2016 SEC Spring Practice Updates

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Scott Rabalais ‏@RabalaisAdv 37m37 minutes ago

Sources: #LSU defensive back, sprinter Donte Jackson ruled academically ineligible for spring http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/15396973-178/lsu-db-sprinter-donte-jackson-ruled-academically-ineligible-for-spring-source-says ... via @theadvocatebr

Donte Jackson's two-sport spring is over.

Jackson, a cornerback in football and a sprinter in track, was ruled academically ineligible for the spring semester, two sources told The Advocate on Tuesday.

The 173-pound speedster is expected to qualify over the summer and participate in preseason camp in August, a source said. But Jackson is not allowed to complete spring football practice or to compete in the track team's outdoor season — an end to a highly anticipated rookie year for the Riverdale product.

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Jordan Cronkrite@JC_Knows

Be careful who you invest all of your time into.


... and that's the way it is, Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

JC knows

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Brandon Marcello ‏@bmarcello 2h2 hours ago

Master schedule for every SEC spring game this weekend http://sec.news/22hU4zG

South Carolina Garnet & Black Game, noon ET
TV: SEC Network

Auburn A-Day, 4 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network

A&M Spring Game, 6 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network

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Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 1h1 hour ago

Auburn's A-Day crowd the lowest of Gus Malzahn era http://sec.news/22kT6Tn

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Brent Zwerneman ‏@BrentZwerneman Apr 9 College Station, TX

Texas A&M spring game attendance: 27,412.

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 Hugh Kellenberger ‏@HKellenbergerCL Apr 9

Spring games are boring and tedious. But if they're necessary, what about another approach? Hugh Freeze has an idea. http://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/columnists/kellenberger/2016/04/09/kellenberger-what-another-kind-spring-game/82837836 ...

Ole Miss wrapped up its spring practice on Saturday without a spring game.

Rebels went through a "scrimmage" in front of a few hundred people inside the Manning Center, and that was it. There were no arbitrary sides taken, the SEC Network was nowhere to be found and no "official" stats to be taken way too seriously between now and the Florida State game on Sept. 5 were accumulated. They just practiced for no more than two hours, and then said they were done.

There was no actual spring game because of continued construction at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (including switching from field turf to natural grass), but coach Hugh Freeze is not exactly upset he missed out on the rite of passage of pretending what happened in spring practice No. 15 means a whole lot more than 1-14.

"I watch some of the ones that are on TV this year and I can't say that it broke my heart that we didn't have that kind of game," Freeze said.


"I think we got more out of practicing today than we would have playing a spring game, but I will say again that I'm a proponent of playing another school at the end of each other's spring practice, charge $5 and give every bit of the money after the travel team gets their expenses paid to a charity of choice," Freeze said. "I think that we would all get a lot out of that and you can play one on ones, twos on twos, threes on threes and just get a lot done."

You'd have to figure out how much of an actual game it would be (Could quarterbacks be hit? How much of your playbook would you run?) but put a bunch of coaches in a room and they'd come out with answer. That process could start in Destin, Florida at the spring meetings, where Freeze first brought up his idea a year ago.

You could even take it away from campus sites. There is a generation of people in Jackson that fondly remember the days of Ole Miss and Mississippi State playing doubleheaders at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Coliseum. There's too much money to be made for a regular season game to go away from Oxford or Starkville, respectively. But could this be a way to bring it back? The SWAC schools could organize to play on Friday, with a Saturday doubleheader featuring the Rebels and Bulldogs playing a yearly rotation of Southern Miss and a regional school (Tulane, Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, South Alabama, etc ...).

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https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/719586116009984000

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https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/719555916694040577

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/719964695927660544

Malzahn gave three quarterbacks a chance to impress this spring, and after Saturday's A-Day game it's safe to say that all three missed their opportunity. Last year's signal callers — Jeremy Johnson (35 yards passing) and Sean White (125 yards passing) — don't seem destined to return as a starter this year. Junior college transfer John Franklin III, who many have predicted to eventually win the job, wasn't all that impressive either (61 yards through the air). It's easy to imagine these results have Malzahn singing, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for," and it isn't the least bit surprising that Davis Webb — a graduate transfer quarterback from Texas Tech — is now reported to be giving the Tigers a look.

