Davis’ agent shoots down marijuana rumors

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The agent for former Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis today denied a report that Davis and two other players tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine.
NFLdraftbible.com cited sources in a report Friday that Davis, Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin and Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji all tested positive for marijuana.  …
Continue reading at ESPN.com – Big Ten – Blog

Florida, Oklahoma odds on favorites for 2009

The Wiz spotted BodogLife’s updated odds for the college football season. Long story short… it looks like the Gators and Sooners are the early picks, followed by USC, Texas, and Ohio State.

Here’s the complete rundown:

Alabama 22/1
Arizona 100/1
Arizona State 150/1
Arkansas 150/1
Auburn 150/1
Boise State 100/1
Boston College 100/1
California 60/1
Cincinnati 90/1
Clemson 60/1
Colorado 100/1
Florida 7/4
Florida State 30/1
Georgia 50/1
Georgia Tech 50/1
Illinois 80/1
Iowa 75/1
Kansas 75/1
Kansas State 175/1
Kentucky 125/1
Louisville 150/1
LSU 20/1
Maryland 200/1
Miami 35/1
Michigan 120/1
Michigan State 100/1
Missouri 90/1
Nebraska 55/1
North Carolina 45/1
North Carolina State 100/1
Notre Dame 30/1
Ohio State 17/2
Oklahoma 5/1
Oklahoma State 50/1
Oregon 20/1
Oregon State 100/1
Penn State 35/1
Pittsburgh 60/1
Rutgers 125/1
South Carolina 100/1
South Florida 80/1
Tennessee 100/1
Texas 8/1
Texas A&M 150/1
Texas Tech 60/1
UCLA 150/1
Utah 125/1
USC 5/1
Virginia 100/1
Virginia Tech 20/1
Wake Forest 80/1
Washington 200/1
West Virginia 75/1
Wisconsin 100/1
Field (Any Other Team) 20/1

And remember… entertainment purposes only… of course.

© www.fanblogs.com

Comment on Florida, Oklahoma odds on favorites for 2009…

Continue reading at Ohio State Football – Fanblogs.com

Iowa bolsters offensive line with new commit

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Iowa restored its tradition of stout offensive line play this season, and the Hawkeyes bolstered their front five with a commitment today from tackle Nolan MacMillan. 

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound MacMillan chose Iowa over Boston College and Virginia. Michigan State, South Florida and Rutgers were among the other scholarship offers MacMillan received. 

Iowa returns three starting offensive linemen for 2009 and boasts some decent depth with players like Dan Doering and Rafael Eubanks. Right tackles Doering and starter Kyle Calloway enter their senior seasons this coming fall, so MacMillan could be in the mix for playing time in 2010. 

Go to Source

Recapping the Big Ten coaching changes

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Purdue's hiring of defensive coordinator Donn Landholm on Monday likely marks the end to the major coaching moves in the Big Ten this year. 

There have been no head-coaching changes — Danny Hope was named Purdue's head coach-in-waiting last year — and unless Iowa's Kirk Ferentz bolts for the Kansas City Chiefs, which isn't likely, all 11 teams will have continuity on top. But there were several key changes among coordinators and key position coaches. 

Here's a summary. 

ILLINOIS

Offensive coordinator: Mike Locksley left to become New Mexico's head coach. Illinois hired TCU offensive coordinator Mike Schultz as his replacement. 

Defensive line: Ron Zook fired Tom Sims and hired Cincinnati's Keith Gilmore. 

Offensive line: Eric Wolford left for the same post at South Carolina, and Zook hired Houston's Joe Gilbert as his replacement. 

Notes: Arguably Illinois' biggest coaching move was one that didn't happen. Zook offered Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson the chance to be Illinois' defensive coordinator, but the ace recruiter opted to stay in State College. 

INDIANA

No changes.

Notes: Despite a 3-9 season that saw regression on both sides of the ball, head coach Bill Lynch said he didn't expect to make any staff changes for 2009. 

