ESPN College Football

There are 20 former SEC players on the Super Bowl rosters of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

LSU and Tennessee each have five former players playing in the game, which tops the SEC. Alabama and Georgia have two. This is the 10th consecutive season that LSU has had a former player on one of the rosters in the Super Bowl.

Florida has a player, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, on a Super Bowl roster for the ninth consecutive season.

Here's a complete list of the former SEC players on the Super Bowl rosters:

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Chad Clifton, OT, Tennessee
Matt Flynn, QB, LSU
Brett Goode, LS, Arkansas
Howard Green, DE, LSU
Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU
Donald Lee, TE, Mississippi State
Pat Lee, CB, Auburn
Tim Masthay, P, Kentucky
Charlie Peprah, SS, Alabama
Scott Wells, C, Tennessee
Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Ryan Clark, FS, LSU
Ramon Foster, OG, Tennessee
Anthony Madison, CB, Alabama
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Chris Scott, OT, Tennessee
Justin Vincent, RB, LSU
Mike Wallace, WR, Ole Miss
Hines Ward, WR, Georgia

Turns out the SEC isn't No. 1 in everything when it comes to football.

OK, just kidding around, so no reason to flood me with e-mails, Big Ten and Pac-10 fans. I realize quality football is played in other parts of the country over and above the SEC. It's just that the trophy cases are a little dusty and barren in those other parts of the country.

With that said, would you believe that the ACC leads the way this season in producing Pro Bowl players? Actually, it's the third straight year that the ACC has sent the most players to the NFL's all-star event. The ACC has 19 former players in the game this season. The SEC is second with 13 and the Pac-10 third with 12.

Tennessee was the SEC team with the most players selected (five). LSU was the only other team in the league to have more than one selected. The Tigers had two. Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt were the only four SEC teams that didn't have a Pro Bowl player this year.

Here's a list of the SEC players in the 2011 Pro Bowl:

• John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons (South Carolina)
• Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (LSU)
• Chad Clifton, OT, Green Bay Packers (Tennessee)
• Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans (Tennessee)
• Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts (Tennessee)
• Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots (Tennessee)
• Jason Peters, OT, Philadelphia Eagles (Arkansas)
• Maurkice Pouncey, C, Pittsburgh Steelers (Florida)
• Jay Ratliff, NT, Dallas Cowboys (Auburn)
• Richard Seymour, DT, Oakland Raiders (Georgia)*
• Kyle Williams, NT, Buffalo Bills (LSU)
• Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers (Ole Miss)*
• Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys (Tennessee)

* Out of the game due to injury

Former Florida center Maurkice Pouncey has released a statement denying allegations that he took money from an agent last year prior to the Sugar Bowl.

"I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim. I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me," Pouncey said in a statement issued by his attorney.

The SEC media days are here, which means the links will be coming fast and furious over the next few days:

• Auburn safety Zac Etheridge got medical clearance to return to football and can't wait to get back out there despite last season's scary neck injury.
• Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News takes a look at the top 10 SEC media days events in Hoover.
• Mark Wiedmer of The Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that the SEC media days may end up turning into agent-gate.
• Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel says to forget Southern California, that Alabama is the NCAA's most consistent cheater.
• Florida coach Urban Meyer gets set to face the questions concerning the allegations that Maurkice Pouncey took money from an agent last season prior to the Sugar Bowl.
• Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wants to use A.J. Green in a number of different ways this season, maybe even taking direct snaps in the Wild Dawg formation.
• Former junior college quarterback Nick Lamaison says he won't be back at Tennessee, but the Vols have refused to release him from his scholarship.

HOOVER, Ala. -- It's been a while since the first day of SEC media days was this anticipated.

The two teams that have dominated the league the last two seasons are on tap today -- Alabama and Florida -- and both have agent allegations swirling around their programs.

Alabama coach Nick Saban has already gone off on unscrupulous agents and will no doubt have a few more things to say today as the Crimson Tide investigates whether defensive end Marcell Dareus attended an agent's party in Miami with several other players from around the country.

Florida coach Urban Meyer will certainly be peppered with questions about the Maurkice Pouncey allegations, that he took $100,000 from an agent last year and then played in the Sugar Bowl. Adding to the drama, Pouncey's twin brother, senior center Mike Pouncey, is one of the players the Gators are scheduled to bring to the media days.

