NCAA Football News

We're going with the early edition of the Your Best 11 Mailbag, Thursday. Next week, we'll go with afternoon questions, but we figured it was time to give the morning crowd a little time to shine. No need to dilly dally, here are your questions:

I'm a big Earl Wolff fan, personally. Combine, or not, I think his tape puts him in a position to get on the field for teams looking for a safety. He's got good range and is very effective against the run. He's a complete safety that just doesn't have some of the top-end speed that other guys possess.

Then, at the combine he showed some good wheels and was a very fluid guy in and out of transitions.

I expect he'll be a mid-round pick, and as a safety, he'll likely work his way into the rotation. The kid's got a good understanding of the game and in the right system, I don't think it's a stretch to expect him to be a starter at the next level.

The three-second spike rule is something that I both get and don't get. I understand that they are looking for a standard time to use in order to determine if a team can or cannot spike the football.

However, three seconds just seems like too much time. It doesn't take three seconds to snap the ball and kill it.

I'll be watching to see how it works this season. Obviously, basketball has a clear rule on when you can catch and shoot versus only being able to tip it in. That's the thinking behind this rule and football, aside from the ridiculous Texas-Nebraska 2009 finish, doesn't dip into the fraction of the second clock.

Basically, I'd prefer that it was two seconds, but we're haggling over a second here in the grand scheme of things. 

We'll see how much that second matters. 

I have absolutely no clue. With that said, I don't think they have what I'd qualify as a "lack of depth" at the position. They only truly lose Sterling Lucas from a linebacking group that was completely clueless at times in 2012. The guys back got a good taste of big-time football, they just weren't sure where they were going, and that led to Wolff and Brandon Bishop having to make all the tackles.

This year, with a new scheme, the real question won't be depth; it will be about just understanding the new scheme. Whichever three guys can understand Dave Huxtables scheme the best will likely be the three who get on the field. The learning curve is steep, and this spring you'll find out who your players are.

I don't expect them to this year. Look, last year Johnny Manziel took the football world by storm and while he looked solid in almost every game, the Alabama contest was one that boosted him to national stardom.

This summer for Nick Saban is about stopping Johnny Football. That means watching his failures from a year ago and looking at how LSU and Florida were able to pull wins over the Aggies. This is what coaches do in the offseason, and I expect a much better game plan against Manziel in College Station than we saw in Tuscaloosa in 2012.

Not a big deal to me.

Can I answer neither, here? Mathieu's bench press matters a lot more to fans looking to make jokes than it does to the folks in the NFL.

They've seen his tape and they know he's a guy that can get off blocks and is physical against the run game. His issues are still covering bigger receivers and whether he did 30 reps or four, that fact would not change.

As for Te'o, there wasn't any surprise to be had. He's a better football player than he is an athlete. We knew that going in and it was merely confirmed by his numbers.

Teams that were going to draft Te'o, ones looking for a run-stopping interior linebacker, already know what they are getting. He's not a guy you want covering a tight end in the league. Even if he ran a 4.6, you know that he cannot cover tight ends in the league from watching his tape.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Alabama head coach Nick Saban got that 'ole "processer" fired up on Wednesday, and it was bad news for four players involved in an on-campus robbery earlier this month.

Saban announced that Eddie Williams, D.J. Pettway, Tyler Hayes and Brent Calloway are no longer associated with the program, according to a release from the university.

Williams, Pettway and Hayes were each charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, while Calloway was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card stemming from two on-campus incidents on Feb. 11.

"Based on all the information we've received and gone through in trying to determine the future of the four guys that got in trouble, those guys are no longer associated with the football program," Saban said. "Their actions do not reflect the spirit and character that we want our organization to reflect."

Saban's decision to dismiss the players may not have come as quickly as some would have liked, but he had no other choice.

The trio of players charged with robbery allegedly attacked two students on campus, which makes this more than a football issue. Those are violent crimes against fellow students, which makes it an institutional issue as well.

You can't have people charged with violent crimes against students on university grounds on campus, much less on the football team.

Calloway's case is a little different in the sense that his charge is far less severe. But he does have a drug arrest from October 2011, so his leash was already quite a bit shorter than the other three players.

Sure there will naturally make "oversigning" jokes, and that the dismissal of the four players actually helps Saban get under the 85-player cap.

There's some truth to that on the surface, but this isn't the same.

Williams was a 5-star safety in the class of 2012 and one of the top players in the country, and Hayes would have probably found some playing time this fall. Let's not put this into the same conversation with Saban's liberal use of medical hardships, because it's not.

Saban had no choice and did the right thing by letting them go.

 

Follow @BarrettSallee

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

They say college football has an offseason, but truthfully there are many things that take place during the off months that it doesn't seem like it.

