Headlinin': Let the Clowney countdown begin in earnest

Making the morning rounds.

• No, honey, these flowers are for Jadveon. As expected, coveted defensive end/predator drone Jadeveon Clowney will announce his school of choice on Feb. 14, his 18th birthday, in a nationally televised "event" on ESPNU. As dominant as Nick Saban has been on the trail, Alabama fans probably shouldn't get their hopes up: Standing opinion among the locals is that Clowney has effectively eliminated the Crimson Tide for instate rivals South Carolina and Clemson, with the Gamecocks still in the driver's seat. "That's what my gut feeling is," said his high school coach, Bobby Carroll, who's sent four of Clowney's former South Pointe High teammates on to play for Steve Spurrier over the last three years, including current defensive starters Stephon Gilmore and DeVonte Holloman. "It's the proximity thing. [Clowney]'s just not sure he wants to make that long ride [to Alabama]. … He's not saying a whole lot. I think he pretty much knows where he wants to go, though." [Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Charleston Post and Courier]

• Powers of persuasion. Staying on the recruiting trail, Rivals' annual list of the nation's top 25 recruiters is topped this year by LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson, who led the Tigers' push for homegrown five-stars La'El Collins, Anthony Johnson and Jarvis Landry; he was also at the front of the pack in luring a much-needed quarterback, former Georgia signee Zach Mettenberger, from a community college in Kansas. Yes, heralded pied pipers Ed Orgeron and Trooper Taylor are on the list, but they're both joined by other staffers from USC and Auburn, respectively, in Joe Barry and Tommy Thigpen. [Rivals]

• Ealey on ice. Georgia running back Washaun Ealey, UGA's leading rusher the last two seasons, has been suspended indefinitely for unspecified reasons, though he hasn't been dismissed from the team. Early rumors suggest the suspension may stem from a failure to report for a "punishment run" last week. [ESPN, Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

• It is time. Elsewhere in Georgia news, the school formally buried its latest dead mascot, UGA VIII, alongside his forebears in Sanford Stadium over the weekend. But it may not have to look far for his replacement: The english bulldog pup held joyously aloft last week by prized signee Isaiah Crowell at his signing day press conference actually is a member of the official Uga lineage, according to his owner, Mike "Big Dawg" Woods, instantly recognizable to Georgia fans as the guy who paints a bulldog on his bald head for every home game. Woods said he would offer the dog Crowell borrowed, Magical Munson Woods, to the school as a successor to Uga VIII. "I'll be glad to give him to Georgia." Woods said. "He's got the background to do it, and I’ve got the papers to prove it." [Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, via Dawg Sports]

• The rap sheet. Kansas receiver Chris Omigie, 19, was charged with drunk driving Saturday after an early-morning arrest on campus. Omigie remains on the team, per a KU spokesman, but will face internal discipline. [Lawrence Journal-World]

Quickly… The Tate Forcier World Transfer Tour kicked off in Miami. … Scott Frost is staying at Oregon. … Ohio State commit Chris Carter won't face charges for allegedly groping as many as eight girls at his high school. … A judge dismisses a lawsuit by former Auburn lineman Chaz Ramsey against a college trainer. … Oklahoma may be looking to follow Texas into the network business. … And USC plans to host an agent awareness summit. Right after it firms up its verbal commitment from a 13-year-old.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Maria Menounos Shakira Leslie Bibb Chelsea Handler Salma Hayek