ESPN College Football

A twirl around the SEC:

• The door is open for Ole Miss redshirt freshman receiver Vincent Sanders to become a big part of the Rebels' offense.
• The search is on at Mississippi State to find Pernell McPhee's replacement at defensive end.
• Can John Jenkins do for Georgia what Terrence Cody did for Alabama at noseguard?
• Former South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders is working his way back.
• Mike Berardino of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that former Auburn player Stanley McClover deserves praise for blowing the whistle on the Tigers.
• A rebuilding year is likely on the way for Auburn's linebacker corps.
• Alabama is proceeding with caution at the safety position this spring.
• Alabama defensive end Damion Square, his knee brace gone, is back on track.
• Florida picks up its second commitment from a defensive lineman in a week -- Quinteze Williams of Tyrone, Ga.

The offensive linemen and tight ends were some of the first players to get measured and weighed at the NFL combine, and four of the largest guys there were from the SEC.

According to Todd McShay and Kevin Weidl's combine report, Florida offensive guard Carl Johnson (361 pounds), Arkansas offensive tackle Ray Dominguez (334), Georgia offensive tackle Josh Davis (331) and Florida offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (330) were four of the five heaviest offensive linemen at the combine. Davis also measured 6-foot-7 1/8, making him the third-tallest offensive lineman on hand.

Florida's Mike Pouncey (6-5, 303) and Georgia's Clint Boling (6-4 5/8, 308) looked especially fit during weigh-ins, according to the Scouts Inc. guys.

The heaviest tight end was South Carolina's Weslye Saunders, who was suspended and didn't play this past season. Saunders checked in at 6-5 and 270 pounds. He also had the longest arms of the tight ends (35 5/8 inches) and the second biggest hands (10 5/8).

Before his suspension, the Scouts Inc. guys had Saunders ranked as the second best tight end in the draft. The interview process will be huge for Saunders if he's going to move back up into the top part of the draft.

Arkansas' D.J. Williams was one of the smallest tight ends at 6-2 and 245 pounds.

Some Thursday linkage in the SEC:

• LSU linebacker Ryan Baker has a jaw-dropping debut, writes Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana.
• Florida quarterback John Brantley is becoming more confident with every start.
• Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson couldn't be happier with the way his defense is preparing this week.
• South Carolina cuts ties with senior tight end Weslye Saunders.
• Rick Bozich of The Louisville Courier-Journal writes, "What's happening in the SEC East?"
• Alabama only has one sack in its first two games, but don't rush to judgment, writes Don Kausler Jr. of The Birmingham News.
• Freshman Mike Dyer has emerged as Auburn's go-t0 rushing presence, writes Jay G. Tate of The Montgomery Advertiser.
• Auburn freshman receiver Trovon Reed may make his debut against Clemson after missing the first two games with a bruised knee.
• Vanderbilt coach Robbie Caldwell is looking for any and all ways to put a charge into the Commodores' offense.

South Carolina cut ties with suspended tight end Weslye Saunders once and for all Wednesday, dismissing him from the football team.

"Weslye Saunders is no longer part of our football program," South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman said in a release. “Beyond that, I will have no further comment."

This has been coming for a while. There were several people inside the program surprised that Saunders hadn't already been permanently dismissed. He was interviewed by NCAA investigators this summer about taking a trip to Miami that was allegedly funded by agents. Saunders was also involved in the Whitney Hotel investigation. He'd yet to play in a game this season after being suspended by South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.

South Carolina received an official letter of inquiry last week from that NCAA that it plans to launch a formal investigation into its football program.

South Carolina received formal notification Thursday that the NCAA is investigating its football program, according to a story by the Associated Press.

The letter of inquiry doesn't specify any potential violations but could signal weeks or months of uncertainty for the team.

The NCAA has questioned South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders about an agent-hosted party in Miami. Saunders and starting left tackle Jarriel King were among several players asked to move out of a Columbia hotel after questions were raised over unpaid bills and the rates the players were being charged.

Are you ready for some football?

SEC fans won’t have to wait until Saturday to kick off the 2010 season. South Carolina gets it started Thursday night against Southern Miss in Williams-Brice Stadium.

Questions abound about Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks. Who’s going to play? Who’s not going to play? How’s the quarterback situation going to shake out? Is this legitimately an SEC championship-caliber team?

We should start to receive answers soon enough. I can already see smoke billowing and hear the theme song from “2001: A Space Odyssey” playing in the distance.

