On last day to declare for NFL draft, DeSean Jackson and Reggie Smith go pro
On the last day for underclassmen to make themselves eligible for the NFL draft, DeSean Jackson and Reggie Smith announced they were going pro.
Jackson, California's spectacular receiver and punt returner, had an underwhelming junior season as a receiver. Still, his decision to bypass his senior season wasn't a big surprise.
He had 65 receptions for 762 yards and six touchdowns for Cal (7-6) while battling injuries. He returned one punt for a touchdown in the season opener against Tennessee, giving him a Pac-10 record six punt returns for scores in his career.
Jackson had 59 catches for 1,060 yards and nine TDs in 2006. He finished his Cal career third in school history with 2,423 yards receiving and 22 TDs.
Smith, a cornerback who also returns kicks, became the third Sooners junior to declare for the draft. He joins linebacker Curtis Lofton and receiver Malcolm Kelly.
Smith, who missed the Fiesta Bowl with a toe injury, started 13 games in 2007 and was fourth in the team in tackles with 78. He had three interceptions and one fumble recovery, which he returned 61 yards for a touchdown against Miami.
LSU, which has to replace 11 senior starters from the national championship team, got some good news when linebacker Darry Beckwith and defensive end Tyson Jackson announced they would return to school for their senior seasons.
Defensive end Kirston Pittman also might return to the team if the NCAA approves his application for a sixth year of eligibility, coach Les Miles said.
Pittman missed 2005 and 2006 with injuries but took a medical redshirt for only one of them. He started all 14 games this season and finished with team highs of 13 1/2 tackles for losses and eight sacks.
Mirian Segar, LSU's associate athletic director for student services, said it could take three to four weeks for the NCAA to decide Pittman's status once the paperwork has been filed.
Beckwith started 12 games at middle linebacker and made 65 tackles. Jackson had 36 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.
Tennessee running back Arian Foster also will return for his senior season. He led the Vols with 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007. He also caught 39 passes for 340 yards.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Michigan QB Mallett leaves program, considering Tennessee, others
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Ryan Mallett has left the Michigan football program, and the quarterback might be reunited with his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee.
"He's on his way home," his father, Jim Mallett, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "We don't know where he's going to go yet, but we need to do something quick. We're going to visit three, four or five schools."
The former Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year may end up with the Volunteers, who are considering hiring former Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler.
"If they're hired, that would be a real good possibility," Jim Mallett said. "Ryan really clicked with both coach DeBord and coach Loeffler during the last couple months of the season and during bowl practices, I've never seen Ryan throw the ball or read defenses as well as he did."
The Wolverines also lost another offensive player when wide receiver Adrian Arrington declared for the NFL draft. He caught 67 passes for 882 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
"Today is a very emotional day for me," Arrington said in a statement released by the school on Wednesday. "As much as I will miss my teammates, friends and Michigan football family, I have always dreamed about playing in the NFL.
"I believe that I am ready to take on this challenge and move on to the next level. Though I will be catching passes in another city starting next fall, I will always be a Michigan man."
Rich Rodriguez said Tuesday night he did not expect to coach Mallett, Arrington or wide receiver Mario Manningham at Michigan. Rodriguez said Arrington and Manningham would skip their senior seasons.
Manningham might be a first-round pick after catching 72 passes for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns and running 19 times for 119 yards and a score this season.
Mallett said his son also will consider transferring to Texas A&M, Arkansas and UCLA among other schools. After sitting out next season, he will have three years of eligibility.
"Several schools have called and we're still open-minded about any program that runs a pro-style offense," he said. "He's going to enroll this semester, so we've got to get moving."
Mallett played in 11 games as a freshman, filling in for Chad Henne when he was injured. He was 61-of-141 for 892 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.
As soon as Lloyd Carr retired and Rodriguez was hired, Mallett's days seemed to be numbered because of Rodriguez's spread offense that has featured mobile quarterbacks.
"It just wasn't a fit and yet, it was a hard decision," Jim Mallett said. "When he came home for Christmas, he told me and my wife that he really was falling in love with being at Michigan.
