Tide's Jalston Fowler will have surgery and is likely out for the season

Jalston Fowler’s 2012 season might be over.

Alabama’s junior running back/fullback/H-back will have surgery, coach Nick Saban said today, and probably will not return this season.

Fowler injured his left knee Saturday in a 35-0 victory over Western Kentucky.

"Jalston's been a great player in the program -- a really good special teams guy," Saban said. "A great backup player for us. A really good attitude guy. Lots of character. Really good competitor.

"I know he feels badly. We feel badly , too, for him that he can't be a part and be able to contribute to our team this year

Ole Miss TE arrested over the weekend

Ole Miss tight end Jamal Mosley was arrested over the weekend for disturbing the peace and public drunkenness, per the Clarion-Ledger. Additionally, former player Nickolas Brassel was also hit with a charge of disturbing the peace.

Mosley was listed as the team’s No. 2 tight end, but was expected to see plenty of playing time this fall. Whether or not that will change given his most recent off-the-field issue remains to be seen as Ole Miss has suspended Mosley indefinitely.

“Jamal is suspended indefinitely while we review the situation. We take reports like this very seriously, and we will handle it accordingly once we have looked at all the facts,” coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement.

Mosely was the team’s fourth-leading receiver last season with 12 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Dyer’s final appeal denied; will remain at Ark. St.

Malzahn confirmed that the school’s appeal of the NCAA’s original decision was denied by the organization. As a result, Dyer, who transferred from Auburn earlier this year, will not play in 2012. Dyer stated during the presser that he had no idea where the rumors of a move to a Div. II school came from, stating that “I’ve decided to come back, sit out and do what’s best to help my teammates.” Per ArkansasSports360.com, Dyer added that he only considered two options after the second appeal was denied: stay at ASU and play in 2013 or leave in the spring for the NFL.

Dyer will be three years removed from high school, he will be eligible for the April draft.

If that option is indeed off the table, Dyer’s return would create an interesting storyline early on in the 2013 season as the Red Wolves will face, yes, Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium Sept. 7.

“I’m tickled to death. I know our team is tickled to death,” Malzahn said of Dyer’s return. “We’ll have one of the top running backs in the entire country … eligible to play next year.”

Arkansas 'Moving On' Without Suspended, Arrested Players

Arkansas Coach John L. Smith said the football team is moving on without four players who were arrested on felony charges during the spring.

Wide receivers Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey, tight end Andrew Peterson and linebacker Tyler Gilbert were all left out of the media guide. Smith indicated that is permanent.

“As a coach you don’t want to admit failure in any aspect," Smith said. "You don’t want to have to say, ‘I have to move on.’ But there comes a point and time when as a football team and as a coaching staff, you just have to move on and do what you have to do. It’s a disappointment.”

Wade, Humphrey and Peterson were arrested in may and each player faces four felony charges following a string of campus burglaries. Gilbert, was arrested for aggravated burglary in a separate incident. .

Peterson, Wade and Humphrey face an Aug. 27 trial date for three counts each of residential burglary and one felony count of theft of property. Gilbert has a July 26 trial date for aggravated burglary and theft of property.

Told about Smith's comments the team is moving on, quarterback Tyler Wilson said he wants players on the field he can trust.

"You’ve got to play with guys you can trust that will be there on time and do the right thing," Wilson said. "If you can’t count on that, then on third downs it’s tough to count on them too."

by C. Bahn

Suspended Arkansas trio could know fate on Aug. 2

Arrested and charged with residential burglary in May, Arkansas’ receiver/tight end trio of Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey and Andrew Peterson are still awaiting word from coach John L. Smith about their future status with the team.

At least tentatively, there is now a date associated with a decision one way or the other.

Per Matt Jones of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Smith said late last week that the statuses for all three players will be resolved by early August.

Matt Jones @NWAMatt

John L. Smith says the suspended/arrested football players "aren't currently in the press guide." Their statuses will be resolved by Aug. 2.

