Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Minutemen are coming: UMass makes the leap to the FBS
Attention citizens of Massachusetts: We interrupt your regularly scheduled sporting smorgasbord to bring you this very important local bulletin.
While Villanova football continues to drag its feet on its ascension to the Big East, its fellow basketball-loving, Colonial Athletic Association rival doesn't need to be asked twice: Massachusetts will make a "major announcement" Wednesday to officially accept an offer to join the Mid-American Conference as a football-only addition beginning in 2012. The promotion makes UMass the 14th member of the MAC and the 121st member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, n�e Division I-A.
Unlike 'Nova, there's no hangup with the venue: Minutemen will play their home games in front of many empty seats in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, soulless corporate home of the NFL's New England Patriots, which holds roughly four times the capacity of 17,000-seat Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium on the UMass campus in Amherst. (Not that the larger venue isn't occasionally worth it: The annual rivalry game with New Hampshire drew more than 32,000 to Gillette last October for a lopsided UNH win.) Even on campus, the Minutemen ranked 20th in the Championship Subdivision last year in average attendance despite the trials of a 6-5 season, and outdrew three MAC teams ? Buffalo, Akron and Ball State ? at 13,000 per game.
By FCS/I-AA standards, UMass is a power: The Minutemen have made eight playoff appearances since 1978 with three trips to the national championship game (most recently in 2006) and a national title in 1998. The MAC promises tougher sledding, but Boise State and UConn are living proof that the brass ring is out there, eventually, and it bears the inscription: Christmas in Detroit for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Welcome to the big time, guys.
Thank you, citizens of Massachusetts, for your attention to this important announcement. You may now return to brawling over who shoveled out the good parking space and pretending amateur sports ? outside of BU-BC hockey and the gambling lines on the first round of March Madness ?�do not exist.*
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* No one denies this.
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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Production company to chronicle Fredette’s NBA draft journey
Jimmer Mania has been quiet for the past month or so since BYU lost to Florida in the Sweet 16 and senior Jimmer Fredette started preparing for the NBA draft.
But all that is about to change.
According to Sports Business Daily, Fredette signed a deal with the New York-based production company Tupelo-Honey Productions, which plans to follow and chronicle Fredette as he prepares for the draft on June 23.
That's right. For the next month Fredette is allowing Tupelo-Honey to tape 100 hours of footage that will be sold in 30-minute episodes, and online and mobile vignettes.
There's only one hang up. Tupelo-Honey, which has produced everything from St. Louis Blues hockey commercials to Major League Soccer championship documentaries to ESPN domino competitions (yeah, those really exist), has yet to sell Fredette's final 30 days. But Tupelo-Honey President Cary Glotzer told Sports Business Daily that he's in discussions to sell the footage to several outlets (looking at you BYUtv).
The videos will journal Fredette picking an agent, training for the draft and planning his financial future. During the next month, Tupelo-Honey plans to produce two- to four-minute webisodes and a daily video blog. When Fredette is drafted, the company will then make a long documentary about the entire process.
So far, this is the biggest venture Fredette has stepped into since leaving BYU. His first foray into business was the Jimmer poster, which is exactly what it sounds like. For the low, low price of $14.95 (plus free shipping) Jimmer can hang on your wall for as long as the tape holds up.
The financial details of Fredette's deal with Tupelo-Honey were not disclosed, but it probably pays a little more than the posters. Regardless, Jimmer Mania is back and coming to a webisode near you.
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Headlinin’: The Fiesta Bowl justifies its BCS existence
Making the morning rounds.
? We'll take a look and get back to you. Fiesta Bowl officials were in Chicago for the weekend to plead their case to a seven-member BCS "task force," assembled in response to the self-disclosed scandal drop that put the bowl's privileged status on the BCS food chain in the crosshairs last month. Fiesta reps argued that they'd weeded out the bad seed, free-spending CEO John Junker, and "personally impressed" the task force's chairman, Penn State president Graham Spanier, with the "depths of their presentation" and "sincerity of their efforts" at reform. But the verdict on the game's place in the BCS rotation is still weeks away, after the task force's report goes in front of two more committees, by which time the NCAA may have decided whether or not it will allow the bowl to exist at all. [Arizona Republic, Associated Press]
? The Rap Sheet. Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins — still enjoying the campus scene after passing on a first-round grade in this week's NFL Draft — was arrested early Saturday morning for misdemeanor marijuana possession in downtown Gainesville, his second weed-related arrest of 2011 and third in his Gator career. Combined with charges against teammates Chris Martin and Kedric Johnson, it also gives Florida four weed-related arrests in Will Muchamp's first four months as head coach. [Gainesville Sun, Palm Beach Post]
? Take it, new kid. Ohio State fans got exactly what they wanted to see Saturday when hyped true freshman Braxton Miller led three touchdown drives in four possessions —�including a 92-yard march — in the Buckeyes' spring game, putting him in the thick of the race to take over the starting QB role while Terrelle Pryor serves a five-game suspension this fall. Of course, Miller was working a) With an extremely "simplified" playbook, b) Entirely behind the starting offensive line, and c) Against mostly non-starters on defense, and all four quarterbacks in the competition finished the game with a touchdown pass. But don't let the details ruin a perfectly good "The Future Is Now" narrative this summer. [Columbus Dispatch]
Elsewhere in Big Ten quarterback derbies, Wisconsin has officially ruled out junior Curt Phillips, who'll miss the entire regular season with lingering effects of multiple knee injuries that cost him almost all of 2010. As for the three Badger quarterbacks on display in Saturday's spring game, well, at least one of them can play the piano. [Wisconsin State Journal, Associated Press]
? Get well soon. Northern Illinois linebacker Devon Butler said Friday he's at least six months away from beginning physical therapy and will miss the entire 2011 season in recovery from a gunshot wound that left him in critical condition earlier this month. Butler was released from the hospital last week with a collapsed lung; bond for both NIU students suspected in the shooting has been set at $1 million. [Associated Press]
? Cool your jets, Hoosier. Indiana has suspended its leading returning rusher, Darius Willis, for at least one game this fall for "conduct detrimental to the team," almost certainly related to an allegation of domestic violence last month. Willis led IU in rushing as a true freshman in 2010 but missed of 2011 with a knee injury; if the suspension remains at one game, it will likely be the Hoosiers' opener against Ball State. [Indianapolis Star]
Quickly… Ardmore, Okla., celebrated "Justin Blackmon Day" in honor of its favorite son. … Kansas State plans to install the latest brand of super turf. … In defense of Dan Beebe. … Florida receiver Chris Dunkley is likely headed for South Florida. … Brady Hoke shows up at Ball State's spring game. … Remembering Atavus Stone, the man who didn't break the Orange Bowl color barrier. … A tree falls in Bristol. … And he may be just another hayseed attorney general, but Mark Shurtleff's aimin' to take down them city-slickin' BCS types a notch or two.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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Wednesday Recruitin' Comes in Pairs
You can find the 2012 offer board here.
