NCAA slaps South Carolina with failure to monitor

The Association found that South Carolina failed to monitor its athletic program and “is responsible for impermissible recruiting, extra benefits and preferential treatment” of athletes according to the Committee on Infractions. Additionally, “at least four athletics department employees did not recognize the potential violations” committed by boosters Kevin Lahn and Steve Gordon.

Here’s the meat of the summary as it pertains to the infractions:

According to the facts of the case, twelve student-athletes lived in local hotel while paying a daily rate of less than $15 per person, an amount that was considerably less than what was available to the general student population. In addition, nine student-athletes received special loan arrangements by deferring rent payments through an agreement with the hotel. In total, the student-athletes received approximately $51,000* in impermissible extra benefits and preferential treatment.

In addition, two boosters provided more than $8,000 from their foundation for recruiting inducements and extra benefits to football prospects and student-athletes. These boosters also were involved in recruiting contacts. The committee noted that while some of the motivation and purpose for establishing the foundation were well-intentioned, it was clear that some efforts were aimed at assisting the university in its recruitment efforts. The benefits from the boosters included cash, gift cards, entertainment and funding of multiple unofficial visits.

…

With the exception of determining when the local hotel should be considered a booster organization, the university agreed with all of the allegations in this case, including the failure to monitor.

(*That number was previously said to be $47,000 with total benefits being $55,000)

Here’s what the football program faces in terms of sanctioning;

• Public reprimand and censure.
• Three years of probation from April 27, 2012, through April 26, 2015.
• Reduction of total football scholarships by three (from 85 maximum) during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
• Reduction of initial football scholarships by three (from the 25 maximum) during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years (self-imposed by the university).
• $18,500 fine (self-imposed by the university).
• Indefinite disassociation of both involved boosters and the local hotel (self-imposed by the university).
• Limit of 30 official visits in football (from the 56 maximum) for the 2012-13 academic year (self-imposed by the university).
• An assistant football coach was withheld from off campus recruiting during January 2012 (self-imposed by the university).

The change has come...the Dawning of a new day in Football's Postseason

The leaders in college football Thursday formally endorsed a four-team playoff. And officially placed the Bowl Championship Series on life support, with plans to pull the plug beginning with the 2014 season.

Following the end of the meetings in Hollywood, Fla., the commissioners of the 11 Div. 1-A (FBS) conferences as well as Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick issued a statement that read in part that the group “will present to our conferences a very small number of four-team options, each of which could be carried out in a number of ways.” Borrowing from JFK, within that document lies the dawning of a new age in major college football’s postseason.

The impact of today’s developments wasn’t lost on the organization perhaps impacted the most by the tidal wave of postseason discussion that’s swept over the sport the past several months.

“This is a seismic change for college football and commissioners are aware of that,” BCS executive director Bill Hancock candidly and correctly stated.

QB Sims to transfer from Tide

the Tide announced Friday afternoon that Phillip Sims has decided to transfer from the football program. The release stated that Sims will move on following the completion of the spring academic semester.

“Phillip has been a great representative of our program and did a great job for us in his two years here,” said head coach Nick Saban in a statement. “We are sorry to see him leave, but we certainly understand the situation, and everyone here wishes him the best of luck.

“We’ve talked on numerous occasions about this decision and we just want Phillip to know that we will be here to support him in the future if there is anything we can do to help him and his family.”

With Sims’ impending departure, it appears McCarron caddie duties will fall squarely on the shoulders of redshirt freshman Phillip Ely.

Sims came to Tuscaloosa as a much-hyped four-star member of the Tide’s 2010 recruiting class, rated as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com. After redshirting as a true freshman, Sims and McCarron waged a battle for the starting job that commenced in spring practice last year and technically continued into the very early portion of the 2011 regular season.

After McCarron officially took the reins of the offense, and then played a significant role in the Tide’s second BcS title in three years, however, the writing was very clearly and plainly written on the locker room wall for Sims or anyone else to see. Despite the obvious on-field reasons, Sims said in his statement that personal off-field issues and the need to be closer to home was the overriding factor in his decision to leave.

“This was a very difficult decision because I’ve had a great experience at the University of Alabama and I’m thankful for the opportunity this program provided me,” said Sims in his statement. “I want to thank Coach Saban and the coaching staff for being with me and my family at this time. I wouldn’t change anything about my decision to come to Alabama and this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

“The reason for me leaving is nothing more than a personal matter. I just need to be closer to home to support my family at this time and that needs to be my priority right now. I would still like to continue my football career, and hopefully I can do that and also be there for my family.”

SEC number ONO again...with 16 Selections in NFL draft

Through the first three rounds of the NFL draft, 16 players from the SEC were taken, from Alabama running back Richardson (third overall to the Cleveland Browns) to Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette, who went 90th to New England. Richardson excelled at Alabama, where he won the Doak Walker award as the nation's top running back. Being the class of the best league in college football was a selling point.

"I saw him play running back in a physical style and in an outstanding conference, the SEC, and they won a lot of games. He helped that team win a national championship," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "In my mind, you saw what you needed to see to project the fact that he is going to be an outstanding player in this league."

Fans of the league's teams take pride in noting its accomplishments, among them winning the last six BCS titles. The BCS championship game was an all-SEC affair this year, and that game between Alabama and LSU alone sent nine players to the NFL - so far. There's four more rounds on Saturday. Seven of the 12 SEC teams had players chosen in the first three rounds. Auburn, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida did not.

Alabama had five players picked. It's no surprise, coming from a program with two national titles in the last three seasons, coached by Nick Saban, a former star assistant in the NFL before a stint in college and then a brief stay as head coach of the Miami Dolphins before coming to Alabama. In addition to Richardson, defensive backs Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower went in the first round, and linebacker Courtney Upshaw followed quickly on Friday night.

