Apopka, FL RB Tom Smith commits to Tennessee during recruiting trip

Apopka running back Tom Smith committed to the University of Tenessee during a two-day trip to Knoxville with teammates Spencer Waseem and Keon Brooks."It feels good. I like everything about it, especially the coaching staff, they're amazing," Smith said from his cell phone at the Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport where he was getting ready to fly back to Orlando. "Just being around here and around the players and I like the community ... just being around here is like being around family."Pittsburgh, Virginia and Northwestern were three of the schools high on his list, but Smith said it never came down to deciding between schools."Tennessee was just that much better. I had no idea I was going to commit," said Smith, who told his decision to new Vols' head coach Derek Dooley first.
"That's the reason why I made my decision," said Smith, who really liked the personable Dooley. "He was happy that I made that decision."Smith said he's solid UT committed, but also knows other schools will still come calling."I won't be mean or anything, Smith said. "I'll talk to them, but I'll tell them I'm all in with Tennessee."Last year, Smith ran for 1,163 regular-season yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns on 154 carries for the Apopka Blue Darters, a 6A state semifinalist in 2009.He was even more impressive in the playoffs and ballooned his stats to a season-ending 235 carries for 1,651 yards and 24 TDs and added 129 yards receiving and 100 yards passing.

Gamecocks Featured on National Television

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of South Carolina will play its first two football games of the 2010 season on national television, it was announced today.
The Gamecocks will open the season on Thursday, September 2 when they host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. That game will be televised nationally on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. That game will be the first meeting ever on the gridiron between the two squads. It will also mark the sixth straight season in which the Gamecocks will play a Thursday night contest on ESPN and the fifth time in the six years under head coach Steve Spurrier that Carolina opens its season on a Thursday night. The Gamecocks are a perfect 4-0 in season openers on Thursdays under Coach Spurrier.
Carolina will open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, September 11, when the Gamecocks entertain the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium. That contest will be televised nationally on either ESPN or ESPN2 with kick time slated for Noon ET. The Bulldogs hold a 46-14-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a wild 41-37 win in Athens last season. The Gamecocks are 7-19-2 when hosting the Bulldogs in Columbia.

Texas committed to 10-team Big 12...What is Next...the SEC

Orangebloods.com, the Rivals site for the University of Texas, reports today that the Longhorns have been convinced by Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe to salvage the conference. Texas has appeared headed to the Pac-10 with most of the Big 12 South. The site said Texas officials are expected to announce as early as today the school's plan to remain in the Big 12, or whatever you'd call it now with 10 teams instead of 12.Then again, ESPN.com reports today the departure of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the Pac-10 is imminent. One source told ESPN.com that Beebe's plan to save the Big 12 has "zero" chance to succeed.
So depending on your preferred choice of reading this morning, Texas is either committed to staying in the Big 12 or already out the door. That nicely sums up the rapid-fire progression of this ongoing expansion saga.
Could politics be involved in this? Absolutely. An announcement, or suggestion, by Texas that it's staying would presumably place the onus on Texas A&M. Do the Aggies jump to the SEC, or keep their roughly 100-year-old rivalry with Texas by staying in the Big 12? The Birmingham News previously reported that Texas A&M has the necessary votes from its board of regents to join the SEC.
Orangebloods.com suggests that if Texas A&M leaves for the SEC, it will trigger an exodus West for the Pac-10 by Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and possibly Kansas. If the Big 12 doesn't dissolve, the Pac-10 might simply add Utah and the seismic changes expected in conference realignment could subside, at least for now.

Razorback Stumon hit with drunk-driving charge

Authorities say Arkansas fullback Van Stumon has been charged with drunken driving and other offenses after an early morning traffic stop in Fayetteville.
The 22-year-old Stumon was arrested Saturday, booked into the Washington County Jail and released later in the morning on $1,200 bond.
A police report said Stumon was pulled over about 2:20 a.m. after officers saw him make an improper turn, drive over a curb into a parking lot and park his car erratically. According to the report, Stumon failed a field sobriety test and registered 0.10 percent on a blood-alcohol test.
He was charged with DWI, careless driving, making an improper U-turn and making an improper lane change. He is scheduled to appear July 16 in Fayetteville District Court.
Zack Higbee, a spokesman for the Arkansas athletics program, said coach Bobby Petrino is handling the matter.

