College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

[Trace Fields]

Georgia head coach Mark Richt announced two pieces of news Friday as his team officially reported for the 2007 season. Sophomore center Ian Smith, who was facing a five-game suspension due to a two alcohol-related arrests, is quitting the team for medical reasons, Richt said. Also, starting tight end Tripp Chandler and third-string quarterback Blake Barnes have been suspended for the first game of the season after a misdemeanor alcohol arrest during the offseason.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Florida St: INJURY UPDATE: DT Paul Griffin (knee), LB Derek Nicholson (knee), LB Marcus Ball (knee), LB Anthony Kelly (shoulder) and S Anthony Houllis (knee) missed all or most of last season. All are expected to be ready when camp opens. Sophomore DE Kevin McNeil, who sustained a broken ankle in an offseason automobile accident, is about 80 percent.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

disregard

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Georgia Tech will run an offense designed to fit Bennett's strengths as a pocket passer and Choice's running skills, not one centered around getting the ball to Johnson and exploiting defenses with Ball's scrambling ability.
The Jackets' first-year offensive coordinator, John Bond, is convinced Bennett is the real deal. "It wasn't a fluke that he put up big numbers in the bowl game," Bond said. "Taylor can play. The thing is, he just hasn't played. But as far as I'm concerned, that's all he is lacking is game experience. He can make all the throws. He's a good leader. If Taylor Bennett plays up to his potential, he can be an outstanding quarterback.
"And I'm expecting that to happen."

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

FROM AJC (By Matt Winkeljohn): First and foremost, if you asked me what has jumped out at me in two days of practice, I would say that Taylor Bennett is making some very impressive throws. LB Gary Guyton picked one off late in practice today, and it was both a nice play by Gary and a poor throw, but one of very, very few.
Bennett is throwing into tight spaces, especially on the sidelines, and putting nice pace on his touch throws, too. I’m not talking about good throws, but some great throws. Hate to gush because it’s not really my style, but yowzer! — S Jamal Lewis is off to a flying start. He’s the only safety capable of covering consistently in space, no small shock since he’s a former CB and may play there yet again this year win the nickel back role. (Might Joe Gaston take his safety spot in those situations?)

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

NC State: The Pack's depth chart took a big hit last week when starting tight end Anthony Hill had knee surgery that will keep him out for the season. That leaves ex-QB Marcus Stone, who had 25 snaps at tight end last season, No. 1 at the position entering preseason practice.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

UNC: Only 6-8 starters defined, But as the Tar Heels began fall practice on Friday, Davis fielded something that may be better for the long-term success of his program: youth. Of UNC's 85 scholarship players, 62 are underclassmen, and more than half have never played in a college game.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Last year, Tom O'Brien listed Wake as the surprise team in the ACC, this year Tom listed that team as NC State.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Wake: Eric Berry, expected to vie for the starting middle linebacker job at Wake Forest, was ruled academically ineligible Monday and will miss the season. Berry, a 6-foot-1, 288-pound redshirt junior, will remain enrolled at school in the fall but will not take part in any football activities. He could return for the 2008 season. Berry played in all 14 games last year, including one start. He made 26 tackles -- including four for a loss -- and had three sacks.
Berry was a candidate to replace last season's leading tackler, Jon Abbate, who turned pro.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Fresno State: Hyped DE Chris Lewis was suspended from the team for the fall semester Tuesday.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

La Monroe: Injury Update: Senior offensive lineman Joseph Joseph (back) - medical retirement; junior wide receiver J.J. McCoy (Achilles) - out for
season; junior linebacker Chance Payne (knee) - 1-2 weeks; redshirt
freshman offensive lineman Doug Stroud (knee) - 6-8 weeks

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

BYU: Mendenhall acknowledged that sophomore wide receiver Nate Hutchinson, junior defensive lineman Kyle Luekenga, junior defensive back Chris Warner and junior college transfer offensive lineman Levi Mack would all miss the 2007 season after summer surgeries.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