"Ryan wants to thank coach Carr, his staff and all the players for helping him have a great experience the past year."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Running back Dan Moore of Tucson, Ariz., commits to Griz football
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Running back Dan Moore of Tucson, Ariz., has made a commitment to play football at the University of Montana.
Moore's stats as a senior included 1,941 yards rushing, 249 yards receiving and 335 return yards and 21 touchdowns for Mountain View High School (7-4).
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Moore told the Tucson Citizen that he plans to major in fire science and said UM is a good fit for him.
Mountain View coach Paul Schmidt thinks the coaches will be pleased with Moore.
Moore can sign with the Grizzlies starting Feb. 6. Griz coaches can't comment on recruits until they sign letters of intent.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Neuheisel back to Pac-10? He is candidate for UCLA job
Four years after Rick Neuheisel left the University of Washington with his reputation tarnished, the former UCLA quarterback has emerged as a candidate to become coach at his alma mater.
Neuheisel, currently the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, confirmed Wednesday that UCLA has contacted him about replacing the fired Karl Dorrell. Neuheisel's boss, Ravens coach Brian Billick, is lobbying for him to get the job.
"I have been contacted and, as an alum, I want what's best for them. And if I can help I would certainly be excited," Neuheisel told The Associated Press in Owings Mills, Md., where he was helping prepare the Ravens for Sunday's game at the Seattle Seahawks.
The 46-year-old Neuheisel said coaching the team he led to a Rose Bowl victory in 1984 would be a dream job, "But I want what's best for them ... All of us (Bruins) want to see that football program on top."
Neuheisel was also an assistant for UCLA from 1986-93.
According to media reports, the other candidates for the UCLA job are defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, the Bruins interim coach for the Las Vegas Bowl against BYU, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow and Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach John Harbaugh.
Neuheisel declined to discuss specifics of his contact with UCLA.
His previous head coaching stints at Colorado and Washington included winning and turmoil. He went 33-14 from 1995-98 with Colorado, but after he left for Washington the Buffaloes were placed on two years' probation and had scholarships cut by the NCAA for dozens of recruiting infractions that occurred under Neuheisel.
He went 33-16 and led Washington a the Rose Bowl in 2000, but he was fired in 2003 for participating in a betting pool on the NCAA basketball tournament. He sued for wrongful termination and settled in March, 2005, with UW and the NCAA for $4.5 million.
The NCAA eventually cleared Neuheisel of wrongdoing in the betting scandal.
Neuheisel began his road back to coaching in the fall of that year as a volunteer assistant, coaching quarterbacks at Seattle's Rainier Beach High School. Billick hired him in '05 to be Baltimore's quarterback coach.
Last January, Billick promoted Neuheisel to offensive coordinator -- though Billick calls the plays for the Ravens (4-10).
"I think Rick has learned the college game is the thing for him," Billick said. "He's an excellent pro coach, but the enthusiasm and the affection he has for the college game, it's better suited for the college game.
Neuheisel's settlement still rankles many in Seattle. His destructive departure left the Huskies' program in a downward spiral it has yet to reverse.
Yet Neuheisel is looking forward to returning to the city Sunday.
"It will be fun because I have a lot of fond memories of my time in Seattle," he said.
"The ending was no fun, but we won a lot of games while I was there and made a lot of friends and had some very rewarding times. I don't have any ill will toward the city, nor the people, nor the school."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuberville agrees to two-year extension
AUBURN, ALABAMA (TICKER) -- Putting an end to rumors that had him possibly landing another job, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has agreed to a two-year contract extension.
The new deal, which was agreed upon at an awards dinner in New York on Tuesday, extends Tuberville's contract through 2013 at an average salary of $3.3 million annually.
Tuberville's contract does include a buyout that will be at $6 million in 2008, $5 million in 2009 and $4 million thereafter should he leave for another job.
Before Texas A&M hired Mike Sherman is its new coach, Tuberville had been linked to that job. There also was speculation that Arkansas, which is seeking a replacement for Houston Nutt, was interested in talking to Tuberville.