Florida Gators wide receiver Frankie Hammond arrested, charged with DUI

GAINESVILLE – University police arrested Frankie Hammond early Sunday morning on DUI and liquor possession charges after the Florida wide receiver was allegedly speeding, swerving and driving with open bottles of Crown Royal whiskey in his car.Hammond, 20, who could be released from jail after today's appearance in front of a judge, has been suspended from all team activities, according to team spokesman Steve McClain.UPD officer Samuel Delucca detected Hammond driving faster than 45 miles per hour in a 20-mph zone while swerving on Gale Lemerand Drive on the UF campus at 2:09 a.m., according to a police report provided by Alachua County Sheriff's Office.The "uncoordinated" Hammond – with slurred speech, bloodshot and "glassy" eyes -- failed his sobriety field tests and registered breath samples of 0.188 and 0.191, according to the report. The legal limit for blood alcohol content is 0.08.
UF spokesman Steve McClain has informed the Sentinel that Hammond has been suspended from all team activities.

A and M regents have votes for move to SEC

On the same day that Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott made visits to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, rumors were flying around the Twitterverse that SEC commissioner Mike Slive was in College Station.
It appears, based on at least one report, that the rumors of Slive's location may indeed have some validity to them.
According to Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, the same writer that first busted open the expansion floodgates with his report on Pac-10 interest in a half-dozen Big 12 schools, "Texas A&M regents have the votes to join the SEC and could announce that move as early as next week."
One of those regents, former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings, has spent the past couple of days heavily intimating that he is pushing for an A&M move to the SEC. U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, an Aggie alum, was quoted as saying he preferred his school to move to the SEC as well.
If A&M winds up in the SEC, that would open up a spot for either Kansas or Utah to join Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Pac-10.

Alabama denies claim of illegal contact with USC player

Alabama is denying claims that the school illegally contacted a Southern Cal player in the wake of sanctions handed down by the NCAA. UA spokesman Jeff Purinton refuted the report Friday night and said no one from the Crimson Tide had contacted Baxter. Florida, Oregon and Washington have made similar denials to the ESPN.com story. A letter written by Southern Cal director of compliance Matt Billings to Pac-10 Associate Commissioner Ron Barker and obtained by ESPN.com named the five schools. The letter was reported to state, "I just met with Baxter and he told me that he received phone calls from five institutions. All of the institutions asked if he was interested in transferring from USC due to the NCAA decision. Would you please speak with these schools to remind them they cannot speak to this student athlete?" Baxter, who hails from San Diego, Calif., was considered one of the nation's top-rated high school prospects last season. He committed to Southern Cal in November, choosing the Trojans over a reported offer list that included Florida, Michigan and Oregon but not Alabama. As for the NCAA sanctions that included a two-year postseason ban, Southern Cal's juniors and seniors would be allowed to transfer without sitting out a year, but the rule does not apply to incoming freshmen.

Gators' Jeff Demps wins NCAA 100-meter title

Florida sophomore sprinter Jeff Demps won the 2010 NCAA 100-meter championship on Friday with a time of 9.96 (+2.5) at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.Demps, who is the 2010 NCAA Indoor 60-meter champion, claimed the school’s first 100-meter title since Bernard Williams won in 2000. Demps' time of 9.96 would have been a new school record had the race not been heavily wind-aided (+2.5). It marked the first time in his career he has run sub-10 seconds.“It was a great race today,” Demps said. “I executed well and came out with the win. I know my team needed the points and I just came out to get the 10 points to try to help us win the team title.”Florida coach Urban Meyer was among the first to congratulate Demps, who is also the Gators starting running back, in a Twitter message early Friday evening.

Five schools, including 'Bama, Gators, illegally contacted USC freshman

According to a series of tweets from ESPN.com's Joe Schad, Baxter informed his school's compliance department, that five schools illegally contacted him on June 10. The same day USC was slapped with heavy NCAA sanctions, incidentally.

The five schools are Fresno State, Oregon, Washington and Alabama and Florida.