AJ Williams and Devin Funchess Go Blue
Brady Hoke's coaching staff seems to only accept a commitment if they're able to get another commitment at the same position within a couple days (or minutes). This time, it's a pair of tight ends as Devin Funchess and AJ Williams committed back-to-back last week.
Funchess talks about how he turned into a bigtime football prospect:
"I started caring more. I used to just be out there lackadaisical. I started caring more, got bigger in the weight room and started to get better." ... "Devin has always had great potential, but the maturity between his sophomore and junior year was really amazing," [Harrison coach John] Herrington said.
Go Blue Michigan Wolverine breaks down Devin's abilities:
He runs very well for a player his size. Devin also jumps well and times his jump well catching the ball at its highest point. As pointed out, Devin uses his size and athletic ability to make difficult catches. With his length and long arms, he makes an excellent red zone target. Devin has the ability to make a difficult catch look easy.
The Wolverine Blog newcomer Jack Slice goes into awesome detail about what Funchess will do in Ann Arbor:
Funchess’ main asset on the field is his versatility, and the staff has a plan to utilize his skills... They’ll slide him in motion and have him plowing holes in the middle of the line as a fullback. They’ll use him in a traditional H-Back role. They’ll split him out wide and create mismatches with his size. Funchess (and other U Tight Ends) will be the ultimate utility player.
Tom talked to Funchess's teammate, MI DE Mario Ojemudia:
It depends on what [Devin] says to me. We've talked about playing together, but that's not the main reason I would choose to go to a college. I pretty much knew [Devin] was going to Michigan, I just didn't know when he was going to commit.
For the record, the Wolverines are in his top 3 ($, info in header).
Local commitment article for AJ Williams says that Michigan is definitely looking at him as a tight end first, tackle second. Go Blue Michigan Wolverine talks about AJ's game:
AJ is a huge high school tight end who could play either tight end or offensive tackle at Michigan. At spring camps he demonstrated excellent measuables, including a sub 5.00 second forty and recorded a 30-inch vertical. AJ also tested well in the squat and bench.
Magnus talks class fit on Touch the Banner:
The high number of offers to tight ends in this class suggests that Michigan would like to take at least two players at the position, and the skill sets of those offers tell me that they would like at least one blocking tight end and one pass receiving threat at the position. Williams is the blocking variety and has stated that the coaches want to use him to pave the way at the point of attack.
Every fanbase has "that guy," and this Arkansas messageboarder DOES NOT UNDERSTAND why any skill position player with an Arkansas offer would commit to any other school, unless they're getting paid.
For the rest of the details on Devin and AJ, check out their commitment posts.
Quarterbackin'
KY QB Zeke Pike selected Auburn over Michigan last week, so the Wovlerines have a hole to fill at quarterback in this class. There are a few uncommitted prospects remaining that hold Michigan offers:
- IN QB Gunner Kiel. One of the nation's top QBs, Michigan seems like a longshot. With Pike off the table, do they turn up the heat?
- FL QB Bennie Coney. Michigan currently in his top 5, trailing his top 2 of Notre Dame and Florida State.
- OH QB Maty Mauk. Though he wants to play in a spread offense, he has the size and skills to play in a pro-style. Michigan is in his top group.
- CA QB Jake Rodrigues. Hasn't been mentioned much, but holds a Michigan offer.
- NJ QB/Ath Devin Fuller. Not the prototypical pro-style QB, but Michigan's coaches have said he could get a shot at the position.
There are a couple as-yet unoffered QBs that may get a shot as well:
- OH QB Austin Appleby. Not terribly mobile, but he can throw it.
- OH QB Tyler O'Connor. O'Connor seems to be ahead of Appleby in the offer LINE, and he thinks he'll be getting one soon. A Michigan offer would put them among his favorites, and he wants to decide by the first week of his senior season. Michigan's coaches are in his school today.
- MI QB Brian Blackburn. His interest seems to be picking up, but he's still a little way down the list.
- IL QB Wes Lunt. Recently picked up a Wisconsin offer.
With instate phenom Shane Morris in the 2013 class, an elite signal-caller isn't an absolute necessity this year.
Assume the Position: Linebacker
Space was tight in last week's recruiting post, what with two commitments and all, so it's time to delve into linebacker recruiting going forward. Michigan currently has commitments from Scout's #2 and #9 middle linebackers (though I think Jenkins-Stone is more likely to be a SAM at the next level), and are in good position with at least a couple other guys.
How many linebackers will they take in the 2012 class? They had a pretty big haul last year, with Frank Clark, Antonio Poole, Keith Heitzman, Kellen Jones, Desmond Morgan, and Brennen Beyer. OK, that's beyond a "pretty big haul," but it's also likely that some of these guys end up at other positions. For example, Clark can play TE, Heitzman is probably a TE or DE, Beyer is almost certainly a DE, and Morgan could even play fullback.
