Breaking: Jeremiah Masoli Cleared To Play
Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has been cleared to play for the Rebels immediately, winning his appeal to the NCAA Subcommittee.
Entries Tagged as 'Ole Miss'
It’s Official: Masoli to Ole Miss; Brown to KSU?
As we reported last week, the enrollment of Jeremiah Masoli at the University of Mississippi is now official.
Not surprisingly, Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt is taking a beating over this from the national media.
In other news, former Tennessee RB Bryce Brown is apparently wanting to enroll at Kansas State, but Tennessee Head Coach Derek Dooley will not release him from his scholarship for the upcoming season.
Masoli to Mississippi
According to reports coming out of the states of Mississippi and Oregon, former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has enrolled at Ole Miss:
According to the Rivals.com Rebels site Rebel Grove, University of Mississippi officials admitted Masoli to graduate school at the Oxford campus late Wednesday after carefully considering the former Heisman Trophy candidate’s obvious talents against the off-the-field problems that got him dismissed from Oregon in June.
In a post late Tuesday on the Mississippi athletic department’s Web site, Nutt addressed the issue of taking on any player this close to the start of the season.
“Rarely are there are any talented players still available in the summertime,” said the coach who began considering Masoli after redshirt freshman Raymond Cotton quit the team on Saturday, leaving the Rebels with just two quarterbacks on scholarship.
Masoli to University of Mississippi?
Talk about timing, just as Rebels quarterback Raymond Cotton decides to leave the program, rumors of former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli transferring to the University of Mississippi really begin to heat up.
The fact that this has not been denied by the president of the university only makes it seem even more likely to happen. Masoli, for those of you with a short attention span, was considered to be a top Heisman candidate for the upcoming season, but was then dismissed from the University of Oregon’s football team for two seperate incidents, the second of which resulted in his being charged with second degree burglary.
Ole Miss needs another quarterback, but what effect would Masoli have on the program? He only has one year of eligibility remaining, so is it worth the risk?
SEC Media Selections: Conference Predictions
Here are the media’s selections for the conference (SEC) order of finish:
MEDIA SURVEY
(Predicted order of finish with first-place votes in parentheses)
EASTERN DIVISION
1. Florida (153) 1030
2. Georgia (15) 791
3. South Carolina (8) 790
4. Kentucky 462
5. Tennessee 450
6. Vanderbilt (1) 194
WESTERN DIVISION
1. Alabama (157) 1034
2. Arkansas (6) 726
3. Auburn (10) 691
4. LSU (1) 653
5. Mississippi State 320
6. Ole Miss (3) 293
Votes to win SEC Championship Game: Alabama 143, Florida 17, Auburn 7, Arkansas 3, Georgia 2, Ole Miss 2, Kentucky 1, LSU 1, South Carolina 1.
Preseason All SEC Media Selections Announced
The Southeastern Conference have announced the media’s All SEC teams (which yours truly voted on). There are some real headscratchers included.
Here they are:
1st Team All SEC Offense:
QB Ryan Mallet (118) Arkansas 6-6 238 Jr. Texarkana, Ark. RB Mark Ingram (165) Alabama 5-10 215 Jr. Flint, Mich. RB Trent Richardson (69) Alabama 5-11 220 So. Pensacola, Fla. WR A.J. Green (142) Georgia 6-4 205 Jr. Summerville, S.C. WR Julio Jones (123) Alabama 6-4 220 Jr. Foley, Ala. TE D.J. Williams (105) Arkansas 6-2 251 Sr. Little Rock, Ark. OL Lee Ziemba (114) Auburn 6-8 391 Sr. Rogers, Ark. OL Barrett Jones (103) Alabama 6-4 301 So. Memphis, Tenn. OL Clint Boling (85) Georgia 6-5 310 Sr. Alpharetta, Ga. OL James Carpenter (77) Alabama 6-6 300 Sr. Augusta, Ga. C Mike Pouncey (109) Florida 6-4 310 Sr.
1st Team All SEC Defense-
DL Marcell Dareus (126) Alabama 6-4 306 Jr. Birmingham, Ala. DL Jerrell Powe (77) Ole Miss 6-2 320 Sr. Waynesboro, Miss. DL Cliff Matthews (46) South Carolina 6-4 260 Sr. Cheraw, S.C. LB Dont’a Hightower (158) Alabama 6-4 258 So. Lewisburg, Tenn. LB Kelvin Sheppard (84) LSU 6-3 239 Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga. LB Josh Bynes (72) Auburn 6-2 235 Sr. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. LB Brandon Hicks (65) Florida 6-2 228 Sr. Jacksonville, Fla. DB Mark Barron (127) Alabama 6-2 210 Jr. Mobile, Ala. DB Patrick Peterson (116) LSU 6-1 211 Jr. Pompano Beach, Fla. DB Ahmad Black (67) Florida 5-9 189 Sr. Lakeland, Fla. DB Stephon Gilmore (61) South Carolina 6-1 188 So. Rock Hill, S.C. Lakeland, Fla.
