Patrick Peterson 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.”

We certainly have no reason to doubt Peterson at this point in time, but what would Malone possibly have to gain by having his name plastered on an on-the-record story like this one that turns out to be nothing more than a lie? Or, if Malone is indeed speaking the truth — and the Petersons are as well — would Lyles really have a set of brass ones big enough to go behind the back of a recruit and his family in an attempted $80k money grab? And, if its neither of those two scenarios, how the hell big is the gray area in this situation?

Of all the accusations and allegations that have come out against various programs over the past several months, this may be one the most head-scratching, if for nothing more than the utter randomness, seemingly out-of-the-blue nature of it all. Hopefully, the NCAA will get to the bottom of the situation — especially as it pertains to Lyles and other street agents masquerading as “scouting services” — and make some sense of yet another tangled and murky situation.

Rebels get nice surprise: Lockett granted a sixth season

In a tremendous turn of event for Ole Miss and its defense, the school announced Thursday evening that the defensive lineman has indeed been granted a medical waiver and will be eligible to play for the Rebels in 2011. “I finally can go to sleep now, man,” Lockett said following Ole Miss’ practice today. “It’s been since September, you know, didn’t know what was going to happen. Just the uncertainty of it all was killing me, man. I cried many a night. I’ve been crying all day, I’m happy.” “That’s good news,” head coach Houston Nutt said. “Really good news to get that year back. I know that’s been a real burden on his mind and on our mind and now there’s no question what he’s going to be doing much harder and better.” Lockett suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the fourth game of the 2010 season, leading the senior to apply for a medical waiver with the NCAA. He also missed the season opener due to a heart condition. He’s still rehabbing the knee injury and will be unable to participate in spring practice. In 2008 and 2009, Lockett started all 26 games for the Rebels, earning All-SEC honors from various media organizations. He played in six games in 2007, and used a redshirt his true freshman season of 2006.

Post-scandal Fiesta Bowl must justify place in BCS

The head of the BCS put the Fiesta Bowl on notice Wednesday: “Follow the letter of the law” or lose its place in college football’s lucrative championship system. BCS officials challenged the Fiesta Bowl to persuade them that extravagant and improper spending behind the firing of longtime CEO and President John Junker will never happen again. Otherwise, the BCS said it can kick out the Fiesta Bowl altogether. There are plenty of others eager to jump in. “They know that if they want to do business with us, they need to follow the letter of the law,” BCS executive director Bill Hancock told The Associated Press. “If they fail to do so, they do it at their own peril.” The Fiesta Bowl released an internal report on Tuesday that uncovered hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions of dollars, in “excessive compensation, nonbusiness and inappropriate expenditures and inappropriate gifts.” Arizona prosecutors are looking into possible criminal charges, focusing on accusations that top officials pressured employees into donating money to favored political candidates and then reimbursed them with bowl funds. Fiesta Bowl officials placed the blame squarely on Junker, who made $600,000 a year as the affable face of the organization. Over the past two decades, he led the upstart bowl from just another postseason game to one of the largest and most prestigious. “I must say that the actions undertaken and orchestrated by John Junker and others are shocking and completely unacceptable,” said Duane Woods, the Fiesta Bowl chairman. “Their actions, unfortunately, have tainted the stellar reputation that the Fiesta Bowl has worked so hard to maintain for more than 40 years.” The Bowl Championship Series also includes the Rose, Orange and Sugar bowls, and draws tens of millions of dollars a year in television revenue, ticket sales and merchandise. Frito-Lay, whose product “Tostitos” is the Fiesta Bowl’s title sponsor, said it was “disappointed” and was monitoring the situation.

SEC, Auburn release statement on HBO report

“We are aware of some of the information to be aired during this evening’s HBO Real Sports,” the statement from the conference read. “Representatives from Auburn University, representatives from LSU and the SEC office have communicated with the NCAA Enforcement Staff. The involved institutions and the NCAA staff will pursue the allegations in a timely manner.”

So, apparently and as expected, the end of the program tonight likely won’t be the last time we hear of this issue.

Several members of the media obtained an advanced copy of the hour-long program ahead of its airing Wednesday night, and published at least partial transcripts of what on the surface appears to be rather explosive and damning allegations.