Bryan Fischer of USC's Rivals.com site reports that, when a player from a school under a bowl ban is looking to transfer, "the athlete's institution must be notified of the recruitment and may establish reasonable restrictions." Fischer notes that the permission does not need to be in writing but needs to be made in some form, and that could be the issue in this situation.

USC has asked the Pac-10 to contact those schools accused of allegedly illegally contacting Baxter.

Shortly after the Schad's report came out, a Florida spokesperson denied any impropriety to the Orlando Sentinel. Neither Alabama nor any of the other schools named have issued denials as of this posting.

USC's sanctions generating buzz on the web

Southern California football coach Lane Kiffin pauses after a meeting of USC football players, Thursday, June 10, 2010, in Los Angeles. The NCAA threw the book at USC on Thursday with a two-year bowl ban, four years' probation, loss of scholarships and forfeits of an entire year's games for improper benefits to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush dating to the Trojans' 2004 national championship. The punishment against USC generated widespread comments Here's a sample...
On USC's YouTube channel: USC to Appeal NCAA Ruling: Penalties too severe for infractions alleged.
ESPN posted:
Kiffin, Trojans stay positive. Also posted at bleacher report: Lane Kiffin, USC, and Probation: A Marriage Made in Heaven.
The Orlando Sentinel's College Gridiron 365 blog posted : USC sanctions leave Lane Kiffin in a quagmire
On freep.com: What the USC-NCAA situation means for Michigan

Rumors of SEC invite for Hokies are 'all rubbish'

There apparently was a report, from an Atlanta radio station, stating that the SEC had issued unconditional invitations to both Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
The Hokies, however, did not appreciate the talk and quickly looked to shoot down the rumors of a move from the ACC.
"All rubbish," Larry Hincker, a spokesman for Tech president Charles Steger, told the Newport News Daily Press. "There's been zero discussion among university leaders on topic. Just not on radar."
"At no time has the Southeastern Conference approached Virginia Tech," athletic director Jim Weaver said.
Weaver went on to add that he personally believes the ACC will come out of all of this conference realignment unscathed and remain at 12 teams, but did say that he's "somewhat shocked" at how the collegiate landscape is being altered through expansion.
We at SEC Football Online, tend to agree with Weaver, that the ACC will come out of all this intact , as long as the Pac-10 and Big Ten do not go to 16 teams each. If those two league do reach "super-conference" status, the SEC would almost be forced to keep up by adding schools.
Where would they look, if they would have to look? The obvious options would include Florida State, Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech , all ACC schools.

Arkansas' Mallett undergoes medical procedure on injured foot

In February, Ryan Mallett suffered a break in his left foot during a winter conditioning drill and was expected to miss three months while he rehabilitated the injury.
While not unexpectedly missing spring practices, the Arkansas quarterback was reportedly ready to resume throwing all of the requisite throws earlier this month.
Wednesday evening brings word that the potential Heisman Trophy candidate underwent an "anticipated" medical procedure on his injured foot earlier today.
"Ryan Mallett underwent a procedure Wednesday evening to replace a screw in his left foot," head coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement issued by the school. "We fully anticipated this would need to be done in early to mid-June and the timing of it was intentional to allow him to prepare for the season as much as possible during the summer months.
"He will be non-weight bearing for the next two weeks and I expect Ryan to return fully after that time period. I am completely confident in our athletic trainers and medical staff and the plan they have put in place for Ryan."
What is up with this "anticipated" procedure that hasn't previously been reported.
As for Mallett's scheduled Manning Academy appearance that remains to be seen.

Texas A and M petitioning Big Ten for an invite... Sooners for SEC..what's Next

KCTV5 in Kansas City is reporting that Texas and Texas A&M have petitioned the Big Ten for membership.
The station reports that there has already been communication between the sides involved and that an agreement could be made as early as Thursday.
On top of that, the station is reporting that Oklahoma is working on petitioning the SEC for an invitation. The snag, the station reports, is that the Sooners would need to find a partner to bring along to keep the conference at an even number of teams.

