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Georgia assistant coaches Tony Ball and Bryan McClendon received significant pay raises, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Ball, Georgia’s wide receivers coach, has been on coach Mark Richt’s staff since 2006 and is set to make $200,000, which is up from the $165,480 he made last year.

McClendon, who joined the Bulldogs' staff as the running backs coach in 2009, was previously one of the lowest-paid SEC assistants. His salary was $90,000 a year, but he will now make $200,000 each year.

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said the raises were results of other schools reaching out to Ball and McClendon. McGarity declined to get into what schools contacted the coaches, but did say that the raises were approved in February and March.

“All I can say is they were legit offers,” McGarity told the AJC. “I think the key is continuity. We had already lost two coaches to other schools. Continuity of staff is important to me and to Mark and we thought it was important to maintain stability, especially.

“They’re well-deserved. Both of these men are tremendous coaches who work very hard and were underpaid, in my opinion. We had some momentum going after recruiting and they had a lot to do with that. All signs are pointing up and we needed to be proactive. We will always be proactive.”

The news of Ball's raise comes just days after the Bulldogs had two wide receivers drafted in the 2011 NFL draft. Junior A.J. Green went fourth overall to the Cincinnati Bengals and senior Kris Durham went in the fourth round to the Seattle Seahawks.

Green, who was arguably the best receiver in the draft, caught 57 passes for 848 yards and nine touchdowns in his shortened 2010 season. He finished his career at Georgia with 166 receptions for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Durham was second on the team with 32 catches for 659 yards and three scores. He finished his college career with 64 receptions for 1,109 yards and four touchdowns.

McClendon has a chance to really earn his new paycheck this fall. He has the responsibility of coaching up a talented but unproven receiving group. Junior Tavarres King returns as the most experienced wideout and moved to Green's flanker position this spring. He and quarterback Aaron Murray developed good chemistry this spring and King figures to be the go-to-receiver in Georgia's offense.

Behind him, it's a bit of a mystery. Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten could have the most pure talent of the bunch, but neither has yet to make much of a contribution at Georgia. Brown caught just 11 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown last year, while Wooten snatched seven balls for 41 yards and a score.

The good news for Ball is that both seemed to have their internal light bulbs come on during spring, but the next step is having that carry over to fall.

As for McClendon, he's got a stable of running backs, but inconsistency is an issue. Senior Caleb King made vast improvements in practice, but never really broke away from the rest of the running back pack. Washaun Ealey is easily the most gifted runner, but off-the-field issues have him crammed in Richt's doghouse. For now, we don’t know where Ealey fits in with the running backs.

Next you have Ken Malcome, Carlton Thomas and incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell. Richt didn't hesitate when Crowell signed to say that he could be the guy this fall. Crowell brings great speed, athleticism and strength to the position, but he's young. Malcome and Thomas battled injuries this spring, but Malcome impressed in Georgia's spring game.

Both coaches have their work cut out for them this fall, but getting strong numbers out of their groups will make them well worth the recent investment.

Of note: “Salary actions” were also completed for new offensive line coach Will Friend, who will earn $200,000 this year, and new linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti, who will earn $250,000.

Six SEC players have been selected as semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.

Making the list were South Carolina offensive guard Garrett Chisolm, Georgia receiver Kris Durham, Tennessee kicker Daniel Lincoln, Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod and Vanderbilt linebacker John Stokes.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

The award was formerly known as the Draddy Trophy and has been referred to as the Academic Heisman. Florida's Tim Tebow was the recipient last year.

It's Friday, and the biggest SEC weekend yet awaits. I'm headed out to Fayetteville, but first a little linkage:

• Already the best tandem in Alabama history, where will Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson rate with the best ever?
• Florida coach Urban Meyer says his confidence in his offense is finally starting to rise.
• Running the football -- not throwing it -- has been South Carolina's forte so far this season, and the Head Ball Coach is the first to admit it.
• Georgia's Kris Durham is healthy, and he's putting up career numbers in his final season.
• Arkansas students are camped out in anticipation of Saturday's big showdown.
• A more seasoned Kentucky team says its recent road success will come in handy Saturday at the Swamp.
• Patrick Junen, a walk-on freshman, will start at one of the offensive guard spots for Ole Miss against Fresno State.
• LSU's spot-on kickoff coverage is led by special teams daredevil Daniel Graff.
• Tennessee senior linebacker Nick Reveiz has kept his health and kept a positive outlook.
• South Carolina's receivers present a tall task for Auburn's secondary.
• Mississippi State is looking for more consistency from its offensive line.

Georgia got the news it had been waiting on Wednesday concerning star receiver A.J. Green, and it wasn't good.

The NCAA ruled that Green be required to miss four games as a penalty for selling his Independence Bowl jersey to someone who meets the NCAA's definition of an agent. Green already sat out the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, so that means he will also miss this Saturday's game at South Carolina, the Sept. 18 home game against Arkansas and the Sept. 25 away game against Mississippi State.

