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EAST
1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt |
WEST
1. Louisiana State
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Mississippi State
5. Arkansas
6. Ole Miss |
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|
December
6 - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA | 4 pm EST | CBS
GEORGIA vs. LOUISIANA STATE
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 |
 |
| 1.
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 |
GEORGIA |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2
WHY:
Offensive
balance is the whole
key. Highly regarded
QB Matthew Stafford's
passing rating trailed
only Tim Tebow in
the SEC. And then
there is RB Knowshon
Moreno who burst
on to the scene
last fall as a freshman
while rushing for
1,332 yards and
14 TDs, evoking
big time comparisons
to some of the best
ball carriers Athens
has ever fielded.
Defense is what
is going to separate
the Bulldogs from
the pack. The presence
of two All-SEC candidates
on the DL will carry
over the aggressive
play of a year ago.
Six starters return
to the back seven
making this one
of the nation's
most feared defenses.
WHY
NOT:
One
of the best kickers
in SEC history,
Brandon Coutu, is
gone. The receivers
do not have an established
deep threat. Many
of the preseason
polls have tagged
the Bulldogs as
the No. 1 team in
the country heading
into 2008. That
equals a ton of
pressure for coaches
and players that
are extremely unfamiliar
with this type of
role. Getting through
the SEC is never
easy and the non-conference
schedule has a trip
to Arizona State
early while West
Division heavy hitters
Auburn, Alabama
and LSU dot the
list.
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| 2.
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FLORIDA |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2
WHY:
The
Gators lost just
two starters from
an offense that
led the SEC and
finished third in
the nation in scoring
a season ago. Heisman
Trophy Winner Tim
Tebow and receiver
Percy Harvin are
still the stars.
TE Cornelius Ingram
returned for his
senior year and
is one of the better
pass catching TEs
in the country (led
the team with seven
TDs in '07). The
LB unit is one of
the better groups
in the SEC led Preseason
All-American Brandon
Spikes. Coach Urban
Meyer's superior
recruiting classes
should pay huge
dividends.
WHY
NOT:
The
Gators need better
secondary coverage
(98th nationally)
and a better pass
rush. This will
put a great deal
of pressure on new
assistant coaches
Dan McCarney (defensive
line) and Vance
Bedford (cornerbacks).
The DL is a big
question mark especially
on the inside at
tackle. DE Jermaine
Cunningham is the
only returning starter
up front. The safety
positions are wide
open and projected
starter Dorian Munroe
has been lost for
the season with
a torn ACL. The
RB committee is
extremely deep and
talented but has
yet to show as much
in terms of production.
The defense in Gainesville
is the whole key.
Recruiting has to
play a big role
now on this side
of the ball.
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| 3.
|
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TENNESSEE |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
WHY: Senior
tailback Arian Foster
is within reach
of becoming the
schools all time
leading rusher.
The line returns
four starters and
last season yielded
a nation’s
best four sacks,
a remarkable stat
considering this
offense attempted
534 passes. OG Anthony
Parker is a first
round NFL talent.
On defense, the
secondary is well
stocked after being
forced to play three
true freshmen a
year ago. Safety
Eric Berry wound
up earning All-SEC
honors in the process
and the CBs are
rich in talent.
Playing in the shadows
this season affords
coach Phil Fulmer
the luxury of sneaking
up on a few conference
foes. While they
are not likely to
earn another 10-win
season, they are
capable of beating
anyone on any given
Saturday.
WHY
NOT:
The
big problem will
be replacing four-year
starter Erik Ainge
at QB and offensive
coordinator/legendary
QB coach David Cutcliffe.
The front seven
on defense is short
on depth. Not helping
matters was the
fact their best
player, LB Jerod
Mayo, bolted early
for the pros. The
receivers are all
veterans but have
to show more in
terms of avoiding
the dropped passes,
especially with
a new QB. A rough
early start could
diminish confidence
with a September
slate that includes
games against UCLA,
Florida and Auburn.
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| 4.
|
 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
WHY:
Ten
starters return
to the defense.
CB Captain Munnerlyn,
safety Emanuel Cook
and DE Eric Norwood
were All-SEC choices.
Norwood set a school
record with 19.5
tackles for loss
last season from
his DE position
and has been moved
to linebacker based
on the wealth of
depth up front.
Big time LB Jasper
Brinkly also returns
from a 2007 season
ending injury that
earned him another
year of eligibility.
So this Gamecock
LB scheme boasts
Norwood at 270 pounds
and Brinkley at
275 pounds. That's
big! Preseason All-American
WR Kenny McKinley
and TE Jared Cook
make for some big
time targets.
WHY
NOT:
The
defense has to improve
by leaps and bounds
to correct the 99
points and 1,188
yards they surrendered
in big losses to
Florida and Arkansas
last November. Spurrier's
QBs thus far have
come nowhere close
to matching the
production level
expected out of
the "Ole Ball
Coach". Blake
Mitchell is gone
which meant redshirt
frosh Stephen Garcia
figured to be the
star in the making
until off-the-field
issues put him on
suspension until
mid-August. The
experienced, underachieving
OL has not been
a cohesive unit
since Spurrier took
over and it has
hurt this offense.