Here's a look at today's lineup. We'll have updates throughout the day:

From 2 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. ET: Alabama and Mississippi State.

The Alabama players attending are running back Mark Ingram, quarterback Greg McElroy and linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

The Mississippi State players attending are quarterback Chris Relf, offensive lineman Quentin Saulsberry and safety Charles Mitchell.

From 4:20 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET: Florida and Kentucky

The Florida players attending are center Mike Pouncey, defensive end Justin Trattou and safety Ahmad Black.

The Kentucky players attending are running back Derrick Locke, receiver Randall Cobb and defensive end DeQuin Evans.

Add Florida to the list of schools around the country dealing with allegations of illegal agent activity.

Both the NCAA and the university are looking into allegations that former center Maurkice Pouncey was paid $100,000 by a representative of an agent between the Gators' loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game last season and their win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl. Florida notified the NCAA of the allegation once it became aware of it. Pouncey played in both games.

"We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released Monday morning to ESPN.com. "At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida."

South Carolina has confirmed that tight end Weslye Saunders was interviewed last week by NCAA representatives over possible improper dealings with an agent, and there are several players at North Carolina, including defensive lineman Marvin Austin, who have been questioned by the NCAA about agent-related activity.

With the No. 8 choice, we introduce you to the second offensive lineman in our countdown of the SEC’s 25 best players.

No. 8: Mike Pouncey, C/G, Sr., Florida

2009 numbers: A second-team All-America selection by The Associated Press, Pouncey was part of a Florida offensive line that paved the way for the Gators to lead the SEC in total offense with an average of 457.9 yards per game.

Most recent ranking: Not ranked in preseason or postseason countdown for 2009.

Making the case for Pouncey: The Gators’ recruiting class this past February was outstanding, but their most important get may have been the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Pouncey deciding to return to school for his senior season. His twin brother, Maurkice, did elect to go pro and went in the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike will slide over from guard next season to take over for his brother at center. He played both right guard and left guard a year ago for the Gators and has started in 28 consecutive games. Maurkice won the Rimington Award as the nation’s top center last season, and it’s not out of the realm to think that Mike could follow in his brother’s footsteps. This is the first time the Pouncey twins have been split up since they started playing football. As valuable as Mike will be in the middle of that offensive line, one of the best and most experienced in the league, he’ll be just as valuable in the locker room with his leadership. Florida coach Urban Meyer will tell you that the Pounceys were players the Gators built their program around these past few years and now Mike remains as the anchor of their offensive line.

The rundown

No. 9: Pernell McPhee, DE, Sr., Mississippi State

No. 10: Jerrell Powe, NT, Sr., Ole Miss

No. 11: Trent Richardson, RB, So., Alabama

No. 12: Stephon Gilmore, CB, So., South Carolina

No. 13: Kelvin Sheppard, LB, Sr., LSU

No. 14: Randall Cobb, WR/QB, Jr., Kentucky

No. 15: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Jr., Florida

No. 16: Mark Barron, S, Jr., Alabama

No.17: Darvin Adams, WR, Jr., Auburn

No. 18: Alshon Jeffery, WR, So., South Carolina

No. 19: D.J. Williams, TE, Sr., Arkansas

No. 20: Cliff Matthews, DE, Sr., South Carolina

No. 21: Clint Boling, OT, Sr., Georgia

No. 22: Greg Childs, WR, Jr., Arkansas

No. 23: Washaun Ealey, RB, So., Georgia

No. 24: Chris Marve, LB, Jr., Vanderbilt

No. 25: Luke Stocker, TE, Sr., Tennessee

Four SEC centers have been named to the Rimington Trophy 2010 Spring Watch List.

One of those players, Florida's Mike Pouncey, will have a chance to keep the award in the family. His twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey, won the 2009 Rimington Trophy, which goes annually to the top center in college football.

Also making the cut were Mississippi State's J.C. Brignone, Georgia's Ben Jones and Alabama's William Vlachos.

