NCAA Football News

Eddie Vanderdoes is planning on making an appeal that will restore the year of eligibility he lost by breaking his national letter of intent with Notre Dame. If he wins said appeal, it would pay huge dividends for UCLA on the field in 2013.

Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com reports that Vanderdoes will try to argue that "extenuating family health circumstances" were the reason he had to break his NLI with Notre Dame:

Earlier this winter, a close relative of the 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive lineman was diagnosed with a severe illness, the source said. That spurred Vanderdoes, rated the No. 1 defensive tackle from the class of 2013 by 247Sports, to want to remain in California for college.

Vanderdoes is hoping these circumstances, along with the fact that he would be close to more family in the Los Angeles area, will greenlight his appeal. 

To be clear, Vanderdoes will have a massive impact for UCLA, whether he has three years of eligibility or four.

He's ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and those same rankings say he's the No. 6 player in that whole class. 

If he was able to play in 2013 though, he would make an impact as a freshman. 

In UCLA's 3-4 scheme, Vanderdoes is big and strong enough (6'2'', 310 lbs) to dominate as a nose-tackle, but he's also fast and technical enough to move outside and play on the edge as a 5-technique defensive end. 

Senior nose tackle Seali'i Epenesa will get the starting snaps right off the bat, but if Mora and Co. want Vanderdoes to eventually start as a nose tackle, expect him to see reps there, along with redshirt sophomore Brandon Tuliaupupu.

Even as a backup, it should be expected that Vanderdoes would see a ton of playing time in big spots, so that once Espenesa moves on, he'll be ready to be "the guy" for UCLA.

Vanderdoes could also see reps at defensive end though, and in fact, that would make the most sense, especially now that Datone Jones has moved on to the NFL.

Owamagbe Odighizuwa looked to be Jones' replacement, but an injury reportedly could cost him the 2013 season. Ellis McCarthy could step up there, and eventually so could 4-star 2013 strong-side defensive end Kylie Fitts.

The impact needs to be right away though, in order for UCLA to compete and challenge to win the Pac-12 in 2013, so it makes most sense to rep Vanderdoes at defensive end if he's eligible. He could step in and play right away, and he has the potential to be able to replace Jones admirably.

Consider, as well, that he can be listed at one position but slide over situationally in different packages.

Either way, Jim Mora and his staff will find ways to get him on the field.

Whether or not that happens in 2013 remains to be seen, but if it does, Vanderdoes will have an impact right away.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

There are many different types of logos found on the helmets of college football teams. Some have a classic look to them, while others are modern.

Either way, some logos are much better than others.

There is no easy way to pick the best logos in college football, as it is all a matter of opinion. Some, however, do stand out or have historical significance over others.

Here are the top 15 team logos in college football.

Begin Slideshow

We will go ahead and assume Instagram was invented for moments like this.

In fact, we might as well declare Jen Bielema's Instagram picture taken at the Wynn hotel is the very reason there are Las Vegas pool parties. 

Big Lead spotted the following Insty snapshot featuring the wife of new Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema—previously the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. 

With the same kind of peripheral power of a Paulina Gretzky, Jen can expect to turn the heads of every last sports fan combing the Internet. 

Because we run a tidy ship around these parts, allow me to inform you that Las Vegas is sort of a theme for the Bielemas. 

A 2011 Fox Sports report detailed how the 43-year-old head coach met his future wife. 

Bret Bielema was playing blackjack at the Wynn Las Vegas three years ago in the early evening when he spotted a smiling blonde, brown-eyed woman wearing a teal tank top, blue jeans and black flip-flops.

He was so intrigued he got up from the table without his chips to walk over and introduce himself. He was in town for an annual University of Wisconsin athletics fundraising event but didn’t tell the woman, Jen, he was the Badgers' football coach.

Over the next few hours the coach would talk the best game of his life, later stating, "I got the best recruit ever. It was my best sales job ever to get her. I’m glad I waited."

Jen had never been to Las Vegas and was approached by this brave man who asked her to sit and play black jack with him for a spell. 

A reported five hours later, Jen was $600 richer and walked off with the coach's number as well. A couple years later, the two would marry. 