A five game losing
streak to close
2007 that left the
Gamecocks home for
the holiday bowl
season does not
help the momentum.
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| 5.
|
 |
KENTUCKY |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 6-6
WHY: The
defense, after years
of getting pounded,
is actually on the
verge of respectability
with eight starters
returning. The depth
chart on this side
of the ball looks
like the best of
the six-year Rich
Brooks coaching
era. DE Jeremy Jarmon
and CB Trevard Lindley
are legitimate All-SEC
candidates. Former
prep All-American
Micah Johnson fills
the loss of leader
Wesley Woodyard
at middle linebacker.
The secondary also
returns the jest
of the nation's
24th ranked pass
defense of a year
ago. Rafael Little
is gone at RB, but
the committee behind
him is deep. Senior
Tony Dixon is battle
tested and Derrick
Locke has blazing
speed.
WHY
NOT:
All
of the offensive
firepower is gone.
The battle to replace
Andre Woodson at
QB won't likely
be decided until
late August. The
incumbents Curtis
Pulley and Mike
Hartline have not
proven to be consistent
passers and were
rather unimpressive
in spring camp.
This could be a
run-first one-dimensional
approach with the
huge question marks
at QB and at receiver
where TE Keenan
Burton and Jacob
Tamme have moved
on to the NFL. The
OL also has a few
holes to fill. So
if the running game
struggles, the Cats
could be in for
a difficult season.
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| 6.
|
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VANDERBILT |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 3-9
WHY: Last
fall the defense
allowed its fewest
points in a decade
and will maintain
a secondary that
has the potential
to be one of the
leagues best. The
rising stars are
at CB where D.J.
Moore (SEC best
six interceptions
in '07) and Myron
Lewis are back in
the mix. Potential
standouts exist
at DE with Steven
Stone and the super
fast Broderick Stewart,
who racked up six
sacks a year ago
while playing a
reserve role. Three
of the non-conference
opponents are beatable
(Miami OH, Rice
and Duke), which
means duplicating
another five win
season may not be
out of the question.
This is a feat that
would bode well
for the future with
so many youngsters
making 2008 a rebuilding
process.
WHY
NOT:
Poor
QB play haunted
this team last fall
as the oft injured
Chris Nickson struggled
after a solid 2006
campaign. Mackenzi
Adams, who started
six games last fall,
could wind up being
the starter again.
Both are good runners
without a game-changing
arm. Two huge holes
have to be filled
as the SEC's All-Time
leading receiver
Earl Bennett and
OT Chris Williams
bolted off to the
NFL. The OL has
to replace the entire
lineup with five
new starters. The
defensive front
seven lost all but
one starter and
depth is a big issue,
especially at tackle.
It's not impossible
to believe the Commodores
may be looking at
a two-win campaign
with the player
turnover, which
means this program
will have to take
a few steps back
before trying to
regain some of the
positives earned
the past three seasons.
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|
 |
| 1.
|
 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 10-2
WHY: Despite
losing the bruising
Jacob Hester, no
team boasts as many
ball carriers as
does LSU. Upwards
of five guys will
see the field while
sharing carries
and they are all
worthy of starting
at just about any
other school. Enhancing
the rushing attack
will be a top quality
OL made up of two
NFL-worthy players
in Herman Johnson
and Ciron Black.
LSU is used to plugging
holes with fresh
talent and the DL
rotation will continue
the make use of
this concept. Both
sides of the line
of scrimmage are
stacked. With far
superior athletes
across the board,
the Bayou Bengals
are still the favorite
to win the West
Division.
WHY
NOT:
The
athletic QB Ryan
Perrilloux could
have made this offense
special but finally
saw his future taking
snaps in Baton Rouge
come to an end when
he was dismissed
this spring. Now
a two-man battle
is taking place
between Jarrett
Lee and Andrew Hatch,
the Nevada native
who was the third
team QB for Harvard
just a few seasons
ago. Defensive coordinator
Bo Pelini left to
take the head-coaching
job at Nebraska.
Also gone on this
side of the ball
are six starters
including star DT
Glenn Dorsey. The
secondary got raked
this past season
in terms of departures
and will have to
start out with few
if any household
names, as is the
case with the entire
defense. One of
the best defenses
nationally a year
ago is not going
to equal the same
type of numbers
through the reloading
process.
|
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| 2.
|
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AUBURN |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 9-3
WHY: New
offensive coordinator
Tony Franklin will
run a spread, no-huddle
system looking for
a run-pass balance.
The coaches installed
this offense prior
to the bowl game
and managed to rack
up 423 yards against
a stingy Clemson
team. The OL returns
five starters to
block for a bevy
of RBs that are
lacking star power
but are still legitimate
enough to keep defenses
honest. On defense,
speed is what caught
the eye of new coordinator
Paul Rhoads in the
spring. The leader
and best overall
player may be Sen'Derrick
Marks, who moves
from end to playing
tackle. Winning
the West is a realistic
goal since the race
on this side of
the conference appears
wide open.