1st Team All Purpose/Special Teams-
PK Blair Walsh (72) Georgia 5-10 191 Jr. Boca Raton, Fla. P Drew Butler (104) Georgia 6-2 207 Jr. Duluth, Ga. RS Derrick Locke (45) Kentucky 5-9 190 Sr. Hugo, Okla. AP Randall Cobb (123) Kentucky 5-11 186 Jr. Alcoa, Tenn.
2nd Team Offense-
QB Greg McElroy (44) Alabama 6-3 225 Sr. Southland, Texas RB Derrick Locke (40) Kentucky 5-9 190 Sr. Hugo, Okla. RB Mario Fannin (22) Auburn 5-11 228 Sr. Hampton, Ga. WR Darvin Adams (19) Auburn 6-3 185 Jr. Kennesaw, Ga. WR Randall Cobb (14) Kentucky 5-11 186 Jr. Alcoa, Tenn. TE Luke Stocker (26) Tennessee 6-6 253 Sr. Berea, Ky. OL Carl Johnson (53) Florida 6-6 360 Sr. Durham, N.C. OL Marcus Gilbert (48) Florida 6-5 322 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. OL Derek Sherrod (47) Mississippi State 6-6 305 Sr. Columbus, Miss. OL DeMarcus Love (27) Arkansas 6-5 315 Sr. Lancaster, Texas C William Vlachos (27) Alabama 6-1 289 Jr. Mountain Brook, Ala.
2nd Team Defense
DL Pernell McPhee (34) Mississippi State 6-4 285 Sr. Pahokee, Fla. DL Justin Trattou (31) Florida 6-3 252 Sr. Ramsey, N.J. DL Kentrell Lockett (29) Ole Miss 6-5 260 Sr. Hahnville, La. LB Chris Marve (62) Vanderbilt 6-0 232 Jr. Memphis, Tenn. LB Nick Reveiz (32) Tennessee 5-10 224 Sr. Farragut, Tenn. LB Courtney Upshaw (31) Alabama 6-2 263 Jr. Eufala, Ala. LB Justin Houston (30) Georgia 6-3 260 Jr. Statesboro, Ga. DB Janoris Jenkins (56) Florida 5-11 186 Jr. Pahokee, Fla. DB Will Hill (41) Florida 6-1 204 Jr. West Orange, N.J. DB Brandon Boykin (39) Georgia 5-10 183 Jr. Fayetteville, Ga. DB Zac Etheridge (33) Auburn 6-0 213 Sr. Troy, Ala.
2nd Team All Purpose/Special Teams
PK Wes Byrum (65) Auburn 6-2 216 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. P Chas Henry (34) Florida 6-3 222 Jr. Dallas, Ga. RS *Julio Jones (42) Alabama 6-4 220 Jr. Foley, Ala. RS *Warren Norman (42) Vanderbilt 5-10 192 So. Stone Mountain, Ga. AP Chris Rainey (35) Florida 5-9 176 Jr. Lakeland, Fla.
Coaches Release Preseason All SEC Teams
The coaches selections for the preseason All SEC teams have been released. Here they are:
Preseason Coaches All SEC Team-
1st Team Offense:
QB Ryan Mallet Arkansas 6-6 238 Jr. Texarkana, Ark.RB Mark Ingram Alabama 5-10 215 Jr. Flint, Mich.RB Derrick Locke Kentucky 5-9 190 Sr. Hugo, Okla.WR A.J. Green Georgia 6-4 205 Jr. Summerville, S.C.WR Julio Jones Alabama 6-4 220 Jr. Foley, Ala.TE D.J. Williams Arkansas 6-2 251 Sr. Little Rock, Ark.OL Clint Boling Georgia 6-5 310 Sr. Alpharetta, Ga.OL Carl Johnson Florida 6-5 360 Sr. Durham. N.C.OL Barrett Jones Alabama 6-4 301 So. Memphis, Tenn.OL Lee Ziemba Auburn 6-8 391 Sr. Rogers, Ark.C Mike Pouncey Florida 6-4 310 Sr. Lakeland, Fla.1st Team DefenseDL Marcell Dareus Alabama 6-4 306 Jr. Birmingham, Ala.DL Jerrell Powe Ole Miss 6-2 320 Sr. Waynesboro, Miss.DL Cliff Matthews South Carolina 6-4 260 Sr. Cheraw, S.C.LB Josh Bynes Auburn 6-2 235 Sr. