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Southeastern Conference Post-Spring Football Notes

Posted: April 29, 2009
The last of the spring football practices have just concluded in the Southeastern Conference. Excitement for the 2009 SEC football season is at a fever pitch. One example of that are the attendances at annual spring football games on the 12 institutions campuses this year. More than 450,000 fans watched the annual spring games, with an average attendance of 37,936. Last year, the SEC spring games drew a total of 373,232 or an average of 31,103 fans per game. Five schools drew record crowds for its spring games in 2009 - Auburn (45,381), Florida (65,000), Georgia (42,458), Ole Miss (28,357) and Mississippi State (31,606).


Alabama Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Alabama returns nine starters on its highly-touted defense, which ranked third nationally in total defense (263.5) a year ago and second against the rush (74.14 ypg). The Tide brings back six of their front seven, including all four linebackers. UA also returns 13 of its top 15 tacklers from 2008 with middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who recorded a team-high 95 tackles in 2008, leading the way.

  • The Tide must replace seven starters on the offensive side of the ball and many of those seniors were three and four-year starters who really proved their worth in terms of leadership in 2008. However, spring practice saw the Alabama offense come together under the guidance of junior quarterback Greg McElroy and the play-making ability of sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones. A talented, yet inexperienced, offensive line also began to come together during spring drills with returning starters Mike Johnson and Drew Davis.

  • Alabama once again led the Southeastern Conference in spring game attendance with 84,050 showing up at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the 2009 A-Day Game. A national television audience on ESPN watched as the Crimson Tide showcased Nick Saban's 2009 squad. It was the second-highest A-Day Game attendance mark in school history and the second-highest nationally this spring.

  • Quarterback Greg McElroy and wide receiver Marquis Maze sparked the offenses during the A-Day Game and shared the Dixie Howell Memorial Award as the Most Valuable Players of the A-Day Game. Maze finished with 134 all-purpose yards, including five receptions for 87 yards and two rushes for 47 yards, while McElroy threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

  • Alabama's defensive leaders Rolando McClain and Terrence Cody are already showing up on the national radar. McClain and Cody have been named to the watch lists for the Lott Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award. The Lott Trophy goes to the college football's defensive impact player of the year while the Lombardi Award is given to the nation's top down lineman or linebacker.

  • Julio Jones produced one of the most impressive rookie seasons in school history in 2008 with 58 receptions for 924 yards and four touchdowns and his first spring with the Tide appeared to be no different. The physically gifted wide receiver with tremendous hands, break-away speed and the ability to break tackles made 12 receptions in three spring scrimmages for 183 yards and three touchdowns.

  • Senior cornerback Javier Arenas has proven to be one of the most dangerous return men in the country. The All-SEC performer is Alabama's career leader in punt returns yards in a game, season and career as well as the school and SEC leader in career touchdowns. Arenas is also the active NCAA leader in career punt returns, punt return yards and punt return touchdowns. Arenas' 13.54 yards per punt return also ranks first on the Alabama career chart, just ahead of Harry Glimer.

  • For the second straight year the Alabama Crimson Tide will open its season at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Tide beat Clemson 34-10 to begin its march to the 2008 SEC Western Division title and an appearance in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. In 2009, UA will open with preseason top-10 pick Virginia Tech, who is coming off of an ACC Championship and a win in the FedEx Orange Bowl.

  • University of Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced this spring a plan for the expansion of Bryant-Denny Stadium's South End Zone. The project will add more than 9,000 seats and 36 skyboxes to raise the stadium's capacity to approximately 101,000. That capacity would make the stadium the nation's fifth-largest college football venue based on 2008 NCAA figures regarding seating capacities at major college stadiums

  • The Crimson Tide had four players selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Andre Smith was first off the board, taken with the sixth pick of the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Glen Coffee was the first of three UA players taken in the third round, going with the No. 74 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers. Center Antoine Caldwell followed with the No. 77 overall selection by the Houston Texans. Safety Rashad Johnson followed when the Arizona Cardinals selected the former walk-on with the 95th overall pick.

  • Alabama's 2009 recruiting class was once again rated as one of the best in the nation. The class was ranked No. 1 nationally by Rivals.com and No. 2 by ESPNU. The Tide signed five Parade All-Americans, three members of the USA Today All-America team and two members of the EA Sports All-America team. Seven of the Crimson Tide's commitments played in the U.S. Army Prep All-America Game and two others participated in the Under Armour Prep All-Star Game.