WHY
NOT:
This
is not an All-Star
bunch but more of
a blue-collar team.
Not one single current
player earned an
All-SEC honor last
fall. Kodi Burns
and JUCO transfer
Chris Todd emerged
from four QB candidates
this spring with
Burns being the
better runner and
Todd being the more
polished passer.
A two-QB system
may have to be the
plan. While the
receivers look descent
on paper, none have
helped the stagnant
passing attack the
past few years.
A secondary that
had a stellar season
in 2007 (6th nationally
in pass defense)
lost three of its
main parts and will
have to rely on
immediate help from
freshmen.
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| 3.
|
 |
ALABAMA |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
WHY: The
offense has nine
returning starters
to work with including
third-year starter
John Parker Wilson
at QB. The OL will
be expected to carry
the Tide, which
includes a pair
of Outland Trophy
candidates in OT
Andre Smith and
center Antoine Caldwell.
RB Terry Grant set
school freshman
records last fall.
His smallish size
continues to keep
this offense from
being a punishing
rushing attack but
the position is
much deeper than
in the past. The
rebuilding process
for second year
head coach Nick
Saban is in full
swing despite the
late season meltdown
of a year ago that
saw The Tide drop
their last four
regular season games.
The nation's No.
1 rated recruiting
class last February
according to some
of the media outlets
that rank such a
thing will play
a big role immediately.
WHY
NOT:
A
new offensive coordinator
(for the third straight
year) will take
over for Major Applewhite.
That duty goes to
Jim McElwain, the
former Fresno State
coordinator whose
offense last year
averaged 419.5 yards
per game. Gone are
big play receivers
Keith Brown and
DJ Hall but there
are several veterans
still on board.
They just have to
prove they can make
plays with the game
on the line. Depth
is the big question
mark with the defensive
front seven. The
3-4 alignment will
have to operate
with Rolando McClain
being the only LB
with true game experience
as Prince Hall is
still serving a
spring suspension.
The secondary is
bolstered by All-American
safety Rashad Johnson
but the CBs remain
a mystery.
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| 4.
|
 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 8-4
WHY: Last
year's eight win
season and bowl
victory was exactly
what head coach
Sylvester Croom
needed. The school
that gave him his
historical chance
extended the contract
through 2011 and
relieves some of
the pressure off
of the coaching
staff. The defense
has carried the
load since Croom
arrived and this
season is likely
to be much the same
despite hiring a
new coordinator.
The LBs are solid
led by Jamar Chaney
in the middle. The
nation's seventh
rated pass defense
returns an experienced
nucleus of players
including senior
free safety Derek
Pegues who is easily
the best player/leader
on this side of
the ball. He projects
as a top rated DB
at the next level.
The 240-pound RB
Anthony Dixon has
the power to keep
this rushing attack
formidable.
WHY
NOT:
Injuries
and a lack of depth
continue to make
this the worst offense
in the league. The
West Coast offense
has yet to be established
in Starkville to
the point where
it can outscore
opponents. QB Wesley
Carroll showed promise
while starting as
a true freshman
a year ago but the
depth behind him
is non-existent
so his health has
to be a major factor.
The nation's 113th
ranked passing attack
of 2007 still has
a long way to go.
Getting big play
ability out of the
RBs has to become
part of the formula
as the Bulldogs
have become no threat
to go the distance.
The OL is sketchy
since All-SEC guard
Mike Brown was dismissed
this spring, leaving
only one returning
starter lining up
with the first team.
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| 5.
|
 |
ARKANSAS |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
WHY: Hog
fans are enthused
about the coaching
change as Bobby
Petrino gave up
his NFL position
to take over in
Fayetteville. The
promise of more
passing has to be
a positive sign.
The extremely quick
Michael Smith will
line up in the RB
spot and has the
potential to be
a star. The OL is
anchored by two-time
All-SEC selection
Jonathan Luigs at
center. Both lines
of scrimmage will
continue to be solid,
as the DL will return
three starters.
This is a speedy
group that can cause
problems for opposing
blockers. The first
two opponents (Western
Illinois and UL-Monroe)
will give these
players a better
shot at grasping
the new system before
the brutal conference
slate begins.
WHY
NOT:
Coaches
are convinced the
new offense can
throw the ball,
but it will have
to be done with
a shortage of experienced
receivers and a
QB in senior Casey
Dick that is mostly
accustomed to handing
the ball off. It
would be impossible
for any SEC team
to replace the stars
that carried so
much of this offense
the past three years
in Felix Jones and
Darren McFadden.
The LBs will operate
with new faces.
It did not help
matters that their
best player Freddie
Fairchild was dismissed
from the team while
Wendel Davis continues
to recover from
spring knee surgery.
The secondary is
in rebuilding phase
as well, which means
coach Petrino will
have to operate
his first season
teaching new tricks
to many young and
unproven players
on both sides of
the ball.