Hunter set to make jump to Vols

Justin Hunter is ready to leap headfirst into college and get started with Tennessee - and two teams will be anxiously awaiting his arrival next month.
The highly touted receiver has been expected to provide a major boost for the football Vols since signing with Derek Dooley in February, but the biggest beneficiary might be the track team based on one final prolific meet for Ocean Lakes (Va.) High School last weekend. Hunter wrapped up his prep career by sweeping the long, high and triple jump titles to lead the Dolphins to the Group AAA state championship, and his marks might not have been the most impressive part of the performance.
"I was dealing with like a foot injury, tightness in my right foot, so the long jump was like a one-and-done jump," Hunter said Monday. "I had a little bit of a trouble in the high jump, then the winning jump came out of nowhere. In the triple, my third jump I was just trying to make it to the finals and I ended up winning.
"The foot was just something nagging. It's all good, though."
It obviously wasn't bad enough to keep him from setting a meet record in the long jump at 25 feet, 8 3/4 inches, clearing 7 feet in the high jump or rebounding from a rough start to complete the trifecta with a triple jump of 50-8 1/4 on Saturday.
Hunter also isn't expecting the foot to limit him when he arrives on campus July 5 for summer school and starts to turn his attention to football, where Dooley can surely use his athleticism on offense.

UM signee again blasts 'grimy, two-faced and disrespectful' UF coaches

Kevin Nelson spoke to the Miami Herald, Nelson, who by then had given a verbal commitment to the 'Canes, said he attended a Florida home game in 2009 with other recruits but, after the game, was the only one not allowed in the locker room by UF coaches. Even though, Nelson said, then-LB Brandon Spikes invited him.
"Grimy, two-faced and disrespectful," Nelson was quoted as saying of the Gator coaches by the Herald.
This is the second time Nelson has levied a "grimy, two-faced" blast at the program and its coaches, with the first coming in the immediate aftermath of that November game.
Nelson also stated that some of the UF defensive coaches attempted to talk him out of his commitment to Miami, telling him that "Miami hasn't won any ACC championships since going to the ACC and that Randy Shannon is going to leave after this year, and that I might not get any playing time."
First of all, and taking his comments at face value, this just seemingly confirms what's been rumored all along: rival coaches were using Shannon's contract status against the Hurricanes on the recruiting trail. Although Shannon received his well-deserved extension earlier this offseason, shame on the university for allowing his contract situation to linger as long as it did and possibly have an impact on UM's 2010 recruiting class.
Secondly, if Nelson thought he was taking some abuse before, what does he think is going to happen when he goes back to Gainesville now after blasting the staff with some pretty derogatory words?

SEC content to wait, watch

T’S STRANGE TO see the SEC take a cautious stance in conference expansion talks.

After all, this is the conference that was years ahead of everyone else in splitting into divisions and staging the cash cow known as a football championship game. The SEC plays in the biggest stadiums, is in the second year of a $3 billion TV deal and has produced the past four national champions in football.

Yet, SEC commissioner Mike Slive and the schools’ presidents appear content to stay on the sideline — initially, anyway — to see how expansion in the Big Ten and Pac-10 shakes out.

Florida president Bernie Machen said last week at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla, that the league would be “reactive, not proactive” on expansion. That said, Slive will be prepared to shift from reactive to proactive mode in less than six seconds.

He better keep his foot on the clutch.

Gators lose a piece of their vaunted 2010 recruiting class

After failing to qualify academically at Florida, defensive back Travon Van has enrolled at Marshall, the Huntington Herald-Dispatch is reporting.

That leaves the Gators with "just" 27 signees from a 2010 recruiting class that's been hyped as one of the best classes over the past decade, if not longer.

Van, a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, was given a release from his UF letter of intent recently. He's currently attending summer school classes in Huntington.

Van was expected to compete for playing time in the Gators' secondary as early as this year, but, from the sounds of it, Herd head coach Doc Holliday -- a former UF assistant -- could be looking at Van at the running back position.

The speedy Van averaged 8.9 yards on 139 carries as a senior at Helix High School in San Diego. If that school sounds vaguely familiar, it should; it's the same high school that produced Reggie Bush.

Broadcast Information Set for Three Florida Football Games

The University of Florida football team will kick off its 104th season at noon on September 4, facing Miami (Ohio) at home with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN.

In addition, both the Gators’ Southeastern Conference opener against Tennessee on Sept. 18 and the annual Florida-Georgia showdown in Jacksonville on Oct. 30 will be CBS’ national broadcast for that weekend, airing at 3:30 p.m.