Arkansas focused on immediate future with Smith

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long's hiring of John L. Smith for the next 10 months provided an unconventional, and perhaps temporary, solution to a problem that came with coach Bobby Petrino's sudden and scandal-ridden exit. Smith's return after a five-month absence from the Razorbacks also effectively signaled the program is all in for a season many expect to include a national championship run. And the Razorbacks couldn't be more relieved to have found Petrino's replacement in the form of the well-liked and outgoing Smith, who served as an assistant at the school for the past three seasons.

''I think it's going to go great,'' Arkansas running back Knile Davis said. ''A lot of people look at it differently because they're on the outside looking in. They don't necessarily know what's going on behind these doors.

''I think it was a great decision and I'm ready to run with it, not matter what the result is, but I think it's going to be a great result.''

The hiring of the 63-year-old Smith, who had left to become head coach at his alma mater, Weber State, in December, allowed Arkansas to keep together a group of assistant coaches the players had lobbied for with Long. It also allowed for the least amount of transition as possible in the post-Petrino era. Long faced a difficult decision following Petrino's firing April 10 after the former coach had admitted to an affair with a woman he later hired as his assistant. The timing of the coaching search was one of Long's biggest problems, with many candidates already well into spring practice with their own teams. Long also had to balance the current players' hopes for the upcoming season with the long-term interests of the program. In the end, Long believed he found the right answer to all his concerns despite some rumblings among fans and pundits that he missed out on a ''home run'' hire by choosing Smith.

''Anytime there is a hire, there will be fans that question that hire. I get that,'' Long said. ''I get that's part of being a fan. But the thing I've been hearing, they're excited. They believe in this team. They believe we have a special year in front of us. I think coach Smith will win them over time.''

Mizzou losing corner to transfer

Mizzou confirmed Tuesday that cornerback Robert Steeples (No. 22) has decided to transfer from the football program. Steeples, who would be a fifth-year senior this season, will graduated next month and transfer to another Div. 1-A (FBS) program, where he would be eligible to play immediately if he enrolls in a grad program not offered by Mizzou.
Several young corners reportedly had solid springs, which likely would’ve meant Steeples, who entered the sessions No. 2 on the depth chart, was in a for an unexpected battle for playing time coming into summer camp. During his time at Mizzou, Steeples played in 39 games but started just one of those contests. He was a three-star member of the Tigers’ 2008 recruiting class.

Razorbacks officially announce John L. Smith’s hiring

Arkansas has officially announced the hiring of John L. Smith as the Razorbacks head coach for the 2012 season.

Smith, who is leaving his post as Weber State’s head coach after less than five months on the job, has signed a 10-month letter of agreement with a compensation package of $850,000. The agreement will also make Smith eligible for performance and academic achievement incentives.

The agreement would technically carry Smith through Signing Day next February, although it’s highly likely UA will have a permanent replacement in place by that time. From the release:

Long announced the University of Arkansas will continue to evaluate the program and the head coaching position in anticipation of naming a head coach following the 2012 season. The current appointment will allow the program to identify a head coach for the future of the program in a timeframe that is more conducive to attracting the potential candidates expected for one of the nation’s premier football head coaching positions.

Smith had been special teams coordinator under Bobby Petrino at UA for the past three seasons, prior to leaving for Weber in early December. In a statement from athletic director Jeff Long on Smith’s hiring, it was actually the coach who first broached the subject of taking over on an interim basis.

Auburn wraps up spring practice...sets sites on recruiting

“We’ve got a whole summer in front of us which our expectation is that our whole team is working extremely hard to build on what we’ve started to accomplish these 15 days,” Chizik said. “So a lot is going to depend on what they do voluntarily.”

Chizik sees no decision forthcoming in the quarterback battle between Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley, expecting it to last into August.

“Unless something drastic happens, I don’t anticipate us being able to make a decision before sometime in two-a-days,” he said. “You never say never, but again, I’d have to see a clear cut definitive change and that would be hard for us to do because we’re not going to be out there.”

While most of the attention this spring has been on the quarterback battle, Chizik said the coaches will sit down with every player on the roster for “exit interviews,” just to give them a sense of where they are in the pecking order.

“We’re very candid about where everybody stands in relationship to other players competing for jobs,” Chizik said. “Guys become good at football in parts. They don’t just become good at everything all at once. You’ve got to give them a good idea where they’re at.”

“That’s huge because the only thing we can do is exactly what you think, is to give it everything we’ve got, trust in them, do whatever they tell us to do and not worry about that,” Moseley said. “But at the same time, we are human beings. I want to know where I’m at. I want to know what I did wrong in-depth.”

As for Chizik, the focus shifts to recruiting, with the spring evaluation period approaching.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” he said. “It never ends.”

Read more here: http://www.wareagleextra.com/2011/04/18/auburn-wraps-up-spring-practice-sets-sights-on-recruiting-summer-workouts/#storylink=cpy

Vols Marlin Lane scores twice in Orange and White Game

Marlin Lane rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Orange team to a 17-14 victory in the DISH Orange and White Game on Saturday afternoon in Neyland Stadium.

The game began with scoring drives on the first two possessions.

Lane gave the Orange team a 7-0 lead with a 19-yard run on the opening drive of the game, which went 56 yards in six plays. The White team, made up of the first-team offense and second-team defense, responded with a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive of its own. Quarterback Tyler Bray connected on a 51-yard pass to Da'Rick Rogers down to the Orange 3-yard line. Rogers very nearly scored, but cornerback Justin Coleman tripped him up just shy of the end zone. Rajion Neal, who returned to running back this spring after spending time as a receiver last season, scored two plays later.