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.LB Dont’a Hightower Alabama 6-4 258 So. Lewisburg, Tenn.LB Chris Marve Vanderbilt 6-0 232 Jr. Memphis, Tenn.LB Kelvin Sheppard LSU 6-3 239 Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga.DB Mark Barron Alabama 6-2 210 Jr. Mobile, Ala.DB Patrick Peterson LSU 6-1 211 Jr. Pompano Beach, Fla.DB Stephon Gilmore South Carolina 6-1 188 So. Rock Hill, S.C.DB Janoris Jenkins Florida 5-11 186 Jr. Pahokee, Fla.1st Team All Purpose/Special TeamsPK Blair Walsh Georgia 5-10 191 Jr. Boca Raton, Fla.P Drew Butler Georgia 6-2 207 Jr. Duluth, Ga.RS Warren Norman Vanderbilt 5-10 192 So. Stone Mountain, Ga.AP Randall Cobb Kentucky 5-11 186 Jr. Alcoa, Tenn.2nd Team OffenseQB Greg McElroy Alabama 6-3 225 Sr. Southland, TexasRB Jeff Demps Florida 5-8 184 Jr. Winter Garden, Fla.RB Trent Richardson Alabama 5-11 220 So. Pensacola, Fla.WR Darvin Adams Auburn 6-3 185 Jr. Kennesaw, Ga.WR Alshon Jeffery South Carolina 6-4 237 So. St. Matthews, S.C.TE Luke Stocker Tennessee 6-6 253 Sr. Berea, Ky.OL James Carpenter Alabama 6-5 300 Sr. Augusta, Ga.OL DeMarcus Love Arkansas 6-5 315 Sr. Lancaster, TexasOL Derek Sherrod Mississippi State 6-6 305 Sr. Columbus, Miss.OL *Cordy Glenn Georgia 6-5 330 Jr. Riverdale, Ga.OL *Joseph Barksdale LSU 6-5 315 Sr. Detroit, Mich.C Ryan Pugh Auburn 6-4 297 Sr. Hoover, Ala.2nd Team DefenseDL Pernell McPhee Mississippi State 6-4 285 Sr. Pahokee, Fla.DL Drake Nevis LSU 6-1 292 Sr. Marrero, La.DL *DeQuin Evans Kentucky 6-3 256 Sr. Long Beach, Calif.DL *Chris Walker Tennessee 6-3 245 Sr. Memphis, Tenn.DL *Ladi Ajiboye South Carolina 6-2 278 Sr. Riverdale, Ga.LB Jerry Franklin Arkansas 6-1 241 Jr. Marion, Ark.LB A.J. Jones Florida 6-1 226 Sr. Tampa, Fla.LB Craig Stevens Auburn 6-3 229 Sr. Tallahassee, Fla.LB K.J. Wright Mississippi State 6-4 250 Sr. Olive Branch, Miss.DB Ahmad Black Florida 5-9 189 Sr. Lakeland, Fla.DB Chris Culliver South Carolina 6-1 197 Sr. Garner, N.C.DB Will Hill Florida 6-1 204 Jr. West Orange, N.J.DB Neiko Thorpe Auburn 6-2 186 Jr. Tucker, Ga.2nd Team All Purpose/Special TeamsPK Caleb Sturgis Florida 5-10 192 Jr. St. Augustine, Fla.P Chas Henry Florida 6-3 222 Jr. Dallas, Ga.RS Brandon Boykin Georgia 5-10 183 Jr. Fayetteville, Ga.AP Chris Rainey Florida 5-9 176 Jr. Lakeland, Fla.
Tommy’s 1st Team All SEC Media Ballot
I have just finished my ballot for the preseason ALL SEC team (the media ballot).
So- in full disclosure- I am publishing my ballot.
