Statues in The Swamp for Spurrier, Wuerffel, Tebow

Florida honored its three Heisman Trophy winners with life-sized statues outside the stadium. The Gators unveiled bronze statues of Spurrier (1966), Wuerffel (1996) and Tebow (2007) during halftime of Saturday’s spring game. The thing that stood out was Tebow’s depiction. “That’s fine,” Tebow said. “You have to change it up. We can’t all be throwing.” Tebow and Wuerffel were on hand for the unveiling. Spurrier thanked his alma mater in a videotaped message. He was in Columbia, S.C., for South Carolina’s spring game. One of his daughters, Amy Moody, attended the ceremony in his place. “It’s kind of hard to put in words,” Moody said. “It’s not often in life people dedicate a statue to you. It means a great deal.” The statues, which weigh between 1,700 and 2,000 pounds, were placed on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium near the skybox entrance. They were paid for by private donations. “When do you ever think growing up that you’ll have a statue somewhere where people will look at it and have great memories?” Wuerffel said. “It’s even more special being next to two guys that I love and admire in my coach, Steve Spurrier, and my friend, Tim Tebow. That even makes it more special for me.”

Tide probing allegations of ‘bought’ five-star signee

According to, oddly enough, an Alabama-centric Rivals.com website, UA athletic department officials spent the day in Franklin County (Al.) investigating the “report” that impermissible benefits may have been involved in the recruitment of five-star linebacker Brent Calloway. Calloway’s recruitment was, to say the least, an odyssey wrought with an embarrassing amount of intrigue when you consider the fact that it involved where a teenager was going to attend college. Originally a verbal commitment to the Tide, Calloway flipped to Auburn in early January before flipping back to Alabama on signing day a month later. In his claims made during an interview on an Alabama radio station yesterday, Jeffrey Lee, the editor of Rivals’ Auburn site, intimated that Calloway’s final flip came as a result of the financial inducements given by the Tide supporter. Tide officials were forced into action because of the allegations.

UA compliance department officials interviewed Calloway, Russellville resident Darren Woodruff, bank officials at First Metro Bank and Calloway’s adopted father, Harland Lindsey Winston, known as “Peaches.”

At issue are allegations made Thursday morning by Auburn Rivals reporter Jeffrey Lee on Mobile radio station WSNP. Among Lee’s allegations were that an Alabama supporter – subsequently identified as Woodruff — paid Winston $2,500 for Calloway to commit to Alabama, as well as supplying Calloway a new car. Lee also alleged Woodruff pulled Calloway out of school in the days leading up to signing day, taking him on a trip to Florida.

Woodruff told TideSports.com that he’s “confident the truth will come out.” Ricky Danley, the new cars sales manager at the dealership where Woodruff allegedly acquired the vehicle given to Calloway, told the website that Woodruff had merely taken the car in question — a Camaro — out on an extended test drive before returning it due to handling issues at high speeds.

Calloway’s high school principal, Tim Guinn, told the site that he has never seen or heard of Calloway drive any car, let alone a brand-new Camaro. If true, that would debunk the claim made by Lee that Calloway drove a new car to school one day and, because of the attention it garnered and the questions being asked, was forced to return it the same day.

“I don’t believe any of these allegations are true. No, not one of them,” Guinn said.

Saban happy with attitude of Trent Richardson

Alabama running back Trent Richardson’s attitude that he wants to be a starter, but still has to win the job, has endeared himself to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. “We want all of our players to feel that way,” Saban said after Wednesday’s practice. After evaluating film from Saturday’s first scrimmage, the coach noted, without being specific, some changes to the first and second teams. “There’s some guys that got demoted for the way they played … because they didn’t seem to have that attitude,” Saban said after the Tide closed out its 10th of 15 spring practices. “Anybody around here that has a feeling of entitlement that just because they played last year, they don’t have to do things to a standard that we’ve set for what we want. “I don’t care if it’s effort that they give, toughness that they give, ability to focus and execute, however you want to break it down. If we have somebody else, we’ll replace him. We had a few players that I didn’t feel like really responded that way.” Again, he didn’t mention names. But he went over a couple areas from Saturday’s first scrimmage. Saban didn’t like how his defensive front played. “We didn’t tackle very well on defense,” he said. “I don’t think we played up front, shedding blockers and holding point like we need to, so that’s been a big emphasis for us.”