    Arkansas Post-Spring Football Notes

  • In his post-spring press conference, head coach Bobby Petrino stated if the Razorbacks were to open the season today Ryan Mallett would be the starting quarterback and Tyler Wilson would play the first series of the second quarter. Coach Petrino has previously used this strategy in his coaching career. He became acquainted with the approach from Coach (Howard) Schnellenberger who used it at Miami (Fla.) and Louisville. Mallett (RS-So., 6-7, 248) transferred to Arkansas from Michigan where he was 3-0 as a starter. Wilson (RS-FR., 6-2, 202) appeared in two games in 2008 (Alabama, Texas). Mallett also handled a portion of the punting duties for the Razorbacks in spring drills.

  • Immediately following UA's spring game, work began on installing a synthetic playing surface in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Private gifts to the Razorback Foundation specifically for the field will fund the entire estimated $1.1 million project. Arkansas based general contractor Kinco Constructors was selected in anticipation of securing the funds and will work in consultation with the University of Arkansas to select a turf manufacturer.

  • John L. Smith joined the Arkansas coaching staff in January of 2009 as an assistant coach for outside linebackers/special teams coordinator. Coach Smith has 36 years of collegiate experience, including 18 as a head coach. With his addition to the Razorback staff, Smtih and Bobby Petrino have worked together on the same coaching staff at four different schools (Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Arkansas). The UA coaching staff enters 2009 with 223 years of combined coaching experience (212 on the collegiate level). Five members of the staff have been an offensive coordinator, three have been a defensive coordinator and three have been a recruiting coordinator.

  • Arkansas will play one of the most demanding schedules in the nation with contests against seven teams that reached a bowl in the 2008 season. Arkansas will renew its rivalry against former Southwest Conference foe Texas A&M on Oct. 3 when the teams meet in Arlington, Texas at the brand new Dallas Cowboys' Stadium in the inaugural Southwest Classic. The Razorbacks will be the home team in the first meeting with the Aggies since 1991, Arkansas' final year in the SWC. The Razorbacks lead the all-time series, 38-24-3.

  • Tight end D.J. Williams returns to college football this year as the only Mackey Award semifinalist in 2008 to lead his team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. In the spring of 2009, Williams was selected to represent the Razorbacks at the 2009 NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference. At halftime of the spring game, Williams was honored as part of the 2008 team awards as the Offensive Player of the Year. Following the game, he gave his trophy to a six-year-old fan (Ethan Hamilton) who suffers from spina bifida.

  • On April 2, the Arkansas football team utilized an off day from spring practice and time that was allocated for position meetings to volunteer at the Fayetteville Public Library. UA head coach Bobby Petrino initiated the community project after reading an article discussing city budget issues. The Razorbacks spent part of the afternoon cleaning, stacking books and meeting children at the library.

  • UA will again look to have a balanced attack on offense in 2009. Last year, the Razorbacks were one of four teams in BCS conferences to feature a 1,000 yard rusher and average more than 250 yards passing per game. Arkansas returns players that accounted for 99 percent of its rushing and 97 percent of its receiving yards during the 2008 season.

  • UA coaches stated that senior linebacker Wendel Davis was among those who had the strongest showing during the spring for the Razorbacks. Davis has played in 35 career games and started seven each of which came during 2008. Davis finished the 2008 season with 53 tackles and he is one of the top 10 tacklers from last year that return to the Razorbacks for 2009.

  • Arkansas lost only three players on the offense from 2008, including Jonathan Luigs and Jose Valdez from the offensive line. Guard Mitch Petrus switched from weak side to strong side and DeMarcus Love made the move from guard to tackle. Wade Grayson moved to center after starting each game in 2008 at guard.

  • Arkansas' leaders in each of the following departments are projected to return the 2009 squad: rushing, receiving, scoring, all-purpose yards, tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, pass break ups, quarterback hurries, field goals, punt returns, interceptions, kick returns, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

    Auburn Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Auburn held its first session of spring practices under first-year head coach Gene Chizik from March 24-April 19.

  • The Tigers will have new offensive and defensive schemes this fall under first-year coordinators Gus Malzahn (offense) and Ted Roof (defense).

  • Auburn's offense defeated the defense 57-31 using a scoring system devised by Tigers' coaching staff in front of a record crowd of 45,381 during the annual A-Day game April 18.

  • Ben Tate was the A-Day offensive MVP after rushing for 72 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries.

  • Michael Goggans was the A-Day defensive MVP after collecting two tackles for loss, including a sack.

  • Wes Byrum was the special team MVP on A-Day after making six extra points and a 46-yard field goal.

  • Senior first-team All-SEC defensive end Antonio Coleman had a solid spring and enters the 2009 season with 14.5 career sacks and 30 career tackles for loss.

  • Junior linebacker Craig Stevens was singled out repeatedly by Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof as one of the biggest bright spots for the defense during spring drills.

  • Among those changing positions for Auburn during the spring were Marcus Jemison, who moved from defensive back to linebacker, and Vance Smith, who switched from tight end to the offensive line.