Tommy’s All SEC Media Ballot:
1st Team Offense:
QB- Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
RB1- Mark Ingram, Alabama
RB2- Jeff Demps, Florida
WR- AJ Green, Georgia
WR- Julio Jones, Alabama
TE- Luke Stocker, Tennessee
OL- Clint Boling, Georgia
OL- Lee Zimbia, Auburn
OL- Carl Johnson, Florida
OL- Barrett Jones, Alabama
Center- Mike Pouncey, Florida
1st Team Defense:
DE- Chris Walker, Tennessee
DE- Marcell Dareus, Alabama
DT- Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss
LB- A.J. Jones, Florida
LB- Donte Hightower, Alabama
LB- Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
LB- Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
DB- Janoris Jenkins, Florida
DB- Patrick Peterson, LSU
DB- Will Hill, Florida
DB- Janzen Jackson, Tennessee
1st Team All Purpose/Special Teams
Placekicker- Blair Walsh, Georgia
Punter- Drew Butler, Georgia
Return Specialist- Warren Norman, Vanderbilt
All-Purpose Back- Randall Cobb, Kentucky
Tommy’s Preseason SEC Ranking:
Eastern Division
1- University of Florida
2- University of South Carolina
3- University of Georgia
4- University of Tennessee
5- University of Kentucky
6- Vanderbilt University
Western Division
1- University of Alabama
2- Lousiana State University
3- Auburn University
4- University of Arkansas
5- Mississippi State
6- University of Mississippi
SEC Champion:
University of Alabama
SEC Recruiting Recap: University of Mississippi
Recruiting Recap: Ole Miss
Houston Nutt and the Ole Miss Rebels were able to pull in a respectable recruiting class, but the problem is that it may not be enough to immediately replace all the talent they lost after this past season. The Rebels signed 3 top level Junior College in DE Wayne Dorsey, S Damien Jackson, and ATH Randall Mackey. The freshman class will also have some impressive talent, including 4 star WR Vincent Sanders and DE Carlos Thompson. Also, Ole Miss was able to sign ATH Delvin Jones, a 6′6″, 230 pound beast out of Miami, FL. Jones was originally committed to the University of Tennessee, but decided to look elsewhere after Lane Kiffin took the USC job. Mississippi was able to land a top 25 class according to all three recruiting services. However, it remains to be seen if they can replace QB Jevan Snead, a position that was not addressed in this class.
Class Rankings
Rivals – 17th; Scout – 14th; ESPN – 25th
Star of the Class
No ranking for JC players: 4 stars according to Rivals; 5 stars according to Scout
Dorsey was offered a scholarship by a number of major programs including Florida State, Auburn, Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee, but ultimately signed with the Rebels. He has excellent pass rushing skills and above average speed for a defensive lineman, but still needs to work on his technique in order to reach his full potential. He has 3 full years of eligibility left, so he will have time to improve.
Sleeper of the Class
Rivals Ranking: None
Mireles is the type of player that thrives in Houston Nutt’s system: an undersized, overlooked reciever with blazing speed. Many high school recievers coming out of the state of Florida can get lost in the shuffle and overabundance of talent that the state has, but considering that Mireles was also offered a scholarship by FSU, it can be safe to assume that the talent is there. He should find a home somewhere in Nutt’s offense, as long as he is able to qualify academically.
Who Must Win in 2010 Part 1
One of my personal favorite sites to read that covers NCAA football is the Coaches Hot Seat. Joe and the guys over there always do a great job ranking which coach currently sits on the hot seat. Though I always don’t agree with their picks, they usually end up being right. Although I don’t want to speculate quite as much about which coach will be first to get canned, I do think there is room to discuss which coaches really need a winning season next year.
Ron Zook- Illinois
I always felt kind of bad for the old Zooker because if you think about it, he really didn’t do that poorly while at Florida. Of course, following in the footsteps of the “Greatest Gator” of ‘em all in the B.T. (Before Timmy) era was not an enviable position to be in. On the other hand, his tenure at Illinois is a headscratcher. After a couple of 2 win seasons, Zook was able to take the team to the Rose Bowl and many thought that maybe he would be the coach to get them over the hump. However, they’ve missed out on bowl eligibility the last two seasons. No matter how likeable a coach is, one winning season in five years is not enough to instill a lot of confidence in a fanbase anxious to finally get some stability in their their program. In Zook’s defense, they always seem to pull out a needed win when it is an absolute must, and he has a reputation as a really strong recruiter, so it may be that he can turn things around.
Dan Hawkins- Colorado
Hawkins inherited a mess at the University of Colorado, and those kinds of situations can sometimes take a couple of seasons to fix. Hawkins will be in his 5th year and the pressure is definitely on, which is understandable considering that Colorado has gone 16-33 under his watch. The upcoming season will be a make or break year for him.
Houston Nutt- Ole Miss
Unlike the previous two coaches, Houston Nutt can likely survive a losing season without losing his job, and there are no questions about whether or not the guy can coach. He’s been at Ole Miss for two seasons, and both years he has led the Rebels to Cotton Bowl victories. Nutt’s problems stem from the fact that he has a history of upsetting his players. While I thought he did a respectable job during his years at the University of Arkansas, his departure came under very strange circumstances. One has to wonder whether he has learned from past mistakes though. Jevan Snead should have stayed in school for another year after the season he had, but his decision to enter the NFL Draft makes one curious as to whether or not there was a breakdown in the relationship between the coach and the quarterback, something Nutt has previous experience with. And who knows? Ole Miss did fire David Cutcliffe after only 1 losing season, so one wonders how much patience the Mississippi faithful are willing to grant him.
More to come in Part 2