|
FLORIDA: Desmond Parks (6-4, 218), a three-star tight end from Greer, S.C., has committed to Florida. North Carolina and Clemson offered him. He is commitment No. 8 for the Gators.
Five Gators to watch in early fall camp (Gator Bait): Quarterback John Brantley is finally healthy after an injury in mat drills and a broken finger at the end of spring practice. Defensive tackle Torrey Davis has plenty of potential if he can stay out of the coaches’ doghouse due to academics, etc. Freshman Will Hill has an opportunity to play immediately due to the problems at safety. Defensive tackle Omar Hunter has tremendous expectations on him coming in. He is listed in the media guide at 315, but is closer to 330. Tailback Emmanuel Moody, a Southern Cal transfer, has plenty of expectations, but he needs to improve his ball security and understand the offense.
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs were picked No. 1 in the first USA Today Coaches Poll of the season. Georgia was picked second to Florida at SEC Media Days primarily because they play Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and LSU in a six-week period. Florida plays Tennessee, Arkansas and Vandy on the road while Georgia faces South Carolina, LSU, Kentucky and Auburn away from Athens.
Coach Mark Richt told a gathering Monday that he was not sure who was going to return kicks after seniors Mikey Henderson and Thomas Flowers departed. Cornerbacks Asher Allen and Ramarcus Brown are possibilities. Allen had 659 yards last year, only 10 short of the school record. Bulldog verbal commitment Aaron Murray was the top quarterback at the Elite 11 camp last week. Bulldog starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was one of the counselors at the camp. Zach Mettenberger, who is enrolling in January, also took part in the Elite 11 camp held in Calif.
Sophomore offensive lineman Trinton Sturdivant weighed 286 against Hawaii. He has bulked up to 305. Offensive lineman Clint Boling’s two-game suspension was reduced to one game because his DUI charge was decreased to reckless driving. Boling was one of seven players arrested during the offseason.
TENNESSEE: Coach Phil Fulmer spent most of Monday at ESPN being a part of virtually every TV and radio show. He talked about the subpoena at SEC Media Days and the expectations for his team.
Two big goals for the Vols in starting fall practice are to work on the running game and stop the run (allowing 164 yards per game last year). Tennessee lost big to Florida and Alabama because they stopped running the football. Defensively, linebacker/defensive end Gerald Williams, safety Demetrice Morley, and defensive tackles Dan Williams or any of the tackles need to step up.
Former FSU signee Brandon Warren is trying to win his appeal to the NCAA and the SEC after spending last season at a junior college. He can practice this weekend with the Vols, but as of yet not play in games. Williams is still trying to become eligible since signing with Tennessee in 2005 out of Boyd Anderson High in Florida. He only needs to pass one summer class to be eligible. Marlon Walls, a linebacker from Olive Branch, Miss., and defensive lineman Montori Hughes who is from Tennessee, are also trying to become eligible.
Vol junior tight end Jeff Cottam is recovering slower from a broken leg than doctors predicted. He might return the week of the Florida game instead of being ready for the opener.
ALABAMA: Coach Nick Saban said a possible opener next year against Virginia Tech in the Georgia Dome is still possible if school officials could move its home game against Tulane to another date and pick up a team to replace the Green Wave. Both Alabama and Clemson will net nearly $2 million from the opening game. Beer sells will be cut off at halftime.
The Tide received two verbal commitments Tuesday. Anthony Steen (6-4, 300), a three-star guard from Clarksdale, Ms., chose the Tide over FSU, Miami and Southern Miss. Anthony Orr (6-5, 260), a three-star defensive end from Sparkman (Huntsville), Ala., chose the Tide over Auburn, Clemson, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Tide redshirt freshman offensive lineman Patrick Crump has left the team. There are reports that the former Hoover player’s heart was not into playing. His departure decreases the Alabama scholarship total to 60 with 25 freshmen coming in. Linebacker Prince Hall has been suspended for the first three games of the season due to a violation of team rules. Receiver Will Oakley will miss the first three weeks of fall camp due to a stress fracture in his foot, but Saban said he would return when school starts on Aug. 20.
Since last year’s bowl game, a total of 17 scholarship players or 2008 signees have been declared dismissed or medically or academically ineligible. Running back signee Jermaine Preyear has been declared medically ineligible due to a shoulder injury. Alabama will also appeal to the NCAA on behalf of defensive line signee Kerry Murphy academic eligibility. Colin Peek, a Georgia Tech transfer, was denied a hardship waiver based on the fact that Georgia Tech doesn’t include a tight end in their new offense.
Former Florida State athletic director Dave Hart has been hired as the Alabama Executive AD and in charge of day-to-day operations to help Mal Moore. Hart, a former Alabama basketball player, was the AD at FSU from 1995-2007. Hart was a top candidate for the Alabama AD job in 1995 before Bob Bockrath was hired. He was also former Alabama president Andrew Sorensen’s choice in 1999, but after the press got wind of it Hart withdrew his name. Moore will be the face of the program and continue to do what he does best which is raise money. Hart’s son, Rick, is the AD at U-T Chattanooga.
