Pouncey denies 'absolutely ridiculous' claim he took $100K from agent

In a press release sent exclusively to the Gainesville Sun, Pouncey has adamantly denied being the recipient of illegal benefits from an agent or anyone associated with an agent.

"I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim," Pouncey said in a very brief denial.

"I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me."

NCAA investigators now have Georgia on their mind

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Georgia received a call from the NCAA this afternoon requesting permission to send investigators to Athens to conduct an inquiry.

UGA was told by the NCAA to provide no further information to the media other than acknowledging the NCAA has requested an inquiry.

Georgia becomes the fifth school publicly identified in the last week as having drawn the interest of the NCAA. The first four -- North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama -- have conducted or are conducting investigations in conjunction with the NCAA regarding football players' relationships with player agents and, or their associates.

SEC facing off-field troubles before media days

Troubling events have made headlines in the two weeks leading up to the three-day SEC event that begins Wednesday. There was a bar brawl involving Tennessee players and there are potential NCAA troubles brewing at Florida and South Carolina. The latest, and potentially biggest, issue arose with a report Monday that Florida and the NCAA are investigating an allegation that former offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey got $100,000 from a representative of a sports agent before last season ended. The NCAA is also looking into a possible rules violation involving South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders. SEC commissioner Mike Slive declined to discuss specific issues involving Florida and South Carolina, but said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that he would like the NCAA at some point to consider changes to rules involving agents. “The agent issue is one that’s been of concern not only to us but I think to everyone associated with intercollegiate athletics and I do think it’s time to re-examine some of the NCAA rules that relate to agents,” he said. “I have felt for a long time that it would be helpful to be able to provide student-athletes with more information and more opportunities to learn what their professional potential might be than is currently allowed by NCAA rules.”

Florida coach Urban Meyer, and Pouncey’s brother, Mike, are scheduled to appear at media day on Wednesday afternoon.

Pouncey to deny accepting 100K from agent while at Florida

A report from ESPN.com's Pat Forde surfaced Monday in which it was alleged that Pouncey received $100,000 from someone tied to a player agent at some point between Florida's loss to Alabama in the SEC title game and the Gators' Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati. If it were to be proven that Pouncey accepted illegal benefits, the first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers could be declared retroactively ineligible and UF could be forced to vacate their bowl win.

A source told Schad that Florida originally became aware of the Pouncey allegation through a letter that was postmarked from Canada, and contained photographic evidence that showed a runner for a sports agent interacting at social events with with Maurkice Pouncey and his twin brother Mike, who will be a senior offensive lineman for the Gators in 2010.

The Pounceys have been cooperating with the dual investigations being conducted by both Florida and the NCAA, and, Schad writes, have provided phone, bank and credit card statements that do not show any large payments. Two sources told Schad that Pouncey purchased an Escalade and jewelry after the April NFL draft with a deferred line of credit.

A separate source told PFT's Mike Florio that he's 99.99-percent certain Pouncey did not receive any extra or illegal benefits before playing his final game in Gainesville.

Florida the latest school to earn agent-related NCAA probe

According to ESPN.com's Pat Forde, the NCAA is investigating an allegation that former Florida Gator offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey received $100,000 from an associate of an unnamed sports agent while still a member of the football program. Pouncey, selected in the first round of the April draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers after leaving Gainesville a year early, allegedly received the money in the time between the Gators' loss to Alabama in the SEC title game and the win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

Florida is doing its own investigation into the situation after informing the NCAA of the rumor when they first caught wind of it.

"We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC," athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida."

If it's proven that Pouncey received the illicit benefits, Florida could be forced to vacate their bowl win.

'Cocks AD Hyman releases statement on NCAA's interest in USC player

South Carolina has released a statement from athletic director Eric Hyman regarding the NCAA's interest in one member of his football program.

"The NCAA has been in contact with us regarding possible rules violations in one of our programs. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with their inquiry. We have confidence in our compliance program and will work with the NCAA to bring this matter to a resolution in a timely fashion."

So far, it's student-athletes from North Carolina and South Carolina who have publicly been fingered as being of interest to the NCAA; according to a source, there's the possibility that the names of at least two more prominent Div. 1-A schools could be made public over the next few days/weeks in relation to an NCAA investigation that has the potential to reach much, further than the scope of it right now.

NCAA looking into Gamecocks TE Saunders

According to The State, an NCAA investigator was in Columbia last week interviewing South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders regarding his relationship with an agent.

The paper reports that it's believed the Saunders questioning is tied to the North Carolina investigation, although no specifics were given connecting the two.