A&M isn't playing around

Aggies announced from their official Twitter account that Trevor Knight — a transfer from Oklahoma — would be the team's starting quarterback for its season opener against UCLA on Sept. 3.

Carolina might have found some new stars

Obviously incoming freshman quarterback Brandon McIlwain — and his three touchdowns —

McElwain's acorn hasn't fallen far from the Nick Saban Coaching Tree

McElwain spent four seasons working under Saban as Alabama's offensive coordinator (2008-11). During that time, McElwain undoubtedly learned a lot, including that Saban values experienced quarterbacks —

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https://twitter.com/ESPNDari/status/720009359879634945

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/720260384733573121

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https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/720278278741762048

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AL.com sports Verified account
‏@aldotcomSports

Why do you think #Alabama A-Day attendance has been dipping? http://ow.ly/10FfNG

That immaculate sunny 2007 afternoon, Saban and his gray blazer strolled into Bryant-Denny Stadium. Joining 92,138 others, the newly hired coach had a good feeling.

In that decade, Alabama's risen from the sleeping giant to an annual contender. It also helped usher in the era of mega spring-game crowds. But those crowds, while still among the nation's best, have sagged from the peak years.

Each of the past four A-Day games brought fewer fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium than the previous year. After peaking at 92,310 when the Saban statue was unveiled in 2011, the attendance slipped to 65,175 last April – a 29.4 percent drop.

Any number of factors could contribute to the dip. The novelty factor of the first few Saban years have worn off at this point. Spring games have also become national TV events. ESPN will televise Saturday's game, marking the sixth time in the past 10 years one its networks carried the event live.

Weather hasn't been much of an issue in the last few years. The threat of rain likely contributed to last year's crowd size, though the game broadcast was exclusive to the online streaming devices connected to the SEC Network.

This downward attendance trend has not gone unnoticed. Alabama added events to this year's plan to draw a larger audience. The alumni quarterback challenge was revived and will include recent starters Jake Coker, Blake Sims and John Parker...

At Auburn, the 45,723 who attended last week's spring game was the lowest of the Gus Malzahn era. It was 26.4 percent lower than last year and well off the school record 83,401 who witnessed Malzahn's first A-Day in 2013. Tickets to Auburn's game cost $5. There is no cost to attend Alabama's.

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/721485282093174785

Kirby Smart wore headphones and moved around the field like his shoes were on fire, shouting directions with limbs flailing, blood pressure rising. It was as if this game actually meant something...

He watched the "G-Day" game as the "Black" team beat the "Red" team, 34-14. At least, that's what the scoreboard said. Given new open records laws for Georgia athletics, official statistics may not be available for 90 days.

The final spring game in the Mark Richt era drew 46,000. That was an all-time high — and Smart more than doubled it at an estimated 93,000.

"Wow," Smart said. "I'll tell you what, for the fan base to support our program and support our kids the way they did, it touches my heart. There were a lot of doubters out there who said it couldn't be done ... But they came, and they came in droves, and I appreciate that more than they know."

Smart and freshman quarterback Jacob Eason, not surprisingly, have been the focus of spring, and it follows they drew the most attention Saturday. When video clips from Smart's introductory news conference played on the Sanford Stadium scoreboard, fans screamed. Words flashed on the screen between clips:

"EXPERIENCE THE RE-BIRTH..."

"OF AN ENTIRE NATION"

"JOIN THE MOVEMENT"

"JOIN THE NEW ERA"

It really is a new era. Before kickoff, Ludacris rapped a few of his favorites, including that family-friendly classic, "Move B***h."

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Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 6h6 hours ago

Attendance at #Vols' Orange & White Game: 67,027.

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AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 2h2 hours ago

Alabama's A-Day attendance went up this year: http://ow.ly/4mLOJ7

Attendance was announced at 76,212 – up from the 65,175 from last April. The 2011 crowd of 92,310 remains the school record. The Nick Saban statue was unveiled that afternoon.

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Kentucky:

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 7h7 hours ago

Announced attendance for Blue-White is 28,441. There are not nearly that many people here.