  • Junior college transfer Eltoro Freeman moved to the top of the depth chart at weakside linebacker for the Tigers during the spring.

  • Newcomer Onterio McCalebb, who spent the 2008 season in prep school, could make an immediate contribution at tailback and scored on a 70-yard run during the A-Day game.

  • The battle for the starting quarterback race for the Tigers remains tight between junior Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle. The two split reps throughout the spring. Chris Todd, whose participation was limited due to offseason shoulder surgery, is also in the mix.

    Florida Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Florida accomplished their number one goal in spring practice: to develop depth and competition at every position...due to injuries, young players were given the opportunity to step up all over the field, and they took advantage.

  • The Gators have experimented with an I-formation package this spring, using fullbacks T.J. Pridemore and Rick Burgess to try and open bigger holes for the running backs...it has also moved the quarterbacks under center, something that has been absent from Meyer's offense while at Florida.

  • UF may also utilize a 3-3-5 defense in the fall, with the plethora of talent they have at linebacker and in the secondary, it will be hard to keep them of the field...all 11 starters are back from last year's team and all but one player from the two-deep depth chart against Oklahoma returns.

  • Sophomore Matt Patchan has moved back to the offensive line after playing on the defensive line as a freshman...Patchan was one of the nation's highest-rated offensive lineman coming out of high school in 2008, and he will compete for playing time at one of the tackle spots in the fall.

  • Several players have stepped up this spring and are expected to play bigger roles in the fall:

          * Jon Bostic, LB, Fr. - an early enrollee has impressed coaches and teammates with his professional approach to the game and hard work ethic...Coach Meyer has been impressed to the point that he has already said Bostic will not redshirt and is competing for a starting spot, an impressive feat considering that linebacker is one of the deepest positions on team.

          * John Brantley, QB, R-So. - although he is not going to overtake Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback, Brantley has made the development that everyone expected from him under new quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler...he has "looked like a Florida quarterback," according to head coach Urban Meyer.

          * Aaron Hernandez, TE, Jr. - stepped in last fall as the starter when Cornelius Ingram went down with a torn ACL...this spring he has been the favorite target of Tim Tebow and will likely be the Gators leading receiver next year.

          * Jaye Howard, DT, R-So. - Howard has bulked up since he came to Florida as a defensive end and coaches have moved him to the inside...he has earned praise from coaches for his work ethic and will become a valuable part of the defensive line rotation in the fall.

          * Omar Hunter, DT, R-Fr. - after suffering several injuries last fall and being forced to redshirt, Hunter is in the best shape of his young career and is showing the potential that everyone thought he had coming out of high school...he has been playing with the first-team defense most of the spring due to injuries along the defensive line, but he doesn't look out of place at all and gets constant pressure up the middle.

          * Sam Robey, C, R-Fr. - a redshirt-freshman who missed last season after a knee injury during camp sidelined him...has gone from being the third-string center to starter this spring, allowing All-SEC C Maurkice Pouncey to move to guard.

          * Christopher Scott, RB, R-Jr. - a walk-on running back that joined the team in the spring of 2008, Scott has been seeing extensive action due to the lack of depth this spring at the tailback position...his hard work has paid off and he is forcing coaches and teammates to take notice, with Coach Meyer saying "he's going to play for us somewhere, it might be fullback, it might be running back."

    Georgia Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Fifth-year senior Joe Cox solidified his position as the starting quarterback as Matthew Stafford left early for the NFL. In the spring game, Cox was 9-for-16 for 105 yards. Behind Cox, the Bulldogs have sophomore Logan Gray and a pair of freshmen who enrolled early to go through spring drills in Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger. Both freshmen quarterbacks were part of the Elite 11 Class by ESPN RISE/EA Sports. In the spring game, Gray was 9-of-13 for 91 yards.

  • Sophomore defensive end Justin Houston emerged as a pass-rushing threat with a solid spring performance capped by a three-sack performance in the annual spring game. Houston was a dominating force in all three Bulldog scrimmages. The Statesboro native tallied 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 13 games last season including one start.

  • A.J. Green led the SEC with 963 yards receiving last year as a freshman. Along with Green, Michael Moore, who snagged six catches for a career-high 97 yards and a touchdown in the Capital One Bowl, will be the top targets for the Georgia passers in 2009. Senior split end Kris Durham will miss the 2009 season due to a shoulder injury. He is expected to return in time for spring practice in 2010 as a fifth-year senior. In his career, he has 32 receptions for 450 yards and one TD.

  • Sophomore Caleb King and redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas got the most extensive action at tailback as the Bulldogs look to replace Knowshon Moreno. In the spring game, Thomas scored the lone TD by the offense, a 20-yard scamper on the final play of the game. He finished with 59 yards on eight carries while King had 22 yards on seven carries. In the fall, three additional Bulldogs will be added to the competition at that spot in a healthy sophomore Richard Samuel, redshirt freshman Dontavious Jackson and highly touted freshman Washaun Ealey.