In a 2012 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report, Bielema offered a sentiment I think we can all agree on at the moment: "In football terms, I outkicked my coverage a hundred times over."

Well, we didn't want to have to say it, coach. 

 

Hit me up on Twitter: Follow @gabezal

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

The 2014 college football season has a spectacular lineup of games. As the BCS era comes to an end, college football evolves and big business entrenches itself more in the sport, recruiting will only become more critical.

Recruits pay close attention to college football games, as many of them are fans at heart. Programs love to set up big recruiting weekends around a big game, and many will take place this year. The SEC features so many potential big games that recruits in its region will be torn on which to attend.

Not to just discuss big SEC games—several other big matchups will be taking place across the country as well. These are games that recruits may want to attend not just to visit the campus, but also to have a good seat.

 

Note: Info regarding the school considerations of recruits comes from 247Sports.com.

Begin Slideshow

In a word, Mississippi State's NCAA probation means "nothing'' to Miami. Nothing at all, folks.

The NCAA accepted the Mississippi State's self-imposed sanctions and like that, the case was closed. A case that started in the summer of 2012 is wrapped up heading into the summer of 2013. By the NCAA's standards, it an open and shut case.

In other words, nothing like the saga that has taken place at Miami.

Miami's case is unique, and wholly dissimilar to Mississippi State on so many levels. The Hurricanes have alleged NCAA violations spanning several years, involving several players and rooted in the word of a convicted felon. There is reported investigator impropriety, the NCAA strong-arming players into talking and Miami firing back at the NCAA.

The lone plus that Miami might take away from the Mississippi State ruling is that its self-sanctions just might work. Even if that is the case, with Miami's self-imposed postseason ban and player suspensions, it would not actually be anything more than coincidentally related to Mississippi State.

Miami's in a class by itself, and as the days count off, attempting to link past or current NCAA rulings to the Hurricanes is akin to taking a shot in the dark. What's happening in Coral Gables, from an investigation standpoint, is not like UNC or Ohio State or USC or Mississippi State or any of the recent NCAA cases.

For Miami fans, the smart move is to simply hope for the best, hope that the NCAA recognizes this is a battle it cannot win, and to take its ball and go home. Hope that time served is the compromise. Most importantly, hope that the NCAA does not continue its crusade against the 'Canes despite the public missteps that have tainted the findings.

The NCAA is a strange beast. Often, none of its rulings appear to follow much in the way of a pattern. In the case  of something as unique as the Miami situation, this becomes even more true. There is nothing to learn about Miami from Mississippi State situation. But this Miami case is teaching all of us plenty about how the NCAA operates.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Opponents will get a face full of Arizona Wildcats next season.

ESPN's Darren Rovell tweeted out the following image that is apparently the new Arizona facemask, which features the program's logo adorning the front grill.

 

UPDATE: Monday, June 10, 2:55 p.m. ET

Well, it seems some things are too good to be true. Via SportsNation, the helmets may just be the work of fan fiction, but that doesn't mean we can't daydream.

---End of update---

 

I have to admit, I was just a tad bit confused when I first took in the image of an "A" dominating the facemask. It almost has an optical illusion quality to it.

Perhaps my feeble brain was unprepared to see a logo in uncharted territory. But after a brief second of disorientation, I am fully on board.

I can only hope for more schools to adopt the creative placement that BadAss Masks did in this iteration. Not that this is the only change being made at Arizona.

College Spun pointed out that Arizona will have a slick new field complete with "'ghost lettering' of the university’s motto 'Bear Down' faded into the turf itself."

The blog provided the following screenshot on the field's current progress. 

I am interested to hear what you college football fans think about facemasks now featuring school's logos, departing from the classic and streamlined look of older helmets.

We are traipsing quickly to far more garish ends when it comes to football fashion. Schools are now content to make their mark and garner headlines with audacious-looking uniforms.

In the past years, we have seen schools like Maryland and Oregon push the envelope with bright colors and outrageous designs.

Uniforms and helmets have slowly become just as important as winning ballgames when it comes to getting noticed on the national stage.

Arizona fired off one giant shot at other programs with facemasks I am convinced will be a hit with fans.