Here’s a look at what to watch in the SEC in Week 1:

1. Catching a break: It appears that LSU will be facing a North Carolina team on Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game that will be depleted. As many as seven defensive starters for the Tar Heels could be missing and up to 16 players total, according to ESPN reports. Star defensive tackle Marvin Austin has already been suspended for the game for violating team rules. Several more could follow as NCAA and school officials continue to look into agent-related allegations and possible academic fraud. The Tigers insist they’re worried only about themselves, especially with this being such a critical game in setting the right tone for the season. We’ll find out a lot more about this LSU team's maturity come Saturday night in the Georgia Dome.

2. Rebel Yell: Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt conceded that he was “devastated” upon hearing the news Tuesday that the NCAA had ruled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ineligible to play this season. There’s still an appeal out there, and Ole Miss could hear something by Friday. The Masoli news was just the first blow this week for the Rebels. Later Tuesday, it was learned that senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett was out indefinitely while he undergoes tests to determine what’s causing a rhythmic heart condition. Both players were going to play key roles this season for the Rebels, who will be counting on the likes of Nathan Stanley, Randall Mackey, Gerald Rivers, Jason Jones and Carlos Thompson more than ever now.

3. Missing in action: There are more than a few anxious coaches and players at a number of SEC locales thanks to all of the NCAA investigations hovering out there. South Carolina could be without as many as five players Thursday night. Safety Akeem Auguste, cornerback C.C. Whitlock, offensive tackle Jarriel King, guard Terrence Campbell and defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye all face possible suspensions stemming from the Whitney Hotel probe. South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders has already been suspended for violating team rules. Alabama is waiting to hear something on defensive end Marcell Dareus, and Georgia is waiting to hear something on receiver A.J. Green. Georgia running back Washaun Ealey was suspended following his arrest last week, joining teammate Tavarres King, who was already suspended for this game following his July arrest. Injuries have also wreaked havoc, forcing Alabama running back Mark Ingram, South Carolina linebacker Shaq Wilson, LSU linebacker Ryan Baker and Florida offensive tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan to the bench for this first game.

4. Starting from scratch: Exactly half of the SEC teams will trot out a first-time starter at quarterback. That is, a first-time starter while playing in this league. Making their starting debuts will be Florida junior John Brantley, Georgia redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, Auburn junior Cameron Newton, Tennessee junior Matt Simms and Stanley at Ole Miss. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has yet to name a starter, but neither of the two quarterbacks who will play for the Bulldogs (junior Chris Relf or redshirt freshman Tyler Russell) has ever started a college game. Murray and Russell have never even played in a college game. One way or another, it ought to be interesting when the ball’s snapped this season in the SEC.

5. Passing fancy: It’s the first time we’ve seen Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett in live action since breaking a bone in his foot back in the winter during conditioning drills. At the top of his priority list this season is improving his accuracy and staying fundamentally sound when he is flushed out of the pocket. Now in his third year in Bobby Petrino’s system, Mallett isn’t one to talk about individual goals. His goal is to bring the Hogs an SEC championship. But with the talent surrounding him at all the skill positions, he could certainly make a run at a few SEC single-season passing records. Kentucky’s Andre Woodson has the touchdown record with 40 during the 2007 season, while another Kentucky quarterback owns the record for most passing yards in a season. Tim Couch threw for 4,275 yards during the 1998 season.

6. Rainey to the rescue:Florida coach Urban Meyer sounds excited about seeing Chris Rainey at the slot position, which was Percy Harvin’s old spot when he was scoring touchdowns on a weekly basis for the Gators. Meyer said Rainey was up to 178 pounds and poised for a big year. “He’s stronger than he’s ever been. He’s now focused on a position that really his body is more trained to be,” Meyer said. “He has to give us the home-run shot. He’s got the ability. There’s really not an offense that can function without a home-run hitter, and he’s either 1 or 2 on our list of guys who can take it the distance.”

7. Big Orange firsts: Not only will it be Derek Dooley’s first game as Tennessee’s coach this Saturday against Tennessee-Martin, but he estimates that two-thirds of the Vols’ roster has never taken a snap in Neyland Stadium. Dooley said 18 freshmen are on his two-deep, and Tennessee also has a new playcaller on offense (Jim Chaney) and a new defensive coordinator (Justin Wilcox). Chaney was on the previous Tennessee staff with Lane Kiffin, but Kiffin called the offensive plays. What's more, seven of the nine players slated to start on the offensive and defensive lines will be making their first career starts for the Vols in their current positions.