Spurrier, Sumlin talk RB returns during SEC media days

Many of the questions asked to South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin about postseason formats, conference play and the like produced regurgitated answers. Both Spurrier and Sumlin said they fully expected their star running backs — Marcus Lattimore and Christine Michael, respectively — to be 100 percent healthy in time for opening week kickoffs.

“Marcus Lattimore has rehabbed beautifully & should be ready to go,” Spurrier said. Lattimore suffered a season-ending knee injury last year in a game against Mississippi State.

Sumlin added that Michael, who suffered his own season-ending knee injury in November, has been ready to go for some time, corroborating his statement in April that Michael was “way ahead” of where he thought the running back would be in the recovery stages.

Nation’s top LB recruit flips from Bama to Auburn

In a press conference earlier this week, consensus No. 1 linebacker recruit Reuben Foster decided — verbally, and in a still non-binding fashion — that he would be playing for Auburn instead of Alabama.

“I have a lot of respect for Alabama and the coaches and all the other people and the fans,” Foster said in a prepared statement. “But at the end of the day, I felt like Auburn University is the place for me and my family and had the best situation for me and my family. I am 100 percent confident with my final decision. I feel great about my decision, and I’m excited to get started.”

At 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, Foster is the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com; the No. 7 overall prospect according to 247Sports; the No. 2 overall prospect by Scout.com; and the No. 2 prospect by ESPN.

Maxwell Award watch list

The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch lists Monday for the 76th annual Maxwell Award, given to America’s outstanding collegiate football player since 1937 and named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell.

Members of the initial watch lists cross a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast. Returning Maxwell Award semifinalists from 2011 include USC QB Matt Barkley, Clemson QB Tajh Boyd, Oklahoma QB Landry Jones and USC WR Robert Woods. No program has more athletes on this year’s Maxwell Award watch list than USC, which is also represented by WR Marqise Lee and RB Curtis McNeal.

The 2011 Maxwell Award winner, Stanford QB Andrew Luck made himself available for the 2012 NFL Draft, where he was selected No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Oct. 29, and the three finalists will be announced Nov. 19. The winner of the 2012 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 6. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala in Atlantic City on March 1.

The watch list candidates were chosen by the Maxwell Football Club’s selection committee, which evaluates past performance and future potential. The club will make additions and deletions to the list as the 2012 season unfolds. All members of the Maxwell Football Club along with collegiate sports information directors, head coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for the awards.

Phillip Sims gets waiver, eligible to play immediately for UVA

The Cavaliers will indeed have former Alabama quarterback Phillip Sims available to play this fall.

UVA had filed paperwork as recently as last month to allow Sims to compete immediately following his transfer from the Tide earlier this year. NCAA rules normally mandate that a player sit out one year if he transfers between Division 1 programs. However, the “personal reason” attached to Sims’ departure was apparently enough to persuade the Association otherwise.

“I am pleased we were able to work with the NCAA to get a resolution regarding this matter,” said Virginia coach Mike London in a statement. “We look forward to having Phillip and the rest of our team in camp this August.”

Sims will have three years of eligibility remaining, and given the news, should be the favorite to start immediately. Last year’s starter Michael Rocco returns, but he carries with him some rather inconsistent states (13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season).

Vince Dooley says losing Isaiah Crowell ‘best thing to happen’ for Bulldogs

Isaiah Crowell getting arrested and kicked off the team may have been a blessing in disguise for the Georgia Bulldogs.

So thinks former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. I was interviewing Coach Dooley on Monday for another project I’m doing for the AJC when the subject of Crowell came up. Crowell, a rising sophomore and former 5-star recruit who was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher last season, was dismissed by head coach Mark Richt following Crowell’s arrest on felony weapons charges. Crowell has since transferred to Alabama State, an FCS program in Montgomery, Ala., and started classes on Monday.