We’ll dip back into the SEC mailbag today. Keep the questions coming (and the nice comments). OK, even the mean-spirited ones, too. After all, this is the SEC:

Casey in Tikrit, Iraq, writes: You have a very strong point in who the best running back duo is the SEC. But my question is that if the Georgia Bulldogs’ offensive line blocks like they are supposed to, then would you say that Washaun Ealey and Caleb King could be the sleepers? The way they ran at the end of the last season in my mind looked unreal. What would you say?

Chris Low: First of all, Casey, I want to thank you for your service and please be safe over there. As for running back duos, Ealey and King would be No. 2 on my list right now behind the Alabama tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, although I think the running backs at Arkansas and Auburn could have something to say about that No. 2 spot before it’s all over. With Ealey finishing the season the way he did a year ago, I think that will only motivate King. Did you notice how King’s numbers went up as Ealey got it rolling last November? In Georgia’s last five outings, the two of them averaged a combined 193 yards rushing per game. King had six touchdowns in those five games, too. I think they will be good for each other, push each other and they will also keep each other fresh. So, yes, I like the Ealey-King duo running behind a deep, veteran Georgia offensive line. If the Bulldogs get Trinton Sturdivant and Tanner Strickland back healthy next season, it could be one of the best lines in the league. But as Mark Richt says himself, he wants to see it on the field before he starts talking about what this line may or may not be capable of in 2010.

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Stephen in Mobile, Ala., writes: In your opinion, who out of Auburn, Florida and Georgia will have the best offensive line?

Chris Low: As I stated above, I think Georgia will certainly be right up there. But until we get into the season, there are a few too many “ifs” that scare me. We just don’t know yet about Sturdivant and Strickland, although Sturdivant is due some good luck after missing each of the past two seasons with knee injuries. Auburn and Florida each have four of five starters returning. All four of Auburn’s starters are seniors. The Gators’ only loss was a big one, center Maurkice Pouncey, who was a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His replacement, twin brother Mike Pouncey, will slide over and play center, and the Gators have three other returnees who are NFL prospects -- senior tackle Marcus Gilbert, sophomore tackle Xavier Nixon and senior guard/tackle Carl Johnson. It’s a close call among all three of the teams you ask about. But right now, I’d go with the Gators based on their ability to both run block and protect the passer. They also have some quality depth. Maurice Hurt, James Wilson and Matt Patchan have all played some in the past.

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Mark in Chattanooga, Tenn., writes: Tell me how Tennessee struggles to get to six wins. Tennessee-Martin, Vanderbilt, Memphis and UAB are all wins. Kentucky will be a good challenge, but it’s in Knoxville. Three of our four toughest games are at home (Oregon, Florida and Alabama). We could pick up a win against a weaker Ole Miss team at home. I think we could win at least one of the away games against Georgia or South Carolina. It is a tougher schedule with LSU and Oregon rolling in and UCLA and Auburn rolling out. But we lost those two games last year, so it won't change wins versus last year if we lose both. I liked how Crompton ended his career, but he didn't get rolling until Georgia. One of our quarterbacks can figure it out by then. Our receivers are talented. We have two good options at running back. The offensive line will be a big factor. I think we have some good players on defense and some with experience due to the injuries last year. What seven teams do you think beat us?

Chris Low: I know Derek Dooley would appreciate your optimism. There’s not a surplus of that around Knoxville these days and may not be for a couple of years. As I look at the Vols’ 2010 schedule, their lack of experience at quarterback and on the offensive line and their general lack of depth across the board, I think 6-6 sounds about right. But I also don’t think it will be easy to get there. Outside Tennessee-Martin, I wouldn’t say any game is a guarantee. The Vanderbilt series has been pretty close the past few years, and the Commodores won in 2005. The Vols had to go into overtime to beat Kentucky two of the past three years, and I wouldn’t call the Memphis game (a November night game on the road) a lock. But my best guess is that Tennessee wins three of its four nonconference games, wins two SEC games at home (maybe Ole Miss and Kentucky) and finds another win somewhere (maybe Vanderbilt). Again, though, it will be a struggle to get there.

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DK in Portland, Ore., writes: When and if the SEC expands to possibly 16 schools, who do you see getting the invites? Is it possible that they look for new territory and invite Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to join the Western Division? What a strong conference that would be.