IOWA

No changes.

Notes: Ferentz is being mentioned as a candidate for the Chiefs' head-coaching vacancy because of his ties to new general manager Scott Pioli, but it appears likely he will remain at Iowa for an 11th season. He will hold a signing day news conference scheduled for Feb. 4 and has talked with athletic director Gary Barta about a contract extension.

MICHIGAN

Defensive coordinator: Scott Shafer resigned and later took the same job at Syracuse. Michigan hired former Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson as Shafer's replacement.

Notes: Head coach Rich Rodriguez took his time with the search, and Robinson actually reached out to him about the defensive coordinator vacancy.

MICHIGAN STATE

No changes.

Notes: Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell was in the mix for several head-coaching spots (Miami University, Boston College) but will stay put for 2009.

MINNESOTA

Offensive coordinator: Mike Dunbar resigned Jan. 6 to pursue other professional opportunities. Minnesota hired former Denver Broncos wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch as Dunbar's replacement.

Defensive coordinator: Ted Roof resigned Jan. 6 to take the same post at Auburn. Gophers head coach Tim Brewster hired former Nebraska and Wisconsin defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, who will share coordinator duties with defensive backs coach Ron Lee.

Notes: Fisch will call the offensive plays, but he must collaborate with Tim Davis, the team's new offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Davis, who replaces Phil Meyer, was hired in late November to transform Minnesota's run game and return the team to its roots as a dominant rushing attack.

NORTHWESTERN

Offensive line: Bret Ingalls left for the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald told me he's not concerned about naming a replacement until after signing day, but indications are Adam Cushing, the H-backs coach and recruiting coordinator, will be promoted to line coach. 

Notes: Athletic director Jim Phillips wants to work out a contract extension for Fitzgerald and likely will announce one in the coming weeks or months.

OHIO STATE

No changes.

Notes: Some expected offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Bollman to get the axe, and while it still could happen, head coach Jim Tressel is the primary play-caller and responsible for the unit's success. Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell was mentioned as a candidate for the head-coaching vacancy at Bowling Green.

PENN STATE

No changes.

Notes: Penn State retained Larry Johnson despite Illinois offering more money and a coordinator position. Longtime defensive coordinator Tom Bradley also remains despite some rumors that he was a candidate for the top job at Syracuse.

PURDUE

Offensive coordinator: Ed Zaunbrecher was fired and replaced by Florida Atlantic offensive coordinator Gary Nord. 

Defensive coordinator: Longtime Boilers defensive coordinator Brock Spack left to become Illinois State's head coach. Hope hired his former Eastern Kentucky staffer Landholm as Spack's replacement. 

Running backs coach: Joel Thomas left for the same job at Washington, and Hope hired former Kansas State assistant Cornell Jackson as his replacement. 

Offensive line coach: Hope handled the line in 2008 and hired his former Eastern Kentucky staffer Shawn Clark to replace him. 

Special teams coordinator: Hope moved Mark Hagen from special teams to linebackers and promoted graduate assistant J.B. Gibboney to this post. 

Notes: Tight ends coach John McDonnell was not retained for 2009, and a replacement hasn't been named. Terrell Williams will once again coach the entire defensive line this fall after working strictly with the ends in 2008. 

WISCONSIN

No changes.

Notes: After firing veteran defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz and seeing offensive line coach Bob Palcic leave for UCLA last year, head coach Bret Bielema is keeping his staff in place despite a very disappointing 2008 season.  

Go to Source

Big Ten recruiting roundup

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ohio State will learn Tuesday whether it will earn the services of standout prep quarterback Tajh Boyd. Defensive end Craig Drummond has, in fact, picked Mississippi after originally committing to Illinois. Iowa had a big weekend recruiting haul, while other Big Ten schools are racking up commits. 

Here's the latest from ESPN Scouts Inc.'s national recruiting director Tom Luginbill. 