The teams appeared to be headed for a 7-7 tie at halftime, but Lane broke free on a draw play at the end of the half for a 39-yard touchdown run and a seven-point lead for the Orange team, which featured the Vols' first-team defense and second-team offense. The White scored on its only third-quarter possession (quarters were shortened to 10 minutes for the second half), thanks to a methodical 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard pass from Bray to tight end Mychal Rivera. Bray, who struggled in last year's Orange and White Game, was solid on Saturday, completing 14 of his 26 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

The Orange team put together one last scoring drive, this one lasting more than 5 minutes, that ended with Derrick Brodus' 37-yard field goal with 9:04 left in the game. The White team couldn't answer on either of its last two possessions in the fourth quarter. As a result, members of the White team will eat hot dogs with chips and water with no ice during a team meal Sunday. Members of the Orange team will eat steak.

Petrino backlash Arizona schools eyeing Arkansas transfer

Linebacker Brock Haman asked for, and was granted his release from, his Arkansas scholarship last week. Haman, a Scottsdale high school product, is rumored to be leaning toward a transfer to the University of Arizona or Arizona State University.

“That would be my preference as a parent,” Doug Haman, Brock’s dad, said according to the Tucson Citizen and referring to where he wants his son to land.

The elder Haman also foresees the potential for his son to receive a waiver from the NCAA, generally because of the “Petrino situation” and specifically because of, well, the “Petrino situation”:

Doug said the family is pursuing the possibility of Brock being eligible to play in 2012 because of the coaching circumstances. Arkansas last week dismissed head coach Bobby Petrino, who admitted to being involved in an “inappropriate relationship” with a recently-hired university employee.

Haman suffered a foot injury prior to the start of the 2011 season, which cost him all of his true freshman season.

Saban has no long-term issues for WR injured in brawl

Speaking before the Tide’s White House visit, head coach Nick Saban told reporters that he had visited with wide receiver DeAndrew White, who was hospitalized with what is reportedly a concussion. According to Saban, the injury is not something that’s expected to linger well into the future.

The coach did, though, hope White and others — including those who may have been around the area at the time — will take a lesson from the incident and learn from it.

“I don’t think he has any long-term issues,” Saban said. “My message is, I don’t really know for sure what happened, but if you value your future, everybody should learn from the lesson of, don’t put yourself in those type of situations.”

…

“Well, we don’t have a curfew, so they weren’t breaking any rules,” Saban said. “I don’t know if there were a bunch of players out. Again, I don’t know a lot about what happened. I know that a bunch of players were going to get something to eat. But I’m always disappointed when anything happens to a player after 12 o’clock. The players know that.”

The altercation occurred sometime around two a.m. local time yesterday. It remains unclear what role if any White played in the brouhaha. Two males were arrested for firing handguns into the air in an apparent attempt to disperse the crowd, although police have stated that the individuals were not directly involved in the fight.

White had 14 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt freshman during the Tide’s title run last season. He’s one of a handful of receivers vying for “significant playing time” during the recently-concluded spring practice sessions.

Tide WR hospitalized following early-morning altercation

Andrew Gribble reports that Tide wide receiver DeAndrew White was hospitalized following some type of altercation outside of The Strip sometime around 2 a.m. local time Thursday. White sustained what the paper described as an apparent concussion.

A 31-year-old man suffered severe head injuries during an altercation at around the same time, the News reported, although it’s unclear if those injuries occurred during the same incident or a different one. A pair of males in their early 20s were arrested for firing a gun into the air in an apparent attempt to break up the scuffle. University police said neither individual was directly involved in the altercation.

There are no details yet as to White’s involvement in the incident was, or if he was even directly involved, and what led to his head injury.

The UA football program, which is scheduled to be honored at the White House today for its 2011 national championship, has yet to comment on the situation or update White’s health.

Failure to appear nets Mizzou lineman an arrest

Missouri offensive lineman Chris Freeman was arrested Monday night following a routine traffic stop. According to the Columbia Daily Tribune, Freeman was pulled over by an officer in Columbia who noticed a defective light on the car he was driving.

While he wasn’t ticketed for that, he was arrested after the officer ran his name and a warrant came up. Freeman had been given a ticket for failure to yield at an intersection in mid-March but did not show up for an April 10 court appearance, which resulted in the arrest warrant being issued.

Head coach Gary Pinkel said any discipline would be handled internally by the team.

Freeman was originally a member of the Tigers’ 2009 recruiting class but, due to an NCAA clearinghouse issue, was not permitted to join the program until the fall of the following season. After redshirting in 2010, Freeman played in three games as a redshirt freshman last season.

Saban doesn’t want player’s dad to feel bad over shattered crystal

A mini-brouhaha erupted earlier in the week after word filtered out of Tuscaloosa that the crystal football symbolizing Alabama’s 2011 BcS title was accidentally knocked over and shattered over the weekend.

Adding a comical layer of intrigue to the story? The person responsible for shattering the $30,000 piece of Waterford hardware is reportedly the father of a current player, having tripped over a rug of some type and straight into the trophy on display in the school’s athletic facility.

The “culprit” has not been identified — nor should he/she be, unless that’s what they want — and UA is in the process of procuring a replacement trophy, which is handmade in Ireland. As should be expected, head coach Nick Saban doesn’t really understand what all the hubbub is about over a shattered trophy, expensive or not. And, actually, he’s more concerned about the person who did the damage than the damage itself.

“Breaking the crystal ball, even though it’s very meaningful, nobody got hurt,” Saban said at a Crimson caravan stop in Huntsville, Ala., Tuesday. “Nobody meant to do any harm and I’m sure we can replace it. It’s not as bad as everyone’s making it out to be and I don’t want the parent of the player who had the mishap to feel bad about what happened.”

by J. Taylor

Jessica Dorrell resigns from her position with Arkansas

Jessica Dorrell has resigned from her position in the Arkansas athletic department, the school announced today. The move comes just days after Dorrell was placed on administrative leave following her role in the Bobby Petrino scandal at UA. Petrino was fired last week for misleading “the athletics department and university about the circumstance” related to the April 1 motorcycle accident involving him and Dorrell. Petrino lied about Dorrell’s presence at the accident to athletic director Jeff Long and gave Dorrell an “unfair and undisclosed” advantage when she applied for and received her job as the student-athlete development coordinator for football. Not to mention $20,000 in cash for an Acura.