  • Georgia returns one of its team leaders in senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens. He missed almost all of the 2008 season after tearning an ACL in the season opener. Owens, who was limited during the spring, joins All-SEC defensive tackle Geno Atkins and fellow senior lineman Kade Weston on the Bulldogs' defensive interior as they look for a spike in sack production.

  • The Bulldog defense looks to have an infusion of talented newcomers after a fine spring and spring game. Some of the spring standouts included sophomore Nick Williams (WLB), Charles White (MLB), redshirt freshmen Christian Robinson (LB) and defensive backs Baccari Rambo, Makiri Pugh and Sanders Commings. In the spring game, Robinson, Williams and Rambo had team-high five tackles apiece.

  • Fifth-year senior Marcus Washington (MLB/DE), who missed all of 2008 due to a shoulder injury, enjoyed a productive spring. He displayed some pass-rushing skills along with solid play at linebacker. In the spring game, he registered three sacks from the defensive end position.

  • Georgia's offensive line looks to return to full strength for the 2009 campaign as it gets guards Chris Davis and Jonathan Owens and tackles Trinton Sturdivant, Vince Vance, and Josh Davis back from various surgeries. Offensive line coach Stacy Searels experimented with several players at multiple positions in the spring with the injured players out.

  • Junior fullbacks Shaun Chapas and Fred Munzenmaier provide a couple of experienced fullbacks. Chapas has 18 carries and 12 receptions to go along with a touchdown in six career starts, and Munzenmaier has two career carries, both for touchdowns. Chapas collected 25 yards on three carries in the annual G-Day game, and Munzenmaier saw action as the number two tailback.

  • The long snapping position is open with the graduation of 2008 snapper Bo Fowler. Redshirt freshman Ty Frix, son of former Georgia lettermen Mitch Frix, looks to be the early favorite here. The competition will come from tight end Derek Rich, a transfer from the University of Connecticut. He was a backup tight end and snapper, appearing in all 12 games for the Big East co-champion Huskies in 2007. Also, he showed reliable hands at G-Day, catching two passes for 44 yards from Logan Gray.

    Kentucky Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Kentucky wrapped up spring practice on April 25 with the Blue/White Game, which featured teams split evenly by a draft. The Blue team jumped out to a 21-0 lead, then had to hold on for a 28-23 victory. Junior quarterback Will Fidler led the Blue by throwing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, including four catches for 70 yards and a TD by wide receiver Randall Cobb. All-SEC linebacker Micah Johnson and linebacker Danny Trevathan led the Blue defense with 11 tackles each.

  • Prior to the spring game, the two major spring scrimmages showed an interesting mix of results. The defense dominated the first scrimmage, then the offense was more effective in the second scrimmage.

  • UK continues to improve overall team athleticism, which was the team's biggest shortcoming when Coach Rich Brooks arrived in 2003. The Wildcats did a good job in the offseason workouts, as the team improved its strength and speed numbers as compared to the overall team conditioning results posted in 2008.

  • Two position changes on defense went very well. Senior Sam Maxwell, who moved from strongside to weakside linebacker, was a disruptive force during the spring. Sophomore Winston Guy was effective at free safety after switching from cornerback.

  • Perhaps the most intense competition in the spring was at right defensive end between sophomore Chandler Burden and redshirt freshmen Collins Ukwu and Taylor Wyndham. Burden had a pair of quarterback sacks and a QB hurry during the spring game. Junior-college transfer DeQuin Evans will add to the competition when he arrives in August.

  • UK is looking for additional contributors at tailback to provide depth alongside Alfonso Smith, Derrick Locke and Moncell Allen. One of the most pleasant developments of the spring was the play of redshirt freshman Coshik Williams. The walk-on tailback has shown the ability to get to the point of attack quickly and has notable speed downfield. He rushed for 196 yards on 36 carries in the two scrimmages and the spring game.

  • Returning starter Mike Hartline took most of the snaps as the first-team quarterback. He was bothered early in the spring with tendinitis in his throwing elbow but has recovered.

  • Randall Cobb is expected to see most of his action at wide receiver this season, but also will get playing time at quarterback in the "Wildcat" formation. In addition, the versatile sophomore could be used as a punt returner.

  • Senior Zipp Duncan moved from left guard to left tackle during the spring. The offensive line also has featured some interesting competition at the left- and right-guard slots with senior Christian Johnson and sophomores Stuart Hines and Jake Lanefski.