OLE MISS: Defensive tackles Jerrell Powe (6-3, 342) has finally been cleared by the NCAA three years after he signed. He will be a 21-year-old freshman when practice starts this week. Powe, who weighed over 380 pounds this winter, struggles with attention deficit disorder and dyslexia. He was a partial qualifier last season and completed 24 hours of classwork. When Powe was able to practice last year for a couple of weeks, he was dominant. Fortunately for Ole Miss, the defensive line is one of the deepest positions.
Rebel officials announced a 6 p.m. kickoff for the first two games at home against Memphis and Samford. Defensive tackle Ted Laurent, who saw action in seven games last year as a freshman, has had his knee scoped to repair a torn meniscus, but there is no timetable for his return. Rebel officials are waiting to hear from junior college linebacker Patrick Trahan who is expected to receive his grades Friday. Trahan, who played for Auburn his freshman season, had a dominant season at Northwest Mississippi CC last year. Cornerback Demareo Marr, another juco transfer, is reported to be academically eligible.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier said his son Steve, Jr., will be the principal play caller. Bubba will be in charge of a lot of the preparation dealing with paperwork during the week, but make no doubt that his father will make the hard calls.
A simple marijuana charge against receiver Dion Lecorn, who is from Ocala, Fla., has been dismissed. He was never suspended from school. Lecorn is expected to be the No. 2 receiver behind Kenny McKinley.
Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia will reportedly rejoin the team Friday after he has applied for reinstatement. Originally, school officials said he couldn’t return before Aug. 15. Garcia had three arrests or citations in a 15-month period. One of the problems that Garcia might have is that he is reportedly weighing close to 250 pounds and would need to lose 20 pounds. Spurrier also took a shot at two Clemson fan sites saying that whoever runs the sites likes to send bad press (players being arrested to prospective recruits).
Gamecock defensive end signee Jarriel King has been accepted into school. However, receiver signee Tori Childers has to retake the SAT and defensive back Darrell Simmons is still awaiting a grade report.
ARKANSAS: Hog linebacker Freddie Burton has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of DUI and careless driving. Burton was named to the All-SEC freshman team last season. Hog receiver Marques Wade faces a drunken driving charge after authorities say he nearly hit a police car last Saturday night. Both Burton and Wade have been suspended for the first two games, but should return for Texas.
Earnest Mitchell, the Hogs most experienced defensive lineman, was cited earlier this summer for possession of drugs and a handgun. Mitchell, who is recovering from a January knee surgery, was pulled over for having an improperly displayed license tag on his car. Mitchell dealt with the issue by paying a $150 fine this week. Petrino is waiting on the courts to decide about linebacker Wendel Davis, who was charged with felony first degree criminal mischief after having an encounter with a man who struck his scooter.
KENTUCKY: Quarterbacks Curtis Pulley and Will Fidler have been arrested in two separate incidents over the past few months. Pulley was arrested on traffic violations on July 22, while Fidler was arrested on disorderly conduct charges last Friday. Pulley has been arrested twice in consecutive months. The first incident was a marijuana possession charge in June. Pulley has pled guilty to a speeding charge. Other charges of driving with a suspended license and having plates were dropped. Mike Hartline has been named the starting quarterback and Pulley demoted to No. 2.
AUBURN: Coach Tommy Tuberville, who recently underwent hernia surgery, said he has never had 20 verbal commitments this early in a season. Tuberville said switching to a spread formation has helped.
Tony Barnhart of the AJC sat down with offensive coordinator Tony Franklin recently. Franklin told him that the spread is a formation not an offense. He just wants to score points and doesn’t care who touches the ball. Franklin said the biggest misconception about the offense is that the linemen are not tough. Another strategy is to fool the defense into thinking the quarterback is going to snap the ball immediately which takes them out of rhythm. Troy gained nearly 500 yards of offense in a 44-34 loss to Georgia last season. Another goal is to make the defense tired.
LSU: Coach Les Miles, 34-6, is trying to be the only SEC coach since Alabama’s Bear Bryant to win more than one national championship something that Tennessee’s Phil Fulmer, South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier, Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban, Georgia’s Vince Dooley or Tennessee’s Robert Neyland have not done. For the second straight year, receiver signee DeAngelo Benton is not academically eligible. LSU is No. 6 in the first coaches’ poll.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Three former players—Anthony Johnson, Jarmon Hughes and Rodney Prince-- are back in school and able to practice on team after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of obstructing an arrest. The most experienced of the players is starting cornerback Anthony Johnson, who took an errant pass back for a touchdown in the Alabama game. They were suspended after being indirectly involved in an on-campus shooting. However, the trio won’t be able to play in the 2008 season because they were suspended in the spring semester and earned no credit hours.
VANDERBILT: The Commodores delayed its practice starting date to Friday, Aug. 1 after talking to the SEC. Schools have 29 days of practice before beginning their season. Calculating the start of practice has to do with the first day of classes, the scheduling of two-a-days and the date of the season opener.
SOUTH FLORIDA IN JACKSONVILLE: TampaBay online is reporting that Gator Bowl President Rick Catlett is trying to schedule a game with South Florida against Notre Dame, an SEC or ACC foe. Catlett told the site that 2014 is a possibility.