The Tar Heels probe is seemingly focused on players with eligibility remaining allegedly receiving illegal benefits from an agent or agents.

Saunders, who was suspended earlier this year for violating unspecified team rules, was third on the team last season with 32 receptions.

LSU QB Chris Garrett to transfer

Quarterback Chris Garrett plans to transfer to another school for the 2010 football season, LSU coach Les Miles confirmed. "We wish Chris the best," Miles said in a release by LSU's sports information department. "There are no hard feelings. Chris is a good kid. We hope he has success wherever he ends up." Garrett (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) would have to sit out the 2010 season if he transfers to another upper division school. He could play this season should he transfer to a lower division school. Garrett, who would have been a redshirt freshman at LSU in 2010, signed with LSU in February of 2009 out of Tupelo High in Tupelo, Miss., as the No. 18-ranked, pro-style quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals.com, and the No. 13 overall prospect in Mississippi. He did not play last season and was redshirted.LSU's coaching staff did not have major plans for Garrett this season as he was third string behind 2009 starter Jordan Jefferson, who will be a junior this season, and No. 2 quarterback Jarrett Lee, who will also be a junior and was the starter in 2008. Garrett attempted only four passes in the spring game last March, completing one for 14 yards, and had one rush for 6 yards.

Leroy WR Sammie Coates switches commitment from Southern Miss to Auburn

It was tough to miss lanky receiver Sammie Coates on the practice field Saturday.

He turned heads with a couple of spectacular catches in tight coverage and made one grab in the end zone that seemed all but impossible.

Auburn coaches noticed too, and they quickly offered him a scholarship after the workouts were finished. Coates, a Leroy standout who was previously committed to Southern Mississippi, readily accepted.

"I got an offer and committed," he told AuburnUndercover.com. "I'm ready to celebrate now."

The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder plans to join his former quarterback, Clint Moseley.

'Bama's AD Mal Moore deserves contract extension

Mal Moore's tenure as Alabama's athletics director has certainly seen its ups and downs.

When the former Crimson Tide football player and assistant coach took the reins of the athletic department in November 1999, Mike Dubose was leading the Tide to that year's SEC championship in football.

Since then, Moore has presided over the rotating Mikes (DuBose, Price, Shula), Dennis Franchione's unceremonious departure for Texas A&M, and numerous brushes with the NCAA.

He also spearheaded a $125 million facilities fund-raising campaign, improving the facilities for nearly every sport on campus, and perhaps most importantly, hired Nick Saban as head football coach.

With one BCS championship trophy and a Heisman resting in Alabama's new state-of-the-art football building and construction crews expanding Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gentry Estes reported yesterday that an extension to Moore's contract is in the works.

Some thought the 70-year-old Moore would retire soon, but that does not appear to be the case.

Gator WR Hammond pleads out Crown Royal-fueled DUI

According to the Gainesville Sun, Hammond was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $500 fine plus court costs and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service as part of a plea deal stemming from his June 13 DUI arrest.

Hammond was pulled over by university police early that Sunday morning after being clocked doing 45 in a 20 mph zone. Two breathalyzer tests revealed BAC levels more than twice the legal limit. Two open bottles of Crown Royal were found in his vehicle, which explained the twin pair of .19's.

Almost immediately after his arrest, Hammond was suspended from all team activities by head coach Urban Meyer; reports surfaced later that Hammond could possibly be suspended for at least one game and possibly two, but no official punishment has either been levied or made public.

While Hammond had just four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in 2009, he's being counted on to be a significant contributor in the Gators' passing game in 2010.

LSU FB Allen hit with suspension

Another one bites the dust(good tune) The latest to be bit by the catch-all phrase for screwing up is LSU fullback Dominique Allen, who was suspended indefinitely Thursday by head coach Les Miles for violating unspecified team rules.

"There is a responsibility our players have to this program," Miles said. "There are things that you can and can't do and we are not going to compromise the integrity of our program."

"To be part of the LSU football team, we ask our players to strive for excellence in the classroom, and in competition, and to represent this university in a first-class manner in the community. Anything short of that, will not be accepted."

A sophomore in 2010, Allen played in just one game for the Tigers as a true freshman last season.

Razorback's Mallett ...fully expecting to be full-go by camp

"I'm fully expecting to be full go by camp," Mallett said during a teleconference according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "Unless something changes, that's the plan. I don't see anything changing as long as everything stays on schedule."

Mallett, who has not been cleared to run although that should happen soon, tried his best to ease the concerns of the Razorback faithful over the state of his foot.