 

Hit me up on Twitter.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

When athletes perform on the big stage, big things tend to happen for them. Nathan Tilford, a wide receiver from Upland, California, is no different in that respect. The rising ninth grader has made big waves, as a 6'2" 190-pound pass-catcher on the 7-on-7 circuit. He's not even in high school and he has been outshining some of his older opponents.

That is how you earn yourself a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California, as ESPN reported.

Now, it must be stated that no official offer can come from a school prior to September of a player's junior season. Add that to the fact that Lane Kiffin is on shaky ground as a head coach, so possible staff changes from the head coach on down are a very real possibility. Basically, what you have is a head coach hoping he made the big leap to get in on a projected true talent early, and a player who has to hope the offer stands through his signing year of 2017.

Chalk it up to another in the long line of non-committable offers that exist in the college football world.

The big thing here, with Tilford, is the growing influence of the 7-on-7 scene. As we hit on last week at Your Best 11, the world of 7-on-7 is gaining ground and becoming another proving ground for athletes. Kids are getting out there, they are competing and schools are noticing.

In the grand scheme of things, 7-on-7, against older and more physically mature players, is likely a better barometer than bad middle school or Pop Warner football, where kids like Tilford are bigger, faster and stronger.

For those who remember the Evan Berry (little brother of Eric Berry) situation at Tennessee, or who are watching the David Sills situation, this is nothing new from Kiffin. If this is where you're looking to jump on Kiffin, be sure to hop on Todd Graham as well, as Arizona State has also offered Tilford, according to Rivals.

And while you're at it, get on how dumb the coaches are at the eight schools that, per Rivals, have reportedly offered Tilford's fellow class of 2017 stud, Dylan Moses.

Recruiting is all about leverage, and one avenue that carries a lot of weight is being the first school in on a player. We saw Ole Miss ride the being-first wave to a phenomenal class in 2013, and other schools are looking to do the same. The offer is all about getting in on the ground floor, showing the kid that you liked him the most and liked him first. 

Like Sills and Moses, the Tilford ride will be an interesting one to watch. The rising ninth grader certainly appears to have the size, speed and skills to grow into a big-time prospect. He also has four years to work hard, go to class and stay out of trouble.

The 7-on-7 circuit is a fixture in the recruiting process for skill players. Guys like Tilford will continue to pop onto the radar as the sport grows and their reputations start growing before they even play a high school game.

Now, they just have to match their touch football performance with their full pads game.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

College football provides some of the best atmospheres in sports, but there is nothing like those night games. The whole feel of the game changes, magic is floating through the air and stranger things seem to happen when the sun is down.

While all night games are usually better, there are some stadiums across the country that should be forced to play under the lights at all times.

These are the stadiums that provide the best home atmosphere at night and are the same spots where opposing teams absolutely hate showing up to play. A lot of them are located in the SEC, but there are a couple that may actually surprise you.

Begin Slideshow

ACC recruiting has been on a roll lately, and that streak continued this past week, with 15 total commitments made to the conference.

Two ACC programs in particular stood out, landing three commitments each.

For as big of a week as it was in the ACC, though, one Big 12 sleeper program stood out above the rest and came away with the Signed, Sealed, Delivered "Program of the Week" award.

This is your one-stop shop for everything that has happened in the recruiting world during the past week. We'll touch on the biggest news, provide you with all of the latest commitments and even watch a highlight clip or two.

If you're a recruiting fan, this is the only place you want to be on a Monday morning. If it happened between 12:01 a.m. last Monday and midnight this Sunday, we'll have it covered.

Welcome to the recruiting roundup. 

 

Note: All information courtesy of 247Sports.com unless otherwise noted. Star rankings courtesy of the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Scouting and analysis on "recruit of the week" done via tape study of film provided on his 247Sports profile page. 

Begin Slideshow

The Florida Gators may have won 11 games last season, but the picture on offense was by no means rosy.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel struggled throughout the campaign. He finished his sophomore season with only 2,054 total yards of offense. As a result, the Gators finished with a passing attack that ranked a dismal 118th.

It also forced offensive coordinator Brent Pease to keep a limited playbook and rely heavily on his talented backfield.

Fast forward a few months, and Pease is currently looking for ways to kick-start his offensive unit.

But this will be no easy task.

Here are five challenges confronting Pease as the 2013 season draws ever closer.