  • Junior-college transfer Mark Crawford, who enrolled at UK in January, is contending for a spot in the playing rotation at defensive tackle. Crawford, who has three seasons of eligibility remaining, impressed the coaches with his playing intensity and showed an ability to get to the quarterback during the scrimmages.

  • Two key offensive performers sat out the spring while recovering from injuries, senior offensive tackle Justin Jeffries and junior tailback Derrick Locke. Both players are expected to be ready to go when practice resumes in August.

  • Sophomore Ryan Tydlacka appears ready to take over full-time punting duties. He averaged 42.8 yards per punt in the Blue/White Game.

  • Kentucky will have a unique season opener in 2009. The Wildcats kick off the season Sept. 5 vs. Miami University at Paul Brown Stadium, the home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

    LSU Post-Spring Football Notes

  • LSU wrapped upspring practice with its annual spring game on Saturday, April 18. The White squad, made up of first and third-teamers, posted a 27-0 win over the Purple squad. RB Charles Scott led all players with 70 yards rushing and a pair of TDs, while QB Jordan Jefferson connected on 8-of-10 passes for 97 yards.

  • S Chad Jones and WR Trindon Holliday spent time with two sports during the spring. Jones went through all 15 spring football practices and then returned to the baseball squad; Holliday went through a handful of spring football practices while also splitting time on the track as one of the nation's premier sprinters. LSU's other dual sport football player - Jared Mitchell - concentrated on just baseball during the spring.

  • Harry Coleman, a starter a safety for LSU in 2008, moved to outside linebacker during spring drills.

  • Other significant position changes for LSU during the spring included: Chad Jones going to free safety from nickel back; Ron Brooks going from cornerback to safety; Richard Dugas going from offensive line to fullback; Deangelo Peterson from wide receiver to tight end.

  • LSU welcomed four new coaches to the staff during the spring - defensive coordinator John Chavis, defensive line coach Brick Haley, defensive backs coach Ron Cooper and tight ends coach Dan Yanowski.

  • Five signees from the 2009 class enrolled in school early at went through spring practice. Those newcomers who went through spring ball included: QB Russell Shepard, QB Chris Garrett, RB Drayton Calhoun, LB Kevin Minter and P Derek Helton. All but Helton will be true freshmen for the Tigers in 2009. Helton is a junior college transfer.

  • Sophomore CB Patrick Peterson continued to impress coaches during the spring. He, along with S Chad Jones were named the outstanding performers on the defensive side of the football during the spring. Peterson capped the spring with a 69-yard interception return for a TD on the final play of the spring game.

  • LSU's 2009 spring football awards:

    Alvin Roy Fourth Quarter Award (outstanding performance in LSU off-season program)
    Charles Scott, Rahim Alem, Richard Murphy, Chris Mitchell, Danny McCray, Joe Barksdale, Ron Brooks

    Eric Andolsek Leadership Award (outstanding leadership in spring drills - offense)
    R. J. Jackson, Josh Dworaczyk, Josh Jasper, Jordan Jefferson

    Mike Miley Leadership Award (outstanding leadership in spring drills - defense)
    Harry Coleman, Jacob Cutrera, Al Woods, Pep Levingston

    Toby Caston Performance Award (outstanding performance in spring drills - defense)
    Chad Jones, Patrick Peterson

    Ralph Norwood Performance Award (outstanding performance in spring drills - offense)
    Brandon LaFell, Ciron Black

    Most Improved Award (players who have made the most improvement during spring drills)
    Chancey Aghayere, Ryan Baker, DeAngelo Peterson, Russell Shepard, P.J. Lonergan, R.J. Jackson

    Jimmy Taylor Award (the comprehensive Spring Award for outstanding leadership, effort and performance)
    Lyle Hitt, Drake Nevis

    Ole Miss Post-Spring Football Notes

  • After an outstanding sophomore season, quarterback Jevan Snead now finds himself being mentioned with some of the nation's best returning quarterbacks. ESPN was on campus in April to include him in a five-part series the network is doing on top signal-callers back for 2009. The other four to be featured include the last two Heisman Trophy winners, Tim Tebow of Florida and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, along with Colt McCoy of Texas and Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State.

  • Senior defensive end Marcus Tillman was selected to receive the 20th annual Chucky Mullins Courage Award and will wear a No. 38 patch on his jersey this fall in honor of the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game when he was paralyzed after making a tackle against Vanderbilt.

  • Senior offensive tackle John Jerry received the J. Richard Price Courage and Compassion Award, which goes each year to a rising senior offensive lineman. The award recognizes players who demonstrate an extraordinary courage and unusual compassion in their dedication to the team and to Ole Miss.

  • Sophomore running back Devin Thomas received the Jeff Hamm Memorial Award as the Most Improved Offensive Player of spring drills, while junior defensive lineman Jerrell Powe received the Most Improved Defensive Player award.