It's clear that the staff wants at least one more LB in this class, and depending on who they can land, I think they'd take two. The most obvious candidate to land in the class is OH LB Joe Bolden, who likes Michigan a lot, is "still a major priority" ($, info in header), and could decide "at any time." He was the focus of last week's Sam Webb column in the Detroit News:
Colerain headman Tom Bolden: "Speaking as a head coach, he is a phenomenal player. He can play inside and he can play outside at the linebacker position. He covers a lot of ground, he is smart, and he can make the checks. He is a thumper. When he gets there he makes an impact. When he tackles kids, they stay tackled. Plus he carries a 3.9 GPA and is a great man off the field. I think all that makes him a great football player and a great young man."
Good lookin' out, uncle Tom. Scout's Allen Trieu:
"He has very good size, and he's a tough, hard-nosed football player," Trieu stated. "He's a classic, throwback type linebacker, but he's not just a run stuffer. He runs well and shows good ability in coverage. I think he can be an every-down linebacker and that's why so many schools are after him... Put that all together and he has a shot at playing early and often."
Ohio State hasn't offered (and apparently won't), and that means good things if he eventually suits up for the maize-and-blue:
"To me, if you didn't recruit me — and I don't like to be arrogant and full of myself — I like to prove people wrong," Bolden admitted. "I love doing it. I love talking, but also backing it up. If you've ever been in that situation, it makes it sweeter. It would definitely feel good."
I think the staff would probably also take a commitment from MI LB James Ross or PA LB Deaysean Rippy. Beyond those guys, it's tough to see any mutually-interested options.
IL LB Antonio Morrison visited Michigan for the spring game ($, info in header), and has picked up a Florida offer. MI LB Tyler Goble has visited Ann Arbor, but I have to think his best bet is a preferred walkon spot at this point. OH LB Mason Monheim was recently on campus.
Etc.
In the "who might be next" department, MI DE Matt Godin will announce a decision on May 12th. He's a lifelong Michigan fan, and the Wolverines are in his final three along with Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Michigan will offer IL CB Anthony Standifer if he performs well at Michigan's camp. He's a big CB, and what he might lack in elite speed, he makes up for with ball skills:
Michigan was the first non-MAC school to show bigtime interest, and Charles Woodson is his favorite corner.
MN OL Jonah Pirsig gets the local fluff treatment from the Pioneer Press. The way the article is written, Jerry Kill might commit seppuku if he doesn't land Pirsig. The kid currently favors Iowa.
OH DE Tom Strobel will play in the Army All-American game.
MI CB Terry Richardson has set a firm decision date ($, info in header).
OK RB Donovan Roberts holds a Michigan offer and he will decide today ($, info in header). I'd be shocked if Michigan is the selection.
Michigan seems like a longshot for MD WR Stefon Diggs, a teammate of 2011 signee Blake Countess.
OH RB Bri'Onte Dunn, currently an Ohio State commit, has softened that commitment, and may visit Ann Arbor soon.
PA RB Greg Garmon plans to visit Ann Arbor.
OH DE Pharoah Brown is making a return visit to Ann Arbor soon.
NJ S Brandon Napoleon will visit in May.
A couple new(ish) offers:
- VA DE Ken Ekanem has picked up a Michigan offer. The offer surprised him, but he might reciprocate the interest with an Ann Arbor visit this summer.
- Michigan has offered TX RB Jonathan Williams.
- Michigan has offered TX FB Dominic Ramacher.
2013
Michigan has offered OH RB Dymonte Thomas.
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Friday, April 29, 2011
Ice hockey punch-ups 'cause' brain damage
Study of fabled enforcer Bob Probert's brain highlights risks to NHL and NFL stars
Punch-ups are common in ice hockey matches, an almost obligatory part of the entertainment for spectators. But university researchers fear such brawls have damaged the brain of one of the game's most famous enforcers.
The Boston University report adds ice hockey to a list of sports with a strong risk of sustaining brain damage after examining the brain of Bob Probert, the Canadian who established a reputation in the NHL as one of the best enforcers, winning most of more than 200 fights on ice.
Researchers found he had suffered from the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
He died last year of a heart attack at 45 and his wife, Dani, donated his brain to the university, which is conducting research into brain trauma in sport. The findings will add to growing calls in the US for sports to minimise the risk of brain damage, especially among young athletes in sports such as American football.
Probert, who played with the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks, built a reputation on his fighting ability, though he was also a skilled player.
Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the non-profit Sports Legacy Institute, which is working with the university, said: "We are only beginning to appreciate the consequences of brain trauma in sports. Early evidence indicates that the historical decision not to discourage contact to the head was an enormous mistake, and we hope aggressive changes continue to be made to protect athletes, especially at youth level."
The only other hockey player who was studied was also an enforcer and also suffered from brain trauma. Nowinski acknowledged that further study, saying that Probert could have received brain trauma from incidents outside of hockey, such as a car accident.
The university's Centre for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy has studied the brains of 40 former athletes, of whom more than 30 have shown signs of CTE.
Probert said her husband wanted to donate his brain after learning about the research: "His sole motivation was to make sports safer for our children."
CTE, which was referred to as "dementia pugilistica" because it was thought to only affect boxers, is a progressive brain disease thought to be caused by repetitive trauman, including concussions or subconcussive blows, the university said.
In recent years, there has been more interest in the risk of brain trauma in American football, in particular whether safer helmets can be found.
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Return of core trio raises expectations significantly for Vandy
Quietly, Vanderbilt has been the home to one of college basketball's most stable basketball programs in recent years.
Why so quiet, though?
Well, what's kept the Commodores from moving into the elite upper crust is a lack of recent NCAA tournament success. While Vandy has made the NCAAs in four of the last five seasons, they've suffered three consecutive first-round losses ?�all to double-digit seeds ?�including last month's 69-66 setback against No. 12 Richmond.
Next season, Kevin Stallings' club will find excuses all but impossible to come by if they make another early exit in March.