Dorrell has agreed that “she would not attempt to sell or profit from her affiliation with Razorback Athletics” as part of the resignation, although she is set to receive “approximately $14,000 as part of a settlement and resolution of all matters between the parties.”

In other words, Dorrell received $34,000 in a matter of weeks.

“While Ms. Dorrell had a legitimate right to apply for and accept a position within the football program, the circumstances surrounding the former coach’s decision to hire her compromised her ability to be effective in such a position,” Long said in the statement. “She and I believe she should have the opportunity to move on.”

Arkansas LB arrested on pair of charges after burglary

According to the Fayetteville Police Department, Gilbert, along with two others, broke into an apartment late last Thursday evening and proceeded to take items out of the residence. The apartment belonged to a fraternity brother of one of the other alleged intruders, Jesse Booker.

As a result, Gilbert has been hit with charges of aggravated burglary and theft of property. He has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

Among the items stolen included a purple and gold Omega Psi Phi banner, Booker’s fraternity, camouflage military clothing, a plastic purple and gold hockey mask, two dog collars and four $20 bills.

There is also apparently a partial tape of the incident taken by a cellphone that was given to the police.

Tip from ArkansasSports360.com

PGA's John Daly offers Jeff Long advice on Arkansas coaching search

In the week since Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long gave coach Bobby Petrino the unceremonious boot, about the only new development regarding UA’s “coaching search” is that there haven’t been any developments… at least publicly. Everyone from Gus Malzahn to Gary Patterson and former NFL coach Steve Mariucci has, in some form or fashion, deflected any talk connecting them to the vacant position.

By his official Twitter account, PGA member and Arkansas alum John Daly decided he would toss another name into the UA coaching hat for consideration: former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Jon Gruden.

Been trying to help, all is in @JeffLongUA hands & I’ve passed all info to him–if that is the route they want to go I think that Gruden would be the perfect fit! Razorback fans would welcome Gruden with open arms! I know it’s a long shot but I live for Arkansas!

If we can’t get Gruden we need a NFL coach–Petrino raised the bar in Razorback football & I’m hoping @jefflongUA gets us someone strong is my point! I’m here to support our Hogs & the decision that is made!

For the past two years, Gruden’s name has, at least in passing, been associated with every single coaching vacancy at every level of football. Still nothing has ever happened, one could see the fit here at Arkansas though, you can only wish.
by B. Taylor

Florida student dies after fall from upper level of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

A University of Florida student died Sunday evening after falling from the upper deck of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, university police have confirmed.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, 26-year-old Michael Richard Edmonds Jr. passed away as a result of the fall, which happened at the northwest corner of The Swamp. It’s unclear whether Edmonds Jr. was an undergrad or grad student, the Sentinel noted, although the Gainesville Sun reports that he was studying journalism. While no one saw Edmonds Jr. fall, witnesses described hearing a “loud noise” and saw a man lying on a sidewalk underneath a tree outside the stadium. 911 was called and several of those witnesses attempted first-aid, but sadly those efforts failed. The incident occurred at around 7 p.m. ET. Police have yet to rule the death a suicide, although UPD spokesman Maj. Brad Barber told the paper that foul play is not suspected.

“If suicide is in fact what it turns out to be, these certainly are tragedies,” Barber said.

The Sun reported that Edmonds Jr. was charged with driving under the influence Saturday and released on a $2,000 bond later that afternoon. He fell to his death a little more than 24 hours later.

Bama's Richardson escorts cancer survivor to her Prom

Can we have a moment to applaud Trent Richardson for doing something incredible off the field? Richardson attended the Hueytown High School prom this weekend with senior Courtney Alvis. She was diagnosed with leukemia last year, but her goal was to make it to her senior prom. With no date, Richardson stepped in to escort her. She is still taking medication, but according to the tearjerker ESPN piece, as of today, there is no cancer in her bone marrow. Going to prom with a two-time national champion is pretty neat too. Richardson’s mother is also a cancer survivor.

Vandy's Team Black dominates Spring Game

Vanderbilt's football team concluded its spring practice on Saturday as Black defeated Gold, 33-0, in the annual Black and Gold Spring Game at Vanderbilt Stadium.

"I thought the scrimmage went well, thought spring ball went well," Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin said. "Most importantly, we stayed healthy."

Team Black, comprised mostly of first-teamers dominated the pass-heavy game on both sides of the ball, but it was the play of junior wide receiver Jordan Matthews and redshirt freshman wide receiver Josh Grady that the 8,500 in attendance will remember most.
Playing for Team Black, the duo combined to score three of Vanderbilt's touchdowns, including the final score of the game when Grady took a direct snap and found Matthews, who bobbled the pass a few times before hauling it in and racing down the field for a 54-yard score with 1:34 to play.

"We had run the play three or four times," said Grady, "and after one of them, Jordan Matthews came up to me and said, `Josh you don't always have to throw it in the flat; I'm going to be wide open.' I said, `OK.' Next time we came out and Austin Monahan did a great job of sealing the edge. I saw Jordan, got it to him and he did the rest."

Matthews had scored earlier on a 17-yard strike from starting quarterback Jordan Rodgers in the second quarter and Grady rushed for an eight-yard touchdown out of the Wildcat formation in the third quarter.
Matthews finished with seven catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Grady did not catch a pass, but carried the ball three times for 35 yards and a score, and completed both of his passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Discipline still a point of contention for Derek Dooley

Derek Dooley was quick to point out those positives from the second scrimmage for Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. But they weren’t the things that really seemed to stick in the mind of the Vols coach as he left the field and began preparing for the final week of spring camp.

