Malik Jackson: Tennessee hit me up and they said they needed help

Malik Jackson said he was not leaving Southern California because of NCAA penalties. The junior defensive end will transfer to Tennessee and be eligible to play for the Vols during the 2010 season. "It wasn't that at all," Jackson told The Los Angeles Times. "I didn't really care about that. I was playing with my buddies, but Tennessee hit me up and they said they needed help at the end spot, that I could come in and help them. "That sounded better than where I felt I was at with USC." Jackson is expected to start summer classes Thursday at the school that USC coach Lane Kiffin bolted from in January after one season as coach. Kiffin said in a statement Tuesday that Jackson was seeking more playing time. Kiffin also said the USC staff wished him the best of luck. The NCAA is allowing Southern California juniors and seniors to transfer without sitting out a season in the wake of sanctions issued against the Trojans. Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound native of Van Nuys, Calif., has two years of eligibility left. He appeared in all 13 of USC’s games last season, recording 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

UGA player arrested, but charge might be dropped

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, redshirt freshman Jordan Love was arrested Monday night for obstruction of a law enforcement officer. However, there may have been a "breakdown of communications" that led to Love's arrest and could allow the defensive back to wiggle out of the situation.

UGA Police Chief Jimmy Williamson told the paper that his officers were called to investigate a complaint regarding individuals setting off fireworks outside of a dorm. Love's problem arose when he either couldn't or wouldn't divulge his middle name to the officers.

Williamson said he spoke to the Love family this morning, and extenuating circumstances were uncovered that will be presented to the court on Love's behalf, which could result in the charges being dropped.

"Mr. Love, I think, was honest in his attempt, and the officer felt he was being evasive," Williamson said. "It was a breakdown of communications.

"The circumstances as being reported now is the individual just doesn't go by that middle name," Williamson added. "There are personal reasons why, and I don't want to divulge the circumstances, but talking to those people, the point they made seems very reasonable. The officer didn't know those facts at the time. We will make that known to the court and let the court decide based on what is known now."

LB A.J. Jones ready to return to Gators

During Florida's late-November win over Florida International, linebacker A.J. Jones suffered what turned out to be a season-ending knee injury. Six and a half months later, Jones has declared himself ready to go for the start of summer camp.

"I'm good,' Jones told the St. Petersburg Times. "I'm full go. I just saw the doctor for the last time today and he cleared me. I tore two ligaments in my knee - my MCL and ACL. I got hurt in December, so it's been about six months."

Jones, who has started 29 games during his time in Gainesville, said he was motivated to return as soon as possible not just for himself, but for his teammates and the program as well.

"I know I'm working for something now, I'm a part of this team and that's my real motivation. You want to be accountable, you don't want to let your teammates down."

Ex-UGA AD Evans exits Athens with a 'Go Dawgs'

Evans has released a statement again apologizing for embarrassing the institution he once played for and the athletic department he oversaw for six years.

"I would like to once again offer my sincerest apology to the University of Georgia people, the president and administration, athletic staff and coaches, fans and supporters, and especially the student-athletes. It had been my hope since taking the job in 2004 that I would have a long career at UGA.

"But because of a serious mistake in judgment, that won't be the case, and I understand that I have a long road to rebuilding my reputation and career.

"I do want to thank all those who have supported me and the Athletic Association over the past six years and would encourage all those in our Association to remember that they are there for the student-athletes. Keep them first and foremost in everything you do. God bless and 'Go Dawgs."

Vols Add Elite Punter to 2010 Class

Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley announced Wednesday that Bakersfield, Calif., punter Matt Darr has signed scholarship papers to play for the Vols this season.

Darr, considered to be the No.1-rated high school punter in the nation last season, plans to enroll this summer in time for second semester classes.

The 6-2, 215-pounder played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was selected to the MaxPreps All-America first team. Darr averaged 42.9 yards per punt with a career long of 71 for Frontier High School, which finished 11-2 during his senior campaign. Darr turned in 96 tackles, a team-high 79 solo, from his linebacker position. As a junior, he averaged 46.3 yards per punt with 93 tackles.