The four ex-Auburn players — Stanley McClover, Troy Reddick, Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray — will all claim to one degree or another that they received “financial assistance” from alumni/boosters of the AU football program during their recruitment and, in a couple of the players’ cases, after they had signed with the Tigers. At least one of the players also alleges that he received cash on recruiting trips to LSU and Michigan State, and received cash and “sexual favors” on a trip to Ohio State.

Auburn’s Pelton inherits Fairley big task

Mike Pelton seems awfully happy for a guy replacing two Lombardi Award winners.

Auburn’s new defensive line coach is charged with plugging holes on the front four at his alma mater, filling the shoes of predecessor Tracy Rocker and replacing Nick Fairley.

Both Lombardi winners are gone to the NFL, either as a coach or an expected first-round pick.

Pelton, an All-Southeastern Conference lineman at Auburn in 1994, inherited scant experience on the line and no proven players in the middle after Rocker left to coach with the Tennessee Titans. But he said he’s “tickled to death” to be back.

“He’s got young guys that have got a lot of want-to,” coach Gene Chizik said Monday. “He’s got a great group of kids that really, really work hard. Are we replacing a lot of talent that will be gone on the defensive line? Yes. That doesn’t mean we don’t have talent there now. It’s an experience problem there more than anything.

“But (tackles) Jeff Whitaker and Kenneth Carter, those guys have got to step it up. There’s no more, ‘I’m a true freshman.’ They’ve got to understand right now what it’s like down there and they’ve got to produce.”

The line was the most dominant part of the defense during Auburn’s national championship run, largely because of Fairley. Fellow starters Zach Clayton and Antonio Carter are also gone.

Fiesta Bowl CEO fired after internal probe

The Fiesta Bowl fired president and CEO John Junker after a scathing internal report released Tuesday found “an apparent scheme” to reimburse employees for political contributions and “an apparent conspiracy” to cover it up.

The reimbursements, listed as at least $46,539, appear to violate state and federal campaign finance laws. The Arizona attorney general’s office is conducting a probe of the matter.

The BCS reacted swiftly, saying it would undertake an investigation of its own to “consider whether the Fiesta Bowl should remain a BCS bowl game or other appropriate sanctions.”

The Fiesta board of directors voted unanimously to fire Junker “for his improper and inappropriate activities documented” in the report.

Junker, in his ubiquitous bright yellow Fiesta Bowl sports jacket, had been the face of the event for three decades, leading it from an upstart event to one of the BCS giants. With an annual salary of about $600,000, he had been on paid administrative lead since Feb. 4 after, the board said, he failed to comply with two written directives to cooperate with the investigation.

The board said the probe also uncovered “excessive compensation, nonbusiness and inappropriate expenditures and inappropriate gifts.”

Australian lineman making impression at Alabama

Jesse Williams is hoping to be the next Terrence Cody: a supersized junior college transfer who makes a big impact on Alabama’s defensive line.

Williams has more tattoos, a little less girth and an accent from Down Under not Down South. But Crimson Tide fans would be ecstatic if the Australian out of Arizona Western Community College works out nearly as well as his JUCO-to-Bama predecessor on the defensive line.

The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder from Brisbane has been hearing Cody’s name frequently since enrolling at Alabama in January as one of the nation’s top-rated JUCO prospects.

“I’ve heard it actually quite a lot,” said Williams, who is going through spring practice. “He did really well playing nose tackle here, and I’m looking forward to doing the same type of thing.”

Ex-Buckeye Duron Carter might be headed to ‘Bama

By way of the Birmingham News, TideInsider.com is reporting that Alabama “is on the inside track to sign Carter.” Carter’s father told the website that a big reason for the Tide garnering such serious consideration is the head coach of the football program.

And the fact that the Tide is looking to replace the production lost by Julio Jones‘ departure for the NFL doesn’t hurt either.

“The head coach is as good as it gets,” Cris Carter said. “They have structure. Nick Saban provides the kind of environment you look for. There is no better teacher in the game than Nick and his staff. We like the fact that they run a pro-style offense. They have a need at the receiver position. They don’t have a [big, physical] receiver like Duron right now.”

Scout.com had previously reported that the 6-5, 210-pounder would visit Tuscaloosa next weekend.

Carter has already visited Miami and LSU, TideInsider.com reported. Regardless of where Carter lands, he will be eligible to play in 2011.

During his only season at Ohio State in 2009, Carter had 13 receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.