Begin Slideshow

They say everything is bigger and better in Texas. So while every team in the country is holding summer camps and trying their best to attract young recruits, none have been able to compete with the job Texas has done recently.

During the final minicamp in summer, the Longhorns have managed to snag three recruits for the 2015 class, as Max Olson of ESPN reported (paid link).

The list of players who have decided to commit a year early include athlete Keke Coutee, safety Johnny Shaw and offensive tackle Connor Lanfear. That now makes seven early commitments for the 2015 class, which is good enough to earn the No. 3 spot on 247Sports team rankings. 

What makes this day even sweeter is that Shaw was a former TCU commit. Nothing like snagging a player from one of your in-state rivals. Although he was committed to the Longhorns, Shaw told 247Sports that he always wanted to play for Texas.

“Texas is Texas,” Shaw said. “I've always wanted to be here. That's me. It's who I am.”

Lanfear couldn't believe the surreal moment, as playing football for a powerhouse program was always a dream of his, as he told 247Sports.

“You don't understand,” Lanfear said just moments after he committed. “This is the greatest day of my life.”

Coutee then put the cherry on top of the sundae. He told 247Sports that he loves everything there is about the school and couldn't be any more excited with his commitment.

“I just love them,” Coutee said. “Great academics, great school and I've always been a fan.”

Coutee is likely to play wide receiver for the Longhorns, as he is extremely fast and can help stretch the field. Lanfear is a big kid at 6'5" and 267 pounds, who will continue to grow into a prototypical tackle on the offensive line. And while it is nice to remove Shaw from a rival Big 12 team, Texas is also getting a physical player in the secondary.

Moves that happened during the weekend that involve 2014 recruits include offering Nebraska commit Jason Hall, TCU wide receiver Emanuel Porter and receiver Garrett Gray. 

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Pat Fitzgerald is tired of hearing it. He’s tired of hearing the same exhausted line, one repeated like a chorus throughout his eight years in the captain's chair at Northwestern.

“I think it’s an excuse,” Fitzgerald said emphatically when asked about the difficulties of recruiting at a school held at such a high academic standard. “It’s an excuse by college coaches limiting their success. We look at it the other way around. It’s what separates us.”

So, if you’re wondering how Northwestern could possibly have the No. 19 recruiting class in 2014 according to 247Sports, despite dealing with the notion of an academic barrier, your answer is a head coach and a dynamic staff that isn’t afraid of success and a path less traveled.

It seems odd that anyone could possibly fear more accolades, but it’s easy to be complacent. Get comfortable with your surroundings, enjoy success on a smaller scale and be satisfied.

But that is not Fitzgerald.

At only 38 years old, he’s spent nearly half his life playing and coaching at Northwestern. Fitzgerald admits that he’s gained a few more gray hairs since taking over the reins, but he remains as energetic as he was on day one. And now, this energy has results to match, and in turn, expectations to follow.

The Wildcats won a bowl game for the first time in 64 years when they beat Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. Fitzgerald’s team has also become the Big Ten's SEC antidote, going 2-0 against the all-powerful conference last season.

“You want to beat them in recruiting, you have to beat them on the field,” Fitzgerald said, again with the utmost confidence. “We went 2-0 against Vanderbilt the last couple of times and then they dropped us. We’re not afraid to play people, not afraid to put our brand out there nationally.”

Beyond just a handful of victories, however, Northwestern has constructed one of the more intriguing and creative offenses in the country, all while grabbing hold of incredible recruiting momentum the past few seasons.

The Wildcats are off to a blazing start in 2014 and currently have the No. 4 recruiting class in the Big Ten, according to 247Sports. Fitzgerald’s group is behind only recruiting giants Ohio State and Michigan, and neck-and-neck with Penn State.

Verbal commits such as 4-star quarterback Clayton Thorson and 4-star running back Justin Jackson play their high school ball not far from campus—an area Northwestern has hoped to control from a marketing and recruiting standpoint—but it’s no longer limited to these boundaries.

“We have a staff that does a great job building relationships in our target areas which is always going to start in Chicagoland,” Fitzgerald noted. “As we get out more nationally, however, kids recognize Northwestern as a consistent winner. And they want to play for a winner.”