Darr also excelled in track and field, leading Frontier to the team 2009 state championship with individual titles in the shot put (62-1.25) and discus (192-0). For his combined efforts, Darr was named a finalist for the MaxPreps National Athlete of the Year.

Darr originally committed last summer to Southern California, but changed his college choice to Fresno State when Trojans head coach Pete Carroll took the same position with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Darr then reconsidered his Fresno decision when the Bulldogs' special teams coach, John Baxter, was hired by new USC coach Lane Kiffin. Darr was released from his National Letter of Intent by Fresno State and will be a freshman at UT this summer.

Tennessee begins fall camp Aug. 4.

by www.utsports.com

NCAA proposal to halt early football commitments

The days of powerhouse football programs loading up with early commitments from high school juniors may soon come to an end. Nick Saban couldn't be happier. In the SEC, Alabama and LSU lead the way with dou­ble-figure commitments for the Class of 2011. Yet the two Southern powers don't have anything on Texas, which stands at 22 and counting eight months be­fore signing day .But an NCAA proposal to prohibit scholarship offers until July 1 for rising seniors could curtail the practice of landing commitments so early. Saban is on the record ap­proving the legislation, say­ing a later date would help college coaches better eval­uate talent. And he's not alone. "If this happens, it will be one of the best things to happen to recruiting in a long time," said Tom Lugin­bill, ESPN's lead recruiting analyst. "It would allow coaches to truly go through the evaluation process with all the pertinent informa­tion. "Right now, coaches are forced to offer so early just to be in the running for the top prospects."

UGA AD Damon Evans resigns

According to Zach Klein, sports director of WSB-TV, Damon Evans is out as Georgia's athletic director. UGA president Michael Adams reportedly asked for and received Evans' resignation.

In the wake of his DUI arrest this past week, Evans was publicly resolute in not resigning his position. However, the release of the police report -- replete with red panties between his legs and multiple uses of the "do you know who I am?" card -- obviously left neither the university nor Evans much of a choice.

Just where the school turns to for a replacement remains to be seen -- one name already mentioned multiple times is Florida senior AD Greg McGarity -- but one person who will have at least one eye on the proceedings will be head football coach Mark Richt. Evans was one of Richt's staunchest supporters, and the absence of such a strong advocate could be a significant loss for a coach who, if he has another fair-to-middlin' season in 2010, could find his backside inching closer to the proverbial hot seat.

Damon Evans' resignation to be announced Monday by UGA

Zach Klein of WSB-TV was the first to report Sunday morning that disgraced Georgia athletic director Damon Evans would be resigning his post.

Multiple reports have since confirmed Klein's initial story, and now additional news is surfacing regarding the timing of the announcement of Evans' resignation.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the resignation is expected to be announced Monday morning during a teleconference of UGA's executive committee.

Evans met Sunday afternoon with a school attorney, presumably to hammer out a negotiated settlement with the university. A new five-year. mid-six-figures contract for Evans was slated to go into effect on July 1, mere minutes before his DUI arrest.

SEC has ruled out additional changes to 2010 schedule because of Alabama's bye-week concerns

As it turns out, this season's Alabama-Georgia State game will be the only SEC game moved to alleviate bye-week concerns regarding the Crimson Tide, SEC executive associate commissioner Mark Womack confirmed.

"We're just unable to find any solutions to this situation for this year," Womack said. "Now moving forward, we're working to address those issues in 2011 and feel very confident about that."

UA athletics director Mal Moore asked the league in December to review its 2010 schedule and try to curb the number of teams facing the Crimson Tide after an open date. Of the eight SEC teams scheduled to play Alabama in 2010, the final six are set to have idle weeks before the game. That includes South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn.