Gamecock lineman out for spring after surgery behind eye

South Carolina offensive lineman Ronald Patrick is expected to miss all of spring practice as he recovers from surgery to remove an abscess behind his right eye — which was also at the base of his brain.

Patrick is slated to be in the hospital through the mid-week, and coach Steve Spurrier expects a full recovery.

“From what we think, the surgeons did an excellent job,” Spurrier said. “His headaches are not there. He’s got some recovery time ahead of him, but we’re hoping and praying it was a very successful operation and he will not need any more surgeries.”

Patrick, a soon-to-be sophomore, saw some time as a backup center last season and has been moved to guard for 2011. Spurrier said that he expected to be back within one to two months.

Vandy corner decides to finish career elsewhere

Graham told The Tennessean that he has decided to transfer from the Commodores and use his final season of eligibility at another institution of higher learning. He already has a pair of schools he’s focusing on, where he will both play football and attend grad school.

“I’m going to try to get into grad school somewhere else,” Graham said. “I’ve talked to UAB and they want me to play wide receiver. If I want to play cornerback, I can go to Southern. Southern said if the NFL thing doesn’t work out, I can come back and be a GA (graduate assistant). I’ve got to decide in the next two or three weeks where I want to go.

“I’m just trying to do what works for me. (UAB and Southern) told me I just need to apply (for graduate school), take the test and they will handle the rest. They said it looks good for them to have someone coming in from Vanderbilt.”

Graham added that as recently as a month ago he was leaning toward staying at Vanderbilt, but intimated that a university official pressured him into making a decision sooner rather than later. He said part of the uncertainty in whether to stay or go involved getting admitted into a Vandy grad program.

Tide d-lineman hit with indefinite suspension

Head coach Nick Saban announced Saturday evening that the defensive end Brandon Moore has been indefinitely suspended from the football program. The reason, of course, is the ominous “violations of unspecified team rules”. Based on Saban’s words, it doesn’t appear that Moore will be returning at any point in the near future. “That’s indefinite,” the coach said. “We don’t know what’s happening there.” Last season, Moore played in four games. The redshirt sophomore was expected to challenge for significant playing time for the Tide in 2011.

Moore, incidentally, becomes the second Tide player indefinitely suspended this spring; defensive back Robby Green was suspended this past Monday.

‘Huskers to reportedly add ex-Bama back

By way of the Lincoln Journal Star, NBC’s Toledo affiliate WNWO-TV is reporting that the well-traveled running back is transferring to Nebraska.

The station’s source on this one is impeccable as Marrow’s father Vince Marrow confirmed the news. The elder Marrow also happens to be a member of the Cornhuskers’ coaching staff, hired recently by head coach Bo Pelini as a grad assistant.

Marrow was a three-star member of Alabama’s 2009 recruiting class, but Nick Saban, who coached Marrow’s father at Toledo, confirmed in September of 2010 that the Toledo, Ohio, native was transferring due to “personal issues, family issues“.

After leaving the Tide, Marrow ended up at Eastern Michigan. The TV station reports that Marrow will take his finals at EMU next week and will then head to Lincoln, where he will reportedly be eligible to play immediately. As noted by the Journal Star, it’s unclear whether he’ll come in as a scholarship player or as a walk-on.

Charges reduced against Vols Brent Brewer; sophomore safety rejoins team

Tennessee safety Brent Brewer is back with the team and will be available for spring practice, coach Derek Dooley said today at his spring practice kickoff press conference. Brewer, a sophomore safety, was arrested last month on domestic abuse charges. He had the charges reduced to "offensive touching," and was placed on judicial diversion, according to a statement from his attorney, Don Bosch. The charges will then be dismissed in September, according to the statement. Brewer served a five-week suspension from all team activities, Dooley said. He said Brewer still faces "some other internal disciplinary measures," which includes a suspension from a session of summer school. "I think it was a learning lesson from Brent, it was a learning lesson for all the members of our team," Dooley said. "It was very unfortunate what happened. I think so many people have found themselves in a position where emotions are taking over and you have to learn to just leave. Walk away and walk out, no matter what anyone does to you." Brewer, a 22-year-old former professional baseball player, emerged as a major contributor during the second half of 2010, starting six games and finishing the year with 30 tackles.