"Everybody is worried. We kind of laugh at everybody because they don't think we're going to be ready, but we're going to be ready."

2nd Shoulder surgery could sideline Gamecock's OL Richardson

An injury to Quentin Richardson's right shoulder knocked him out of South Carolina's PapaJohns.com Bowl loss to UConn in January.

Now an injury to the other shoulder has placed the offensive lineman's availability for the 2010 season in jeopardy.

According to a press release issued by the school, the junior tackle will be forced to undergo surgery after suffering an injury to the left shoulder. The release did not state how Richardson suffered the injury.

His status for the 2010 season will be determined after the surgery, the release read.

Richardson started the first four games of the season last year before being relegated to a backup role, then reclaimed the starting job in the regular-season finale.

Suspended UGA RB Jackson leaving Bulldogs

Three days after being hit with a multigame suspension, running back Dontavius Jackson has decided to transfer from the University of Georgia.

Jackson was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with six misdemeanors, including driving under the influence and hit and run. The next day, head coach Mark Richt suspended the redshirt sophomore for at least the first six games of the 2010 season.

Jackson will leave school at the end of this semester, although there's no word on where he may end up continuing his collegiate football career.

In four games last season, Jackson rushed for 38 yards on four carries.

SEC's Sportsmanship Award winner arrested after campus fight

According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Scott was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with disturbing the peace. The charge was a result of an on-campus fight with an Elmer Johnson. That's E-l-m-e-r Johnson.

Scott's charge is a misdemeanor; Johnson is facing felony charges for having the name "Elmer".

Head coach Houston Nutt is still in the information-gathering phase of the process and had no comment.

The sophomore rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in 2009, and is in the mix to replace Dexter McCluster as the Rebels' starting back.

Playback: On June 22, Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott was awarded the SEC's Sportsmanship Award for his quick-thinking actions in the wake of a serious neck injury suffered by Auburn safety Zach Etheridge.

Latest police report on Vol's bar brawl...where is Nelson(Waldo)

A UT Athletic Department official, who asked not to be identified because of the ongoing investigation, said an internal review indicated Nelson wasn't present the night of the brawl. No one has been charged yet in the assaults against either Russell or Capouellez. Darren Myles Jr., 19, is charged with assaulting a UT Police Department officer, evading arrest and resisting arrest. The sophomore safety, who previously was charged in April with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, has since been kicked off the team. Rogers, along with Myles, Moore, 21, and players John Brown, 22, and Matthew Milton, 18, all have been named as possibly being involved in the beating of Capouellez, according to UTPD reports. Players Marlon Walls and Greg King, who have not been mentioned in police reports, were indefinitely suspended from the team by Dooley on Friday. Yet the newly released KPD incident report, based on Russell's hospital interview with police, is the first instance that Nelson has been mentioned as being involved, at least by name. On a sports call-in radio show on WNML on Friday, a caller identifying himself as "Allen" and claiming to be a co-owner of Bar Knoxville said he witnessed a UT player start the initial fight with the patron inside, said host Jimmy Hyams. When asked which player it was, the caller only replied "number 97," Hyams said. Nelson's jersey number is 97.

What now at Vandy...Coach Johnson Retires

Bobby Johnson announced at a hastily-called press conference Wednesday afternoon that he was stepping down as Vanderbilt's head coach and retiring from coaching.

On at least two occasions, Johnson made sure to stress that he was retiring from coaching, not resigning from the Commodores. The coach who was on the precipice of coaching his ninth season at the school said there were no health concerns for either him or wife that would've forced him into this abrupt decision.

Assistant head coach/offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has been named as Vandy's interim head coach for the 2010 season. That move becomes effective immediately, although Johnson stated in his press conference that he will officially step aside at the end of July.

"I've decided to retire, not resign," Johnson said. "I will not be coaching the Commodores in the 2010 season. It is a tough decision with which my wife Catherine and I struggle. This is a personal decision. It's about what we want to do with our lives."

Johnson first spoke to Vanderbilt officials Tuesday about his desire to retire; those officials attempted to talk Johnson out of his decision at the time, last night, and then again this morning. Even as there are just 52 days before the Commodores open the 2010 season, there was simply no talking Johnson out of his decision.

"Believe me, there's not a great time for a college football coach to retire," Johnson said. "This is the way we worked it out. It was a hard decision when to do it and where to do it."

Johnson's career record of 29-66 at the school belies just how competitive his Commodores were in the face of both a death march of a football conference and the stringent academic requirements at the institution.