On Thursday, while SEC neighbor Kentucky lost three of its top pieces as potential early entrants into June's NBA draft, Vandy retained its core trio.
Juniors Festus Ezeli and Jeffery Taylor, along with star sophomore guard John Jenkins, all announced that they'll be back for the 2011-12 campaign. Immediately, Vanderbilt becomes arguably the team to beat in the top-heavy SEC and a likely preseason Top-10 club.
Jenkins led the league in scoring (19.5 ppg) this season, establishing himself as one of the nation's more prolific outside shooters, hitting roughly three 3-pointers per game. Taylor and Ezeli combined to average 27.7 points and 11.8 boards on the front line. The Commodores' other two starters from a team that won 23 games ? seniors-to-be Brad Tinsley and Lance Gouldbourne ?�are also back.
The kicker is the addition of two impressive incoming freshman guards in Dai-Jon Parker and Kedren Johnson.
"I commend and applaud them for the intelligent and diligent way they approached this process in making their decision," Stallings said. "Their return certainly positions our team for an exciting season next year."
Added Ezeli: "We're going to be a better team next year, and we still have a lot of unfinished business. After the loss in the tournament, I can't leave on that note. There's no rush for me to want to leave."
In all honesty, each of the three probably made the wise choice in opting to come back. They all have professional careers in their futures, and recent history has proven that some NCAA tournament success will only boost their individual profiles.
It would also help take Vanderbilt's program to the next level. All of the pieces are officially in place for that to happen.
Ryan Greene also covers UNLV and the Mountain West Conference for the Las Vegas Sun. Read his Rebels coverage and follow him on Twitter.
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Hunter S. Thompson?s Vision of the Kentucky Derby Is Alive & Well
?It?s a fantastic scene, thousands of people fainting, crying...trampling each other, and fighting with broken whiskey bottles." That's how Hunter S. Thompson described the Kentucky Derby back in 1970, in his infamous essay "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved," his first journey into the gonzo journalism style he made famous. Forty-one years later, those [...]
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Headlinin’: Alabama’s quarterback questions settle in for the summer
Making the morning rounds.
? We know nothink. It's a good thing Alabama had the whole statue thing to sate the masses before Saturday's "A-Day" scrimmage, because the 92,000 who poured into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the game itself got nothing on the ongoing quarterback battle: Sophomore A.J. McCarron and redshirt freshman Phillip Sims ended the spring just as they began, deadlocked for the starting job. At least the teams is unified about the split:
? "I thought both of the quarterbacks showed some promise in terms of making good decisions." —�Coach Nick Saban.
?�"I feel great about either one of them. Whoever it'll be, we'll support them and block for them." — Offensive lineman Barrett Jones.
? "I think both would do a great job. Whatever quarterback we have, we're going to be great." — Wide receiver Brandon Gibson.
?�"I'm confident with both of them." — Tailback Trent Richardson.
Towering statues of glorious leader, an unflappable party line and victory of the Crimson over the White: The People's Republic remains a beacon of victory and strength. [TideSports.com, Huntsville Times]
Elsewhere, neither of Miami's dueling quarterbacks, Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris, did anything over the weekend to separate themselves as the fall starter, either. But they did bring a regular season atmosphere to the spring game by serving up two interceptions apiece. [Miami Herald]
? His first touchdown and first Pelini tongue-lashing, on the same day? Kid's really coming along fast. Nebraska's long search for a legitimate big-play threat on offense has a legitimate new candidate in true freshman Jamal Turner, who lit up the Cornhuskers' spring game Saturday with a 59-yard punt return, a 54-yard kickoff return and 93 yards on four catches, including a 50-yard touchdown catch that electrified the crowd and incurred coach Bo Pelini's wrath after Turner punctuated the score by flipping into the end zone. Remember, son: That gets called this year, and the touchdown is coming off the board. [Lincoln Journal Star]
? Making Wrigley work for us. You might have been left with the impression that last November's Illinois-Northwestern showdown in Wrigley Field was a colossal blunder, what with the untenable dimensions of the East end zone and the last-second decision to direct every offensive drive toward the West. In fact, the game (officially a Northwestern home game) was such a financial and marketing success for the Wildcats that they want to host a game in Wrigley on an annual basis —�with a few minor modifications, of course, which could include knocking down a wall by the third-base dugout and shifting the field about 10 feet to the west. [Chicago Tribune]
? Coach Ruff in fighting shape. East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill has dropped 90 pounds in a little under three months since undergoing gastric bypass surgery in January, reporting for spring practice at a shade under 300 pounds — down from an alleged 388 before the surgery. He also plans to undergo a hip replacement surgery later this month. [Associated Press]
? To the 21st Century and beyond. You think Joe Paterno's living in the past, man? His son's got some news for you:
Of course, he did it using the microwave. But who's going to audit Joe Paterno? [@JayPaterno]
Quickly… Notre Dame plans to release the results of its internal probe into the death of Declan Sullivan later today. … The Big 12's leading returning tackler breaks his arm. … Rutgers gets good news about another scary-looking injury. … The defense dominates Ohio State's last scrimmage. … Florida State's offense clearly struggled in the Garnet and Gold Game, but kicker Dustin Hopkins was 5-for-5 on field goals with a 60-yarder. … Cliff Harris is showing more maturity. … Javon Ringer isn't happy with his cousin's decision to commit to Michigan. … The Ol' Ball Coach, he's gone be gettin' a little raise. … Southern Miss is nothing if not consistent. … And on Palm Sunday, they lifted up their praise to the Tide.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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Barnes’ return makes North Carolina the likely preseason No. 1
Had forward Harrison Barnes opted to forgo his final three years of college and enter the NBA draft, North Carolina still would have possessed enough talent to be considered a Final Four contender.
Now that the highly touted freshman has decided to return for his sophomore season, the Tar Heels will almost certainly begin next season as national title favorites.
