ESPN College Football

Arkansas junior defensive end Austin Flynn was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated Tuesday morning.

The former junior college transfer became the first Razorbacks player arrested since the hiring of new coach Bret Bielema after Fayetteville police said he was speeding and then crossed the center line. The police report stated that Flynn's blood-alcohol level was 0.14 percent, which is nearly twice the legal limit.

There was no immediate comment from Arkansas on the incident, but this certainly isn't the kind of first impression Flynn wants to make with his new coach. This is the time in which a new coach and his staff are trying to feel players out. They're looking for the reliable ones, the ones who will need some work transitioning to a new staff and the ones who won't cut it under new management.

Doing something dangerous like this isn't exactly the way to impress your new coaches, but it has given Flynn a one-way ticket into Bielema's doghouse. This isn't something Bielema should take lightly and while all the facts still have to be given to Bielema, this could be a chance for the new man in charge to send a strong message to his new team.

Transfers can often times be the great equalizer, both junior college transfers and major college transfers.

It’s safe to say that Cam Newton made a difference on Auburn’s 2010 national championship team. And for that matter, so did Nick Fairley. Both were junior college transfers.

A year ago, cornerback DeQuan Menzie was a stabilizing force in Alabama’s defensive secondary and one of the Crimson Tide’s most dependable players on their 2011 national championship team. Menzie was also a junior college transfer.

Terrence Cody, yet another junior college transfer, was a major part of Alabama’s 2009 national championship defense.

Who will be those impact transfers in 2012 that make a difference? Here are 10 to watch in the SEC. They’re listed alphabetically:

Denico Autry, DE, Mississippi State: One of the most heralded junior college prospects in the country, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Autry made quite an impression this spring. He’s an explosive pass-rusher the Bulldogs hope will give them the edge pressure they lacked last season.

Deion Belue, CB, Alabama: It didn’t take Belue long to make his presence felt this spring. He took an interception back 97 yards for a touchdown in the Crimson Tide’s first scrimmage. Belue’s a quick learner and one of the favorites to start at the other cornerback opposite Dee Milliner.

Pierce Burton, OT, Ole Miss: He started his career at San Jose State and then transferred to City College of San Francisco. It looked like Burton would continue his career at Florida, but Hugh Freeze was able to sway him to Ole Miss. Burton was good enough this spring that he’ll go into the season as the Rebels’ starting right tackle.

Austin Flynn, DE, Arkansas: The Hogs already needed some pass-rushing help at end with Jake Bequette departing. That need was only magnified after Tenarius Wright moved to linebacker this spring. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Flynn was a big get out of junior college and showed the kind of strength and power this spring that could make him an immediate starter.

Damien Jacobs, DT, Florida: Originally committed to Tennessee out of East Mississippi Community College, Jacobs changed his mind and signed with the Gators. Florida coach Will Muschamp liked what he saw this spring and thinks the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Jacobs will be a big part of the rotation at tackle this fall.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: The expectations get loftier by the day for Patterson, who joins an already talented Tennessee receiving corps. The 6-foot-4 Patterson recently weighed in at 225 pounds and has track speed. He wasn’t on campus in time to go through spring practice, but scored 24 touchdowns last season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.

Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn: The Tigers were looking for that enforcer in their running game, and they think they’ve found him in the 253-pound Prosch. A transfer from Illinois, Prosch was granted a waiver by the NCAA and will be eligible to play this season. He’s a battering ram as a blocker and also an excellent special teams player.

Darrington Sentimore, DE, Tennessee: Had Sentimore not landed in the doghouse at Alabama toward the end of the 2010 season, he’d probably be starting for the Crimson Tide this fall. Instead, he’s expected to bolster the Vols’ defensive line as they move to a 3-4 scheme. Sentimore reunites with Sal Sunseri after spending last season at Gulf Coast (Miss.) Community College.