Kentucky releases special teams coach Ortmayer

Kentucky has released special teams and tight ends coach Steve Ortmayer. The coach was with the Wildcats, the last seven seasons. The school will pay him for the remainder of his contract, which expires, June 30, 2011. No reason was given for Ortmayer’s departure. Head coach Joker Phillips said he appreciated the work Ortmayer had put into the program. Ortmayer spent 25 years in the NFL before joining Rich Brooks with the Wildcats in 2003. The Wildcats blocked (school-record) 9 kicks in 2004 and set school marks in both kickoff and punt return average in 2005. A replacement has not been named.

QB Worley, picks Vols over Notre Dame, LSU

Worley didn't even blink when he committed to Tennessee on Friday, despite freshman quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Nash Nance already on the roster. "Not too much," the 6-foot-4, 197-pounder from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C., said when asked if a crowded depth chart affected his decision. "I know anywhere I go there's going to be competition. I didn't really think about it." In 2009, he threw for 4,366 yards and 42 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 3,641 yards and 50 TDs. Worley cited a strong connection with UT's coaches and the city of Knoxville as primary reasons why he picked the Vols. "The town has got everything you want," said Worley, who also considered LSU and Notre Dame. "I really enjoyed visiting here and really want to spend four years there." The only person more excited than Worley might have been first-year UT coach Derek Dooley. "He was really excited," Worley said. "He was talking about how happy he was and that I made his day." Dooley's character-first-approach to recruiting suddenly has six commitments for the 2011 signing class.

Gator WR Hammond may miss at least a game for DUI arrest

Hammond was indefinitely suspended by head coach Urban Meyer, but little else has been reported. Until now.

According to ESPN.com's UF website GatorCountry.com,( pay-per-view site), so you're warned if you want to click the link that follows, part of Hammond's punishment could include a one- or two-game suspension based on what the site is hearing.

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

Even if the extreme of the reports are correct, Hammond would "only" miss games against Miami of Ohio and South Florida. UF will open SEC play the week after the USF game against Tennessee.

Bad situation gets...down right Bad, for UGA's AD Evans

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that, when Evans' 2009 BMW was pulled over by a Georgia State Trooper, one of the first things detected by the trooper, besides a strong odor of alcohol, was a pair of red panties situated between Evans' legs. In the vehicle with the married Evans was a female who is not his wife, and who Evans described as "just a friend" at his press conference, and the trooper eventually questioned Evans as to why a pair of women's unmentionables was near his happy place.

"She took them off and I held them because I was just trying to get her home," Evans said according to the police report

Evans then tossed out the "do you know who I am?" card as a bargaining chip in an attempt to avoid arrest.

"I am not trying to bribe you but I'm the athletic director of the University of Georgia," Evans said. Then, in a further attempt to collectively bargain his way out of an embarrassing situation, Evans told the officer that "I don't want you to use who I am but I would just ask that you take me to a motel."

Evans also requested that he be given a warning; "I told him I don't issue warnings for a DUI," the officer wrote in his report.
So, does Evans have his job, or not, we shall see. We are leaning more towards...Nah.

Ole Miss All-Sport Student Tickets On Sale Now

OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss' new all-sport student season pass went on sale today and will be sold while supplies last through July 31. A total of 2,000 all-sport passes are available at a cost of $125 per pass.

The all-sport pass must be purchased on the OleMissSports.com ticket site and will be downloaded to each student's ID card. This ID card will grant access to all regular-season Ole Miss athletics events and must be presented for proper scanning of the unique barcode at the appropriate student entrance of each athletics venue.

After July 31, each of the seven qualifying student groups (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, law, pharmacy, graduate) will be allocated a maximum number of football season tickets they can purchase from the remaining tickets.

A total of 5,500 football season tickets will be sold at a recommended price of $84 each and will be available online. There is a maximum of one season ticket per student. After August 27, any unsold football season tickets will be made available to any qualifying student who has not already purchased a season ticket.

A percentage of student tickets will be held back for the freshman orientation session ending August 20.

Only students who are enrolled for at least half-time hours for the fall 2010 term will qualify to purchase season tickets.

by www.olemisssports.com

All student tickets sold are general admission.