“The biggest thing that is kind of holding us back right now is, No. 1, our level of discipline on the simple things,” Dooley said. “Discipline on the simple things, lot of penalties, we made too many mistakes that are really simple things. The second one is our attitude just when the flow of the game begins to happen and how we get affected by things that shouldn’t affect us — whether it’s a big play or (a guy) is tired or didn’t get a call or maybe one guy is jawing a little bit. Those are the things right now that are anchoring us that we’ve got really to work on.

“But I’m pleased with the effort, I’m pleased with the toughness.”

That certainly wasn’t all the Vols had to feel good about after the last significant live workout before they wrap up spring next week with the annual Orange and White Game.

Junior quarterback Tyler Bray bounced back from a rough first outing by completing 13 of 23 passing attempts for 180 yards with an interception and a touchdown.

Arkansas's Jessica Dorrell placed on administrative leave

From the Associated Press, Arkansas football employee Jessica Dorrell has been placed on paid administrative leave. University spokesperson Steve Voorhies confirmed Dorrell’s leave Friday morning, but provided no further details as the situation is considered a personal matter.

Bobby Petrino was placed on paid administrative leave by athletic director Jeff Long last week when it was discovered Petrino had not been forthcoming about Dorrell’s presence during a motorcycle accident on April 1. Petrino was fired by Long earlier this week.

In his press conference, Long stated Petrino had an inappropriate relationship with Dorrell which the coach did not disclose to UA. Additionally, Petrino gave Dorrell “an unfair and undisclosed advantage for a position on… [the] football staff” that constituted “a conflict of interest”, as well as $20,000 to purchase a black Acura.

Dorrell was making just over $55,000 as the student-athlete development coordinator, a position she accepted in late March. Documents obtained by 40/29 TV in Arkansas show that Dorrell was hired over other candidates because of “experience.”

Les Miles to be draft analyst for NFL Network

LSU’s sports information department confirmed that Miles will serve as an analyst for the broadcast of the draft on its final day, April 28, and will be featured in interviews on the first two days. Miles will work alongside Rich Eisen and Michael Irvin.

LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne had already invited Miles to accompany him to the draft. Claiborne is expected to be a top 10 pick. defensive tackle Michael Brockers and wide receiver Rueben Randle could also be selected in the first round.

Bobby Petrino fired at Arkansas with cause

Athletic director Jeff Long confirmed in a press conference that Bobby Petrino would no longer be the head coach of Arkansas effective immediately. Long cited a long and deliberate review in which he discovered coach Petrino had “knowingly misled the athletic department about the circumstances of the [motorcycle] accident.” Additionally, Long said Petrino gave football employee Jessica Dorrell an “unfair and undisclosed advantage” for her new job. According to Long, nearly 160 people applied for Ms. Dorrell’s position, and only three were interviewed. Long said Petrino failed to disclose his relationship with Dorrell, which apparently was going on for a “significant period of time.” Petrino and Dorrell also confirmed to Long that Dorrell received $20,000 in cash from Petrino, but Long would not comment further on where the money came from, or what it was used for.

“Coach Petrino abused his authority and made choices that benefited him while hurting the program,” Long said. “No single individual is bigger than the team.”

Long added that he made the decision to fire Petrino on his own. He denied reports that Petrino was offered an opportunity to stay, and insisted Petrino was not given the chance to plead his case.

Long said Petrino was terminated with cause.

Three Kentucky defenders no longer with team

A month or so after Kentucky linebacker Ridge Wilson was booted from the team after being arrested on felony drug charges, the Wildcats are watching another three defenders depart the program. A UK spokesperson confirmed to media today that defensive end Nermin Delic has been dismissed from the team for a violation of unspecified team rules. Additionally, fellow DE Justin Henderson and linebacker Tim Patterson have decided to transfer. The spokesperson did not say to where Henderson and Patterson will go. Although the losses will affect defensive depth for the Wildcats, none of the three defensive players, who were three-star prospects as part of UK’s 2010 class (Rivals.com), made significant contributions to the defense last year.

Florida’s Ronald Powell out with ACL tear

During Saturday’s Florida spring game, linebacker/defensive end Ronald Powell left with what was said to be a sprained left knee. Come this morning, however, the injury turned out to be much worse.

Florida confirmed this morning that Powell suffered a torn ACL and will be out 4-6 months.

“Ronald is in good spirits and is very eager to do whatever is necessary to have a healthy, speedy recovery,” Muschamp said in a statement. ”He has already started with prehab and once the swelling goes down and he regains his range of motion, he will have the surgery.”

Powell played in 12 games last season, recording 32 tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble. He was having arguably the best spring of anybody on UF’s defense and was expected to be a much bigger contributor this fall.

Georgia's injuries pile up...Marshall and Samuel out, Williams nicked for G-Day

Marshall, the highly-recruited tailback, has missed the past week of practice with a hamstring injury, and his status for the G-Day game is now doubtful, according to head coach Mark Richt.

"I would say the chance of Keith going is probably not very good," Richt said following Saturday's scrimmage.

Also doubtful is tailback-fullback Richard Samuel, who has a concussion.

"It's hard to say on Richard. Once the symptoms are gone, we do some physical exertion. If they're okay on that then we get closer to being able to get in," Richt said. "It's a process. I think Richard felt pretty good today, but I don't know if he's gonna be able to go through that process in enough time to make it for G-Day."

Meanwhile, safety Shawn Williams suffered a knee injury in Saturday's scrimmage, which Richt called non-serious.

"We think it's a non-op situation," Richt said, meaning no surgery required. "He's in there (the training room) doing fine right now."

Still, considering the state of the suspension-racked secondary, it's hard to see the coaches letting Williams being a full-go for G-Day, even if he is fine.

Safety Bacarri Rambo (hamstring) has also been out a couple days, and is starting to look questionable for G-Day. (Richt didn't elaborate on Rambo, who is facing a four-game suspension, pending his appeal of a positive drug test.)