8. Coaching debuts: It wouldn’t be the SEC without at least one new head coach taking the field for the first time. This season, there are three -- Joker Phillips at Kentucky, Robbie Caldwell at Vanderbilt and Dooley at Tennessee. Just in the past 10 years, there have been a staggering 22 head coaching changes in the SEC. The dean of SEC coaches at his current school is Georgia’s Mark Richt, and he came aboard in 2001. Florida’s Meyer, LSU’s Les Miles and South Carolina’s Spurrier are tied for second on the list, and they’re all entering their sixth season in the league.

9. Many happy returns: There’s been a lot of chatter among coaches about allowing key players to participate in the return game on special teams. It will be interesting to see how many of those players we really see back deep this first week. It’s a star-studded list. Some of the possibilities: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, Georgia's A.J. Green, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Alabama receiver Julio Jones, Florida running back Jeff Demps, Arkansas receiver Joe Adams, Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones, Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb and Kentucky running back Derrick Locke.

10. Emerging stars: We’re all eager to find out who those players are that will emerge from the shadows this season. Picking them out after just one week is tricky, too, especially when you consider some of the mismatches on tap in Week 1 in the SEC. But here’s a quick checklist of players to keep an eye on: Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard, Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward, Georgia nose tackle DeAngelo Tyson, LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Auburn running back Mario Fannin, Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford and LSU receiver Russell Shepard.

South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders is out for Thursday’s game against Southern Miss, and several other players are still on hold.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said at his weekly news conference the Gamecocks are still waiting to hear back from the NCAA on which players linked to the Whitney Hotel investigation will face suspensions.

But Spurrier said Saunders, who was already on suspension from the team, definitely will not play. And, really, you have to wonder at this point how much Saunders will play at all this season.

Spurrier continues to say South Carolina will live with the NCAA’s ruling, which should come later Tuesday or sometime Wednesday, and move on.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like the Gamecocks will indeed be without a few players. The belief around the program is that safety Akeem Auguste, cornerback C.C. Whitlock, offensive tackle Jarriel King, offensive guard Terrence Campbell and defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye are the most at risk to miss games. Campbell has also been slowed by an injury.

Obviously, it’s not the way you want to go into a season, and the Gamecocks also have some injury problems.

Spurrier said Tuesday that neither weak side linebacker Shaq Wilson or “Spur” linebacker Antonio Allen were expected to play against Southern Miss. Wilson had missed most of preseason camp, but Allen injured his hamstring just this week. Sophomore Damario Jeffery would start in Allen’s place.

Travis Haney of The Charleston Post and Courier is reporting that South Carolina senior tight end Weslye Saunders was suspended after lying to coaches about why he missed several team meetings last Saturday morning prior to the Gamecocks' scrimmage.

Saunders, according to Haney, told the South Carolina coaches that he was late because he was talking with NCAA officials. But after checking with their compliance department, the Gamecocks' coaches realized that Saunders wasn't telling the truth.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said on Monday night after practice that Saunders was temporarily suspended because of a violation of team rules. Saunders has been the focus of an NCAA investigation on whether or not he received impermissible benefits from an agent during a spring trip to Miami.

If he's indeed lying to his coaches now, I can't imagine that Saunders will be around much longer. This team doesn't need any more distractions.

Weslye Saunders is talented enough and offers enough positives in his ability to get open and make things happen after the catch that simply giving up on him is exceedingly difficult to do.

It’s almost as difficult as a linebacker trying to cover him down the seam or a safety coming up and trying to get him on the ground in the red zone.

In short, the 6-5, 270-pound Saunders is one of those tight ends all teams covet, a big-time receiving threat who’s one giant headache for opposing defenses.

He’s fast becoming one giant headache … period.

Regardless of what the NCAA determines about Saunders’ eligibility, you wonder if South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is nearing a point where he simply says, “Enough.”

Saunders, who’s played extremely well during preseason camp, had already been a distraction with all the NCAA investigation talk surrounding him and whether or not his spring break trip to Miami was funded by an agent.

Then his name came up again in the Gamecocks’ version of Hotel-gate. He was one of the players reportedly living in the Whitney Hotel, and their living arrangements at the hotel brought NCAA investigators back to campus for more questioning.

And now the latest.

Spurrier announced following Monday’s practice that Saunders had been temporarily suspended for violating team rules.