The blow is especially tough for the Bulldogs, because the next three games are SEC games, two of those on the road.

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said the school would appeal the NCAA's ruling, hoping to get Green's suspension reduced.

With Green, the Bulldogs' receiving corps is one of the best in the SEC. Without him, there's not a proven go-to guy.

Getting sophomore Tavarres King back this week will help. He was suspended for the opener following an offseason arrest. Senior Kris Durham will again start in Green's flanker spot after catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown last week. The player the Bulldogs need to step up more than ever now is sophomore Marlon Brown.

Here's Mark Richt's statement on the matter:

"Certainly I'm disappointed with the outcome. However, we have games to play and that's where our focus needs to be in the coming days and weeks. Other players will have to step forward and I'm confident they will do that."

Here's Green's full statement:

"I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment. I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that's been caused. I've learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible."

Maybe the Bulldogs will overcome. They certainly played well in their opener, but you can't help but wonder when all the off-the-field drama will finally catch up with them. They've had nine players arrested since March, going back to former quarterback Zach Mettenberger's arrest and his eventual dismissal from the team. And now they find out they will be without their best player the entire month of September.

It's not the way you draw it up. That's for sure. We'll find out how good these Bulldogs are at blocking everything out and just playing. At least, all the wondering about Green's status can end now.

They're not going to have him (unless they win an appeal) until the Colorado trip on Oct. 2.

One of the things Georgia fans wanted to see from this new-look 3-4 defense under first-year coordinator Todd Grantham was more pressure.

So far, so good.

Georgia has been dominant defensively, particularly on third down, in racing out to a 17-0 lead against Louisiana-Lafayette in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs weren't very good on third down a year ago.

Lafayette, though, has been unsuccessful on its first six third-down attempts Saturday, and Georgia's second touchdown was set up by outside linebacker Justin Houston forcing the Lafayette quarterback to throw earlier than he wanted to. Brandon Boykin was there to pick off the pass for the Bulldogs.

With star receiver A.J. Green sidelined, the Bulldogs also needed somebody else at receiver to step up. Veteran Kris Durham caught a 3-yard touchdown pass. It's the first time Durham has played in 707 days. He missed most of the 2008 season with an assortment of injuries, then redshirted last season after having shoulder surgery.

Some of what's making news around the SEC:

• Florida coach Urban Meyer has concerns about his team, which is dealing with some injuries, and says "it's not Florida football yet."
• LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton says the experimentation is over and that he will be more aggressive in what he asks quarterback Jordan Jefferson to do this season.
• It's Mario Fannin's turn to be the starting tailback at Auburn, writes Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News.
• Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms is more than just a game manager, says first-year coach Derek Dooley.
• Walk-on Will Lowery is playing his way into a key role in the Alabama secondary.
• Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is still waiting for clearance by the NCAA.
• Senior Kris Durham is making his presence felt in Georgia's receiver rotation.

Making the rounds in the SEC:

• Georgia senior receiver Kris Durham says redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray will bring a new energy to the Bulldogs' offense.
• Whatever you do, don't call Steve Spurrier "old," writes Robbie Andreu of The Gainesville Sun.
• Increased revenue from football ticket sales in 2010 is expected to push Arkansas' athletic budget past the $60 million mark.
• Jeff Sentell of The Birmingham News offers up a playbook that prospects might want to follow during the recruiting process.
• Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel writes that Florida State should just say "no" to the SEC.
• Seth Emerson of The State newspaper writes that a move by Clemson from the ACC to the SEC is unlikely, but that the Tigers better keep their options open.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

The news was not what Georgia had hoped for on senior receiver Kris Durham.

He will undergo shoulder surgery next month to have a torn labrum repaired and will miss the entire 2009 season. He does have a redshirt year remaining and plans to come back for the 2010 season.

Where this leaves the Bulldogs for next season, though, is dangerously thin at the receiver position.

Everybody knows A.J. Green can play, but Georgia wants to keep teams from sliding all their coverage to his side of the field.

it's more important than ever that sophomore Tavarres King takes that next step. The Georgia coaches were really impressed with his ability last season, but he needs to become more consistent and put it all together in 2009.

Junior Tony Wilson returns after missing most of last season with an ankle injury, and senior Michael Moore is back after catching 29 passes last season, including two touchdowns.

The guy who may end up taking the most pressure off of Green, though, is incoming freshman Marlon Brown. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Brown was rated by Scouts Inc. as the No. 3 receiver prospect in the country and showed tremendous ability after the catch in high school.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks ahead to what we can expect to see Saturday in Georgia's G-Day spring game.

The good news is that sophomore receiver A.J. Green says he's back to being 100 percent healthy after battling through a groin injury that plagued him most of last season. The bad news is that senior receiver Kris Durham has a bum shoulder that might need surgery.

When are the Bulldogs going to get out from under the injury storm cloud that has hovered over them since preseason of last year?