Several players have said the progress of ends Darrington Sentimore and Ed Stinson, who weren’t expected to compete for a starting job this season, is noticeable.

Ole Miss DE has bone bruise, will miss up to two weeks

Ole Miss defensive end Gerald Rivers suffered a knee injury during the Rebels’ Monday practice, but according to Rebels coach Houston Nutt, the injury was downgraded to a knee bruise and not a ligament tear — as was previously thought — after an MRI came back negative on ligament damage. “He'll Probably miss the next week or two,” Nutt said. “But we’ll hopefully get him back that last week just for some fundamentals, but we won’t scrimmage him.”

Rivers suffered the injury during the middle of Monday’s practice, but returned to practice Tuesday on crutches.

LSU's national L Club spring game Saturday

Fans will have opportunities to win prizes, get autographs from over 25 former LSU football All-Americans and get a sneak preview of the 2011 Tigers on Saturday, April 9 as LSU hosts its annual National L Club Spring Game in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff for the National L Club Spring Game is set for 3 p.m. CT. Rosters for the white and purple teams (.pdf) are now available. Admission to the game is free and fans can enter Tiger Stadium through Portal A on the west side of the stadium or through gates 10 and 11 on the east side. Gates open at 1 p.m. Pre-game activities on campus get underway at 12:30 p.m. as Louisiana native Amanda Shaw will hold a free concert in Lot A at Tiger Stadium. Shaw, who will be one of the performers at the Bayou Country Superfest in May, will be on stage until 2:30.

TE Alex Smith dismissed from UK

Redshirt freshman tight end Alex Smith has been dismissed from the Kentucky football team for a violation of team rules, UK spokesman Tony Neely confirmed on Tuesday. Smith was the highest-ranked member of UK’s 2010 recruiting class. Rivals.com listed him as a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 11 tight end coming out of Cincinnati’s Lakota West High School.

Smith was expected to challenge for playing time as a true freshman last fall but struggled to make an impact and was redshirted. He entered spring practice listed at No. 7 on a crowded depth chart.

Judge finds probable cause for ex-Auburn players

A judge said Wednesday there’s probable cause for a grand jury to consider charges against four former Auburn University football players accused in a robbery. Lee County District Judge Steven Speakman issued the ruling after granting a defense request to bar the public and media from attending the preliminary hearing because three of the players are under 21.

Antonio Goodwin, Shaun Kitchens, Mike McNeil and Dakota Mosley are free on bond following their arrests last month in an alleged holdup at the home of other college students. The grand jury meets the first week of May. District Attorney Robbie Treese and attorneys for both Mosley and Kitchens declined comment. Attorneys for McNeil and Goodwin did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Goodwin did not attend the hearing, and the others slipped out a side door afterward.

Coach Gene Chizik kicked all four off the national championship team after their arrests on charges of robbery, theft and burglary.

Sporting News ranks LSU No. 1

Sporting News’ Matt Hayes ranks 2011’s Top 10 with spring games underway:

1. LSU. Until someone beats the SEC in the biggest game of the season, we’ll go with the best team in the best conference.

2. Oklahoma. The big question: will the loss of the Big 12 Championship game hurt or help the Sooners?

3. Oregon. Ducks have to rebuild on defense, but the foundation is there and the Pac-12 (outside Stanford) is woefully weak.

4. Stanford. Don’t be shocked if Stanford repeats 2010, loses only to Oregon and earns a BCS bid.

5. Alabama. You say Mark Ingram, I say Trent Richardson. And the Tide defense will be better than 2010.

6. Oklahoma State. Without Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon returning, ‘Pokes are a 7- or 8-win team.

7. Nebraska. The transition to the Big Ten will tougher than most expect, but Huskers are too balanced to not win the Legends Division and get two games against Ohio State.