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| 6.
|
 |
MISSISSIPPI |
| |
PROJECTED
RECORD: 5-7
WHY: New
QB Jevan Snead,
the highly regarded
transfer from Texas
who takes over after
redshirting last
fall, plays a role
in the excitement
that is building.
All three receivers
are back. WR Mike
Wallace has big
play ability and
Dexter McCluster
is versatile enough
to take snaps behind
center much like
McFadden did when
Nutt was coaching
the Razorbacks.
The OL has four
starters back and
includes All-American
senior tackle Michael
Oher. The strength
of the defense is
on the line of scrimmage
where senior DT
Peria Jerry racked
up 58 tackles last
season. DE Greg
Hardy earned a few
post-season accolades
last fall and is
a sack machine.
WHY
NOT:
New
head coach Houston
Nutt will have to
adjust his longtime
offensive philosophy
to a more passing
approach in order
to take advantage
of Snead's arm.
The question marks
at RB appear glaring
after losing two-time
1,000 yard rusher
BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
One of the nation's
top prep recruits,
Enrique Davis, will
have to be ready.
While the defense
returns eight starters,
depth is extremely
thin with the back
seven. Ole Miss
has some remarkable
individual players,
but it's questionable
if the roster has
enough overall talent
to reach a bowl
game for the first
time since 2003.
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| QB
Tim Tebow - Jr. - Florida
RB Arian Foster - Sr. - Tennessee
RB Knowshon Moreno - So. -
Georgia
WR Percy Harvin - Jr. - Florida
WR Kenny McKinley - Sr. - South
Carolina
TE Cornelius Ingram - Sr. -
Florida
OT Michael Oher - Sr. - Mississippi
OG Anthony Parker - Sr. - Tennessee
C Jonathan Luigs
- Sr. - Arkansas
OG Herman Johnson - Sr. - Louisiana
State
OT Andre Smith - Jr. - Alabama
K Colt David -
Sr. - Louisiana State
KR Brandon James - Jr. - Florida |
DE
Greg Hardy - Jr. - Mississippi State
DT Geno Atkins - Jr. - Georgia
DT Peria Jerry - Sr. - Mississippi
DE Jeremy Jarmon - Jr. - Kentucky
LB Brandon Spikes - Jr. - Florida
LB Eric Norwood - Jr. - South
Carolina
LB Rico McCoy - Jr. - Tennessee
LB Dannell Ellerbe - Sr. -
Georgia
DB Emanuel Cook - Jr. - South
Carolina
DB Eric Berry - So. - Tennessee
DB Rashad Johnson - Sr. - Alabama
DB Derek Pegues - Sr.
- Mississippi State
P Ryan Shoemaker
- So. - Auburn
PR Brandon James - Jr. - Florida |
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|
|
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
1. John Parker Wilson - Alabama
2. Casey Dick - Arkansas
3. Chris Nickson - Vanderbilt
FULLBACK
1. Brannan Southerland - Georgia
2. Jason Cook - Mississippi
3. Brandon Hart - Mississippi State
RUNNING
BACK
1. Arian Foster - Tennessee
2. Mike Davis - South Carolina
3. Brad Lester - Auburn
RECEIVER
1. Kenny McKinley - South Carolina
2. Demetrius Byrd - Louisiana State
3. Lucas Taylor - Tennessee
TIGHT
END
1. Cornelius Ingram - Florida
2. Jared Cook - South Carolina
3. Tripp Chandler - Georgia
OFFENSIVE
TACKLE
1. Michael Oher - Mississippi
2. Ramon Foster - Tennessee
3. Jose Valdez - Arkansas
OFFENSIVE
GUARD
1. Herman Johnson - Louisiana State
2. Anthony Parker - Tennessee
3. Jim Tartt - Florida
CENTER
1. Jonathan Luigs - Arkansas
2. Antoine Caldwell - Alabama
3. Brett Helms - Louisiana State
KICKER
1. Ryan Succop - South Carolina
2. Colt David - Louisiana State
3. Adam Carlson - Mississippi State
|
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE END
1. Tyson Jackson - Louisiana State
2. Jermaine Cunningham - Florida
3. Antwain Robinson - Arkansas
DEFENSIVE
TACKLE
1. Peria Jerry - Mississippi
2. Ernest Mitchell - Arkansas
3. Jeff Owens - Georgia
INSIDE
LINEBACKER
1. Jasper Brinkley - South Carolina
2. Darry Beckwith - Louisiana State
3. Jamar Chaney - Mississippi State
OUTSIDE
LINEBACKER
1. Dannell Ellerbe - Georgia
2. Ashlee Palmer - Mississippi
3. Braxton Kelley - Kentucky
CORNERBACK
1. Jamar Love - Arkansas
2. DeAngelo Willingham - Tennessee
3. Dustin Mouzon - Mississippi
STRONG
SAFETY
1. Reshard Langford - Vanderbilt
2. Jamarca Sanford - Mississippi
3. Keith Fitzhugh - Mississippi State
FREE
SAFETY
1. Curtis Taylor - Louisiana State
2. Rashad Johnson - Alabama
3. Derek Pegues - Mississippi State
PUNTER
1. Britton Colquitt - Tennessee
2. Brian Mimbs - Georgia
3. Blake McAdams - Mississippi State |
|
| |
|
|
 |
QUARTERBACK
- FLORIDA
Tim Tebow, Cameron Newton
RUNNING BACK - LOUISIANA
STATE
Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, Richard
Murphy, Trindon Holliday, Quinn Johnson
RECEIVER - FLORIDA
Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Carl Moore,
Cornelius Ingram
OFFENSIVE LINE - TENNESSEE