San Diego St: San Diego State senior offensive lineman Peter Manuma, who transferred from Long Beach City College last year, is academically ineligible and has left school, Aztecs coach Chuck Long said yesterday. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Manuma, who emerged from spring drills as the projected starter at left guard, did not play last season. He entered spring drills as the backup at center to redshirt freshman Trask Iosefa, but had positioned himself to become the starter at left guard. Junior Mike Schmidt, who started two games last season, will likely enter fall camp as the No. 1 candidate at the position.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Colorado St: Secondary coach James Ward couldn't be happier. Pagnotta is the play-making safety all coaches love, and Pagnotta, he said, is just coming into his own. "The mental side of the game is his strongest asset," Ward said. "He understands the game, and he makes plays when he has the chance. He's back stronger than ever." Right now, however, Pagnotta is missing one of his greatest assets: fellow starting safety Klint Kubiak, who still is recovering from summer surgery on his upper leg. Kubiak, who led the Rams last year with 90 tackles, is doing some light running but might not be ready in time for the Rams' Sept. 1 opener against CU.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Arkansas: Like most of his Arkansas teammates, senior defensive tackle Marcus Harrison was fired up and ready to go Saturday as the Razorbacks went through their first preseason practice.

Unlike most of his teammates, though, Harrison still has no idea when he'll actually be ready to play in a live game.

After suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the first week of spring practice, Harrison was considered a serious question mark to be ready for the Sept. 1 season opener against Troy. Still, the senior from Little Rock was out on the field Saturday and even participated in several drills. That doesn't mean Harrison is any closer to returning. "I'm not going to give any time estimate or anything like that," Harrison said. "But as far as my knee, it feels real good. It feels real strong, but as far as my cutting ability and everything else we've just got to get more work in."
Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring said any questions about Harrison's return at this point are pointless. Herring is already counting the projected starting defensive tackle as out for

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

With Georgia tight end Tripp Chandler serving a one-game suspension for the opener against Oklahoma State, the line of candidates to replace him as starter include NaDerris Ward, Coleman Watson and freshman Bruce Figgins.
It also might include guys like Mohamed Massaquoi, A.J. Bryant and Brannan Southerland, coach Mark Richt said Saturday.
"Our tight end situation especially the first ballgame has a little bit of unrest," Richt said as Georgia opened preseason practice with a three-hour workout.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Virginia Tech offensive tackle Ed Wang suffered a broken left ankle Sunday afternoon during the football team's fourth practice of the young season. According to assistant athletic trainer Chad Hyatt, Wang was rolled up on in practice and suffered a fractured fibula. He will have surgery Sunday night at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. Team physician Dr. Marc Siegel will perform the surgery. At that time, Siegel will evaluate the ligament damage. Hyatt expects Wang to be out 6-10 weeks.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Andy Roof, who started five games on the Washington State University offensive line last season and was projected as the starting right guard heading into fall camp, was suspended from the team for the 2007 season for alcohol-related violations.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Stanford was dealt an early setback on the defensive side of the ball when starting strong safety Bo McNally broke his hand in a summer drill a week ago. McNally could be out four to six weeks.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

The timing of Loomis' departure couldn't be worse for OSU coach Mike Riley. Had Loomis made the decision after last season or last winter, the Beavers could have recruited another punter. Now they apparently will go with kicker Alexis Serna.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Derrell Hand, 20, a University of Notre Dame defensive end/nose tackle, was arrested and jailed Thursday afternoon for allegedly propositioning a prostitute. Hand, who was suspended indefinitely from the team Friday, was released from the St. Joseph County Jail on $250 bond Thursday. A junior from Philadelphia, Hand was expected to compete for a starting spot or to be a key reserve at defensive end, even though he had not seen action during his first two seasons at ND.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Navy: Johnson said almost all of the players are healthy. The only significant exception is junior starting cornerback Rashawn King, who had offseason shoulder surgery and is questionable to play in the opener.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Memphis: What's not known throughout the league is what could make the UofM a bowl team again, West said. The Tigers are expected to receive a boost from an infusion of junior college talent, among them receiver Steven Black, offensive tackle Brent Todd, defensive lineman Freddie Barnett and linebacker Tommy Phelps. And the Tigers should benefit from senior quarterback Martin Hankins' second year in the system, the emergence of sophomore receiver Duke Calhoun and solid offensive and defensive lines. "I don't know if the team that's been picked to win our league has won it in the last three years," West said. Central Florida was picked to win the East last year, but finished fourth in the division. The Knights were 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the division. Tulsa was the preseason West Division pick in 2006, but finished third behind Houston and Rice. "Somebody in this league has usually (broken) out each year," West said, recalling UCF's emergence as East champion in 2005 after a winless '04. "You can (drastically) change your team in the offseason. "The makeup of our team is really different, with the mid-year signees, a couple of transfers and six new coaches. We're a different team. How do you handicap a team like that? It's really hard." In addition to junior college transfers like Black, Todd, Barnett and Phelps, the Tigers will get their first looks at two transfers from Southeastern Conference schools. Former Ole Miss defensive back Dontae Reed enters camp next month atop the depth chart at strong safety, and former Auburn DB Tony Bell is listed as the No. 2 free safety. "Where do you pick a team that has six new coaches -- all three coordinators are new -- eight junior college signees, two transfers ... you just don't know," West said.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