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 Mizzou Football ‏@MizzouFootball 1h1 hour ago

Spring Game attendance: 24,473
Thanks to all for joining us! #MizzouMade 🐯🏈

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Ross Dellenger ‏@RossDellenger 2h2 hours ago

LSU announces attendance at the spring game as 21,000, says spokesman Michael Bonnette.

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 Bruce Feldman ‏@BruceFeldmanCFB 2h2 hours ago

Cool moment at #USC spring game: blind long snapper Jake Olson gets a standing O as he takes the field (and delivers 2 perfect snaps) on FGs

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Mark Anderson ‏@markanderson65 6 hours ago

I can think of 100,189 better things to do. RT @BruceFeldmanCFB: Official attendance for #OhioState spring game:100,189--a new record.

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Jimmy Hyams ‏@JimmyHyams 6h6 hours ago

UT announces  67,000 at spring day. It's closer to 50000. Don't know why they want to inflate numbers so drastically.

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Jason Butt ‏@JasonHButt 15h15 hours ago

Full stadium for a practice game in April.

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/721747588869959680

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SEC Network ‏@SECNetwork 17h17 hours ago

SEC Spring Game Attendance
1) Georgia: 93,000 (*New SEC Record)
2) Alabama: 76,212
3) Tennessee: 67,027
4) Florida: 46,000
5) Auburn: 45,723

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Brett McMurphy ‏@McMurphyESPN 15h15 hours ago

Roll Tide RT @AustinKarp: Alabama spring game on ESPN on Saturday (0.6 overnight rating) topped all weekend NHL Playoff games on cable TV

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/722465998696226816

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https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/722778579738693634

FOIA: He performed for 13 minutes, but it is his list of demands that has grabbed headlines.


    A loaf of bread (whole grain with the most amount of grains)
    Organic peanut butter (creamy only)
    Organic jelly (strawberry or grape only)
    Candies (assorted i.e., Snickers, M&Ms, Jolly Ranchers)
    A box of green tea (Tazo with condiments like lemon, organic honey, sugar)
    Nag Champa Incense
    Box of Fruit Rolls Ups
    Mint Listernine
    6 Hanes Large White T-Shirts
    1 Crest Spin rechargeable toothbrush
    Greek strained yogurts (mixed flavors)
    Trojan Magnum Condoms (excstasty)
    Two bottles of Belvedere Vodka
    Nico Coconut Water
    Two bottles of his own label Cognac.

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/722838062666006528

With apologies to Ludacris, an overflow crowd of more than 93,000 showed up at UGA's G-Day game primarily to get their first glimpse of true freshman quarterback Jacob Eason — which makes him already as popular in Georgia as fried chicken and sweet tea.

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Razorback Football ‏@RazorbackFB 27m27 minutes ago

Beautiful day for some 🏈!

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/723972946713292800

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ESPN SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC 35m35 minutes ago

Three observations from Arkansas' spring game http://es.pn/1SZHPme

Sammy Khan, Jr.: The defense looks poised to take a step forward...

The offensive line remains a work in progress...

The stat line for Arkansas' new starting quarterback reads decent enough -- 13-for-19 passing for 141 yards and no interceptions --

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ESPN's SEC post-spring position rankings: Offensive line

5. Arkansas: This is one of the SEC's most intriguing units as three key starters must be replaced. The Hogs ended the spring with a redshirt freshman at left tackle (Colton Jackson) and a converted defensive lineman at left guard (Hjalte Froholdt). Frank Ragnow, last year's starter at right guard, is the new center and Brian Wallace, who was injured late in spring, will be at right guard. Dan Skipper, the right tackle, is the only returnee starting in the same place he did last year...

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https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/725717025092325376

Arkansas: Will the run-pass balance shift?

Don't get caught up in what you saw during the spring game. That was only a fraction of the playbook. What remains to be seen is whether Bret Bielema and Dan Enos shake things up and lean even heavier toward the pass this season...

Auburn: Is John Franklin III the answer at quarterback?

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Jake Rowe ‏@Rowe247 Apr 26

#UGA's DL the biggest defensive concern exiting spring @Dawgs247 (FREE) http://bit.ly/1WRukLh

Suspensions have already hit the Bulldog defensive line and they could hit harder. Jonathan Ledbetter will miss the first game of the season due to a pair of alcohol-related charges earlier this month. Chauncey Rivers will probably miss the first three games of the season after sitting out last season's TaxSlayer Bowl because of a second marijuana-related arrest.