“His situation will be determined a little later,” said Spurrier, noting that Saunders’ suspension had nothing to do with the NCAA probe or the situation with the Whitney Hotel.

Saunders was already skating on thin ice and looking at the possibility of a multiple-game suspension if the NCAA deems he received impermissible benefits from an agent.

But there was also a feeling in and around this program, at least last season, that Saunders was in it more for himself than the team.

The frustrating part for South Carolina coaches and fans is that he could be such a huge part of this offense and complement what is already an explosive receiving corps.

On the field, he’s been one of the real bright spots for the Gamecocks this preseason.

It’s all the baggage off the field they can do without, especially in a year that might be their best chance yet to get to Atlanta.

Five players from the SEC have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2010 John Mackey Award, which goes annually to the top tight end in college football.

Making the list from the SEC were:

• Marcus Green, Mississippi State
• Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
• Luke Stocker, Tennessee
• Aron White, Georgia
• D.J. Williams, Arkansas

While White certainly deserves to be on the list, it's hard to believe that his teammate, Orson Charles, didn't make it. Here's betting when they start reeling off the top tight ends in the country at the end of this season, Charles will be one of the names at the top of that list.

It's the Friday version of lunchtime links:

• The NCAA is looking into the living arrangements of several South Carolina football players, including tight end Weslye Saunders, reports Joe Person of The State newspaper.
• Chip Cosby of The Lexington Herald-Leader looks at some of the Wildcats' hottest position battles.
• Offensive tackle Kyler Kerbyson decides to stay home with his commitment to Tennessee. The Vols now have 13 commitments for the 2011 signing class.
• Former Tennessee safety Darren Myles Jr. reached a plea agreement in connection to his role in the bar brawl last month involving several Vols football players.
• Georgia sophomore cornerback Branden Smith has been cleared academically and will rejoin the team.
• The rule aimed at bad agents angers the good ones, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of The Birmingham News.
• Florida coach Urban Meyer has an offensive coordinator, a defensive coordinator and a Twitter coordinator, writes Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel.
• LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis isn't buying the "Third and Chavis" tag.
• Mississippi State redshirt freshman running back Montrell Conner is dealing with personal issues, reports Kyle Veazey of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
• Auburn sophomore John Sullen has emerged as a serious candidate for the right tackle job on the offensive line.

It took prized freshman running back Marcus Lattimore all of one practice to get some 11-on-11 work with South Carolina’s first-team offense.

The Gamecocks opened preseason camp Tuesday night, and Lattimore was hard to miss. He caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Stephen Garcia on a wheel route and also showed off some impressive moves during the practice. The South Carolina offensive staff likes Lattimore’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which should make him even more effective.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier noted that the play Lattimore scored on was an audible and he picked right up on it and adjusted his route.

“He will be ready the first game,” Spurrier said.

Sophomore running back Kenny Miles was nursing a hamstring pull during some of the 11-on-11 work. Still, it’s obvious that Lattimore is going to be a big part of this offense.

Speaking of freshmen, receiver Ace Sanders was equally impressive in his first practice. Spurrier felt like when the Gamecocks signed the 5-foot-7, 165-pound Sanders that his quickness and ability to make things happen in the open field would make him a perfect complement in the slot to some the Gamecocks’ bigger receivers like Alshon Jeffery, Tori Gurley and D.L. Moore. All three are at least 6-4.

“He’s a quick little guy and can go. We found that out,” Spurrier said.

Freshman A.J. Cann saw some time at left tackle in 11-on-11 work. Spurrier continues to talk like the Gamecocks may play a few of the freshmen on the offensive line. Ronald Patrick and Tramell Williams are also possibilities.

It’s too early to tell where Garcia is mentally and physically coming off his summer work and the public brow-beating he took from Spurrier. He wasn’t made available to the media following Tuesday’s practice.

Garcia, who's grown his hair out longer, did throw an interception in the end zone on an underthrown pass during 7-on-7 drills, but Spurrier seemed pleased with Garcia’s start.

“He did a little bit better, threw a beautiful pass to Marcus and a threw some errant balls here and there. But he’s trying,” Spurrier said. “Connor [Shaw] did a lot of good things also.”

Senior tight end Weslye Saunders also practiced and is still waiting to hear if he will face any penalties for a trip to Miami that might have been agent-funded. Saunders has already talked to NCAA representatives.

Spurrier said Saunders was down to 260 pounds and in the best shape he’s been in. Saunders, who was 285 last season, made several nice catches.

Schedule: Practice starts Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The first day in full pads is Saturday (Aug. 7).