Bo Wallace, QB, Ole Miss: Wallace was the national junior college player of the year last season and set all sorts of junior college records, including 53 touchdown passes at East Mississippi Community College. He will continue his battle with Barry Brunetti for the Rebels’ starting quarterback job this preseason.

Brandon Williams, RB, Texas A&M: The Aggies were already excited about getting Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma. But then he went out and put on a show this spring, further whetting everyone’s appetite in College Station. The only question is whether the 6-foot, 192-pound Williams will be eligible this fall. The Aggies expect an answer from the NCAA in August.

While there were six SEC spring games this weekend, six other teams also took part in scrimmages over the the weekend:

ARKANSAS

Quarterback Tyler Wilson had yet another big scrimmage for the Razorbacks. Wilson completed 39 of 49 passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns during Friday's scrimmage. Wilson completed 20 consecutive passes at one point.

Wilson has yet to throw an interception in Arkansas' three spring scrimmages. He led the offense on scores on seven of the offense's 11 possessions Friday.

The good news for Wilson is that his production has come against the first-team defense. The bad news for Arkansas is that his production has come against the first-team defense. But maybe Wilson is just playing that well this spring.

Wide receiver Marquel Wade led Arkansas with nine receptions for 98 yards, while tight end Chris Gragg caught eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown on Friday. Receiver Javontee Herndon added five receptions for 73 yards and two scores.

Defensive tackle Robert Thomas led the defense with four sacks, while defensive end Austin Flynn added three sacks.

Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, linebacker Tenarius Wright and tight end Austin Tate all sustained injuries Friday, but coaches didn't feel they were serious.

Check out more from Arkansas' scrimmage here and here.

KENTUCKY

The Wildcats took part in a very spirited scrimmage Saturday. It was one that left coach Joker Phillips proud of both the offense and defense.

The 90-minute scrimmage featured the first-, second- and third-team offense and defense. The offense started things well, with quarterback Maxwell Smith leading a 70-yard drive on 13 plays. He capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver La'Rod King.

Smith finished the scrimmage completing 25-of-38 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns. King also led the offense in receiving with seven catches for 76 yards and two scores.

Kentucky's defense stepped up considerably after that, allowing just one touchdown and a field goal on the next 10 possessions, including seven three-and-outs.

You can find more info on Kentucky's scrimmage here.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Despite a fast start by the offense, the defense won Mississippi State's scrimmage Friday after forcing five turnovers late.

The first- and second-team defense held the offenses to four touchdowns and a field goal on 27 possessions. They also registered seven sacks and four interceptions.

After quarterback Tyler Russell led touchdown drives of 75 and 80 yards on the offense's first two possessions, the defense stepped up, forcing a few three-and-outs for the first- and second-team offense.

Russell had an impressive outing inside Davis Wade Stadium, passing for 310 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Wide receiver Joe Morrow had arguably the play of the day when he caught an 83-yard touchdown pass. He sprinted 50-plus yards to the house after spinning off of cornerback Corey Broomfield about 30 yards up field. Morrow finished with 103 receiving yards, while tight ends Malcolm Johnson and Brandon Hill registered 110 and 75 receiving yards, respectively.

The player of the day might have been senior cornerback Darius Slay, who intercepted three passes.

Head coach Dan Mullen missed the practice after the birth of his daughter Friday.

For more on Mississippi State's scrimmage, check here and here.

OLE MISS

It was an air affair in Oxford, as Ole Miss quarterbacks combined for eight touchdowns in the Rebels' Saturday scrimmage.

Barry Brunetti finished the day with 119 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 41 yards and two more scores.

But he didn't do much to separate himself from junior college transfer Bo Wallace, who threw for 113 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball five times for 32 yards and another score.

However, both had their hiccups, as Wallace completed less than 45 percent of his passes and Brunetti threw two interceptions. Coach Huge Freeze told reporters after the scrimmage that he had mixed emotions about both, but felt Wallace played a little better Saturday.