Chris Scott, Anthony Parker, Josh
McNeil, Jacques McClendon, Ramon Foster
DEFENSIVE LINE - LOUISIANA
STATE
Tyson Jackson, Charles Alexander,
Ricky Jean Francois, Marlon Favorite,
Kirston Pittman
LINEBACKER - SOUTH CAROLINA
Eric Norwood, Jasper Brinkley, Rodney
Paulk, Marvin Sapp
DEFENSIVE BACK - GEORGIA
Prince Miller, Asher Allen, CJ Byrd,
Reshad Jones
KICKING/PUNTING - TENNESSEE
K Daniel Lincoln, P Britton Colquitt
|
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|
 |
WR
Carl Moore
6-3 • 220 • Jr. •
JUCO Transfer Sierra C.C. (Roseville,
CA)
Rancho Cordova, CA • Cordova
HS
One
of the most highly-coveted junior
college players in the class of 2008...Racked
up 1,068 yards on 73 receptions with
16 touchdowns during his sophomore
campaign at Sierra...Five-star prospect
by Rivals.com and ranked as the No.
2 junior-college player... Also rated
as a five-star recruit by Scout.com...
PREP: Hauled in 21 catches for 410
yards and five touchdowns in just
three games during his senior year
at Cordova High School
WR A.J. Green
6-4 • 190 • True Freshman
Summerville, SC • Summerville
HS
2007
Parade All-American...four-time consensus
Associated Press Division-I AAAA All-State
first team selection...Scout.com five-star
prospect, #10 player in America, #2
WR in nation, #4 player in the South,
#2 player in South Carolina...only
junior named to USA Today 2006 All-USA
team...as a senior, caught 72 passes
for 1,437 yards (20.0 avg.) and 15
touchdowns...as a junior, made 65
catches for 1,203 yards (18.5 avg.)
and 14 touchdowns...as a sophomore,
caught 75 passes for 1,422 yards (19.0
avg.) and 16 touchdowns...as a freshman,
recorded 57 receptions for 1,217 yards
(21.3 avg.) and eight touchdowns...also
played baseball and ran track
QB Stephen Garcia
6-2 • 221 • Redshirt Freshman
Tampa, FL • Jefferson HS
Enrolled
at South Carolina in January of 2007
but did not participate in spring
drills... worked as the scout team
quarterback in the fall while taking
a redshirt season...High School completed
506-of-821 passes for 8,081 yards
and 83 touchdowns as a prep signal-caller...
also rushed 263 times for 1,345 yards
and 17 scores... earned all-state
honors as a senior after passing for
over 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns...
ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's
fourth-best dual-threat quarterback,
the 12th-best player in the state
of Florida and a member of the Rivals100...
was a four-star prospect by both Rivals.com
and Scout.com...two-year starter in
basketball...was an honor roll student...currently
suspended through mid-August
LB Gerald Williams
6-4 • 240 • So. •
JUCO Transfer - City College of San
Francisco
Lauderdale Lakes, FL • Boyd
Anderson HS
Originally
signed with Tennessee in 2005...No.
46 overall player in Florida by the
Orlando Sentinel in 2004...Named 2004
first-team All-Broward County Defense
by the Miami Herald...Finished 2007
with 146 tackles and six forced fumbles
for City College of San Francisco...In
2006 at Fork Union (Va.) Military
Academy, had 96 tackles and two forced
fumbles...As high school senior in
2004 for Boyd Anderson HS, totaled
115 tackles with 15 tackles-for-loss,
nine sacks and three interceptions...Four-year
high school starter at linebacker...Also
played basketball
WR Aaron Boyd
6-3 • 210 • True Freshman
Lexington, KY • Henry Clay HS
The
No. 1 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals.com
and Scout.com…One of the nation’s
top-40 wide receivers by both services…Career
totals feature 150 catches for 2,355
yards and 22 touchdowns…Brother
of former UK QB Shane Boyd, who is
now with the Houston Texans
TE Brandon Barden
6-5 • 245 • Redshirt Freshman
Lincolnton, GA • Lincoln County
HS
Transferred
to Vanderbilt after initially signing
and entering classes at Virginia Tech...Did
not play as redshirt freshman... A
3-star Scout.com tight end who was
ranked No. 52 nationally by the recruiting
service...Playing as a quarterback
Barden led his team to two straight
Georgia Class A state championship
teams in 2005 and 2006...During his
senior season Barden rushed for just
over 600 yards and 13 touchdowns...As
a receiver early in the 2006 season,
Barden also caught 10 passes for 181
yards and two scores...As a junior
Barden ran for 16 touchdowns, guiding
the Red Devils to their first state
title since 1995
WR Julio Jones
6-4 • 210 • Jr. •
True Freshman
Foley, AL • Foley HS
Parade
All-American...USA Today All-American...ranked
the No.1 overall player in the country
by Sports Illustrated...nation’s
No. 2 overall prospect by ESPN...SuperPrep’s
No. 1 wide receiver nationally and
No. 2 prospect overall...“Mr.