In nine seasons at Auburn, Tuberville has compiled an impressive 79-33 record. Perhaps even more importantly, he has guided the Tigers to a school-record six straight wins over rival Alabama.
Tuberville also has guided the Tigers to eight straight bowl appearances. In 2004, the Tigers went 13-0, won the Southeastern Conference and finished second in the national rankings.
Auburn (8-4) faces Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on December 31.
Copyright 2007 PA SportsTicker. All Rights Reserved
Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel are Heisman finalists
NEW YORK (AP) -- A Heisman Trophy race that once seemed so muddled has been dwindled to four contenders and even has a favorite.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, trying to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, has emerged as a front-runner among the finalists who will be in New York on Saturday night vying for the award given to the top player in college football.
Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the runner-up for last year's Heisman, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan were the other finalists selected Wednesday.
"I think it's a good race," Brennan said at a news conference in Honolulu. "I think anybody can win it."
The Heisman race took a while to develop this season and seemed wide open until the last month when Tebow, McFadden and Daniel emerged as front-runners.
Since the first Heisman was given to Chicago's Jay Berwanger in 1935, all 70 players who have won college football's most prestigious award have been juniors or seniors.
Tebow has a good shot to break that trend. After helping the Gators win a national championship last season as a freshman, 235-pound dual-threat quarterback ran for 838 yards and a Southeastern Conference-record 22 touchdowns in his first year as a starter.
He's also the nation's second-leading passer, having completed 68 percent of his throws for 3,132 yards, with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Tebow's already pulled off one college football first, becoming the first major college player to run for 20 touchdowns and throw 20 TD passes in the same season.
One thing Tebow has never done is visit New York. He plans to have his parents and some of his siblings along for the trip.
"I'm looking forward to seeing all of it, Central Park, the Christmas tree (in Rockefeller Center), Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, everything," Tebow said. "It's going to be cool, just walking the blocks. I've never been to a city like that."
McFadden was one of the preseason favorites after finishing second to Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith last year. His candidacy lagged with a mediocre October, but he gave himself a boost with a spectacular November. In the final month of the season, McFadden tied the SEC record with 321 yards rushing against South Carolina, and ran for 206 yards and three TDs and also threw a touchdown pass to lead the Razorbacks to a 50-48 triple overtime victory over then-No. 1 LSU.
Daniel was one of six quarterbacks to reach 4,000 yards passing this season. He threw for 4,170 yards and 33 TDs to get the surprising Tigers within a victory of reaching the BCS national championship game.
"This shines a huge light, a shining light, on the University of Missouri and the state," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said in a conference call with the Mizzou Tiger Club of St. Louis on Wednesday.
This season, Brennan led Hawaii (12-0) to the only perfect regular season in major college football and its first Bowl Championship Series appearance, but his numbers were down from last year because he lost time to injuries.
In the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense, Brennan passed for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also set the major college record for career touchdown passes with 131.
"It's a great feeling because it's not like I'm the only one getting rewarded here. It's everybody who played with me getting rewarded," Brennan said.
The Heisman finalists are the top vote-getters in balloting by media members and former players.
McFadden and Brennan were among the players who received plenty of preseason Heisman hype, along with Southern California quarterback John David Booty, Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, Rutgers running back Ray Rice and Michigan running back Mike Hart.
Booty missed time with injuries and never made a serious run. Injuries also held back Hart. Brohm and Rice had big numbers, but their teams slumped.
Midway through the season, Tebow and Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon started separating themselves from the pack. A knee injury ended Dixon's season early and probably cost him a trip to New York for the award presentation.
Dixon and the Ducks were No. 2 in the country heading into their 10th game of the season. His left knee buckled early in a loss to Arizona, and without him the Ducks lost their final two games.
Dixon finished the season with 2,136 yards passing and 20 touchdown passes and ran for 583 yards and nine touchdowns.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Revived Wildcats take 3-game streak into Territorial Cup showdown
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Mike Stoops knew what people were saying.
How could he not?