Barnes, a potential top-five pick, revealed his choice in a Monday morning release from the school. It's a surprising decision because he'd cemented his stock with a strong second half of his freshman season and because next year's draft class will likely be considerably stronger than this year's.
"I look forward to meeting the challenging journey in the NBA, but my decision on November 13, 2009, still holds true," Barnes said. "I'm focused on being a student-athlete. And my decision is to continue this part of my journey at the University of North Carolina.
"As a team, we're preparing for a special season. My off-season plans are to diligently work on honing my basketball skills in all areas with one team-goal in mind -- to bring the 2012 national championship home to UNC."
Barnes' decision to return to North Carolina makes him the third potential top-five pick this spring to pass up NBA riches and return to school. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Baylor's Perry Jones previously announced they'll be back, decisions that should make for a particularly talent-rich college basketball season next year.
No program has benefited more from such decisions this year than North Carolina, which also will have junior center Tyler Zeller and sophomore forward John Henson back even though both likely would have been selected in the first round this June. The combination of those three and heralded incoming freshman James McAdoo gives North Carolina maybe the nation's best frontcourt next season.
North Carolina's backcourt is not quite as potent, but Kendall Marshall appeared to shore up the Tar Heels' issues at point guard last year after taking over the job from Larry Drew II in January. Either combo guard Dexter Strickland or sharp shooter Reggie Bullock would be the likely candidates to start at shooting guard.
The centerpiece for North Carolina will still be Barnes, who rebounded from a slow start to his freshman season to blossom during the final two months of the season after Marshall became the starting point guard. Displaying improved shot selection, he averaged 21 points per game during the Tar Heels' NCAA tournament run to the Elite Eight.
The only way North Carolina might have some competition for the preseason No. 1 spot would be if Kentucky returned freshmen stars Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones in addition to adding a star-studded incoming class.
Knight and Jones have six days to announce their intentions. If they opt to follow in Barnes' footsteps and chase a national championship, then let the debate begin.
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Ohio State Fans Chased Kirk Herbstreit Out of Ohio, and Now, They?ve Chased Him Off Twitter
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Ballin?: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Portland All Got Eliminated
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Vikings Surprise by Taking Christian Ponder 12th; Lions Hit the Jackpot with Nick Fairley at 13
Christian Ponder, who had some shoulder injuries at Florida State, but also showed flashes of brilliance, was surprisingly taken 12th in the draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Mel Kiper repeatedly refers to Ponder as Chad Pennington-like, and one would imagine he won't have much of a problem beating out Joe Webb for the starting job [...]
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NCAA formally charges Jim Tressel with lies, coverup of OSU violations
Initially, before coach Jim Tressel was outed for essentially lying to his bosses and the NCAA, it looked like Ohio State was getting off kind of easy. In exchange for OSU's cooperation, the NCAA was willing to play good cop. It could have suspended five ineligible players who allegedly sold and/or bartered memorabilia to a local tattoo shop for the Sugar Bowl, but it didn't. It could have declared all five players retroactively ineligible and stricken all eleven Buckeye wins in 2010 from the books, along with their share of the Big Ten title, but it didn't. It could have gone after Ohio State the way it went after USC, in search of bowl bans and significant scholarship losses, but it didn't. In the wake of the sledgehammer that fell on the Trojans last summer, the punishment for Ohio State ?�a straightforward five-game suspension for four of the offending players to start the 2011 season, games the Buckeyes are likely to win, anyway ?�seemed minimal, perfunctory. Which is one of the reasons it made so many people so angry, or confused, or both.
That, of course, was before Tressel's long-running, deliberate coverup of the violations saw the light of day, and before it became clear that the NCAA ? and possibly the higher-ups at Ohio State themselves ? had been misled by one of the most respected men in the profession. What cooperation will buy you in leniency, deception will buy in retribution, and the NCAA began to extract its pound of flesh Friday with an official notice of allegations to the university.
It makes three allegations of "potential major violations," specifically:
? That, between November 2008 and May 2010, multiple student-athletes received preferential treatment and "sold institutionally issued athletics awards, apparel and equipment to Edward Rife, owner of a local tattoo parlor," adding up to more than $13,000 in cash, free tattoos, a loan and a discount on a used car one of the players bought from Rife.
? Under the same heading, that Tressel "knew or should have known" that at least two players had made inappropriate transactions with Rife, per a credible email tipster, but "he failed to report information to athletics administration and, as a result, permitted football student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition while ineligible."
? That, as reported by the university, Tressel "failed to deport himself in accordance with the honest and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics as required by NCAA legislation and violated ethical-conduct legislation" by failing to report emails alerting him to violations, withholding the information for months, allowing possibly ineligible players to play for the entire season and "falsely attest[ing] that he reported to the institution any knowledge of NCAA violations" when he signed a compliance form last September.
So the other shoe falls, and the shoe is a bomb. Collateral damage TBA.
Per standard procedure, Ohio State has 90 days to reply to the allegations by substantially agreeing or disagreeing with the findings (with copious documentation either way), after which it will appear in front of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions, which will hand down a verdict and sentencing, which will then be appealed, etc. The NCAA is moving fast on this, for the NCAA, but it almost certainly isn't going to get around to additional sanctions before the start of the season in September, and ?�assuming Ohio State appeals anything that threatens to inflict real pain ?�certainly won't get around to enforcement until well into 2012. The scenario for 2011 is the same: Tressel and four offensive starters remain sidelined for the first five games, and will return in mid-October with another Big Ten championship squarely in their sights. A full recruiting class will sign on next February.