Football” in the state of Alabama...Gatorade
Player of the Year (Alabama)...rated
as No. 1 wide receiver in the nation
by Scout.com...two-time All-American
by Rivals.com (2006 and 2007)...had
194 career catches for 3,287 yards
and 42 touchdowns...also added three
rushing touchdowns, two kick return
touchdowns, two punt returns and two
fumble returns for scores...scored
52 touchdowns in his prep career...an
outstanding track and field athlete...named
2006-07 Gatorade Track and Field Athlete
of the Year (Alabama)
RB De'Anthony Curtis
5-10 • 211 • True Freshman
Camden, AR • Fairview HS
Named
the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Offensive
Player of the Year...Selected to the
Associated Press Super Team and honored
as an all-state selection after a
spectacular senior season...Produced
2,503 total yards, averaging 13.8
yards each time he touched the ball...Carried
the football 119 times for 1,237 yards
(10.4 average) and 18 touchdowns as
a senior...Also caught 40 passes for
707 yards (17.7 average) and four
receiving scores...On special teams
duty he returned 12 kickoffs for 312
yards (26.0 average) and two touchdowns
and 10 punts for 247 yards (24.7 average)
and two touchdowns...Ranked as the
No. 1 overall prospect in Arkansas
by Rivals.com
QB Chris Todd
6-2 • 220 • Jr. •
JUCO Transfer - Hutchinson C.C. (Hutchinson,
KS)
Elizabethtown, KY • Elizabethtown
HS
In
one season at Hutchinson C.C. completed
104-of-212 passes for 968 yards with
eight interceptions and six touchdowns...Redshirted
in 2005 at Texas Tech...Played in
five games in 2006 for Red Raiders
going 25-of-35 with 241 yards and
one touchdown before transferring
to Hutchinson in January 2007...Threw
for 10,776 yards and 120 touchdowns
during high school career...As a senior,
led team to Kentucky Class 2A State
Championship after throwing for 3,180
yards and 38 touchdowns...Associated
Press second-team All-State selection
as a junior after throwing for 4,583
yards and 51 touchdowns...Completed
a state-record 303 passes (64 percent
completion rate) as a junior while
leading team to state title game...
Also played basketball and baseball
CB Patrick Johnson
6-1 • 175 • True Freshman
Pompano Beach, FL • Ely HS
A
consensus five-star prospect by all
major recruiting services...Named
the USA Today Defensive Player of
the Year...First-team All-America
by USA Today and SuperPrep...Was one
of six finalists for the U.S. Army
Player of the Year Award...Intercepted
five passes as a senior in addition
to making 21 tackles...Considered
a threat on the offensive side of
the ball as a senior, rushing for
733 yards and 11 touchdowns...Picked
off seven passes as a junior to compliment
his 37 tackles...Reached the endzone
seven times during his junior campaign
– three times on kickoffs, twice
as a receiver and twice on the ground...Relative
of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback
Bryant McFadden, New York Giants wide
receiver Sinorice Moss and Washington
Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss
OT Phillip Freeman
6-6 • 290 • Jr. •
JUCO Transfer - Copiah-Lincoln C.C.