ESPNU 150 Craig Drummond picks Rebels over Illini

Craig Drummond, DE

Chicago, IL

Morgan Park H.S.

Scouts Grade: 81

ESPN150 Rank: 99

Position Rank: 7

Defensive end Craig Drummond of Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.), rated No. 7 nationally among defensive ends and No. 99 prospect overall in the Class of 2009, has chosen Mississippi.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Drummond had originally picked Illinois over Wisconsin, but was wavering on his choice.

Among others, Drummond was also offered by Miami-Florida, Tennessee, Ohio State, Southern California, Florida, Michigan State and Minnesota.

Drummond, who was an all-state and all-area selection as a junior after recording 22 sacks, did not play his senior season because of a foot injury.

ESPNU 150 Tajh Boyd to choose on Tuesday

Tajh Boyd, QB

Hampton, VA

Phoebus H.S.

Scouts Grade: 82

ESPN150 Rank: 59

Position Rank: 5

Tajh Boyd of Phoebus (Hampton, Va.), rated No. 5 among quarterbacks and No. 59 prospect overall in Class 2009, plans to make a final decision among Clemson, Oregon and Ohio State on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 27).

Among many others, Boyd was also being recruited by Florida State, Boston College, Virginia and Penn State.

Boyd had first committed to West Virginia, but had second thoughts following the Mountaineers' offensive struggles early in the season. He then chose Tennessee, but decommitted following a conversation with newly hired coach Lane Kiffin who warned him that he might not be happy with the Vols' pro-style system.

As a junior, Boyd passed for 2,059 yards and 25 touchdowns, and also rushed for 500 yards and seven scores. He tore his ACL in the third game of his senior season and is set to have surgery next month.

Read more

Big Ten recruiting nuggets

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As national signing day approaches, I'll try to post Big Ten-related information from Tom Luginbill, the national recruiting director for ESPN's Scouts Inc. 

Here's the latest from Luginbill on both 2009 and 2010 recruits. 

Corner Mike Wallace headed to Penn State

Name: Mike Wallace, CB
Wheaton, Md.
Good Counsel H.S.
Scouts Grade: 73
Position Rank: 84

After making an official visit to Penn State over the weekend, defensive back Mike Wallace committed to the Nittany Lions Wednesday night, NittanyNetwork.com's Bill Kurelic reports.

Wallace had scholarship offers from Penn State, New Mexico, Stanford, Army, Maine, New Hampshire and Towson University. However, after landing a scholarship offer from Penn State over the weekend it did not take Wallace long to accept.

"The recruiting process is pretty hard," Wallace said. "But I just felt comfortable at Penn State. God just told me it's the right decision."

Wallace' cousin Terry Killens played linebacker for Penn State in the 1990's.

Offensive tackle Nolan MacMillan names finalists

Name: Nolan MacMilan, OT
Princeton, N.J.
The Hun School Of Princeton (N.J.)
Scouts Grade: 77

Nolan MacMillan will decide between Boston College, Georgia Tech, Iowa and Virginia, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

He said, "I wouldn't say I have a frontrunner, but things are starting to work themselves out in my mind."

The 6-foot-6 prospect is slated to make his final official visit this weekend to Boston College.

Sooners right behind Fighting Illini for Hawthorne

Name: Terry Hawthorne, WR
East St. Louis, Ill.
East Saint Louis Sr. H.S.
Scouts Grade: 82
ESPNU150 Rank: 88
Position Rank: 10

Under Armour All-American wide receiver Terry Hawthorne spoke with ESPN affiliate Web site OUInsider.com about the latest regarding his recruitment.

He said, "(Oklahoma is) second right now behind Illinois." Hawthorne added that he's still committed to the Fighting Illini but when asked if he's an Illinois lock, the East St. Louis product responded, "I am not sure. I want to wait and see when I visit there and see how it is."