This recruiting success has come in large part because of Fitzgerald and his ability to sell the only program he has truly ever known. It’s not just that, however.

Northwestern has altered its style in unique ways, especially on offense, improving its scoring output each season since 2008.

Coaches often say they’ll build each team around its players, but rarely will this sound bite actually translate into noticeable changes.

“We get labeled as a spread team and a 4-3 defense, but we really try to match what we’re doing schematically to the strength of our players,” Fitzgerald said on the offensive surge. “We’ve had to evolve and change.”

From the top passing offense in 2011 to one of the nation’s most potent running attacks in 2012, the Wildcats have done it in different ways depending on the depth chart.

This evolution has come at a time when the game itself is still changing. Offenses are becoming unstoppable, in part because of the emergence of new, productive systems and also rule changes giving that side an edge. The “Big Ten Football” you once knew is now on life support.

For Fitzgerald, a former All-American linebacker who once captained a defense that prided itself on winning low-scoring, ugly football, the shift has been noticeable.

“The rules are so skewed to the offense now it’s not even fair sometimes,” Fitzgerald said. "As a football purist, I’m always a fan of the 10-7 and 3-0 games, but those just don’t happen anymore. It’s getting increasingly more difficult to coach defensive football.”

But he’s been able to do this, too. Although his defense hasn't quite been able to match what the offense has been able to accomplish in recent years, Northwestern gave up only 22.5 points per game in 2012. This was good for No. 29 in the nation.

“The bottom line is finding a way to have one more point,” Fitzgerald said, reluctantly putting his two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year trophies away for another day. As for the 2013 team, finding that extra point won’t be easy.

The schedule kicks off with a cross-country trip against Cal, followed by a home game against Syracuse in Week 2. The Big Ten slate includes home games against Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. The Wildcats will also make trips to Nebraska and Wisconsin.

The offense should remain dynamic, as quarterback Trevor Siemian, running back Venric Mark and do-everything weapon Kain Colter return. Colter totaled 20 touchdowns in 2012 and scored in a variety of ways. He passed for 872 yards, rushed for 894 yards and even caught 16 passes.

“He’s an incredible talent because of the multiple things he can do on the football field,” Fitzgerald said. “If we moved him over to defense he might be one of our best defensive players.”

The team, however, is not without concerns. Although the main offensive weapons return, the offensive line is inexperienced and was hampered by injuries during the spring. So much so that Northwestern had to cancel its spring game because of the sheer lack of depth.

When asked if the offensive line was his biggest worry heading into the season, however, Fitzgerald's pitch didn’t change despite the hectic spring. He instead stressed another burden, one Northwestern hasn’t dealt with in quite some time.

Dealing with success.

The energy, attitude and recruiting prowess all on display once again from the head coach with purple seeping through his pores. It's a combination of confidence in the plan and a genuine love for a school that makes pitching it natural. Yet, despite the upward tick, this is only part of the blueprint.

“I don’t want us to forget what got us here,” Fitzgerald said. “You go back to square one but with more confidence. We’re far from a finished product.”

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Well, it looks like USC can't stay out of the negative spotlight after all. With a positive offseason and no real groundbreaking news coming out of Southern California, a little bit of history is now beginning to surface.

According to Time Sports, former USC defensive lineman Bob DeMars encountered some harsh words from defensive line coach Ed Orgeron because he wanted to go to class. In fact, a required statistics course forced DeMars to leave spring practice 20 minutes early once a week. This didn't go over well with Orgeron, as DeMars recalls, according to the report.

“He M-F’d me all over the place,” says DeMars. “He made me feel like a bad person for going to class.”

It would have been interesting to see how Orgeron would have reacted if DeMars had enrolled in the USC cinema program, which was his original plan. However, DeMars claims that the athletic department wouldn't allow it due to the possibility of struggling with both academics and athletics, which forced him to major in business instead.

Orgeron is known as an aggressive and high-energy coach. He has spent time at numerous different schools, was the head coach for Mississippi for three seasons and even spent some time in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. DeMars can also recall being overworked in practice, sometimes being included in scrimmages up to 50 plays in a row.