ACC NOTES
FLORIDA STATE: The Noles received several commitments over the weekend due to their second annual Showtime Camp. Receivers Xavier Rhodes (6-2, 187) of Miami Norland and Rodney Smith (6-5, 205) of Miami Carroll pledged to FSU. Smith, a four-star receiver, said he will still make his five official visits to Tennessee, Auburn, Boston College, South Florida and FSU. He has a 3.24 GPA and a 19 on the ACT. Rhodes, a three-star receiver, has offers from Miami, West Virginia, FIU and Auburn. Offensive lineman Henry Orelus (6-3, 295) of Belle Glades Glade committed to the Noles. The three-star lineman has offers from Tennessee, LSU and Auburn. Running back Lonnie Pryor (6-1, 195) of Okeechobee, Fla., also committed. Demonte McAllister (6-3, 263), a four-star defensive tackle from Tampa Alonso, chose FSU over Georgia, Nebraska, USC, Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn and Miami, among others. He has offers from Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, LSU and Florida. The Noles have 18 verbal commitments.
Tavares Pressley, a four-star running back signee, said he has received word that he has passed his necessary courses. Now with Pressley as a part of the team, only three signees-Thomas County Central teammates Anthony McCloud, Debrale Smiley and Madison County safety Travis Arnold didn’t qualify.
The possible Nole indoor practice facility is slowly becoming a reality. Design and cost proposals are being drawn up. Private donations began to be solicited this past spring. There are still questions as to where it would go. AD Randy Spetman said he has heard that around $5 million of the needed $25 million has been raised.
MIAMI: Former Cane coach Larry Coker will once again be an analyst for the ESPNU noon broadcasts. He was a finalist for the Tulsa and SMU jobs last year, but got neither job. Ticket sales are on par to reach at least last year’s total of 28,000. The players like Robert Marve’s arm and his ability to make plays with his legs. They also like Jacory Harris’ ability to read defenses and his accuracy. Redshirt freshman receiver Jermaine McKenzie has been a summer standout. Freshman Aldarius Johnson is expected to play immediately. Receiver Sam Shields and running back Shawnbrey McNeal have been rumored to be battling eligibility problems. Finals for the last summer session are this week. Running backs coach Tommie Robinson raves about fullback Patrick Hill’s blocking ability. He wants Javarris James and Graig Cooper to continue to share snaps. McNeal, Derron Thomas and former safety Damien Berry will try to get their share of snaps. Three signees-offensive lineman Brandon Washington, linebacker Antonio Harper and safety C J Odom --are going to attend Milford Prep in New York. Linebacker signee Zach Kane is also going to Milford Prep. Kane is still dealing with a charge of allegedly breaking a bottle over someone’s head at a party.
Freshmen signees C J Holton, Gavin Hardin, Brandon Marti, and Jeremy Lewis didn’t report with the other 2008 signing class for various reasons. All four are expected to report in the next few days.
Curtis Porter (6-2, 334), a three-star defensive tackle from Charlotte, N. C., has committed to the Canes. Florida, Miami, Clemson, Rutgers, Colorado, Duke and Michigan have offered him.
CLEMSON: The Tigers are the runaway choice toe win the league. IPTAY has brought in $21 million this year due in part to a new seat equity plan. Quarterback Cullen Harper, and running backs C J Spiller and James Davis received the most votes for ACC player of the year. Senior Aaron Kelly might be the best receiver in the ACC. Receiver Jacoby Ford might have the most speed. Could all these players be looking ahead at turning pro early? However, there are big questions at offensive guard where redshirt freshmen David Smith and Mason Cloy will have to play immediately and linebacker where the three starters have a combined three starts. Safety DeAndre McDaniel assault and battery case of a high and aggravated nature will likely be delayed for months. Coach Tommy Bowden has made no decision on his future. Kicking is also an issue. Mark Buchholz made only 61% of his kicks last year, but 11 of his 14 misses were from 40 yards or more.
GEORGIA TECH: Coach Paul Johnson opens practice Wednesday at 3 pm. Sophomore Josh Nesbitt could be the starting quarterback if he has recovered from a groin pull. Calvin Booker, an Auburn transfer, could struggle in the option system. Freshmen Jaybo Shaw and Tevin Washington were recruited for the system. Sophomore Jonathan Dwyer (6-0, 222) appears to be a good fit at fullback. Three starters must be replaced on the line. The defensive line with tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker and end Michael Johnson could be the best in the ACC. Only Jahi Word- Daniels returns as a starter in the secondary.
PENN STATE: Matt Hayes of the Sporting News speculates on successors—Greg Schiano of Rutgers, Jim Grobe of Wake Forest, Bret Bielema of Wisconsin, Tim Murphy of Harvard and Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants-- to coach Joe Paterno. A few weeks ago some recruits said Paterno told them that his successor would come from within the staff. School president Graham Spanier said no decision has been made.
SOUTHERN MISS: Season ticket sales are nearing a record. So far, 10,150 tickets have been sold which is 400 short of the season record.
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.
E-MAIL BRENT AT brentbeaird@comcast.net
|