Beyond that, though, whatever spoils the Buckeyes take in 2011 may be their last in a long while: Vacated wins, a postseason ban and possible scholarship restrictions are very much on the table, as is Tressel's job, arguably the safest seat in college football at the start of the year.� It certainly doesn't help the case that Tressel seems to have informed everyone except Ohio State or the NCAA about what he knew as early as last April: New documents obtained by the Columbus Dispatch show that Tressel ? in addition to his extended correspondence with tipster Christopher Cicero and quarterback Terrelle Pryor's hometown "mentor" back in Pennsylvania, which we already knew ?�Tressel also called an FBI agent within days of Cicero's first email alerting him to players' involvement in a federal drug investigation. Altogether, Tressel sent dozens of emails, phone calls and text messages to Cicero and the "mentor," Ted Sarniak, whom he called within hours of Cicero's first email.
Among the people Tressel appears to have had no contact with about the violations, according to the records: Athletic director Gene Smith, OSU president Gordon Gee or anyone in the Ohio State compliance office. I'm just guessing, but that doesn't seem like the kind of commitment to "confidentiality" that's going to hold up in front of the Infractions Committee. Not this time.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Reviewing The 2006 Recruiting Class: Top 50
Brandon Graham and Ricky Dixon
A few years ago I took a look at the Rivals top 100 and attempted to evaluate the success or failure of the kids in it, ranking each player on a five point scale and coming up with an average. It was pretty interesting but an enormous pain in the butt and the vague desire to repeat that study for future classes paled in comparison to the mountain of tedious research it required.
But if ESPN is going to do the tedious research for me, I'm on board. What follows is a reprise of the earlier post's methodology. Players are rated on a five point scale:
- Total bust.
- Contributor but a marginal one, or a not-very-good starter.
- Average starter.
- All-Conference-ish player in a BCS league, likely NFL draftee.
- All-American-ish player, likely to be drafted in top two rounds.
These should roughly correspond with star rankings. Players on the borderline will be assinged a 3.5 or whatever. Players who don't make it for reasons other than talent?injury, grades or being a total knucklehead?are noted as such. It's a bit much to expect recruiting analysts to project who is going to rob a liquor store.
This post covers the ESPN top 50. The table below has rankings from the three major services and a brief explanation of what happened to them.
| Player | School | ESPN | Scout | Rivals | Rating | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myron Rolle | FSU | 1 | 7 | 12 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter and second-team All ACC at FSU; left for Rhodes Scholarship before senior year. Sixth round pick of Titans, NFL backup. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percy Harvin | UF | 2 | 8 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| All-purpose Florida ninja. First round pick of Vikings, offensive rookie of year. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Vidal Hazelton | USC | 3 | 5 | 7 | Inj | ||||||||||||||
| 50 catches for USC as soph, injured, buried on depth chart, transfer to Cinci, injured in first game at UC. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Andre Smith | Bama | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter left to be top ten pick after true junior season. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Matt Stafford | UGA | 5 | 11 | 6 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Instant starter at UGA, first pick in 2009 draft. | |||||||||||||||||||
| DeMarco Murray | OK | 6 | 37 | 35 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Part of backfield platoon for first three years; 1200 yards at 4.3 YPC as senior, two-time AB12, expected to be 2nd-3rd round pick | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sergio Kindle | Texas | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Three-time AB12, AA as senior, second round pick of Ravens, Butkus finalist | |||||||||||||||||||
| Taylor Mays | USC | 8 | 21 | 16 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Brutal headhunter was four-time AA. Second round pick of 49ers. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Micah Johnson | UK | 9 | 9 | 36 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter had some injury problems but was 1st team All SEC as junior; undrafted, practice squad type in NFL. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Antwine Perez | USC | 10 | 43 | 29 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Transferred to Maryland after one year, worked way into starting lineup as junior, probably won't be drafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Maurice Evans | PSU | 11 | 62 | 46 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Monster sophomore season (12.5 sacks, Hendricks finalist) followed by minor legal trouble, disappointing junior year, early NFL draft entry. Went undrafted and is a practice squad guy. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mitch Mustain | ARK | 12 | 10 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Left after Las Cronicas Locas, transferred to USC, sat on bench, lost to ND in only start. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jevan Snead | Texas | 13 | 68 | 61 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Beat out by Colt McCoy, transferred to Ole Miss. Mediocre two-year starter there. Idiotically entered NFL draft after 20-int junior year. Surprise: undrafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stafon Johnson | USC | 14 | 13 | 18 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Member of USC diverse but mediocre backfield as soph/junior. Dropped 275 pounds on his throat before senior season. Entered draft anyway, made team, immediately destroyed ankle. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Tebow | UF | 15 | 29 | 22 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Is Tim Tebow. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jai Eugene | LSU | 16 | 17 | #12 CB | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Started nine games as a sophomore but was LSU's nickel guy after that; bacup safety as senior. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Al Woods | LSU | 17 | 12 | 20 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Contributor for four years, starter as senior. No college accolades but a fourth round NFL draft pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Marcus Ball | FSU | 18 | 67 | 37 | TKE | ||||||||||||||
| Problem-ridden LB suspended three times before transfer to JUCO, then Memphis. Was starting for Tigers before getting suspended again. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/nov/05/porter-suspends-tiger-senior-safety-ball/ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sam Young | ND | 19 | 3 | 11 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Four year starter surrounded by utter incompetence. Sixth round pick of Dallas | |||||||||||||||||||
| Brandon Warren | FSU | 20 | #7 TE | 24 | TKE | ||||||||||||||