East Carolina: Holtz confirmed that senior defensive lineman Wendell Chavis was no longer with the program, at least for this season. Holtz said Chavis will serve a season-long suspension, but did not specify whether it was disciplinary in nature. He also confirmed sophomore offensive lineman Cory Dowless, who was promising enough to earn eight consecutive starts as a true freshman at left guard, is also missing from camp.
According to Holtz, Dowless is addressing personal issues and said he hoped Dowless would be able to return to the team.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Southern Miss took another hit along along its rebuilding offensive line after redshirt freshman guard Micah Brown aggravated a foot injury Friday that had kept him out of spring practice and most of USM's offseason training program. "We're going to X-ray him Monday," USM coach Jeff Bower said.
Brown, who was on crutches Saturday morning, had missed the spring after breaking a bone in his foot, then remained sidelined for most of the summer when the foot became infected. Brown's potential absence further complicates the rebuilding of USM's offensive line. Sophomore Ryan Hebert, who came out of the spring as the starting right guard, will miss at least three weeks after spraining his knee last week in an off-field mishap.

Johdrick Morris is among a group of underclassmen who will be asked to help bolster a USM receiving corps thinned by the loss of three seniors and the dismissal this summer of sophomore Rodney Gray. Morris, redshirt freshmen Torris Magee, Ralph Turner and Ryan Ellis and sophomore Gerald Baptiste will join returning veterans Chris Johnson, Ed Morgan and Chris Rhoden in the mix at a position that has weighed on the mind of USM coach Jeff Bower. "That's probably my major concern on offense," Bower said. "We're going to have to get some young kids ready to play." Johnson is USM's leading returning wideout, posting 23 catches for 253 yards, with a team-high five touchdown catches. After Johnson, Morgan was next among the returnees with just seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. "Johdrick, Torris Magee, they've just got to. They're going to play," Bower said. "Then, you want to see guys like Ralph Turner and Ed Morgan step up. Other than Chris Johnson, nobody's played much."

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Syracuse: Projected starting tailback Brinkley, who rushed for 571 yards and scored two touchdowns last season, said his left knee "feels like it's 100 percent." He said his right knee is "probably 75-80 percent . . . there's a little stiffness. I feel like it's healed. It doesn't hurt. It's just a little stiff. As I get going, it loosens up." There's some anxiety about the tailback spot. There are questions about Brinkley's durability. The Orange has lost co-starter Delone Carter, who dislocated his hip in the spring, for the season. Robinson remains confident in the abilities of his tailback unit. Junior Paul Chiara is the primary backup. Chiara, a junior, is often the most overlooked player in the backfield. Chiara said he doesn't notice the snub because he knows what's taking place on the practice field.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Syracuse University junior tight end Tom Ferron, who led the Orange in pass catches last season, has quit the team.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Cinci: The Bearcats were trying during a sizzling hot practice Friday. Quarterback Ben Mauk made an appearance, and although he drew praise from Kelly and Nakamura, it was clear that Mauk, who dislocated his shoulder last season while at Wake Forest, needs to increase his arm strength.
Dustin Grutza, who enters workouts as the starting quarterback, played effectively and gave no reason why he couldn't continue in that role when the Bearcats open their season.