Then there's freshman early enrollee Julian Rochester, who was also arrested earlier this month for possessing a BB gun in his dorm room and property damage. Those two charges stand as felonies for now and how they are classified in the future will have an impact on how he is punished. There appears to be a real chance he could miss at least one game. Combine those suspensions with the injuries suffered by DaQuan Hawkins and Michael Barnett, both of whom are expected back at full speed very soon, and The Bulldogs have no choice but to rely upon a group of freshmen who are set to arrive in June.

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/728255529471086592

LSU hauled in a highly acclaimed Class of 2016 signing class, which includes five early enrollees.

Two of those early enrollees — linebacker Devin White and cornerback Saivion Smith — proved to be early standouts on the defensive side of the ball this spring, leading LSU coach Les Miles to praise them during the SEC football spring media teleconference on Thursday.

"A couple of freshmen came in and did very well," Miles said. "It looks like a couple of those guys on defense will play."

White, who was regarded as the nation's No. 5 athlete in the Class of 2016, signed with the Tigers with the expectation he would eventually join their backfield.

After realizing the depth LSU boasted at that position, White switched over the defensive side of the ball, filling in at linebacker in place of an injured Kendell Beckwith.

In doing so, the 6-foot-1, 258-pounder impressed by Miles and first-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, giving the team a new weapon in the linebacking corps to trot out for the 2016 season.

"Devin White went from running back to linebacker, and he just looks like he's going to be playing very quickly," Miles said.

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https://twitter.com/ESPN_SEC/status/734791574278701056

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https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/739079759611744256

There was a lot to be proud of for the A&M secondary in 2015. The Aggies recorded a shutout victory against Vanderbilt late in the season, while Watts led the team in tackles with 126, the fourth highest total in the nation for defensive backs. The staff took Brandon Williams from running back, to corner, to third-round NFL draft pick in just one short year. Wilson appeared at times to be the second coming of Tyrann Mathieu —

Though Williams departs, Watts and Wilson will both be patrolling the field for the Aggies once again in 2016. Wilson will likely line up at nickel, with Evans at strong safety to assist Watts in deep coverage. The senior finished third on the team in tackles with 78 after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast community college prior to last season.

Harvey should have one of the corner spots locked down, while Capers-Smith and Willis battle it out during the start of the season to earn snaps in conference play.

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Missouri post-spring breakdown

Legendary coach Gary Pinkel is gone, but his successor knows more than enough about how to run Missouri's football program. Barry Odom moved up from defensive coordinator and is looking to get the Tigers back toward the top of a SEC Eastern Division it won in 2013 and 2014.

We didn't learn a lot about this team this spring, but some positive strides were made for a program that won just five games last season.

What we learned on offense: This offense likely won't become a juggernaut overnight...

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Who has had the SEC's best offseasons to date?

UGA COACH KIRBY SMART
Smart spearheaded the Dawgs' wildly successful campaign of attracting 93,000-plus fans to the G-Day spring game.

TENNESSEE QB JOSHUA DOBBS
Tennessee could have the SEC's best offensive line by season's end if redshirt freshman Drew Richmond (a four-star recruit from Class of 2015) hits the ground running at left tackle.

LSU
    It's been a relatively quiet spring for coach Les Miles, who survived a late-season coup attempt from the LSU athletic department but now appears to be more popular than ever (assuming the wins keep coming).
    The Tigers only lost two early-entry talents to the NFL draft, setting the stage for a monster 2016 campaign.

A&M QB TREVOR KNIGHT
    Oklahoma transfer didn't need much time to cement the Aggies' starting job for the fall, eclipsing promising passer Jake Hubenak (who threw for more than 300 yards in the bowl game) during spring practice.
    Knight now has access to the SEC's best and deepest receiving corps

KENTUCKY
    Wildcats (just 12-24 over the past three seasons) are expected to take a major step forward this season, harvesting the seeds of solid recruiting classes from 2014 (six 4-star prospects), 2015 (19 3- or 4-star prospects) and 2016 (25 3- or 4-star prospects).