Speaking of G-Day, it hasn't been determined how they will divide up the teams. Last year they had a player draft, but that hasn't been mentioned as a possibility this time around.

"That's still up for debate," Richt said. "We'll finalize that Monday. Kind of wanted to see how we came out of the scrimmage, to see where we're at."

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/04/07/1978815/injuries-piling-up-marshall-samuel.html#storylink=cpy

Georgia Bulldogs Land a Trifecta of Commitments for the Class of 2013

The Bulldogs picked up commitments from three recruits for the class of 2013 on Friday, according to 247sports.com.

Leading the way was inside linebacker Ryne Rankin, a 6'1", 230-pounder from East River High School in Orlando, Fla. Rankin is rated as the No. 16 linebacker in the state of Florida, and a 4-star prospect, according to 247sports.com.

Rankin chose Georgia over Arizona, Cincinnati, UConn, Duke and several other FBS programs. He's similar in stature to current Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, and Jones' success under third-year defensive coordinator Todd Grantham certainly impresses recruits. Also pledging his commitment to the Bulldogs was 6'5", 270-pound offensive lineman Aulden Bynum from Valwood School in Valdosta, Ga. Bynum is a 3-star prospect, according to 247sports.com. Auburn and Ole Miss were also in the mix for Bynum's services. The third member of Friday's commitment trio is 6'2", 185-pound Kyrin Priester from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Ga.—just down the road from Athens. Priester will be joining the Bulldogs as Tavarres King is walking out the door. The versatility of wide receiver/cornerback Malcolm Mitchell should give Priester an opportunity for early playing time.

Since finishing the 2010 season with a 6-7 record, Georgia has rattled off back-to-back solid recruiting classes, won an SEC East title and gotten a jump-start on 2013 with 12 commitments.

by B. Sallee

Tailbacks Rajion Neal and Devrin Young shine in UT Vols scrimmage

Tailbacks Rajion Neal and Devrin Young stood out during UT’s first closed spring scrimmage Friday afternoon at Neyland Stadium, and the Vols receivers helped pave the way with some of their blocking on the perimeter.

“They’re doing so much better on the perimeter. All of them,” coach Derek Dooley said after his team completed the 134-play scrimmage. “Those guys [Neal and Young], you just have to find ways to create a little air for them, because when there’s some air they can go.”

Neal, who’s back exclusively at tailback after playing mostly receiver last season, had 100 yards on 15 carries with an 11-yard reception. Young, the rising sophomore who doubles as the Vols’ kick returner, had 60 yards on eight carries with a 5-yard touchdown in addition to a 35-yard catch. Marlin Lane added a touchdown run from a yard out.

“The guys that showed some explosive plays, Devrin and Rajion, did a really nice job,” Dooley said. “I think Devrin has proven he can get out there and generate some explosion. ... Rajion showed some good promise.”

The Vols had just six runs of 20 yards or more all of last season, but both Neal and Young broke plays of such distance Friday. Young’s biggest concern is his size (5-foot-8 and 171 pounds), and Neal is struggling to run with confidence and physical aggressiveness while battling ball-security issues. What both players clearly have is speed. Neither was really used as a traditional tailback last season, when the Vols tried to get one or the other in space with reverses, end-arounds or even shovel passes. Young showed his explosiveness by averaging 23.3 yards per kickoff return in just nine games. Neal’s speed prompted his move to receiver as UT tried to find a way to get him on the field.

by P. Brown

Razorback's Petrino didn’t want 911 call, called security

Moments after their motorcycle accident, Bobby Petrino and a female employee told a passer-by not to call 911, then got a ride back to Fayetteville where the Arkansas football coach was met by a state trooper who provides his personal security during the season. New details of the immediate aftermath of Petrino’s crash were in a 911 call released Friday by the state police. The passer-by, Larry Hendren, describes coming upon the accident scene Sunday evening just after Petrino and Jessica Dorrell “were getting up out of the ditch.” He said Petrino was “walking, but it looked like his face was bleeding quite a lot.”

“The rider and the passenger of the motorcycle declined us to call 911,” Hendren told a dispatcher. “They got into a vehicle and headed toward the hospital.”

Petrino was taken to a Fayetteville intersection by another passer-by. There, Dorrell left in her own car while Petrino was met by Capt. Lance King, his personal security guard during the season. King took Petrino to a hospital, where he was treated for broken ribs and a cracked neck vertebra. State police said Friday they planned to question the trooper, looking for “any information Captain King may have learned about the crash” during conversations with Petrino.

“While the inquiries have no direct correlation to the investigation of the motor vehicle crash, the questions are legitimate and worthy of answers,” state police spokesman Bill Sadler said. King has been asked to detail “his involvement with coach Petrino and other individuals who’ve been identified within the crash investigation.”

The developments came as Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long considered the future of the football coach, whose salary averages more than $3.5 million. Long appears to have everything he needs to fire Petrino, but the question now is whether he will actually get rid of the coach, who failed to mention having Dorrell with him during the accident and acknowledged having “a previous inappropriate relationship.”

Petrino was not cited by state police, and was described by troopers as cooperative after the accident on a rural road 20 miles outside Fayetteville. What has him in trouble is his attempt to keep anyone from finding out he was riding with Dorrell, a 25-year-old former Arkansas volleyball player whom he hired just last week. A clause in Petrino’s contract gives Long the right to suspend or fire the 51-year-old coach for conduct that “negatively or adversely affects the reputation of the university’s athletics programs in any way.” That language gives Long plenty of leeway to punish Petrino, who is on indefinite paid leave after reviving Arkansas’ football program over four seasons and, until now, steering clear of off-field blemishes.

by K. Voight

Arkansas's Head Coach Bobby Petrino placed on administrative leave

Previous statements by both Petrino and UA claimed the coach was the only person involved in the incident. Dorrell was previously a volleyball player for UA and later worked for the Razorbacks Foundation. She was promoted student-athlete development coordinator for football late last month.