Chris Low: Anything is possible. I do believe the landscape is going to change with regard to the conferences in the next two years. How much it changes is the question. In talking to some folks at the SEC, they’re just waiting and not antsy to make any moves. If the Big Ten goes to 16 schools (and I’m starting to think that’s not going to happen), then the SEC will certainly respond. If we do indeed get to that point, then I think all four of the schools you mention could be in play, especially if Nebraska and Missouri were to leave the Big 12. I’ll admit that it would be fun (the coaches might not think so) to see Florida going up against Texas every few years and Alabama and Oklahoma squaring off on occasion.

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John in Columbia, S.C., writes: At South Carolina, do you think that Spurrier will be more aggressive with the play-calling next football season.

Chris Low: John, to be honest, I think he will be more consistent. Now, he says he called most of the plays last season. Some in and around Columbia aren’t buying that. To me, the genius of Spurrier as a playcaller was always that he'd keep you on your toes. He’d get into one of those rhythms calling plays, would commit to the run when it made sense and then rip your heart out with a play nobody saw coming. The key here is committing to the run. The Gamecocks gave up on the run way too early in some games the last two seasons. If the Head Ball Coach is truly going to call all of the plays next season, I don’t think you’ll see that happen. The other thing is that he needs to do a better job of protecting his defense next season and not hang those guys out to dry as much.

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Mark in New Market, Ala., writes: Why are tickets so high this year?

Chris Low: For one, have you seen what they’re paying head coaches these days? Heck, forget the head coaches. I saw recently where seven of the 10 highest-paid assistant coaches in the country reside in the SEC. Six of the 12 defensive coordinators in this league make $500,000 or more annually. I’m not begrudging them. They deserve every penny when you consider the pressure to win in this conference. But when you’re paying the kind of coin SEC schools are to coaches, renovating stadiums the way schools are and constantly building new facilities, ticket prices are going to keep going up. It’s almost to the point where the average Joe can’t afford to take his family of four to a game. Sad … but that’s reality.

Today, we examine the Gators’ strengths and weaknesses coming out of the spring.

Strongest position: Offensive line

Key returnees: Senior center Mike Pouncey, senior guard/tackle Carl Johnson, senior tackle Marcus Gilbert, sophomore tackle Xavier Nixon, senior guard Maurice Hurt, junior guard James Wilson

Key departures: Center Maurkice Pouncey

The skinny: The Gators did some bang-up recruiting this offseason with a signing class some have called the most talented ever. But their most important recruit might have been holding onto Mike Pouncey, who opted not to turn pro early and will instead slide over from guard and take over for his twin brother, Maurkice, at center next season. Maurkice was a first-round selection and will certainly be missed, but the Gators return four starters up front -- and three of those are seniors. Nixon took over at left tackle as a true freshman last season and started the last five games. Johnson returns at left guard, but has also started at tackle. Gilbert returns as the Gators’ right tackle. Hurt and Wilson will probably battle it out for the right guard spot. Hurt started some at guard a year ago. The Gators have enough depth and versatility in their offensive line that Steve Addazio will have the luxury of working a couple of different combinations to ensure getting his best five guys on the field. Junior tackle Matt Patchan could also factor in somewhere after being injured most of last season. Barring a rash of injuries, this may end up being the best offensive line Urban Meyer has had at Florida.

Weakest position: Defensive end

Key returnees: Senior Justin Trattou (17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception), senior Duke Lemmens (10 tackles), junior William Green (12 tackles, three tackles for loss)

Key departures: Carlos Dunlap (38 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks), Jermaine Cunningham (34 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles)

The skinny: If ever the Gators could use an infusion of talent, it’s at defensive end. Not by coincidence, they went out and signed some of the most talented end prospects in the country, most notably Ronald Powell of Moreno Valley, Calif. He might need to bulk up some, but Powell is an incredible athlete who will be a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles off the edge. It’s rare that true freshman defensive linemen come into the SEC and make an immediate impact, but Powell is that kind of talent. Trattou is the top returnee and will need to make more big plays for the Gators, who got a combined 31.5 sacks from Dunlap and Cunningham the past two seasons. Green has big-play potential at the other end. He just has to go do it. Lemmens is a steady player, but neither is in the class of Dunlap and Cunningham. Rushing the passer effectively will be more important than ever next season, too, when you consider that the Gators will be filling holes in the secondary created by the early departures of cornerback Joe Haden and safety Major Wright. Two more true freshmen who could end up helping are Dominique Easley and Lynden Trail. Easley could get snaps at both end and tackle.

