Urban Meyer Heaps Praise On John Brantley

The Orlando Sun Sentinel reports Florida head coach Urban Meyer has been raving about his incoming recruiting class as well as his new starting quarterback, John Brantley.  When speaking of Brantley, Meyer said “The biggest thing is the leadership issue, and he really did a good job in spring practice. There’s no question he’s our quarterback, and there’s no question we have a lot of confidence in him.”

We have heard rave reviews out of Gainesville in regards to Brantley. To the point where some are predicting he will explode onto the scene and talk himself into the draft conversation. While we’re not suggesting that he’ll leave Florida after one year of starting, Brantley is certainly one player to keep an eye on!

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CJ Gable Announces He Will Remain At USC

Running back CJ Gable announced via Twitter that he will remain at USC. The Trojans plan to use a running back by committee approach, which had Gable considering a transfer if he was assured a starting spot. The senior rushed for 362 yard last season on 7.4 yards per carry. He carries a late-round grade entering the year.

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NFL Rookie Updates — 06/13/10

Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Webb worked with the second-team offense during morning practice Saturday, June 12, reports Judd Zulgad, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said the team wanted to get Webb more reps during practice.

Cleveland Browns RB Montario Hardesty (ankle) did not participate in practice Saturday, June 12, reports Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Head coach Eric Mangini decided to hold out some players who had minor injuries.

Cleveland Browns LB Scott Fujita (finger) and SS Larry Asante (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Saturday, June 12, reports Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Head coach Eric Mangini decided to hold out some players who had minor injuries.

Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden said he hopes to get a deal done with the Browns before the start of training camp because it is important

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Bielema on John Clay: "’As Big As Ever"

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is pleased that running back John Clay (ankles) is pain free, but he tells a Madison radio show that it’s now time for Clay to lose some of his chunk. Bielema says that Clay is as big “as he’s ever been”, but a plan is in place to get the big fella back to playing shape.

The Badgers bruising running back was listed at 248 last season, so its hard to imagine how much bigger he could possibly be and still be effective. We saw a similar running back in Jonathan Dwyer a year ago, who was projected as a first round pick entering the season and ultimately winded up getting drafted in the sixth. It’ll be interesting to monitor Clay’s draft stock, especially considering some felt he would have been a potential first round pick after his redshirt sophomore season.

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USC Fallout: Mustain Staying | Gable Leaving?

USC quarterback Mitch Mustain says he has no plans to transfer from USC. Meanwhile, running back C.J. Gable says two schools have contacted him about transferring and if  he were guaranteed a starting job, he would leave USC.

The NCAA is allowing upperclassmen (seniors and juniors) on the USC football team to transfer without penalty, meaning hey could play right away (except for a Pac-10 schools).

With several candidates being considered for the starting tailback spot in USC, Gable is most likely as good as gone. From everything we are hearing, Matt Barkley is the favorite to win the starting quarterback job for the Trojans but it appears Mustain is sticking around to compete.  

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Report: Schools Tamper With USC Fab Frosh

ESPN reported that USC freshman running back Dillon Baxter has told USC officials that five schools have contacted him about transferring.  The schools are allegedly Florida, Washington, Oregon, Fresno State and Alabama.

This would be a violation, as the NCAA states that teams could only contact juniors and seniors at USC about transferring. Baxter is expected to make an instant impact as a freshman and would be a devastating loss to the Trojans football team. Stay tuned to the NFL Draft Bible as this story continues to develop.

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Meet The Fastest Man In College Football…

Florida sophomore sprinter Jeff Demps won the 2010 NCAA 100-meter championship on Friday with a time of 9.96. Demps, who is the 2010 NCAA Indoor 60-meter champion, would set a new school record had the race not been heavily wind-aided (+2.5).  “It was a great race today,” Demps said. “I executed well and came out with the win. I know my team needed the points and I just came out to get the 10 points to try to help us win the team title.”

The Florida running back is staking his claim as the fastest man in college football. For his career, Demps has averaged 7.6 yards per carry on 177 career attempts, good for 1,350 rushing yards. Look for his role to expand in the Gators offensive attack in ’10.

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NFL Rookie Updates — 06/12/10

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said RB Jonathan Dwyer and RB Isaac Redman will compete for the short yardage duties during training camp, reports Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Cleveland Browns RB Jerome Harrison and RB Montario Hardesty saw time with the first-team offense during morning practice Friday, June 11, according to ESPN.com’s James Walker.

Denver Broncos rookie WR Demaryius Thomas made some big plays and really nice catches during practice Friday, June 11, according to head coach Josh McDaniels. Thomas, however, also had a couple of drops. “We are lucky to have him out there working with the group I think he has certainly shown the ability to make a difference,” McDaniels said. “We will see if we can get him to do the right thing at the right time and hope for the best. He has made progress every day,

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Scouting The Safeties: Class of 2012

Here’s a look at the top junior safety prospects entering the 2010 season:

1. Rahim Moore, UCLA (Free Safety) – Can you say elite ball skills? Moore’s ten interceptions in 2009 led the nation and earned the Los Angeles native numerous All-American honors. With 25 starts at free safety in his first two seasons in Westwood, the 20 year old has already gained valuable playing experience. Moore has impressive speed and the instincts to pick apart the opposition’s passing game. He reads the quarterback, takes the proper angle to the ball and finishes the play more often than not. The Bruin has superb timing and the soft hands of a wide receiver. More than just a naturally gifted athlete, the safety has a passion for the game and the drive to be as good as he can be. While Moore also mixed in three tackles for loss

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2011 NFL Draft Watch #29: Nate Solder

The countdown continues and our number twenty-nine prospect in college football is…

 

Offensive Tackle Nate Solder, Colorado (Senior):

The Skinny: There are not many men on planet earth who measure at 6’9”, tip the scales at 300 pounds and can run a forty-yard dash in under five seconds. Mr. Solder is one of those rare men. This Buffalo began his college career as an in-line blocking tight end, but once coaches realized his feet were better than his hands—and he put on about 30 pounds—the Colorado staff made the wise move to shift Solder inside to offensive tackle following his red-shirt freshman year. Not just tackle, but left tackle…and he was superb from the get-go, recording a team-high 69 knockdown blocks and allowing just one sack the entire

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