8. Texas A&M. Don’t be fooled by the Cotton Bowl loss to LSU; the best offense in 2011 will be more prepared next season in top-heavy Big 12.

9. Boise State. A win vs. Georgia (in Georgia Dome) in the season, and 2011 looks like 2010: don’t slip up the remaining three months.

10. Florida State. Noles have the talent — and no longer lack confidence — to not only win the ACC, but possibly much more.

Nutt says ‘biggest single most awesome thing’ has been QB Mackey’s huddle growth

Randall Mackey has been the talk of Ole Miss’ spring thus far as he’s more than held his own in a four-way QB battle that also includes transfer Barry Brunetti, who may or may not play in 2011 pending a decision from the NCAA, Zack Stoudt and Nathan Stanley, who came out of spring last year as the starter before losing the job to transfer Jeremiah Masoli. And, in his own “unique” way, Nutt says that the abrupt improvement the senior’s made in the huddle has been the story of the spring sessions. “To me, that’s the thing of the spring,” Nutt said. “The biggest single most awesome thing is him in that huddle, saying very clearly the play and then barking out the snap count. Been very, very proud. I never would have dreamed that this time last year.” Nutt’s referring to, of course, Mackey appearing to overcome speech issues he’s dealt with since middle school. Mackey transferred from the JUCO ranks to Ole Miss in 2010, but did not attempt a pass last season. In early February, Mackey underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, although the early returns make it clear that the joint is no longer an issue.

UGA’s King making move to ‘replace’ A.J. Green

Still in the process of replacing A.J. Green, Georgia’s scrimmage Saturday left coach Mark Richt feeling confident about the receiver position. “I’ve got faith in those guys,” Richt said of his receiving corps, now without Green, who left early for the NFL draft, and Kris Durham, who exhausted eligibility. Junior Tavarres King appears to be the leading candidate to assume the No. 1 role; a position King says suits him fine.

“I look at myself as a leader now,” he said. “Leading isn’t an easy task. That’s what I’ve been trying to do; letting guys know I’m there for them, and I’m going to be there day in and day out.”

Georgia's QB Murray will step up and change the Bulldogs standings this season

If the Georgia Bulldogs are going to rebound from their disappointing 6-7 campaign during the 2010 season, then Aaron Murray is going to have to take yet another step forward in his promising, albeit short career. Murray, the sophomore quarterback for the Bulldogs, is the unquestioned leader on offense and the hopes of those wearing red and black rest firmly upon his right arm.

After a sensational freshman season, at least statistically, it's time to see what he can do in his second year as the starting signal caller.

Jefferson still atop LSU’s QB starting order

The New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that last year’s starter, Jordan Jefferson, is still No. 1 in the pecking order after tossing four touchdowns in the scrimmage. While Les Miles patted both Mettenberger and Jarrett Lee on the backside for their play, the head coach saved

“Mettenberger has a very strong arm, makes a lot of nice throws and is improving,” Miles said. “Jarrett Lee has a very distinct advantage over the time he’s been in the system, and he throws the ball very well. Mettenberger has some time. He’s taking advantage of his coaching. Currently, it will be Jefferson and Lee, then Mettenberger.

“What continues to be a routine occurrence is Jordan Jefferson is having better practices and throwing the ball better. He’s making much better decisions. He’s clearly improved. He can describe what he’s seeing, how he sees the play. He understands exactly what’s going on and much more so.”

After a 2010 season that saw Jefferson throw just seven touchdowns in 209 attempts — along with completing just over 56 percent of his passes and throwing 10 interceptions — the Tigers will need Jefferson to take whatever improvements he’s made during the offseason onto the playing field once the ’11 season kicks off.