'Bama to get a little relief from bye-week problems

Defending national champion Alabama will face a league-high six opponents that are coming off a bye week, and it seems they will not receive any relief from the SEC on what some perceive to be an inequitable scheduling situation.

According to Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register, Alabama's Nov. 20 game against Georgia State has been moved to Thursday night, Nov. 18. The move will give Alabama eight days before their annual Iron Bowl showdown with Auburn as opposed to six. The Tigers, of course, will head into the in-state rivalry coming off a bye.

"We have a number of scheduling challenges this year in football and this was the best way for us to deal with one of those," UA athletics director Mal Moore said in a statement. "We explored all options available to us, with our players' health and safety in mind. This was our best remedy. We deeply appreciate everyone's cooperation, particularly(UA president, Dr. Robert Witt and Georgia State."

"This whole Alabama opportunity has been a huge boost for our program from the very beginning," former Tide and current Georgia State head coach Bill Curry said. "We are fortunate to be able to play a game in Tuscaloosa, and we believe that moving from Saturday to Thursday can give it added appeal for our players and our fans because Thursday night games have become so special in college football.

"We'll make the necessary adjustments and go play the game."

UGA AD Evans apologizes for 'grave mistake', future at the school up in the air

While there was some speculation Evans could be fired or resign his post following a drunk-driving arrest Wednesday night, the press conference held by an emotional Evans confirmed that the latter is not. The former still seems to be in the mix however as Evans said, when asked about his hold on the job for which he was hired exactly six years ago today, "I don't know what's coming my way. That's up to the president."

The president Evans' refers to is the vacationing Michael Clark, who released a statement shortly after the conclusion of his AD's press conference that indicates a final decision will not be made until he returns to Athens.

"UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans informed me early this morning of his arrest and provided me an account of the events of last night. Drinking and driving is a serious matter, and I was extremely disappointed to hear of his arrest. Certainly this is not an example of the kind of leadership that I expect our senior administrators to set. I have high regard for Damon personally; I care deeply about him and his family and know him to be a man of integrity. He has sincerely apologized to me for the embarrassment this has brought upon the university. I was notified of this matter while away on vacation and will reserve further action pending a full review by staff and legal counsel."

Evans was arrested and charged with drunk driving following a late-night traffic stop in Atlanta yesterday. A 28-year-old female who is not the married Evans' wife was also arrested during the stop after she refused police orders to remain in Evans' 2009 BMW. Evans seemed to address the perception that arose from the female -- who Evans described as "just a friend" -- when he said he "brought shame to my family. My wife is going through a lot right now and that haunts me."

Evans also met with coaches earlier today to apologize for the arrest.

Vols' Chris Walker undergoes 'just a scope' on knee

The Tennessee defensive end, who dealt with a variety of injuries last season and throughout spring practice, thanked friends and family for prayers in messages sent out early in the evening via his Twitter and Facebook account.
He later added it was “just a scope,” or arthroscopic surgery.
A source with knowledge of the procedure added that the procedure was to remove loose cartilage from his knee and that Walker will be on his feet this week and participate in preseason camp later this summer.
The knee had been an issue during spring practice and doctors decided to address it to make sure it won’t be a factor this season.
A bad back slowed him last season, but Walker still led the Vols with six sacks, tied for the team lead with two interceptions and finished second on the team with 8 ½ tackles for a loss.

SEC continues dominance of major national championships

South Carolina's national title in baseball Tuesday gives the SEC exactly half of the national championships over the past five years in the four major sports -- football, baseball, men's basketball and women's basketball.
The SEC has gone 10-1 in national championship games in those sports since 2006, with only Georgia baseball losing to Fresno State in 2008. If you're keeping score at home, that's national titles for Alabama football, Florida football (twice), LSU football, Florida men's basketball (twice), Tennessee women's basketball (twice), LSU baseball and South Carolina baseball. The ACC has the next-most collection of titles in the big four sports over the past five years, with three.