Northwestern gains Nevada linebacker

Name: Damien Proby, OLB
Las Vegas, Nev.
Cheyenne H.S.
Scouts Grade: 73
Position Rank: 127

Damien Proby of Cheyenne (Las Vegas, Nev.) is headed to the Wildcats.

The 210-pound linebacker was also offered by Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State, Wyoming and Utah State.

Junior Blake Lueders already holding nine offers

Name: Blake Lueders, DE
Zionsville, Ind.
Zionsville Community H.S.

Class of 2010 ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive lineman Blake Lueders has been offered by nine programs, according to his father Dan Lueders.

Boston College, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, North Carolina, Purdue, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest are already after the Zionsville, Ind., prospect.

Lueders registered 128 total tackles and three sacks as a junior, earning Class 4A All-State recognition.

Go to Source

What to watch in the final four Big Ten bowls

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The final 2008 edition of What to Watch examines the four remaining Big Ten bowl games: Outback, Capital One, Rose and Fiesta. The Big Ten is winless so far in the bowl season and is favored in only one bowl (Iowa, Outback).

Here are some subplots to watch as you watch the games (in order of kickoff time).

1. Iowa running back Shonn Greene — Big Ten fans should be somewhat familiar with Greene, but most of the country will get its first glimpse of the Hawkeyes’ superstar on Thursday against South Carolina. The Doak Walker Award winner has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all 12 regular-season games but faces a stout South Carolina defense. This likely will be Greene’s final collegiate game, so get a good look while you can.

2. The Hawkeyes’ back seven vs. Stephen Garcia — Garcia gets the start at quarterback for South Carolina and hopes to provide some stability under center. The redshirt freshman has six touchdown passes and five interceptions on the season, and he’ll need to limit mistakes against an Iowa defense that forces plenty of them. Iowa led the Big Ten with 20 interceptions, with five players collecting multiple picks.

3. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer — His last bowl appearance was a disaster, as he committed five turnovers (4 INTs, fumble) in a loss to Boston College. Georgia undoubtedly will load up to stop Javon Ringer and make Hoyer win the game for Michigan State. Though Hoyer’s numbers this season won’t blow anyone away, he has made clutch throws and found ways to win games. If he can stretch the field with Blair White, rushing lanes should open for Ringer.

4. Michigan State’s defensive line vs. Georgia’s offensive line — If the Spartans manage to slow down Georgia, it has to start up front. Michigan State’s defensive line has more experience and must find ways to exploit Georgia’s front five. Rush end Trevor Anderson finished the year with eight sacks and Brandon Long and Justin Kershaw combined for seven more. If Matthew Stafford has time in the pocket, Michigan State will be in big trouble.

5. Joe Paterno’s whereabouts — It doesn’t really matter where Paterno watches the Rose Bowl, but his potential return to the sideline after seven consecutive games in the press box might give Penn State an emotional lift. Paterno admits he sees the field better from up top, but the 82-year-old is itching to get back to where he belongs. His location likely will be a game-time decision, and the officiating crew better be on its toes if JoePa returns to the sideline.

6. Quarterback Daryll Clark and Penn State’s offensive strategy — Clark got his swagger back in the regular-season finale against Michigan State and enters the Rose Bowl stocked with confidence. But he goes up against quite possibly the best defense in recent college history. Though Clark has been smart and efficient all season (four interceptions in 285 pass attempts), Penn State likely needs to challenge USC down the field. A passive approach simply won’t work in this game, and play-callers Galen Hall and Jay Paterno need to go right at USC’s strength.

7. Penn State’s special teams — These two defenses could easily cancel one another out — Penn State can play some ‘D’, too — and the Rose Bowl might come down to special teams. Penn State senior return man Derrick Williams has been outstanding this season and needs another huge performance against USC. If Williams can give Penn State short fields and Kevin Kelly converts his field goal attempts, the Lions could outlast the Trojans. Punter Jeremy Boone also could play a big role in this one, and Penn State must contain the Johnsons (Ronald and Stafon) on USC’s returns.