LSU's Patrick Peterson vehemently denies connection to Willie Lyles

Former Texas A&M assistant Van Malone accused Will Lyles, owner of the Houston-based scouting company Complete Scouting Services, of requesting $80,000 in exchange for Patrick Peterson signing with the Aggies in 2007. Given the issues surrounding his “scouting service”, being connected to Lyles these days is not exactly optimal for one’s reputation as schools such as Oregon and LSU have learned. Peterson’s father Patrick Sr. claimed to know nothing of the request Lyles made of Malone, calling the revelation “shocking” while comparing Lyles and his recruiting ilk to escort services. This afternoon, Junior issued his own denial. Peterson, a Florida native who was originally a Miami Hurricanes commitment before signing with LSU, fired off a statement through his former school vehemently denying any involvement on the part of Lyles in his recruitment. “I have never had any type of relationship with Willie Lyles and he had no influence on my decision to attend LSU, or any other school for that matter,” Peterson said on the statement. “He had no involvement with my recruiting process and I resent the fact that my name has come up in these allegations. I chose LSU because it’s a great school with a great football program. I never received nor was I offered anything to go to LSU and anyone saying otherwise is being dishonest.”

Knee surgery shelves ‘Bama ‘backer

Alabama will be without linebacker Alex Watkins for the remainder of spring practice, head coach Nick Saban announced Friday afternoon but we’re just getting to right now because, frankly, we had completely forgotten about it. The senior suffered a knee injury during practice on Wednesday and underwent surgery to repair the damage the next day. Saban said in a statement that the surgery was a success and Watkins is expected to fully recover in time for the start of summer camp. The specific nature of the injury was not revealed. While Watkins is listed as a backup, the injury and subsequent surgery is noteworthy because, as Chris Low of ESPN.com‘s SEC blog writes, he’s one of those guys Saban is counting on to upgrade the Crimson Tide’s pass rush next season.

In 12 games last season, the former four-star recruit totaled 2.5 sacks in a backup role.

Tide lands ex-Buckeye Duron Carter

Duron Carter, the former Ohio State wide receiver has indeed landed in Tuscaloosa. Carter’s father, ex-Buckeye great Cris Cartwr, confirmed to ESPN.com that his son will be playing for the Tide in 2011. And, as the elder Carter had stated in the past, the Tide’s head coach played a significant role in the decision. “We just met with Coach [Nick] Saban and he’s committed,” Cris Carter said. “It’s a combination of the coaching and the structure and for Duron’s maturity. All of those things make it a good match.” Carter played for the Buckeyes in 2009, but spent 2010 at a community college after becoming an academic casualty at OSU. He will be eligible to play immediately in 2011.

No Rambo for UGA for rest of spring — probably

Starting safety Bacarri Rambo suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during practice this week and is expected to miss the final seven sessions as well as the spring game April 16. There was no indication from the school as to how the injury occurred.

An initial prognosis has Rambo being sidelined for around three weeks, although further testing could change that timeline one way or the other.

Last season as a redshirt sophomore, Rambo started 13 games and finished second on the team in tackles with 82.

'Bama's Saban's statue to be unveiled

The statue of Nick Saban, commemorating the Crimson Tide's 2009 national championship, will be unveiled on A-Day, April 16, prior to kickoff.

Saban is Alabama's fifth national championship coach, and a statue of each of the previous four already stands along the Walk of Champions plaza along the stadium's University Boulevard entrance. Alabama's 1992 national championship coach, Gene Stallings, will attend the unveiling along with representatives of the families of the other three coaches whose likenesses already stand: Frank Thomas, Wallace Wade and Paul W. "Bear" Bryant.

"In keeping with our custom of honoring our national championship head football coaches, we are pleased and proud to unveil the statue of Coach Saban to add to our Walk of Champions at Bryant-Denny Stadium," said UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore. "By leading our team to Alabama's 13th football championship in 2009, Coach Saban earned his place among the legends we recognize. This is an outstanding testament to his work at Alabama, and a fitting tribute to the accomplishments of our entire football program under his leadership."

The unveiling will take place at approximately 12:40 p.m.

Bump in pay for Tide’s McElwain approved

The Compensation Committee of the UA Board of Trustees approved a new contract for the Tide offensive coordinator that will include a sizable raise. After making $415,000 in 2010, McElwain will earn $510,000 in 2011. That increase is by far the largest of any of Nick Saban‘s returning assistants, with the exception of defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. After receiving serious overtures from new Florida head coach Will Muschamp to become his coordinator, Smart also received a $100,000 increase to $850,000 for the upcoming season.