What’s new: Shawn Elliott is South Carolina’s third different offensive line coach in as many years. He’ll also serve as the Gamecocks’ running game coordinator and brings with him from Appalachian State a version of the zone-read offense that South Carolina plans to incorporate into its package this season.

Sidelined: Tight end Weslye Saunders’ eligibility for the season remains in limbo after being questioned by NCAA representatives about alleged improper dealings with agents. It’s unclear how that investigation will affect his practice status.

Key battle: Akeem Auguste started nine games at cornerback last season, but he and Chris Culliver will be switching positions in 2010. If Auguste is going to remain in the starting lineup at free safety, he’ll have to hold off D.J. Swearinger, who was one of the stars of the spring.

New on the scene: Depending on how Stephen Garcia responds from being challenged publicly all offseason by Steve Spurrier, true freshman Connor Shaw could certainly see his share of snaps at quarterback. The Head Ball Coach was impressed with Shaw in the spring. Byron Jerideau, a 6-foot, 310-pound junior college newcomer, is being counted on at defensive tackle. Spurrier thinks true freshman Ace Sanders will fit in nicely as a slot receiver, while true freshman offensive linemen A.J. Cann, Tramell Williams and Ronald Patrick will all get a long look.

Breaking out: His former high school teammate, Stephon Gilmore, has already shown that he’s a budding star. Now it’s DeVonte Holloman’s turn at strong safety. The 6-3, 226-pound sophomore has all the tools to be a big-time player in this league.

Don’t forget about: Rodney Paulk has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries, but he returns as the Gamecocks’ starting middle linebacker. He’s started in 23 games during his career, but only one since the 2007 season. The NCAA recently granted Paulk a sixth year of eligibility, meaning he'll also be able to play during the 2011 season.

All eyes on: Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore. He’s perhaps the most important recruit that Spurrier has signed since arriving in Columbia in 2005. The jury is still out on South Carolina’s offensive line and will be until the Gamecocks prove otherwise. Lattimore is the kind of back with power, speed and acceleration that can make an offensive line look a lot better than it really is.

Quoting: “I think we’ve got the best group of athletes since we’ve been there. I know they have the best attitudes. Their work habits and so forth have been excellent. Now we need to get past seven wins. We need to win big at South Carolina.” – South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier

With the start of SEC media days bearing down on us, here's some of what's happening around the league:

• If South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders or any player on the team has had improper dealings with an agent, Steve Spurrier says, "We're not going to look the other way like possibly Southern California did."
• Tommy Hicks of The Mobile Press-Register writes that fans better get ready for a fine whine at SEC media days.
• Is Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson being let off the hook because he's a "good guy?" Bob McClellan in his Sports in the 615 column thinks so.
• Receiver Donte Moncrief, one of the top prospects in the state of Mississippi, has committed to Ole Miss for the 2011 class. Moncrief is rated as the country's No. 49 receiver prospect by ESPN.
• Rich Brooks might be retired, but he still has Kentucky on his mind.
• Georgia picks up two more verbal commitments for the 2011 class, including offensive tackle Zach DeBell of Tarpon Springs, Fla.
• LSU has suspended starting fullback Dominique Allen for violating team rules.

South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders has confirmed that he's met with NCAA representatives.

It now remains to be seen how involved Saunders is in the NCAA's investigation into agents and college football players. Saunders has acknowledged that he and North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin are close friends. Austin is one of several North Carolina players the NCAA has talked to about possible improper dealings with agents, in particular a trip Austin took to Miami during the spring. It sounds like Saunders might have been on that trip with Austin.

Before fans starting pointing the finger at South Carolina (or North Carolina, for that matter), they might want to keep in mind that the NCAA is apparently checking into rumblings involving players from several other schools who might have illegally accepted money and/or gifts from agents.

The whole Reggie Bush fiasco at Southern California ought to have everybody on their toes.

The frustrating part for college coaches and administrators is that they don't have the power to go after unscrupulous agents. Granted, the players know when they accept something from an agent -- be it a free trip, money or other gifts -- that it's against NCAA rules. Suspending them or taking away their eligibility might serve as a deterrent for some. But if you come from a disadvantaged background (and many of the players do), it's not realistic to think that most of these kids are going to say "no thanks" when some agent or runner is waving a bunch of cash in front of their noses.

The only way to stop this kind of illegal agent activity is to go after the agents themselves and take away their certification, which would require the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to jump on board with both feet.