In a statement released this evening, Petrino acknowledged a “previously inappropriate relationship”, but didn’t expand much beyond that.

Below is Petrino’s statement in its entirety. Petrino was not present at the press conference and was seen leaving campus earlier this evening.

“The state police report provides an accurate description of my accident, which includes details that had not publicly come to light prior to the report being issued. I regret that I have not publicly acknowledged a passenger on the vehicle. I have been in constant pain, medicated and the circumstances involving the wreck have come out in bits and pieces. That said I certainly had a concern about Jessica Dorrell’s name being revealed. In my press conference, I referred to her simply as “a lady.” My concern was to protect my family and a previous inappropriate relationship from becoming public. In hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details. Today, I’ve acknowledged this previous inappropriate relationship with my family and those within the athletic department administration.

“I apologize to my wife, Becky, and our four children, Chancellor (David) Gearhart, Jeff Long, the Board of Trustees, University administration, my coaching staff, student-athletes and the entire state of Arkansas. I have been humbled by the outpouring of concern and get well wishes. I apologize to the Razorback Nation for the attention my actions have brought to the University of Arkansas and our program. I will fully cooperate with the University throughout this process and my hope is to repair my relationships with my family, my Athletic Direction, the Razorback Nation and remain the head coach of the Razorbacks.”

That last line will be determined after Long finishes an internal review of the matter. Long said this evening he received a phone call from coach Petrino at around 3:12 this afternoon with “information he had not previously shared. That information was that there was another passenger on the motorcycle” which was identified to be Dorrell.

Gator's A.C. Leonard still faces fall suspension

Muschamp told the Orlando Senitnel‘s Mike Bianchi that Leonard will serve a suspension of some kind this season.

“He will participate in the fall. How much, I don’t know,” Muschamp said. “He’s going to determine that from the standpoint of how he behaves. We all make mistakes, and he obviously made a huge mistake. And he has some things he’s gotta work through for me that have nothing to do with anything else than making good choices and decisions.

“But there’s gonna be a suspension in the fall, and he’s gonna determine how long it’s gonna be by how he acts from here to August.”

Two days after being partially reinstated to the football team, Florida tight end A.C. Leonard has officially put his legal issue behind him.

Court documents obtained by multiple media outlets show the sophomore pleaded no contest today to a misdemeanor simple battery charge stemming from a February incident where he allegedly attempted to drag his girlfriend out of their apartment by her feet and hair.

Leonard was placed on six months’ probation and ordered to undergo anger management counseling. He also cannot have any contact with the victim and must pay court costs.

Injury knocks Auburn LB out of football

Auburn has announced an injury will end the playing days of linebacker Jawara White.

Auburn did not specify the injury, but it’s believed to be caused by a neck issue similar to one White had during his freshman year with the Tigers.

Below is a statement from coach Gene Chizik:

“Jawara White has sustained an injury that will no longer allow him to play football. Although this is disappointing for Jawara, our medical staff, his family and our coaching staff all agree that this is in his best interest. At Auburn, our top priority is and will always be the health and welfare of our student-athletes. Jawara will continue to work toward receiving his degree from Auburn and will always be a part of our Auburn family.”

Additionally, White offered the following statement from his Twitter account: “Walking away from the game is better than being carried out. Thanks for the prayers salute to THE AUBURN TIGER NATION.”

It’s a tough break for White, who had 23 tackles in 11 games last season. Best of luck to him.

Torn ACL likely to sideline Vols’ LB for 2012

Coming into what could be a make or break season for Derek Dooley, the Tennessee head coach has watched as his defense has taken a rather significant hit to its linebacking depth heading into the final couple of weeks of spring practice.

Confirming message board reports that began to surface Tuesday afternoon, the Vols announced Wednesday that linebacker Christian Harris has been diagnosed with a torn ACL. Harris suffered the injury during practice Monday.

While the Vols have yet to officially rule Harris out for all of 2012, the typical recovery time for such an injury is at least six months following surgery. An exact date for when surgery will be performed has yet to be determined.

Even as Harris is not projected as a starter, the injury comes at a position that’s at the shallow end of the personnel pool. Harris, a three-star member of UT’s 2011 recruiting class, took a redshirt as a true freshman in 2011 but was projected to be a contributor in 2012.

Drug arrest nets Arkansas WR charges

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, wide receiver “Michael Kane Whitehurst” was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Here’s the paper’s description of what led to the arrest:

According to the arrest report, Whitehurst was arrested at 3:39 a.m. on Sunday by an officer responding to a complaint of a black BMW squealing its tires in the Garland Avenue Parking Deck on the UA campus. The officer clocked the car going 25 miles per hour in the facility, which has a speed limit of 10 miles per hour.

The arresting officer reported smelling burnt marijuana coming from the car upon the traffic stop, and found a “grinder, pipe and small baggie of marijuana” inside the vehicle.

Arkansas’ Petrino returns to practice

Bobby Petrino walked slower than normal, his face swollen and red. You couldn’t miss the white brace around the Arkansas coach’s neck.

But the fact that Petrino was even at Razorback Stadium on Tuesday, hours after being released from the hospital following a weekend motorcycle crash, was remarkable.

The 51-year-old spoke for the first time since Sunday night’s accident, minutes before the Razorbacks opened practice. Petrino observed the session in the press box, cleared to do so by doctors after being released from the hospital late Tuesday morning.

“I’m very fortunate,” Petrino said. “I feel very lucky to be here and be in good health.”

Petrino said he was returning home after an evening ride on the scenic road, a favorite of local motorcyclists. He had ridden in the area before but remembers noticing the sun in his eyes moments before the accident.

“I remember coming around the curve, I was noticing the sun was going to be in my eyes the rest of the way home,” Petrino said. “And then there got to a point where I was not going to be able to maneuver the turn.