  • Running back Brandon Bolden, quarterback Nathan Stanley and running back Devin Thomas received Scholar-Athlete Awards from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

  • With junior quarterback Jevan Snead returning as the starter, spring practice saw a spirited competition between senior Billy Tapp and redshirt freshman Nathan Stanley for the back-up role. After 15 practices, the duo will enter August practice dead even on the pre-season depth chart.

  • Finding a replacement for All-American left tackle Michael Oher was a major concentration of spring drills. Sophomore Bradley Sowell appears to have won the job. However, he could receive stiff competition this fall from the highly recruited Bobbie Massie, a 6-7, 345-pound incoming freshman.

  • After going 9-4, including a victory over Texas Tech in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, and finishing No. 14 in the final polls, one of the biggest challenges facing the Rebels in 2009 will be to handle all the pre-season hype surrounding the team. A number of early polls continue to tout Ole Miss as returning one of the nation's best teams after ending 2008 with six straight wins. The Rebels were also the only team to defeat national champ Florida.

  • Following the departure of Patrick Willis, the 2006 Butkus Award winner, the linebacker position took a major hit. However, heading into the 2009 season, head coach Houston Nutt feels that position can be a strength of the defense. Starters coming out of spring include senior Patrick Trahan, junior Jonathan Cornell and junior Allen Walker, with senior Lamar Brumfield expected to figure in the mix.

  • Once again deep at the running back position, sophomore Brandon Bolden emerged from spring competition to nail down the No. 1 spot, with last year's starter, Cordera Eason, a rising senior who finished second in rushing behind "Wild Rebel" Dexter McCluster, now No. 2 heading into the fall.

    Mississippi State Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen put his team through 15 workouts over four weeks in his first spring in Starkville.

  • In three spring scrimmages, senior tailback Anthony Dixon rushed 35 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Dixon is the school's all-time career leader in rushing attempts (645) and rushing touchdowns (30) and is 627 yards away from passing Jerious Norwood's 3,212 for the school record in rushing yards.

  • Wide receivers Leon Berry, O'Neal Wilder, Terrance Davis and Delmon Robinson each had productive spring practices in the new Bulldog spread offense. The four receivers combined for 12 receptions all season (all by Robinson) for the Bulldogs in 2008, but hauled in 22 passes for 379 yards in the Maroon-White Game alone.

  • Wilder - an outstanding 400-meter track athlete - caught four passes for 122 yards in the Spring Game and finished the spring scrimmages with nine catches for 168 yards.

  • Berry also had an outstanding spring. The junior college transfer caught 14 passes for 200 yards in the three full-speed workouts.

  • Five junior college players that enrolled in January look to have a major impact on the 2009 Bulldog lineup. Along with Berry, kicker Sean Brauchle, punter Heath Hutchins, defensive lineman Pernell McPhee and Chris White all earned starting roles in their first spring drills.

  • Brauchle and Hutchins each solidified their starting spots during the spring, with Brauchle booting a 57 yard field goal in each of the last two scrimmages.

  • McPhee was unblockable at times, reeking havoc in the offensive backfield. White posted eight tackles in the Maroon-White Game and emerged as the starting weakside linebacker for the Bulldog defense.

  • Senior quarterback Tyson Lee completed 19-of-33 passes for 251 yards and a score in the Maroon team's victory in the Spring Game. Lee improved in each scrimmage, throwing for 91 yards in the first full-team practice, 113 in the second and 251 in the Maroon-White Game.

  • Sophomore quarterback Chris Relf also progressed throughout the spring practice period. Relf completed 13-of-26 passes for 195 yards in the Maroon-White Game, improving mightily each scrimmage. The Montgomery, Ala., native finished with 351 yards passing in the three scrimmages.

    South Carolina Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Redshirt sophomore Stephen Garcia solidified his role at the starting quarterback. He went 13-for-20 for 144 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in the spring game. Redshirt freshman Reid McCollum enters the fall as the second team quarterback.

  • Senior linebacker Eric Norwood was virtually unblockable for most of the spring. The two-time All-SEC performer is a preseason All-America candidate and has already been named to the Lombardi and Lott Watch Lists.

  • Senior wide receiver Moe Brown and junior defensive end Cliff Matthews were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Spring.

  • The Gamecocks experimented with a couple of players playing both ways: junior defensive end Cliff Matthews played some tight end; sophomore defensive tackle Melvin Ingram played some fullback and freshman cornerback Stephon Gilmore played some quarterback.

  • True freshman Stephon Gilmore, who enrolled at Carolina in January, earned one of the starting cornerback positions.

  • Junior Brian Maddox is the probable starter at the tailback position, but was pushed by sophomore Eric Baker, redshirt freshman Kenny Miles and true freshman Jarvis Giles in what was a very competitive spring practice.