TF: Mauk's shoulder is toast.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Louisville: 1. The offensive line An already thin unit has seen its depth whittled by key losses. Marcel Benson had claimed the starting right guard job until he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart condition that affects the electrical signals sent to ventricles, at the end of spring practice. Kragthorpe said yesterday that Benson will not be able to play this season; the school will seek a medical redshirt for the fifth-year senior from Las Vegas.
One of Benson's backups, senior Marcus Gordon, left the team in the spring. And Kragthorpe has dismissed Jeremy Baker, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound redshirt freshman, for undisclosed reasons. Sophomore Mike Donoghue is penciled in as the starter at right guard, but Kragthorpe said there will be plenty of competition for that spot. "We are a little bit thin right now numbers-wise and as far as guys with experience," Kragthorpe said. "We need to get those guys in as many game situations as we possibly can over the next four weeks."

2. The secondary
No other unit was hit as hard by graduation, as the defensive backfield lost senior starters William Gay and Gavin Smart at cornerback and safety Brandon Sharp. The secondary was torched by the offense during most of spring practice before coming up with four interceptions in the Red-White game. The Cards will need players such as Rod Council, Bobby Buchanan, Travis Norton and Brandon Heath to step into much larger roles this season.
"We're a young group, but we're physical and tough, and we have talent," Council said. "We will make plays."

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Rutgers: And with a blitz-happy coach like Rutgers' Greg Schiano, it becomes even more vital. So the lack of experienced bodies at the position is something that gives the coach serious concern, particularly after Dimitri Linton's recent departure from the team because of a serious groin injury. "We're a little thin at corner," Schiano said. "(Linton) figured into our secondary plans." To fill out the backup positions, the coaching staff is taking a closer look at Leslie Jackman at corner while seeing who can hold the fort at safety with the injury to Zaire Kitchen. With the freshmen still adjusting, the most surprising competitor is redshirt sophomore Billy Anderson, a walk-on who has been getting reps with the second team. His unexpected departure leaves Leslie Jackman, coming off ACL knee surgery, and promising true freshman Al-Majid Hutchins as the only scholarship corners to back up starters Jason and Devin McCourty.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

The Pitt football program suspended sophomore safety Elijah Fields for the season for a violation of team policy. A Duquesne High School graduate and one of the state's most heavily recruited players from the high school Class of 2006, Fields played in eight games as a true freshman for the Panthers last season, mainly on special teams.

The much-anticipated competition for Pitt's starting quarterback position appears to have ended before training camp started. That's because highly regarded freshman Pat Bostick has left Pitt and returned home. It was made clear yesterday that Bostick, who is from Manheim Township High School, has not quit the team nor is he being disciplined and that coaches are hopeful he will return in the near future. Bostick's departure means that junior Bill Stull is now clearly in the driver's seat to win the starting job. Stull, from Seton-LaSalle, likely was going to be the starter, but Bostick was going to be given every opportunity to win the job as a true freshman. The other player involved in the competition -- and the Panthers' only other scholarship quarterback -- is redshirt freshman Kevan Smith, who fell behind Stull in spring practice and is raw in a number of areas.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

UConn wide receiver Brandon McLean, suspended from the team since April 23, has been dismissed from the university. McLean's dismissal was announced Friday in a press release that included a position change for sophomore running back Robert McClain, the departure of sophomore guard Andrew Presnell of Middletown, Md., who quit the team after playing in two games last year, and cornerback Darren McKhan's intention to transfer. McKhan, of Miami, was redshirted last year.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Colorado: CU also will have a new quarterback. Cody Hawkins, a redshirt freshman who ran the scout team last fall, is competing for the starting job with junior-college transfer Nick Nelson. Last year's starting quarterback, senior Bernard Jackson, was moved in the spring to a "slash" role and will play mostly at wideout or running back. The only disappointing news in the offseason was the loss of two highly touted junior-college transfers. Running back P.T. Gates, whom Hawkins compared to Reggie Bush in terms of explosiveness, failed to qualify academically and plans to enroll at CU in January. Defensive end Drew Hudgins, a sack specialist, ruptured an Achilles tendon during summer conditioning and might be out for the season. Sophomore linebacker Michael Sipili, 19, was suspended indefinitely from the team after an arrest Wednesday on charges of second-degree assault and criminal mischief. The arrest came after a fight in June. Sipili was out of jail on bond. Chris Perri, a sophomore defensive tackle, will be suspended for the first three games. Perri, 20, allegedly had a role in the same fight. He also was arrested in July after police said he fought with teammate Taj Kaynor, a 21-year-old defensive tackle, who was suspended for one game.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