The SEC's seven first-round NFL draft picks on Thursday night was second to the Big 12's nine.

The SEC has now had five picks in the top 20 of the first round four years in a row.

The first-round proceedings Thursday night reminded us all one more time that how decorated you are at the college level and how many awards you win aren't real important in the eyes of pro scouts.

Take Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson, for instance. He played in the shadow of Javier Arenas all season a year ago. Arenas was a consensus All-American and one of the "stars" of the defense. It was all Jackson could do to earn honorable mention All-SEC status.

Still, he was solid all season as a shutdown cornerback, ran great times in the 40-yard dash and wound up being the fourth defender drafted from the league, going 20th overall to the Houston Texans.

Jackson is another one of those guys who wasn't highly recruited, either. He went to Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy out of school even though he was qualified academically and was committed initially to Vanderbilt until Nick Saban and Alabama jumped on him.

Say this, too, for Jackson. He's supremely confident in his abilities. He turned pro this past season despite Saban telling him he needed another season of college ball.

As for guys who slipped, who would have thought at the end of the regular season last year that Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap wouldn't go in the first round?

At that point, he was being projected as a top 15 pick by all the analysts. But that next week, he was arrested on DUI charges, was suspended for the SEC championship game, and apparently some of his interviews with teams following the season didn't go well.

In Friday night's second and third rounds, one of the SEC guys to watch will be LSU defensive tackle Al Woods. After a so-so college career, Woods really shot up draft boards this offseason with solid workouts.

And who will be the first SEC player to get picked in the second round?

I'll go with Alabama's Terrence Cody, but my dark horse is Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster.

Here's the complete list of SEC first-rounders on Thursday:

• No. 5 -- S Eric Berry, Tennessee, Kansas City Chiefs
• No. 7 -- CB Joe Haden, Florida, Cleveland Browns
• No. 8 -- LB Rolando McClain, Alabama, Oakland Raiders
• No. 18 -- C/G Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, Pittsburgh Steelers
• No. 20 - CB Kareem Jackson, Alabama, Houston Texans
• No. 25 -- QB Tim Tebow, Florida, Denver Broncos
• No. 26 -- DT Dan Williams, Tennessee, Arizona Cardinals

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay has six SEC players going in the first round in his latest mock draft.

Former Tennessee teammates Eric Berry and Dan Williams will both go in the top 10 picks, according to McShay, who has Berry going No. 7 overall to the Cleveland Browns and Williams No. 9 overall to the Buffalo Bills.

If that happens, Berry and Williams would become the first SEC defensive teammates to go in the top 10 picks of the same draft since Alabama defensive ends John Copeland and Eric Curry went Nos. 5 and 6 in the 1993 draft.

Speaking of first-rounders, anybody want to venture a guess on which SEC team produced the most during the past decade?

Georgia and Tennessee each had 10 from 2000-09. During that stretch, the Vols failed to win an SEC championship, while Georgia won two.

Every SEC team last decade produced at least one first-rounder with the exception of Mississippi State, which hasn't had a player drafted in the first round since defensive back Walt Harris went No. 13 overall and receiver Eric Moulds No. 24 overall in the 1996 draft.

LSU produced nine first-rounders last decade, and seven of those came in the past four years. Alabama produced just three first-rounders during the decade, and offensive tackle Andre Smith last year broke an eight-year drought for the Crimson Tide of not having a first-round selection.