Per the report, DeMars remembers collapsing in the shower after one practice in the summer: “I remember a 96-year-old guy standing over me to help out,” says DeMars, “and thinking, ‘shouldn’t it be the other way around here?’”

According to the report, USC did not make Orgeron available for comment, but athletic director Pat Hayden did respond with an email:

While the alleged events happened before my time as athletic director at USC, I can say that all our football practices have been open to the media and players’ families since before Bob was here, and have been open to the public for most of that time as well. The transparency of practice would have brought to light this type of alleged inappropriate behavior. We also have high standards for our coaches and monitor and evaluate them as we would any of our employees.

Additionally, we have always been proud to support our student-athletes in a full range of academic pursuits. Majors represented in 2012 among football alone included Theatre, Business Administration, Psychology, Communications, Economics, Chemical Engineering and Political Science.

What's the reason DeMars is coming out now with these allegations? He just wants to see a change and help prevent other kids from experiencing the same things.

“I love my school, I love my teammates,” DeMars says. “But I want my kids to play sports—and not go through the things I had to go through.”

College football is often looked at as a dirty business, and there are allegedly a lot of horrifying things that go on behind the scenes. If these allegations are true, hopefully something positive can come out of it all.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

UCLA continues to make splashes on the JUCO recruiting trail, especially in regard to the top offensive linemen.

The latest star JUCO offensive lineman to commit to Jim Mora's program is another big one, in 6'6'', 300-pound 4-star offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.

Justin Hopkins of 247Sports reported the commitment via his Twitter account:

According to the 247Sports exclusive rankings, Eluemunor is the No. 1 JUCO offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 2 JUCO recruit, only behind 5-star wideout D'haquille Williams. 

The 247Sports composite rankings feature a slightly different story, with Eluemunor checking in as the No. 2 JUCO offensive tackle in the class and the No. 3 ranked JUCO player.

The kicker is, the player that passed him in both rankings is 4-star Dominick Jackson, who actually committed to UCLA last week.

Either way you look at it then, UCLA has landed the top two JUCO offensive tackle recruits in the 2014 class, and that's a huge statement for Jim Mora, his staff and UCLA recruiting in general.

Eluemunor obviously has great size, but he can also move. For as big as he is, he can get out of his stance to get to linebackers at the second level, and he does a good job of utilizing angles and leverage to his advantage to wall off defenders. He also has a solid base, quick feet and a solid shuffle in pass protection.

He has the potential to be a good college lineman, and his lofty rankings back that statement up.

 

Note: Scouting and analysis of Eluemunor done by writer, via tape study of film provided on his 247Sports profile page.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Nathan Tilford is still in middle school, but the 6'2", 190-pound eighth-grader from Upland, Calif., would be wise to set his college plans in stone as the promising wide receiver already has an offer to become a USC Trojan in four years.

According to Sports Illustrated, Southern Cal head coach Lane Kiffin and the Trojans are doing their homework well ahead of time. Kiffin offered Tilford a scholarship at USC's skill camp on Sunday in hopes of beating his competition to the punch.

While it's a risky move on Kiffin's part, it's also a shrewd one as he could potentially land the best prospect in the class of 2017 a few years before most other schools will even consider it. Perhaps Tilford won't be as good as advertised, but he already has a major college football body and conventional wisdom suggests that he'll only get better.

Tilford is seemingly in a position of power as USC appears desperate to sign him, but he shouldn't allow that to cloud his judgment. Playing college football at USC is likely a dream for most young football players in the state of California. If Tilford accepts USC's offer now, then he pretty much guarantees himself that opportunity.

Although it's Tilford's prerogative to wait and play the field if he so chooses, he isn't likely to get a much better offer than the one that USC has already put on the table. Accepting this offer would also take a lot of the pressure off of Tilford's shoulders as he transitions to the high school level next year.

Players of Tilford's caliber constantly have to worry about performing well and impressing college recruiters. Tilford will still have to play well in high school if he accepts USC's offer, but he won't have to constantly look over his shoulder. He'll have peace of mind, and that should actually allow him to play freer football.

A verbal commitment is certainly important in college football, but it doesn't mean that Tilford absolutely must play for USC. A lot of things can obviously change over the next four years. If Kiffin or other key members of the coaching staff get fired, quit or move on to a different job, that would be grounds for Tilford to break his commitment.