| Contentious transfer after excellent freshman year; booted from Tennessee; at North Alabama. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gerald McCoy | OK | 21 | 4 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Two-time AA was third pick of NFL draft. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Eddie Jones | Texas | 22 | 20 | 25 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Started as senior, contributed before that. Six sacks, one honorable-mention AB12. May go at the tail end of the draft. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allen Walker | Miss | 23 | 89 | 60 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter but not a notable one. No accolades, won't get drafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Carl Johnson | UF | 24 | 39 | 28 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter and enormous human; projected to go in the fourth to sixth rounds of the upcoming draft. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reshad Jones | UGA | 25 | #13 S | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Two year starter was twice second-team All SEC; picked in fifth round. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allen Bradford | USC | 26 | 28 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Another member of USC's consistently mediocre backfield. Had bust-out senior year until sidelined by injury. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Markeith Summers | Miss | 27 | #81 WR | #38 WR | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Mostly a backup; did start as a senior but finished fourth on the team in receptions. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jim Barrie | UF | 28 | #58 OL | #15 OT | Inj | ||||||||||||||
| Career ended with ACL explosion. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jermaine Cunningham | UF | 29 | #13 DE | #4 WDE | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter was second team all SEC as a senior; second round NFL pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chris Wells | OSU | 30 | 1 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Human battering ram was brutally effective when healthy. First round pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Brandon Graham | MICH | 31 | 14 | 15 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| The best player in the history of awful defenses, Graham was an AA in 2009 and a first round pick of the Eagles. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Richard Dickson | LSU | 32 | #13 TE | #6 TE | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter had 30 catches as soph/junior. Dropped off a bit as a senior. Second team All SEC twice; undrafted but stuck with Lions. | |||||||||||||||||||
| JB Walton | PSU | 33 | #28 OL | 72 | Grades | ||||||||||||||
| Transferred to D-II school after academic issues. | |||||||||||||||||||
| J'Marcus Webb | Texas | 34 | 44 | 63 | Grades | ||||||||||||||
| Played in every game as a freshman, then succumbed to academic issues. Got drafted in seventh round and started 12 games as a rookie. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Damon McDaniel | FSU | 35 | #29 WR | 69 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Seven catches in two years; transferred to Hampton; didn?t do much there. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adron Tennell | OK | 36 | 91 | 42 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Vague contributor didn't do much until he was a senior and even then just 24 catches. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Emmanuel Moody | USC | 37 | 75 | 70 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| More mediocre USC tailbacks. Moody had about 400 yards each year he was at USC; he transferred to Florida and did little. | |||||||||||||||||||
| David Ausberry | USC | 38 | 46 | 66 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Started as junior but was unproductive; moved to TE; played a bit. Won't get drafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jeremiha Hunter | Iowa | 39 | #19 LB | 78 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Three year starter was second team AB10 as senior. Probably will get drafted at tail end. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Byron Maxwell | Clem | 40 | #20 CB | #18 CB | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Nickelback until his senior year, when he was a decent starter. May get drafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Terrence Austin | UCLA | 41 | 81 | #14 WR | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Second team AP10 as kick returner; also a decent receiver. Seventh round pick who stuck with Redskins. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dustin Earnest | Texas | 42 | 83 | #14 ILB | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Career backup. Did contribute a decent number of tackles as an upperclassman. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Raeshon McNeil | ND | 43 | 92 | 74 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Okay two-year starter was passed over by NFL. | |||||||||||||||||||
| James Aldridge | ND | 44 | 34 | 27 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Mediocre runner averaged under 4.0 YPC for career; moved to FB as senior. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Goodson | A&M | 45 | 18 | 32 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Started off with a bang but production tailed off. Fourth round pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Konrad Reuland | ND | 46 | 40 | 81 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Transferred to Stanford, started as a senior in TE-mad Harbaugh offense. Won't get drafted. | |||||||||||||||||||
| CJ Spiller | Clem | 47 | 16 | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Insanely explosive do-everything RB/KR/PR was a top ten pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ricky Dixon | LSU | 48 | #46 WR | #23 WR | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Two catches in two season; tranferred to Texas Southern. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Akeem Hebron | UGA | 49 | 32 | 65 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| JUCO, then three years at Georgia where he didn't do anything. | |||||||||||||||||||
| LeSean McCoy | Miami | 50 | 22 | 43 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Prepped, went to Pitt, and was the Panthers offense for two years. Second round pick. | |||||||||||||||||||
So what does this say?
The 44 players who didn't bomb out for unrelated reasons averaged a 3.4. On average a player from ESPN's top 50 turned out to be a borderline All-Conference type. In buckets:
5: 11
4 (and 4.5): 8
3 (and 3.5): 14
2: 7
1: 4
75% of ESPN top 50 players were at least average-ish starters on big time college football teams or Notre Dame. 43% of them were All-Conference types, and 25% were All-American types. That's a good strike rate at the very top.
It's not as good as it was when I looked a the 2002 class. That Rivals top 50 averaged 3.5 and only had 13 guys 3 or below. However, three guys were punted on and twelve more weren't rated for one reason or another. Only six dropped out here. Sites may be more careful these days about character/grade rumors.
Who won?
Can't say yet until we get through the whole 150 and check out Rivals and Scout lists to see their embarrassing misses, but the above looks ugly for ESPN. There are four flat out busts on the above list. On two all three sites were fooled; on two they weren't. Those two were
- Ricky Dixon, an LSU receiver two did nothing and transferred. ESPN had him 48th. Scout had him a generic three-star; Rivals had him towards the tail end of their four stars.
- Damon McDaniel was 35th to ESPN; Scout had him 29th amongst WRs and Rivals had him 69th. All were somewhat wrong, but ESPN was more wrong.
There are seven meh guys, and on most ESPN was more wrong. Some of them are moderate differences that we'll probably see when we run across outliers in the Rivals and Scout top 50s, but on a few ESPN whiffed hard:
- #27 Markeith Summers was a generic three star to Scout and just hanging on to a fourth star at Rivals.
- #42 Dustin Earnest was 83rd on Scout and a generic three star ILB to Rivals.
Rivals was also considerably less wrong about Jai Eugene; both other sites got Clemson CB Byron Maxwell, LSU TE Richard Dickson, TX QB Jevan Snead, USC S Antwine Perez, MI DE Brandon Graham, OSU RB Chris Wells, and USC RB Emmanuel Moody better pegged than ESPN. There aren't many examples of the reverse, just small gaps in evaluations. We'll see if that holds up once the whole picture is tediously put into Excel.
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Headlinin’: Fiesta Bowl asks politicians for its money back, please
Making the morning rounds.