“It seemed like 15 seconds where I said, `Oh no, here I go.”’

State police spokesman Bill Sadler said Tuesday that Petrino’s accident report wasn’t ready for release yet, but Petrino said he ended up in the ditch following the crash. Petrino said a passing car was waiting when he climbed from the ditch and took him to meet his state police escort before the two went the rest of the way to the hospital.

Razorbacks running back Knile Davis found out about the accident via Twitter when he woke up Monday morning. Davis immediately texted Petrino to express his concern, and he and his teammates weren’t surprised in the least to see the coach address the team Tuesday and return to practice.

“That’s just him,” Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson said. “He works hard, and he cares a whole lot about what he does.

“… You’ll never have to question that.”

by K. Voight

Gator's HC Muschamp not sure if A.C. Leonard will play in spring game

Florida tight end A.C. Leonard might have been given the all-clear to return to practice following a domestic incident back in February* that resulted in a charge of simple domestic battery, but his status for UF’s spring game on April 7, as well as this fall, remain TBD.

Speaking with the media today, Muschamp (sort of) explained his reasoning for letting Leonard resume practice with the team.

“I felt like he’s done the things that I’ve asked him to do from the standpoint of the measures that I took with him to this point,” Muschamp said, via the Orlando Sentinel. “At the end of the day, I told him he needed to meet some things to come back to even have a chance to practice with our team and he’s done those to this point. I’m not even worried with his development. I’m not even concerned with that right now. He made a mistake.**”

The sophomore returned to the team on Monday after serving a six-week suspension for his arrest. Leonard faces a misdemeanor count and has pleaded not guilty.

Da'Rick Rogers says there's 'no controversy' on status with Vols

In his first public comments since missing a practice last Thursday and launching speculation that he intended to transfer, Rogers shot down suggestions that he would leave after two seasons with UT and repeatedly stressed that there are no lingering problems for him after a workout Monday morning.

“Oh man, no controversy,” Rogers said. “Just had some little things to handle off the field, got those handled and now we’re looking forward to becoming a championship-contending team. ... If I was a distraction, I really wasn’t trying to be a distraction. It was a situation that we got handled, and everything is good now.

“No transfer for me, no consideration. Maybe I need to do a little better job with my tweets, letting everybody know what’s really actually going on so next time it won’t be misinterpreted.”

The confusion and uncertainty that swirled around Rogers disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived, with the first-team All-SEC performer returning to the field on Saturday after just the one absence and a few public comments on Twitter and to a Georgia State recruiting site that hinted strongly that he was prepared to leave the Vols.

As UT coach Derek Dooley did last week when pressed about the situation, Rogers also declined to provide any specifics about the matters he needed to deal with other than they were “personal” and “not necessarily program issues.”

But both made clear they were ready to turn the page and get back to work building what could be an explosive passing attack, particularly with Rogers again showing off his impressive athleticism with a leaping, one-handed grab almost as soon as practice officially started.
by A. Ward

Razorbacks' Bobby Petrino hospitalized, expected to make recovery following motorcycle accident

Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino is expected to make "a full recovery" following a motorcycle crash approximately 23 miles outside of Fayetteville on Sunday evening.

Arkansas State Police confirmed they worked a one-vehicle accident involving Petrino off Highway 16, approximately two miles from the Crosses community, on Sunday night in Madison County. Injuries sustained are "not life threatening" and sources told ArkansasSports360.com that Petrino is banged up with injuries that include broken ribs and a chipped vertebrae, but the coach is expected to make a full recovery. They say he also is expected to be released from the hospital today.

Sources told ArkansasSports360.com that Petrino was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

State police spokesman Bill Sadler said police were called to the scene where they found the motorcycle had left the roadway near the Crosses community. Petrino was headed northwest toward Fayetteville and the motorcycle appeared to have left the roadway 20 yards from where it came to rest on pile of limbs and other debris.

Pieces of the motorcyle were found at the scene Monday morning. Petrino was riding a stretch of road that is popular among motorcyle enthusiasts.

In a statement, the UA said:

Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time.

Jeff Long, director of athletics and vice chancellor, said he has been in touch with the Petrinos and added that he will consult with the family to provide additional information at a later time. Until then, there will be no further information or comment on the accident per the Petrinos' request.

Vandy's Black and Gold Spring Game April 14

The second annual Black and Gold Spring Game, the featured spring attraction for the Commodore football squad, is scheduled Saturday, April 14 in Vanderbilt Stadium.

The spring game, slated to start at 6 p.m, is part of an important Black & Gold Weekend on campus for Vanderbilt Athletics. In addition to the key football scrimmage, Tim Corbin’s Commodore baseball squad hosts Auburn in a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Hawkins Field and the nationally ranked women’s tennis team welcomes Kentucky to the Currey Tennis Center.

The Black & Gold Spring Game is free to the public. Tickets also remain for all three Vanderbilt-Auburn baseball games, and are available at vucommodores.com.

Vanderbilt fans can also enjoy a fireworks display following the spring game.

An array of fan activities are scheduled in conjunction with the weekend. On Saturday, pregame tailgating is available on Jess Neely Drive and in surface lots across Natchez Trace from the John Rich Practice Facility and Vanderbilt Track & Field Complex. Free inflatable activities for kids will be available between Gates 2-3 of the football stadium. An assortment of field day activities for youngsters also is on tap on the Dudley Field playing surface from 4-5 p.m. prior to the spring game.

Vanderbilt Football Head Coach James Franklin wants to see a huge crowd of supportive Commodore fans for all three sporting events.

“We had so much fun last year with the spring game and we want to make it bigger and better,” Franklin said. “I think it’s tremendous that the Black & Gold Spring Game follows a baseball game. I want to see Commodore fans fill up Hawkins Field to support the baseball team, then come into the stadium and see their football team in action.”