It seems clear that Kiffin and Tilford already have a friendly relationship as evidenced by this photo courtesy of Scott Schrader of FightOn247.com:

Tilford has also put up some impressive numbers in skills camps at USC, so playing for the Trojans seems like a natural fit.

He has a lot of flexibility, and there isn't much reason for him to dismiss USC's offer. Accepting it would give him some measure of security, and there are ways for him to change his mind down the line if he so chooses. It's a win-win situation for Tilford, and it is one that he ought to take advantage of.

In addition to that, signing four years earlier would basically ensure Tilford celebrity status once he reaches the USC campus. He'll likely be one of the most highly-anticipated recruits in the school's history if he continues his upward trend and that will, in effect, give him more chances to impress NFL scouts.

Coming in to USC with that much fanfare will also lead to more pressure, but that is something that great players feed off of. All eyes will be on Tilford, and he can develop himself into a top NFL prospect as long as he produces at USC.

It's probably difficult for an eighth-grader to look too far into the future, but Tilford and his family need to think about what is best for him in the long run. Scholarship offers will continue to pour in if Tilford continues to improve, but it can be argued that the ideal offer is already sitting right in front of him.

Regardless of what he decides to do, though, Tilford is in the catbird seat, and he is the envy of high-school prospects across the nation.

 

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Florida State wide receiver Greg Dent has woken folks up with some disturbing news.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, Dent has been arrested and charged with sexual assault on a person over the age of 12 years old. The alleged assault occurred in Dent's apartment last weekend.

According to the police affidavit, Dent and the alleged victim were "very good friends" and have known each other since their freshman year in high school. It was common for them to be in the same house, per the police report. You can read the report here, but be advised that it is graphic and does include alarming details.

WarChant.com is reporting that Dent's bond has since been set to $15,000. He will also be on pre-trial supervision and is allowed no contact whatsoever with the alleged victim. According to the report, the state attorney's office requested $20,000 bond and the use of a tracking device.

This is a serious matter for Dent, as he is facing a second-degree felony.

He is in violation of Florida Statute 794.011-5, which reads:

A person who commits sexual battery upon a person 12 years of age or older, without that person's consent, and in the process thereof does not use physical force and violence likely to cause serious personal injury commits a felony of the second degree.

While football should be the last thing on his mind at the moment, he won't be allowed to participate in athletics with felony charges pending, per Florida State policy. 

Dent is a three-year player who had his best season last year, hauling in 27 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught 40 passes for 603 yards and four touchdowns in his career.

 

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Football fanatics often use Twitter to announce how many days remain until the football season kicks off. It keeps things fun and reminds us all that while we are still far away, we are still oh so close from seeing the action begin.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is one of those who often lets his Twitter followers know exactly how many days are left until the season arrives. On June 9, we were only 83 days away from kickoff. So, Gundy decided to attach a picture of former wide receiver Colton Chelf, who happened to wear the No. 83 (h/t Coaching Search).

83 Days Until Kickoff! Big time play in a #BCS classic. #BeACowboy twitter.com/CoachGundy/sta…

— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) June 9, 2013

Harmless tweet, right?

We can't say the same for Oklahoma.

The Sooners football Twitter account discovered that the season was 83 days away and decided to become the ultimate troll, using the number as more of a shot towards its in-state rival.

83 days until #ItsFootballTimeinOklahoma! OU has defeated Oklahoma State 83 times, its most wins against any school.

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) June 9, 2013

That one hit where it hurts. Somebody needs to tell whoever runs the account that these aren't supposed to be so aggressive.

Not only has Oklahoma dominated the Cowboys in the all-time series, but the Sooners have also won nine of the last 10, including a three-point victory last season. Since 1999, Oklahoma State has only won three games in the yearly rivalry against Oklahoma. Still, even with the facts in place, this little jab came out of left field and certainly will build a little more hype for this year's upcoming matchup.

These two schools will square off once again on December 7 and it should be one of the marquee games in the Big 12. Both are two of the top teams in the conference, and the winner will play a critical role in deciding who wins it.

We are only 82 days away from kickoff.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

It's only fitting that the top team in college football, Alabama, would receive the commitment from elite special teams recruit JK Scott.