"Standing out there it's real clear to me our quarterbacks, our personnel, we don't quite understand the game," Freeze said. "Third-and-2 we don't know those things. We have very little awareness of those at times. We get in second-and-5s and we get negative plays because we try to do more than we can do. Then it puts you in third-and-8, instead of just keeping it third-and-5. There's so many things that we have to understand."

Brunetti threw two 20-yard touchdowns, one to wide receiver Ja-Mes Logan and one to receiver Vince Sanders. Logan also caught two touchdown passes from Wallace, who also hit receiver Terrell Grant for another score.

For more on Ole Miss' scrimmage, you can go here and here.

TENNESSEE

Justin Hunter picked up right where he left off the last time he played inside Neyland Stadium.

After missing most of last season with an ACL injury, Hunter caught three passes for 70 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown pass in his return to Neyland.

Quarterback Tyler Bray completed his first seven passes of the day and finished with 180 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-23 passing.

While Hunter had a solid outing, sophomore wide receiver Jacob Carter was the top receiver of the day, catching four passes for 102 yards.

Marlin Lane, who has improved a lot this spring, had the big day that he needed with his 71 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Defensively, the Vols got sacks from defensive linemen Jordan Williams, Willie Bohannon and Steven Fowlkes. Defensive backs Justin Coleman, Izauea Lanier and Rod Wilks added six tackles.

For more on Tennessee's scrimmage, go here.

TEXAS A&M

As the quarterback race continues in College Station, redshirt sophomore Jameill Showers stood out in Texas A&M's scrimmage over the weekend. He threw for more than 150 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception, but only after it was dropped by a receiver.

Showers played in seven series with both the first- and second-team offense.

Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel split snaps with Showers, throwing for more than 150 yards and two touchdowns as well, but he threw two interceptions, with one that was returned for a touchdown by junior defensive back Toney Hurd Jr.

None of the offenses' possessions reached double digits in plays. Turnovers, sloppy play and penalties hurt the offense in the Aggies' first open scrimmage of the spring.

"We just have to be more consistent in our play on both sides of the football, and that's why we're here," coach Kevin Sumlin said. "For the quarterbacks to go operate the way they did, checking plays and moving around, it's encouraging. It gives us a real starting point."

Sophomore linebacker Donnie Baggs, junior linebacker Charlie Thomas, junior linebacker Domonique Patterson and senior linebacker Jonathan Stewart all registered sacks in the scrimmage.

For more on the Texas A&M's scrimmage, go here and here.

Today, we shift our attention to Arkansas. The Hogs lost as many talented seniors as any team in the league, and did so on both offense and defense.

If they’re going to break through next season in the West, they have to get better on defense, and that means replacing the best big-play defender on their team from a year ago:

OUT: DE Jake Bequette. We easily could have gone offense here with the Hogs losing three receivers -- Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs. Adams was equally valuable in the return game. And on defense, the Hogs need to find linebackers to replace Jerry Franklin and Jerico Nelson. But in Bequette, they lose that dynamic pass-rusher off the edge, the guy who made big plays for them and one of their best leaders. When he was healthy last season, Bequette was the opposing quarterback’s worst nightmare. He missed three games with a hamstring injury, but returned to rack up 10 sacks in 10 games, and also forced five fumbles.

IN: Chris Smith or Austin Flynn. Smith, a junior, is a prototypical speed rusher who’s bulked up to 251 pounds. He was somewhere around 230 when he arrived on campus as a freshman. Smith had six tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks, last season and has the physical tools to be the kind of finisher the Hogs need him to be in 2012. Consistency will be the key for him along with standing in there and playing the run better. Flynn, who transferred in from Los Angeles Harbor Community College, has already turned heads in the strength and conditioning program. At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, he’s closer to Bequette in size, and goes about his business much the same way on the field. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has called Flynn a Bequette clone. Flynn will be hard to keep off the field, but the reality is that both Smith and Flynn will play a lot of snaps this fall for the Hogs.