of former NFL star Jessie Tuggle. BC also had a commitment from Colin Larmond (6-2, 185), a receiver from Morristown, N J. Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Michigan State, and Northwestern are recruiting him.

Former BC QB Doug Flutie will join Chris Fowler and Craig James on Thursday nights for the ESPN games. Former Miami coach Larry Coker will be an analyst on ESPNU games.

Virginia running back Keith Payne has been suspended due to academic problems. Payne, a redshirt freshman, was battling Cedric Peerman and Raynard Horne for the starting position.

The NCAA will consider banning coaches from text messaging prospects at its Aug. 9 board of directors meeting. At the meeting, the board could reaffirm the text messaging decision, reject the decision or create new legislation. The new rule is scheduled to take place on Aug. 1. Many schools have said they would like to have limits on text messaging but not banning it altogether.

The final United States Sports Academy Director’s Cup standings for 2006-07 are out:
1. Stanford (Stanford fields 32 teams thanks for massive scholarship endowments)
2. UCLA
3. North Carolina
4. Michigan
5. Southern Cal
6. Florida
7. Tennessee
8. Texas
9. Cal
10. Arizona State.
Auburn finished No. 19 and Alabama was No. 43.

Michigan has never played an I-AA team until this season when they play Appalachian State.

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.