? You kept those receipts, right? Politicians who have accepted thousands of dollars' worth of airfare, lodging, meals and game tickets on the Fiesta Bowl's dime are due to receive invoices soon asking them to fully reimburse the bowl for certain expenses, as the Fiesta shifts into full-on damage-control mode in the wake of the corruption scandal that threatens�its legal nonprofit status, its place in the BCS rotation and possibly its existence, period.
Ousted bowl CEO John Junker, who apparently built a 21-year career largely on wining and dining influential friends, has admitted that junkets and fundraisers were explicitly intended to curry favor with power brokers. At least one politician ? Scottsdale, Ariz., Mayor Jim Lane ?�has already reimbursed the bowl for a 2009 fundraiser it held on his behalf. [Arizona Republic]
? It's worth a shot. Not a scholarship, but a shot. Tennessee hoops player Melvin Goins, who averaged eight points per game and led the team in assists and steals as a starting point guard in 2010-11, is working out with the football team, now that his hardwood eligibility has expired. Goins is trying his hand at cornerback and safety, but coach Derek Dooley said he still sees him "as a point guard" for now: "I can tell you, when we play three-on-three, he's on my team." Dooley said. "We're going to be good when we get into the offseason three-on-three hoops tournament." After four years of basketball, Goins would need a waiver from the NCAA to play this fall, anyway. [Associated Press]
? The Rap Sheet. Boise State defensive tackle John Nisby, a key reserve in the Broncos' rotation on the line, was cited for misdemeanor battery after allegedly choking a familiar nemesis at a downtown bar on April 3. Nisby was reportedly separated from the victim by bystanders, and police issued a ticket after being alerted by the victim later that day. Boise State officials said they're aware of the charge but haven't announced a formal response; Nisby hasn't participated in spring practice because (according to the Idaho Statesman) coach Chris Petersen "wanted him to focus on his responsibilities off the field." So… not so good on that front. [Idaho Statesman]
Elsewhere, Michigan State state tight end Brian Linthicum, one of two Spartans charged for allegedly assaulting an Englishman at a bar in Aspen, Colo., last month, has been sentenced to 12 months probation and 40 hours of public service in Colorado. [The State News]
? 38 Special. Injured linebacker D.T. Shackelford was named Thursday as the first junior to win Ole Miss' Chucky Mullins Courage Award ? and the traditional No. 38 jersey that goes with it ?�even though Shackelford is likely out for the entire 2011 season with a knee injury he suffered earlier this week. The Mullins Award is named for the former Rebel safety who was paralyzed while making a tackle in a 1989 game against Vanderbilt and later died from his injuries. Last year's winner, Kentrell Lockett, also spent most of the season on the sideline after tearing his ACL in September. [Clarion-Ledger]
? A work in progress. Lane Kiffin dubbed USC's injury-plagued offensive line as the "No. 1 question by far on our team" after Thursday's practice, essentially declaring every position except Matt Kalil's left tackle spot up for grabs. "None of those guys have performed like starters would need to for us, outside of Matt," Kiffin said. "Just a long ways away from the whole package. This offseason will be big for them, and obviously this fall, that will be the No. 1 question by far on our team." [Orange County Register]
Quickly… NBC is also in the running for the apparently coveted Pac-12 television contract. … The NCAA may be inadvertently creating an active postgraduate transfer market. … Barrett Jones may be sticking as Alabama's new left tackle. … Bronco Mendenhall calls this spring the best of his seven spring sessions at BYU. … Nebraska fans are looking forward to a glimpse at another quarterback candidate in Saturday's spring game. … The graven images of Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson are already in Auburn. … Justin Blackmon remains Justin Blackmon. … JayPa snaps a shot of Penn State's bold new uniform change. … Texas A&M could probably use another set of eyes on its recruiting letters before they go out in the mail. … And I never knew Florida State girls were so smart.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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South Carolina is telling Stephen Garcia there’s still a chance
If you thought Stephen Garcia's latest suspension from South Carolina — his fifth offense in four years on campus, all beginning with alcohol —�was the final straw for the Gamecocks' resident Broseidon, well, that was a pretty good guess. If coach Steve Spurrier as his way, though, there may be a future for Bro Montana in a Gamecock uniform yet:
Spurrier said during the SEC's annual spring teleconference Wednesday that he's stayed in contact with Garcia, who was suspended for the fifth time in his career for a behavior issue. The Head Ball Coach also said he wants his QB back ? and possibly when.
"Hopefully it'll work out that he'll back with us with maybe a lot better attitude than he's ever had," Spurrier said. "It'll be a university decision, probably happen sometime during the summer."
For Garcia to get back in the good graces of the school, Spurrier said he'd have to meet several unknown requirements.
"We'll have to check his progress and see how he's reacting to some certain issues the athletic director, the president and I, we've all three started giving him some guidelines. We'll see how he follows through."
The last time Garcia was in this position, forced to walk the straight and narrow following his third strike in a little over a year in 2008, some administrators didn't think he'd be able to meet the list of summer demands the university imposed for readmission that fall. Then, he passed the test, came back and kept his nose clean for two-plus years as the full-time starter (as well as, it seemed, a maturing father). The question this time is whether that bar has been raised by caretakers who are pretty clearly fed up after finding themselves back at square one with a 23-year-old senior who's forfeited his claim to a leadership role with two offenses in the span of a few weeks.
Carolina's chances of rolling back to the SEC Championship Game may or may not factor into that answer, but it will certainly affect those chances. The understudy, Connor Shaw, didn't show much as a true freshman or during the Gamecocks' spring game earlier this month. If Garcia isn't Carolina's only hope — Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery are the best 1-2 running back/receiver punch in the nation, bar none —�he's certainly the best hope, the difference between opening as the clear favorite to repeat in the East Division for the first time ever and just another flawed team in a crowded pack, as usual. Maybe that will come into play if he's on the fence. But that depends on where the university put the fence in the first place.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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