(Wesson, MS)
Wesson, MS • Wesson HS
A
crucial piece to the offensive puzzle
now that OT Michael Brown has been
dismissed...Starred as an offensive
tackle at hometown Copiah-Lincoln
(Miss.) Community College...Earned
first-team, all-state recognition
at the conclusion of his 2006 freshman
and 2007 sophomore seasons by the
Mississippi Association of Community
and Junior Colleges...Ranked No. 24
on the Rivals.com list of the nation’s
top 50 junior college prospects, the
second-best offensive lineman on the
chart...Credited with a 300-pound
bench press max and a 5.0-second 40-yard
dash time by Rivals...Played both
offensive and defensive tackle for
three seasons at Wesson (Miss.) High
School
QB Jevan Snead
6-3 • 215 • So. •
Transfer - University of Texas
Stephenville, TX • Stephenville
HS
Transferred
from University of Texas to Ole Miss
in January of 2007...Sat out the 2007
season due to the NCAA transfer rule...As
a true freshman at Texas in 2006,
completed 26 of 49 passes for 371
yards and two touchdowns, with two
interceptions...Also rushed for 87
yards and one TD...His most extensive
action against a Big 12 opponent was
against Kansas State when he replaced
Colt McCoy, who had gone down with
a shoulder injury, when he passed
for 190 yards and one TD...A prep
All-American, two-time All-State and
two-time All-District performer who
finished his high school career with
a 23-2 (.920) record as a starter...Posted
7,955 total yards and 100 TDs in 25
games over his final two seasons...Averaged
318.2 ypg and four TDs during that
stretch...Named to the 2006 Parade
All-America team as a senior |
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OFFENSIVE
COORDINATORS
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DAN
MULLEN |
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COACHING
EXPERIENCE:
2005-Present:
Florida (Offensive Coordinator;
Quarterbacks)
2003-04: Utah (Quarterbacks)
2001-02: Bowling Green
(Quarterbacks)
1999-00: Notre Dame (Graduate
Assistant Offense)
1998 Syracuse: (Graduate
Assistant Offense)
1996-97: Columbia (Wide
Receivers)
1994-95: Wagner (Wide
Receivers)
Last
season the Florida offense
ranked first in the SEC
and third nationally in
scoring. Molded QB Tim
Tebow into a Heisman Trophy
winner. Won a national
championship in 2006 with
Chris Leak at QB. Directed
Alex Smith's transition
from a pure drop-back
passer into a fine spread
offense quarterback while
at Utah. Smith put up
big numbers in 2003, passing
for 2,247 yards and running
for 452 yards after taking
over the starting job
three games into the season.
In two years at BGSU,
Mullen's quarterbacks
powered one of the nation's
most prolific offenses.
Bowling Green quarterback
Josh Harris passed for
2,425 yards, rushed for
737 yards and was the
nation's third leading
scorer in 2002.
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| 2.
|
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GARY
CROWTON |
| |
COACHING
EXPERIENCE:
2007-Present:
LSU (Offensive Coordinator;
Quarterbacks)
2005-06: Oregon (Offensive
Coordinator; Quarterbacks)
2001-04: BYU (Head Coach)
1999-2000: Chicago Bears
(Offensive Coordinator)
1995-98: Louisiana Tech
(Offensive Coordinator
1995; Head Coach, 1996-98)
1994: Georgia Tech (Co-Offensive
Coordinator)
1991-93: Boston College
(Quarterbacks)
1988-90: New Hampshire
(Offensive Coordinator)
1987: Western Illinois
(Passing Game Coordinator)
1983-86: Snow Junior College
(Secondary 1983; Offensive
Coordinator 1984-86)
1982: BYU (Student Assistant)
Gary
Crowton enters his second
season with LSU in 2008.
A year ago, the LSU offense
set 10 school records,
including points in a
season (541), points per
game (38.6) and touchdowns
scored (64), on its way
to posting a national
championship. Crowton
joined the Tigers after
a two-year stint as the
offensive coordinator
at Oregon. In his first
year with Oregon in 2005,
Crowton produced an offense
that tallied the second-highest
totals in school history
in passing yards (304.5
per game) and points (34.5
per game). During his
four seasons at his alma
mater BYU, Crowton’s
best year with BYU came
in 2001 when he led the
Cougars to a 12-2 overall
mark. Crowton was named
the MWC Coach of the Year
for his efforts. Crowton
served as the offensive
coordinator for two years
with the Chicago Bears.
In his first year with
the Bears in 1999, Crowton’s
offense ranked No. 3 in
the NFL in passing with
an average of 258.5 yards
per game. That year, the
Bears established a franchise
record with 4,136 passing
yards behind a trio of
quarterbacks. Crowton’s
1998 Louisiana Tech team
proved to be one of the
most potent offenses in
the nation that year as
the Bulldogs ranked No.
1 in the nation in passing
yards with a 432.1 average
behind All-American quarterback
Tim Rattay. Crowton began
his 24-year coaching career
as a student assistant
under LaVell Edwards in
1982 at BYU.
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DEFENSIVE
COORDINATORS
|
| 1.
|
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JOHN
CHAVIS |
| |
COACHING
EXPERIENCE:
1989-Present:
Tennessee (Defensive Coordinator;
Linebackers)
1986-88: Alabama A&M
(Defensive Coordinator)
1984-85: Alabama State
(Defensive Coordinator)
1980-83: Alabama A&M
(Defensive Line)
1979: Tennessee (Graduate
Assistant)
John
Chavis was recognized
last season as the American
Football Coaches Association’s
2006 Division I-A Assistant
Coach of the Year. At
50 years of age he is
in his 19th year as an
assistant coach at Tennessee
and 29th overall. Working
through a lineup decimated
by off-season departures
and early season injuries,
Chavis and the defensive
staff helped return the
Vols to Southeastern Conference
championship contention
in 2006. The Vols defense
finished first in the
league in 2005 and second
nationally with a rushing
unit that allowed just
82.5 yards per game. Chavis
was promoted to defensive
coordinator in 1995 and
has produced some of the
stingiest defenses in
college football. Since
1995, Chavis’ defenses
have held their opponents
below a 100-yard rushing
average in six seasons,
and eight times during
that span the Vols have
ranked among the top three
in the SEC in total defense.