  • True freshman tailback Jarvis Giles had the most impressive day among the tailbacks at the spring game, carrying 12 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

  • During the spring game, the Gamecocks suffered two injuries that required surgery - junior wide receiver Dion LeCorn (broken left leg) and junior linebacker Josh Dickerson (right shoulder). Both are expected to be out 6-8 weeks, but ready for the start of fall practices.

  • Redshirt freshman T.J. Johnson had a solid spring and could be the starter at the right guard position. Johnson was considered the Most Improved Offensive Lineman.

  • Incumbent punter Spencer Lanning has the lead heading into the fall as the replacement to Ryan Succop on field goals and PATs.

  • Former defensive end Byron McKnight was moved to tight end and is listed on the second team behind junior Weslye Saunders.

  • Starting free safety Chris Culliver did not participate in any contact drills during the spring due to a shoulder injury, but is expected to be at full strength in the fall following surgery.

    Tennessee Post-Spring Football Notes

  • Tennessee introduced Lane Kiffin as its 21st head coach in a Dec. 1 press conference. Kiffin comes to the Vols as the former head coach of the Oakland Raiders and former offensive coordinator at Southern California under head coach Pete Carroll. The 33-year-old was the youngest head coach in modern NFL history and now stands as the youngest head coach in major college football.

  • To help make the transition to Knoxville and the SEC, Lane Kiffin assembled one of the most impressive assistant coaching staff's in football history. His father, Monte, takes over as Tennessee's defensive coordinator after 26 brilliant seasons in the NFL, the last 13 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Monte Kiffin was the longest tenured defensive coordinator in the NFL and, as developer of the Tampa Cover 2 defense, is generally considered one of the modern era's best defensive minds. The Vols also added Ed Orgeron of the New Orleans Saints (and formerly head coach at Mississippi) as assistant head coach, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator; Jim Chaney from the St. Louis Rams as offensive coordinator; Lance Thompson from Alabama coaching linebackers; Frank Wilson from Southern Mississippi coaching wide receivers; Willie Mack Garza from North Dakota State coaching defensive backs; Eddie Gran from Auburn coaching running backs; James Cregg from the Oakland Raiders coaching the offensive line and tight ends; and David Reaves from South Carolina coaching quarterbacks. Six of Tennessee's nine assistant coaches previously served as recruiting coordinators.

  • Safety Eric Berry enters the 2009 season just 14 yards shy of the major college record for interception return yards (501). Last season's consensus SEC Defensive Player of the Year already has broken interception return yardage records that had stood for combined 187 years, now owning records for a UT season (previously stood 37 years), UT career (39 years), SEC season (52 years) and SEC career (59 years). Berry last season became the first Tennessee player to claim All-America unanimous honors since 1990. He led the nation with 265 interception return yards, and his seven interceptions tied for tops. For his career in just 26 games, Berry has 12 interceptions for 487 return yards and three touchdowns. Interception returns for touchdowns last year came against Mississippi State (72 yards) and Vandy (45 yards), and his 2007 interception return of 96 yards at Florida tied for third-longest in UT history.

  • Never shying away from elite competition, UT's future schedules feature matchups against some of the nation's top-flight college football programs. The Vols' slated opponents through the next decade include: UCLA (2009), Oregon (2010, 2013), North Carolina (2011, 2012), North Carolina State (2012, 2013), Oklahoma (2014, 2015), Nebraska (2016, 2017) and Ohio State (2018, 2019). Tennessee's 12 opponents for 2009 posted a combined record of 86-68 (.558) in 2008. Eight of the 12 teams qualified for bowls, with five earning wins.

  • Two Tennessee football players hoping to make an impact in head coach Lane Kiffin's debut season have earned most improved spring practice honors. Senior wide receiver Quintin Hancock takes home the Harvey Robinson Award given to offensive player, while junior defensive end Chris Walker receives the Andy Spiva Award as most improved defensive stalwart. Hancock, a 6-3, 207-pounder from St. Augustine, Fla., played in 12 games last season. Included was his first career start in the finale against Kentucky. On the defensive side, Walker has caused the word "unblockable" to be a familiar adjective when describing his ability to reach the opposition backfield. Walker played in 11 games last season, contributing 15 tackles and two forced fumbles. Four of those tackles were for a combined 22 lost yards, including three sacks for minus-19.

  • Tennessee claimed its 35th straight SEC attendance crown in 2008. The Volunteers led the league and finished fourth nationally with a total attendance of 710,136 over seven games for an average attendance of 101,448.

  • According to USA Today, Tennessee's 120 NFL draft picks between 1988-2008 leads the SEC and is third nationally behind only Miami (Fla.) and Florida State. Tennessee was third in the SEC with 34 former players on 2008 opening-day NFL rosters -- this after two straight years (2005-06) atop the conference listing.