Nation’s top recruit gets up close and personal with Columbia police

According to the Charleston Post & Courier‘s Travis Haney, South Carolina signee Jadeveon Clowney was frisked by Columbia police sometime after 2 a.m. ET outside of a bar called the Salty Nut. Haney writes that a “witness at the scene said Clowney was not detained and the cause of the search wasn’t immediately discernible.”

As of the time of this posting, no police report has been filed regarding the incident. That’s assuming, of course, there was even an incident on which a report needed filed.

It does beg the question, though, as to what an underage high school senior with his profile, and academic questions, is doing at a drinking establishment an hour from his home at two o’ clock in the morning on a Thursday night. Spring break or not, Clowney didn’t exactly put himself in the most optimum position to begin with; the picture of him being frisked by men with badges just cemented that fact.

Gamecocks' Ellington making move to play football

The whispers in Moncks Corner, growing in number and volume since December, are now audible at the University of South Carolina: Bruce Ellington is making a move to play football for the Gamecocks.

A source inside the football office confirmed today that the freshman point guard has spoken this week with both basketball coach Darrin Horn and a couple of USC’s football coaches.

The football team has not made the announcement officially because it’s still learning when he will be eligible. Because Ellington signed in the early period for basketball, an NCAA rule prevents him from participating in another sport until the completion of the player’s first academic year. USC’s football coaches are working to determine whether participating is deemed to be practice or games.

Worst-case scenario for the football team, the 5-9, 200-pound Ellington will join the Gamecocks this summer.

Ellington was part of the Berkeley High School 2009 state championship football team, doing a lot of damage with his legs at the quarterback position. The Gamecocks are targeting Ellington as a possible slot receiver, scatback and return man, though they’re unsure how exactly he will be used until he gets on the field.

Auburn spring features battle to replace QB Newton

The national champions opened spring practice Wednesday with largely untested junior Barrett Trotter and totally untested sophomore Clint Moseley vying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. “I’ve been coaching college for six years and had six different starting quarterbacks,” Malzahn said. “Somewhere down the line it would be nice to have that second year with the guy who knows how to think in the system, and really that I’ll know how they’re going to react on the field.” Quarterback is just the most prominent of many position battles the depleted Tigers face after a surprising 14-0 run. Newton, Lombardi Award winner Nick Fairley and leading receiver Darvin Adams all left early for pro careers, joining two dozen departed seniors and five players who were kicked off the team following arrests. Two more little-used reserves also weren’t on the spring roster. Even with three freshman signees enrolling early, all that left about 50 scholarship players until the rest of the Top 10-rated signing class arrives. Even an ailing head coach Gene Chizik wasn’t around for the early portion of Wednesday’s practice. He pulled up in his pickup truck at the practice field after warmups and stretching, and didn’t speak to the media afterward.

Auburn is practicing on the infield at the track and on the soccer field while their practice fields are being redone.

Georgia WR Kris Durham ran a 4.43 today

University of Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds today, according to a league source who attended the Bulldogs' campus Pro Day workout.

The 6-foot-5, 217-pounder bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times and posted a 35-inch vertical leap and a 10-1 broad jump. He turned in a 4.09 short shuttle. He caught 32 passes for 659 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Bulldogs, playing opposite star wide receiver A.J. Green. He caught four passes for 112 yards and a touchdown against Vanderbilt, five passes for 101 yards against Arkansas and three receptions for 90 yards against Georgia Tech, including a career-long 66-yard catch.

Durham missed the 2009 season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Ex-Clemson starting LB Brandon Maye moves on to Miss. St.

Brandon Maye has found himself a new collegiate home. The linebacker confirmed to Scout.com Monday night that he’s decided to take his talents to Mississippi State and the SEC. Maye chose the Bulldogs over offers South Carolina, Memphis and Southern Miss.

“I am going to Mississippi State,” said Maye. “One of the main reasons I picked Mississippi State was because of their sports administration program. Mississippi State is a place I can go and achieve some things I really want out of life like working in sports when I am done playing football. “With Coach Mullen there things are really on the upswing. They won nine games last year and we want to build on that this year. It was a real easy decision for me and I am happy about being a part of the program.” Maye said he will play middle linebacker for the Bulldogs. One of the main reasons Maye reportedly left Clemson was because he had been moved from middle to weakside linebacker.

Of the 35 games he played in with the Tigers, Maye started 33 of them. Maye, a redshirt junior last season, will be eligible to play immediately as he will enroll in a grad program not offered at his former school.