The combination of Phillip
Fulmer as head coach,
Chavis as defensive coordinator
and David Cutcliffe as
offensive coordinator
has produced a 53-9 (.855)
record at Tennessee. During
his three years as defensive
coordinator at Alabama
A&M he built a unit
that ranked No. 1 in total
defense in Division II
from 1987-88.
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| 2.
|
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ELLIS
JOHNSON |
| |
COACHING
EXPERIENCE:
2008:
South Carolina (Defensive
Coordinator; Linebackers)
2004-07: Mississippi State
(Defensive Coordinator;
Safeties 2004 & 2005;
Linebackers 2006-2007)
2001-2003: The Citadel
(Head Coach)
1997-2000: Alabama (Defensive
Coordinator; Outside Linebackers)
1994-96: Clemson (Outside
Linebackers 1994-95; Defensive
Coordinator 1996)
1990-93: Alabama (Outside
Linebackers)
1988-89: Southern Miss
(Defensive Coordinator)
1985-87: East Carolina
(Outside Linebackers;
Recruiting Coordinator)
1984: Appalachian State
(Defensive Coordinator)
1983: Gardner Webb College
(Head Coach)
1982: Charleston (Linebackers)
Ellis
Johnson joined the Gamecocks
on January 24, 2008 after
spending the past four
seasons as the defensive
coordinator at Mississippi
State under Sylvester
Croom. In Johnson's final
game with the Bulldogs,
the Mississippi State
defense held the nation's
leading rusher Kevin Smith
(UCF) to nearly 70 yards
below his season average.
Johnson's 27 years as
a collegiate coach include
four as a head coach and
13 as a defensive coordinator.
Johnson has logged two
stints at the University
of Alabama. He was the
defensive coordinator
and outside linebackers
coach at Alabama from
1997-2000, helping the
Crimson Tide go 10-3 in
1999 with an SEC title
and a spot in the Orange
Bowl. His 1999 defense
was No. 2 in the nation
against the rush and No.
9 in total defense. He
served as the outside
linebackers coach at Alabama
from 1990-93, helping
head coach Gene Stallings'
teams go a combined 41-9,
including an undefeated
national championship
season in 1992. Alabama's
defense ranked No. 1 that
season against the run
and in total defense.
The Crimson Tide ran off
a 31-game winning streak
and a 34-game unbeaten
streak from 1991-93.
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August
30
Alabama vs. Clemson @Atlanta, GA
September 1 (Monday)
Tennessee at UCLA
September
6
Miami FL at Florida
Mississippi at Wake Forest
September
13
Georgia at South Carolina
Arkansas at Texas
September
20
Florida at Tennessee
Georgia at Arizona State
Alabama at Arkansas
Louisiana State at Auburn
September
27
Alabama at Georgia
Tennessee at Auburn
October
4
Florida at Arkansas
October
11
Louisiana State at Florida
Tennessee at Georgia
Arkansas at Auburn
October
18
Louisiana State at South Carolina
October
23 (Thursday)
Auburn at West Virginia
October
25
Georgia at Louisiana State
Alabama at Tennessee
Mississippi at Arkansas
November
1
Florida vs. Georgia @Jacksonville,
FL
Tennessee at South Carolina
November
8
Alabama @ Louisiana State
November
15
South Carolina at Florida
Georgia at Auburn
November
28 (Friday)
Louisiana State at Arkansas @Little
Rock, AR
Mississippi State at Mississippi
November
29
Florida at Florida State
South Carolina at Clemson
Auburn at Alabama |
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December
28 - INDEPENDENCE BOWL (SEC
#6-8 vs. BIG 12)
December 29 - PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL (SEC
#9 vs. BIG EAST)
December 31 - MUSIC CITY BOWL (SEC
#6-8 vs. ACC)
December 31 - CHICK-FIL-A BOWL (SEC
#3-5 vs. ACC #3)
January 1 - OUTBACK BOWL (SEC
#3-5 vs. BIG TEN #3)
January 1 - CAPITAL ONE BOWL (SEC
#2 vs. BIG TEN #2)
January 2 - LIBERTY BOWL (SEC
#6-8 vs. CONFERENCE USA)
January 2 - COTTON BOWL (SEC
#3-5 vs. BIG 12 #2)
BCS BOWL - SEC CHAMPION
|
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July
18, 2008
By
Todd Helmick
NationalChamps.net Owner & Operator
|
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Every
Friday from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET, you
can listen to Site Owner Todd Helmick break
down college football - live and in studio
- on WNST 1570 AM Baltimore Sports Talk.
Or you can listen live via internet stream
at WNST.net.
Todd
maintains several college football shows
per week nationwide and makes numerous radio
guest appearances from small to large towns
everywhere. We'll talk about your home team...no
topic is too sacred.
If
you are interested in having Site Owner
Todd Helmick as a guest on your radio show,
please email: todd@nationalchamps.net |
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