A bad knee will apparently sideline Iowa State linebacker Adam Carper this season.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Texas: Sergio Kindle and Henry Melton, two backups on defense, will miss the first three games of the season as punishment for separate DWI arrests in June, Brown said.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Kansas State: Juco lineman Eldridge Sims probably won't, though. "It doesn't appear that Eldridge Sims is going to make it, and we've got some questions about some other players," Prince said. Sims, of Compton (Calif.) College, signed a letter of intent with the Wildcats in December, but he wasn't listed on the roster K-State released Saturday.

Kansas: Two Kansas University football players who were projected starters on the post-spring depth chart are now injured and not practicing. Defensive tackle Todd Haselhorst (back by CMU?) was injured during the last week of summer conditioning, while cornerback Kendrick Harper was hurt on the first day of practice Friday. Neither was in attendance at Sunday’s workout. But experienced junior college transfers Patrick Resby and Kendrick Harper are slated to see significant playing time and the Jayhawks' young defensive backs are one year older and wiser.
Though Harper sustained an injury on the first day of fall practice and could be sidelined until early October, the defensive backfield is full of potential starters. A handful of young cornerbacks — including freshman Chris Harris and sophomore Anthony Webb — are competing for the starting cornerback job. Though Harris is just a true freshman, Mangino said he might see the field early in the season.

Mangino didn’t come out and say that QB Reesing is the front-runner, and KU’s sixth-year coach said there was no deadline to pick one. But it was obvious that Reesing has impressed between the spring and preseason workouts, which continue with the first two-a-day today. “Reesing has made some strides,” Mangino said. “A lot of it has to do with the fact that he’s probably dropped 20 pounds, and he’s gained a lot of strength, and he’s zipping the ball with more spin than he ever has.” Meier and Reesing both have good throwing arms, though the 6-foot-3 Meier is bigger and faster than the 5-10 Reesing. Still, Reesing showed serious ability in flashes last season, compiling 204 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Nevada center Dominic Green is expected to miss seven weeks with a broken foot. Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault said Monday that Green, a second-team all-Western Athletic Conference pick at tackle last year, was injured two weeks ago. The coach said Green would definitely miss Nevada's first two games, at Nebraska on Sept. 1 and at Northwestern on Sept. 8.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

Fresno St: Two plays into Saturday's scrimmage, Fresno State lost one of its top players on defense when starting linebacker Ahijah Lane went down with a knee injury. Lane is expected to miss the entire season with two ruptured patella tendons, Hill said.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

NmexSt: projected starter A.J. Harris' future remains up in the air. Harris is awaiting his pre-trial hearing from an Aug. 8 incident in which Harris allegedly hit a former girlfriend and caused significant damage to her house, which resulted in a misdemeanor battery charge. Harris' punishment will be left up to Mumme and the coaching staff.

 

[Trace Fields]

Re: College News & Notes thread, DO NOT RESPOND, thx!

San Jose St: when defensive end Justin Cole suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights in March, it was feared he might be lost until at least midseason - if not for the entire season. But Cole participated in all the drills Tuesday after receiving clearance from team doctors a day earlier. "They said I wasn't going to be ready until October at least, but I stayed with it," said Cole, who was second on the team with four sacks last season as a freshman. "I'm just excited to be out here with my teammates. They are still going to be a little cautious, but I know my body and how far to push it." Also back is tailback Yonus Davis, who missed spring camp because of academic issues. Davis, who rushed for 1,000 yards last season, assumed his usual spot in the No. 1 offense and looked sharp running and catching passes.