That chain of events may help the Bulldogs in the long run, Dooley contends.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on them, but losing that guy may have been the best thing to happen to them,” said Dooley, who coached the Bulldogs to six SEC championships and one national title in 25 seasons. “It was a bad-apple type thing, if you ask me.”

“Bad apple” was the second term Dooley used to describe Crowell’s effect on the team. The first was more effective but he asked me not to use it.

Dooley said Crowell undoubtedly is a talented football player and probably was the Bulldogs’ best option at tailback. But the negative effects as far as being a troublemaker and a distraction far out-weighed any skills he brought to the field, Dooley said.

Now that Crowell is gone, “That kind of thing will unite a team many times,” Dooley said. “Historically when things like this have happened in the past, they tend to have a unifying effect on teams. They go on to have an even better season than they were predicted to have.”

by Chip Towers

Brandon Burrows returns to Georgia

Georgia announced in a release that linebacker Brandon Burrows had decided to transfer, likely in pursuit of more playing time in a 4-3 defense.

“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” Burrows said in a statement. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end. I think another program may give me the best opportunity to succeed at that.”

According to Burrows’ father, Cliff, the linebacker has had a change of heart and decided not to transfer after all. And, just as he gave Burrows unconditional release, coach Mark Richt welcomed his now-former-former player back with open arms.

“He’s back,” the elder Burrows told Dawgs247.com. “We got all that squared away. He’s back with the family.”

Burrows’ father said a position change was not discussed as part of the return. In Georgia’s 3-4 defense, Burrows plays linebacker, though he has yet to play a game in his three years with the team.

Bednarik watch list littered with the likes of Bama, LSU

The latest in the preseason watch lists to be released over the next week and a half is the Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player since 1995.
Two of the top defenses in the country last season are well represented on this year’s preseason watch list. Both Alabama and LSU, which played in the BCS title game following the end of the 2011 regular season, placed four players apiece on this year’s list.

Michigan State also placed four players on the list, the only other school to do so.

Four semifinalists for last year’s award also made the initial cut this year – Kansas State LB Arthur Brown, LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu, Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o and Stanford LB Chase Thomas. Mathieu was named the winner of the 2011 Bednarik last December.

A total of 66 players are on this year’s watch list, including just two sophomores (South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and USC linebacker Dion Bailey).

by J. Taylor

Miss. St. TE granted another year of eligibility

Marcus Green has been granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA. Green received the medical waiver after missing most the 2008 and 2010 seasons with hip and knee injuries, respectively.

Green, a three-star member of the Bulldogs’ 2007 recruiting class, played in 13 games last season and 28 in his career, starting 15 of those contests. During his time in Starkville, he has 42 career receptions for 580 yards and four touchdowns.

Brandon Burrows decides to transfer from UGA

UGA announced that linebacker Brandon Burrows has decided to transfer from the Bulldogs. As is most times the case when it comes to Mark Richt, Burrows was given an unconditional release.

The decision seems to have come down to two factors: one, Burrows seeking an opportunity for more playing time and, two, more playing time in a 4-3 system.

When defensive coordinator Todd Grantham came to UGA following the 2009 season, he was impetus for the installation of a 3-4 that has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the top defenses in the country. Grantham was hired in mid-January of 2010; Burrows signed with the Bulldogs a little over two weeks later as a member of UGA’s 2010 recruiting class.

After two years of attempting to adapt, Burrows feels his skillset is conducive to being a 4-3 defensive end more so than a 3-4 linebacker.

“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” said Burrows in a statement. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end. I think another program may give me the best opportunity to succeed at that.

“I’m eternally gratefully for the opportunity Coach Richt has given me at UGA and for the fact that he gave me an unconditional release. I know I’ll be hard-pressed to find a group of coaches and players that will develop into the leaders and friends that I have known here in Athens.”

Vandy Commodores to unveil 2012 uniforms

Commodore fans are invited to join Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin on Wednesday, July 11, for a public unveiling of the football team's new uniforms for the 2012 season.