Here's a breakdown of SEC first-rounders over the past decade:

Georgia -- 10

Tennessee -- 10

Florida -- 9

LSU -- 9

Arkansas -- 6

Auburn -- 6

Ole Miss -- 6

South Carolina -- 4

Alabama -- 3

Vanderbilt -- 2

Kentucky -- 1

Today, we take a look at what should be the strongest and weakest positions for Florida in 2010:

Strongest position: Offensive line

Key returnees: Mike Pouncey, Carl Johnson, Marcus Gilbert, Xavier Nixon, Maurice Hurt, Matt Patchan, James Wilson

Key departures: Maurkice Pouncey

The skinny: Had Maurkice Pouncey not decided to turn pro, the Gators would have one of the deepest, most experienced offensive lines in the country in 2010. Even with him gone, they should still be very good up front. They really like the way Xavier Nixon is developing after he stepped in as the starter at left tackle late last season as a true freshman. Mike Pouncey, an All-SEC performer, will move from guard to center. Carl Johnson has started at both guard and tackle, while Marcus Gilbert was the starter at right tackle last season. Maurice Hurt and James Wilson will probably fight it out for that other guard spot, and if Matt Patchan is healthy, he’ll push somebody for a starting spot.

Weakest position: Receiver/tight end

Key returnees: Deonte Thompson, Andre Debose, Omarius Hines

Key departures: Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez, David Nelson

The skinny: The Gators lost four of their top five receivers from a year ago, including their top three. One of those was Hernandez, who was a nightmare matchup problem for defenses at tight end. Freshman Gerald Christian may be the heir apparent to replace Hernandez. At receiver, the Gators have some talent, but even more unknowns. Is this the year Thompson is more consistent and doesn’t have as many drops? He needs to become the go-to guy of this group. How healthy will Debose be after coming off hamstring surgery? As talented as he is, keep in mind that he’s never played in a college game. There’s also a huge opportunity for guys like Frankie Hammond, Solomon Patton and Hines to step up and be playmakers. One move the Gators made was shifting Chris Rainey from running back to slot receiver.

The NFL combine wraps up Monday and Tuesday, and already several former SEC players have helped themselves.

A few might have hurt themselves, too.

Auburn running back Ben Tate had a super workout session. Weighing 220 pounds, he turned in the third fastest 40-yard dash time among the running backs (4.43), was second among the running backs with a 40.5-inch vertical leap and tied for the most reps on the bench-press among running backs with 26. He also had a 10-4 broad jump, which tied Tennessee's Montario Hardesty for first among the running backs.

Hardesty, who had bulked up to 225 pounds, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and did 21 reps on the bench.

The defensive linemen and linebackers are working out on Monday, and Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens set the bar pretty high on the bench-press with 44 reps. His teammate, Geno Atkins, did 34 reps. As a comparison, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh did 32 reps.

Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson put up 31 reps Monday morning.

The strongest former SEC player of the combine was Arkansas offensive guard Mitch Petrus, who did 45 reps over the weekend. That tied a combine record (since 2000).

The fastest former SEC player was LSU return specialist Trindon Holliday, who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow didn't throw at the combine. He'll show off his new delivery at the Gators' pro day on March 17, but he did demonstrate what kind of athlete he is. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, fourth fastest among the quarterbacks, and tied Josh McCown's record for quarterbacks with a 38.5-inch vertical leap. Tebow's hands (10 1/8) also measured the largest of the quarterbacks.

One of the biggest surprises of the combine so far was that Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster didn't turn in a faster 40 time. Weighing 172 pounds, McCluster ran a 4.55, but did show off his strength with 20 reps on the bench-press.

LSU receiver Brandon LaFell also had a disappointing 40 time (4.6), while Ole Miss' Shay Hodge was even slower (4.63).

Some players chose not to run the 40 and/or work out because they were injured or simply wanted to wait until their school's pro day. Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez had a strained back and didn't run.

The defensive backs work out on Tuesday.

Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain have both moved up on Mel Kiper's latest Big Board of the top prospects in the NFL draft.

With the NFL combine kicking off this week, Haden is now No. 5 and McClain No. 8. The top SEC player on Kiper's board is Tennessee safety Eric Berry, who's No. 3.

Kiper has Berry as his top safety, Haden as his top cornerback and McClain as his top linebacker, further validation of the caliber of defensive talent the SEC produces year in and year out.

Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams has also moved up to No. 17.

The Vols are the only team in the country with two defenders ranked among Kiper's top 20 prospects, which doesn't exactly back up former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's repeated claims last season that the Vols were hurting for talent.

Florida joins Oklahoma as the only two teams nationally with three players on Kiper's Big Board. Center Maurkice Pouncey is No. 18 and defensive end Carlos Dunlap is No. 22.