Matt Scalici of AL.com reports that Scott, whom he states is one of the best punters in the nation, has committed to Alabama:

Alabama has found the player they hope will be ready to step in after punter Cody Mandell graduates following the 2014 season. According to multiple reports, Denver-native JK Scottcommitted to the Crimson Tide on Sunday after receiving a scholarship offer from Alabama while attending their summer prospect camp.

Scalici goes on to report that Scott punted 39 times in his junior season, averaging 37.72 yards per punt.

To put that in perspective, current Alabama punter Cody Mandell averaged 44.28 yards per punt last season, according to CFBStats.com. As a rising senior, Scott is not that far off, and there's still much time for him to improve.

Special teams is the most underrated aspect in the game of football, especially at the college level. College kickers lack the precision and power that most NFL kickers have, thus the kicking game in college is much more erratic and uncertain.

This applies for kickoffs, field goals, extra points and even punting.

That uncertainty can be nullified with a great kicker, though.

In fact, a great special teams unit can give a college football team a major advantage. Those extra points and field goals add up quickly, and in a game where field position is integral, punters can set the tone for a defense.

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Scott is the No. 1 kicker in the 2014 class, so it appears as if Nick Saban and his staff may have found their next X-factor on special teams.

Whether he's ranked as a kicker or punter, he's obviously ranked as a top-notch special teams player.

That's yet another reason why Alabama has been, and will continue to be, one of the elite programs in college football. 

 

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

The Eastern Christian Academy Honey Badgers are one of the most interesting high school football teams in the country. Based out of Elkton, MD, the Honey Badgers are a powerhouse team, with students coming from all over to compete together. Former Honey Badger Kenny Bigelow is already enrolled at USC, 2015 QB David Sills has been committed to USC since 7th grade, and 2014 WR Neiko Creamer is committed to the Tennessee Vols.

The ECA Honey Badgers play a national high school schedule and are just a few steps away from being cleared by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Their situation is a little different compared to other high schools and so is their workout program.

Head Coach Dwayne Thomas leads these student-athletes in one of the most intense high school workouts in the country. Coach Thomas pushes them to achieve greatness and knows hard work will always pay off. He even uses singing as a little motivation.

Watch the video to see what hard work is all about.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Matt Elam has called out Florida wide receivers coach Joker Phillips. No, not the Elam who was the most active defensive player last season and was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Elam, a 4-star defensive tackle in the 2014 recruiting class (247Sports), has decided to share his feelings on the Gators coach via his Twitter account.

The first tweet should catch your attention:

Swear Im Done With Joker Phillips Haha Not To Be Rude Or Anything But I Cant Do It

— Matt Elam™ (@FballIsLife69) June 9, 2013

Considering Phillips is the one recruiting the young man, this isn't a terrific sign. If a player truly doesn't like the guy he is in contact with, the school might as well give up and move on to the next guy. However, Elam wasn't done with calling the first-year assistant coach out in front of his 3,000-plus Twitter followers.

Great Dude But I Just Feel Disrespected And I Still Like The School But Just Not Real High On Joker

— Matt Elam™ (@FballIsLife69) June 9, 2013

Disrespected? Did something happen that we should know about? If the nail wasn't in the coffin already, this is a clear sign Florida isn't too high on the defensive lineman's list at the moment. Sure, he made mention that he still likes the school, but players always end up picking the place where they feel most comfortable. Elam has made it perfectly clear that isn't the case with the Gators.

Phillips has made news during the offseason by using his Twitter account to attract wide receivers with awkward Photoshopped pictures. Whether it was the rock band design, his creepy Heath Ledger message or his air force theme, Phillips has come off as a goofball to some. However, this seems to be a little deeper than that, as Elam used the word "disrespected."

According to 247Sports, Elam is the second best player in the state of Kentucky behind only 4-star quarterback Drew Barker. Elam took an unofficial visit to Florida in late March, but has also visited Kentucky and Louisville since then, and he has a visit scheduled for Alabama on December 13. He also released his top four to Scout (paid link), which included Kentucky, Louisville, Alabama and Ohio State.

It should be interesting to see if Florida can get back in the running for Elam's talent.

 

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com