The event, scheduled for 6-8 p.m., will take place at the Barnes & Noble at Vanderbilt located at 2501 West End Drive in Nashville. The store also houses the official Vanderbilt Bookstore. Admission to the uniform unveiling is free. Parking is available in the 2525 Garage, with free validations available at Barnes & Noble.

Franklin expects to see a large turnout of Commodore fans at the unveiling, which will feature the team's 16 seniors serving as models.

"I think the staff has done a great job of designing the new uniforms and I know our players will be excited to wear them this season," the head coach said. "I'd love to see the Bookstore jammed with Commodore fans just as excited as our staff and players are about the new gear."

The event will be the fans' first glimpse at the design that will debut on Thursday, Aug. 30, when the Commodores host South Carolina in front of a nationally televised ESPN audience. Vanderbilt officials are asking Commodore fans to "Black Out" the stadium, encouraging all spectators to wear black to the game.

In addition to seeing the new uniforms, the unveiling will give Vanderbilt fans a chance to interact with Coach Franklin, select players and team mascot Mr. Commodore. Team posters also will be distributed free of charge.

UGA's Isaiah Crowell reportedly headed to FCS school

According to UGAsports.com, Crowell will be transferring to Alabama State, a FCS-level program located in Montgomery, Ala. The website reported that Crowell would be enrolling at the school Wednesday, although, when contacted by CFT, an ASU athletic official refused to confirm or deny the development.

As the Hornets are a FCS school, Crowell will be eligible to play immediately in 2012 instead of sitting out a transfer year.

Crowell was arrested very early last Friday morning and charged with carrying a weapon in a school zone, having an altered ID mark and charge of possessing/carrying a concealed weapon. The first two charges are felonies, the latter a misdemeanor. School policy called for an immediate suspension, although head coach Mark Richt trumped that directive several hours later by dismissing the back.

Crowell has retained the services of high-profile Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow to defend him against charges that could result in up to 10 years in prison for the 19-year-old.

While Crowell was named SEC Freshman of the Year after leading the Bulldogs in rushing last season, he was also suspended twice during the season for various off-field issues.

by Kevin Price

Four-star DT denied admission to Florida

Four-star defensive tackle (Rivals.com) Dante Phillips has been denied admission to UF, according to The Gainsville Sun. The decision apparently comes as a shock to Phillips, who thought he was in good academic standing with the school.

“We were kind of blindsided,” Phillips’ stepfather, Damon Wilson, told the paper. “He did everything he needed to do to be cleared by the (NCAA) Clearing House, but now he’s been told he doesn’t have a scholarship to Florida.

“He’s been cleared by the NCAA. He’s academically eligible. But the admissions office says he can’t enroll at Florida. If he can’t get in there, we have to look at other places. He’s got some offers out there. He’s totally qualified (academically.”

Phillips is already appealing the decision with the school, but Wilson said he doesn’t think it’s going to help.

by J.Taylor

South Carolina loses AD to future SEC school

South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman announced his resignation to take the same position with A&M. Hyman replaces Bill Byrne, who, um, “retired” back in May.

“We wish Eric well in his next endeavor. The University of South Carolina bears the marks of his leadership- from enhanced facilities to the hiring of strong coaches to higher student graduation rates,” South Carolina president Harris Pastides said in a prepared statement. ”We will miss him on our team, but his legacy has made us stronger.”

“I am very excited for the opportunity to help transition Texas A&M into the Southeastern Conference,” said Hyman. “While this is a tremendous opportunity, the downside is leaving all the dedicated and loyal fans in Gamecock Nation and the best athletic department in the country. Pauline and I have loved living in Columbia. It will be sad to leave all the wonderful friends we have made.”

A&M faces a steep climb to be competitive in the SEC West, but the Aggies have a solid coach in Kevin Sumlin and hired a good AD in Hyman, who was able to lure basketball coach Frank Martin away from Kansas State.