His Arizona Wildcats were 2-6 after an ugly 21-20 home loss to Stanford on Oct. 20. They seemed destined to spend the holidays at home for a ninth straight year, extending the Pac-10's longest bowl drought.
Stoops would be fired at season's end, or so the speculation went, and someone else would take a crack at reviving the fortunes of the only Pac-10 football program that has never been to the Rose Bowl.
"You hear it," Stoops said after practice this week. "Some of it's justified. I've been around, and I know how these things work. I really believe you get what you deserve."
Then came a trip to Seattle on Oct. 27. Trailing by 15 points with 13 minutes to go, the supposedly worn-out Wildcats rallied for a 48-41 victory over Washington. Facing third-and-7 at the Huskies 27, quarterback Willie Tuitama hit Mike Thomas for the winning touchdown with 2:07 to play.
The play launched a three-game win streak, including a 34-24 victory over then-No. 2 Oregon on Nov. 15. Only No. 8 USC has as many consecutive wins among Pac-10 teams.
During the streak, Arizona president Robert Shelton quelled the can-Stoops movement by announcing that the coach would be back for a fifth season in 2008. Stoops, who is 17-28 and under contract through 2010, could breathe again.
"I just knew we were playing better than our record," Stoops said. "We just didn't get any breaks. We had some tough competition. We just weren't aligned right."
Now the talk is about whether the Wildcats can knock off rival Arizona State on Saturday night in Tempe -- and a possible bowl bid for the Wildcats (5-6, 4-4 Pac-10).
"Three wins later, everything's hunky dory," linebacker Spencer Larsen said with a chuckle. "Honestly, I don't think anyone has a handle on what happened."
Campus was literally buzzing on Wednesday evening as the team worked out under the lights at Arizona Stadium. Piped-in crowd noise simulated the atmosphere at Sun Devil Stadium, which will be sold out for the game. The din could be heard all the way over at Old Main in the heart of campus.
No one had to ask what the noise was all about. It's ASU week -- the time of year when football passions inflame a basketball-obsessed school.
"There is hatred all around campus," cornerback Antoine Cason said. "You see the students. That is all they are talking about. Oregon was a great game, but ASU is what we have to do. It is a good atmosphere to be in. The students are all behind you and everybody talks about it."
Of course, the Wildcats said the same thing last November, when they rode a three-game win streak into the Territorial Cup game. A victory over the mediocre Sun Devils at home would have sent Arizona to a bowl game. But the Wildcats came out tight, fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and lost 28-14.
Stoops senses a difference in his team as it prepares for ASU this year.
"There's no question we're a lot better than we were last year at 6-6," he said.
One reason is Arizona's offense, which has finally found its stride under new coordinator Sonny Dykes. The conservative Stoops has allowed Dykes to ditch the running game and throw caution -- and everything else -- to the wind.
The Wildcats have scored 116 points in their last three games, and Tuitama has 10 touchdown passes against two interceptions in that span.
No one seems to care that the Wildcats rush for a paltry 79.7 yards per game, fewer than all but six major-college teams.
Another reason for Arizona's turnaround can't be found on the stat sheet.
The Wildcats say they are more relaxed -- and they're taking a cue from the 45-year-old Stoops, who might want to try decaf more often.
On the sideline, Stoops is among the most animated coaches in college football. He and his staff routinely receive warnings from the officials to stay off the field.
But as the Wildcats stumbled in midseason, Stoops said he felt his team was straining. He looked to himself to change the attitude.
"I took the blame," Stoops said. "I feel like we started pressing."
The players picked up on the message and began to perform better.
"As players, we really don't know how he feels or what is on the line for him, but he can get really tight," Cason said. "For him to relax makes us relax and play loose. We know we can come back to the sidelines if we mess up without getting chewed out."
Now the question is whether the Wildcats can complete their turnaround with a victory over 13th-ranked Arizona State. Instead of turning in their gear, the Wildcats could begin planning for a bowl trip.
"It (won't be) a Rose Bowl, but it would be a statement that we've come a long way, and we're headed in the right direction," said Larsen, a senior. "It's so important that we win."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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