  • Lane Kiffin had only two months as head coach to put together his 2009 signing class, and he had a full coaching staff to help him for only the last three weeks before National Signing Day. Nonetheless, Kiffin and his staff assembled one of the nation's top classes, a group ranked in the top 10 in the country by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Tennessee signed 22 prospective student-athletes, including two who earned a five-star rating from one of the two recruiting services and 13 who were rated as four-star prospects. One of the five-star prospects, running back Bryce Brown was considered the No. 1 prospect in the nation by multiple recruiting publications, making him the highest-rated prospect ever to sign with Tennessee.

  • For the fourth-straight season, Tennessee was among the conference leaders with 28 football players named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. A total of 129 Vols have been selected for conference academic honors in the last five seasons, an average of almost 26 per year. The 28 Vol honorees studied 15 different disciplines and had an average GPA of 3.30. Fourteen of the 28 Vols were making at least their second appearance on the academic honor roll.

  • Tennessee has won 422 all-time games at Neyland Stadium. That is the second highest win total for any school in the nation at its current home venue. Only Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium (428 wins) has hosted more victories for its team-and Bobby Dodd Stadium (1913) opened eight years before Neyland Stadium (1921).

  • The Vols return five offensive players who started at least 10 games in 2008 and four more players who started at least six games. On defense, Tennessee has four players returning who started at least 10 games. Beyond those four Vols, the Tennessee defense returns a total of only 12 total starts from the 2008 season. Three Vols -- Eric Berry, Josh McNeil and Chris Scott -- have active start streaks longer than 20 games.

  • Since conference expansion in 1992, Tennessee owns the best interdivision record among SEC teams, going 35-15-1 (.696) against Western Division foes since the league split in 1992.

    Vanderbilt Post-Spring Football Notes

  • The Commodores will enter preseason drills returning 19 starters, including nine on both the offense and defense, from a year ago when Vanderbilt finished with a 6-6 overall record. The campaign also included four SEC victories, the most by a Commodore squad since 1982.

  • Bobby Johnson is entering the eighth year at Vanderbilt, the longest tenure by a Commodore head coach since Art Guepe served 10 years from 1953-1962.

  • Johnson departed spring practice without naming a starting quarterback. Senior Mackenzi Adams, a six-game starter last year, and sophomore and Music City Bowl starter Larry Smith expected to contend for the job along with junior Jared Funk.

  • Though sitting out spring drills recuperating from foot surgery, senior starting tailback Jared Hawkins is expected to return fully healthy for preseason camp. Juniors Kennard Reeves and Gaston Miller, and sophomores Jermaine Doster and Ryan van Rensburg took Spring Practice snaps in Hawkins' absence.

  • Versatile Jamie Graham moved to defense during spring drills, looking to secure a starting role at defensive back. Graham had 17 receptions, including three for touchdowns, as a freshman receiver in 2008.

  • All five offensive line starters from a year ago, including senior tackle Thomas Welch and senior center Bradley Vierling, participated in spring drills. Junior James Williams, a reserve in 2008, was one of the most pleasant surprises during Spring Practice, finishing as a potential starter at tackle.

  • A year removed from knee surgery, senior Alex Washington was one of the team's top receivers in spring drills. He was a standout in the featured Black & Gold Scrimmage, catching a 75-yard touchdown pass. Washington's performance bolstered a thin receiving corps that lost senior Justin Wheeler to a knee injury during the opening practice of spring. Wheeler's return for the 2009 season is uncertain.

  • Jared Hawkins was one of four Commodore starters to sit out spring drills due recovering from injury. The others were senior cornerback Myron Lewis, senior defensive end Broderick Stewart and junior linebacker John Stokes. All are expected to return healthy for preseason camp.

  • Three veteran defensive linemen, tackles Greg Billinger and Adam Smotherman, and end Steven Stone, impressed during spring drills. The trio made up the nucleus of a strong line corps that includes seven players with starting experience from a year ago.

  • Two sophomores, safety Sean Richardson and cornerback Casey Hayward, were impressive on defense during the spring. Both are trying to replace highly productive secondary starters in safety Reshard Langford and All-America cornerback D.J. Moore.

  • Music City Bowl MVP Brett Upson, a three-year starting punter, took snaps as the team's field goal kicker along with promising redshirt freshman Ryan Fowler. The Commodores must replace four-year starter and all-time team scoring leader Bryant Hahnfeldt.

  • The Commodores enter 2009 off their first postseason victory in 53 years. The 16-14 win over Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl also came in Vanderbilt's first postseason appearance since the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl.

  • Vanderbilt's 10-victory total in SEC play since 2005 is the team's most league wins in a four-year period since 1955-58.


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