Every time you turn around something is going on college football related and then the regular season is here before you know it. With players preparing for the NFL draft, interviews, practices and even more hoopla, there is enough to keep you occupied until the fall.

Still, these are all minor things to keep your mind off the fact that no real football is taking place. If we had it our way, football would be played every day and there would be no time to do all of the things in between that coaches and players do. But unfortunately this isn't Burger King and we have to put up with many months of no college football.

So instead of pouting about it and crying ourselves into a coma, we can only make the best of it and start pointing out the positives.

Here are the most exciting days of the college football offseason.

Begin Slideshow

Every Thursday on The SEC Blog, we will feature questions from the Bleacher Report inbox, Twitter and email. Do you have a question for next week's Q&A? Send it to SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee via the B/R inbox, on Twitter @BarrettSallee or at bsallee@bleacherreport.com.

You've got SEC questions, and I've got SEC answers. Thank you, everybody, for your questions this week. And if I didn't get to them this week, they are still saved and will be used in the future.

And we're off:

@barrettsallee Which two SEC teams (east & west) will have most disappointing football seasons in 2013

— Michael Collins (@GaSportsCraze) February 28, 2013

The east will look very similar to the way it looked in 2012, with Georgia, Florida and South Carolina all in the mix for the national title and the rest of the teams vying for bowl position. I don't think that there will be a major disappointment in the East, although if I'm forced to choose, I'd go with Tennessee.

That's not to say that Butch Jones is a bad coach or that they won't improve. They will improve. But the schedule and the roster turnover suggest that it won't be an immediate turnaround on Rocky Top, and I don't know if 6-6 and a bowl game will calm appease a very desperate Vol Nation.

Out West, somebody has to lose and I think it will be the Mississippi State Bulldogs. 

Dan Mullen's crew stumbled down the stretch last season, draw South Carolina on the road out of the East and open the season with a tough out-of-conference matchup with Oklahoma State in Houston. Not exactly the cake walk that the Bulldogs feasted on in 2012.

Mississippi State is 5-21 versus teams that win eight or more games under Mullen, and there are at least five and possibly more on that schedule that will get to that level in 2013.

 

@barrettsallee which "under the radar" players do you expect to be household names by the end of the season?

— Jeff Jones (@JeffJones99) February 28, 2013

I said it last season and I'll stick with him again. My guy is South Carolina wide receiver Shaq Roland. Maybe it's cheating because I was high on him a year ago, but this year, I think the chips are falling in his favor.

He had only five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown a year ago, but the offense should be a little more receiver-friendly now that gunslinger Dylan Thompson and Connor Shaw are battling for the top spot at the depth chart at quarterback.

No matter what, Thompson should play. After all, head ball coach Steve Spurrier loves to play musical quarterbacks. That means more chances for Roland—a former "Mr. Football" in the state of South Carolina.

The 6'1", 173-pounder has everything it takes to be a star in the SEC, but needs to earn the opportunity first. That could happen this spring.

 

@barrettsallee what are chances Virginia Tech gets a solid invite from the SEC?

— Daniel Meier (@xpin3appl3) February 28, 2013

If you're wanting one soon, I think you'll be disappointed. But I do think that it will happen eventually.

While the Big Ten may be happy with 10 teams, the Pac-12 may be in neutral and the SEC comfortable with its 14 members, things can change in a hurry. If specific situations arise, then I think the SEC will absolutely extend an invitation to Virginia Tech.

The specific situations I'm speaking of is if the age of the super-conference appears inevitable and if the ACC starts to crumble. At that point, the SEC will be looking for two new members and the crumbling ACC would be the easy and appropriate target. 

Missouri and Texas A&M were added because they two bring four media markets in Nielsen's top 31, which means that the SEC will be printing money once the SEC cable network launches and gets on providers in those markets.

The SEC would love to grab Virginia Tech and get a bigger piece of the Virginia/District of Columbia pie. Sure political pressure could make it difficult for the Hokies to get away from the University of Virginia, but if the ACC starts to crumble, it's going to be a free-for-all.

 

Do you have a question for next week's Q&A? Send it to SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee via the B/R inbox, on Twitter @BarrettSallee or at bsallee@bleacherreport.com.

 

Follow @BarrettSallee

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

4-star wide receiver Drake Harris is one of the most coveted recruits in the state of Michigan, and even though he's currently committed to the Michigan State Spartans, it appears as if the Wolverines are making a strong push.

This could spell the beginning of the end for Michigan State in regards to Harris' commitment. 

While Mark Dantonio and the Spartans have built up a very respectable program that has been more than competitive in football the past few years, the big factor that could really impact Harris' recruitment is that he has decided to just play football. Before, he was considered a two-sport athlete, and the prospect of playing basketball and football at Michigan State had to undoubtedly be a big draw.

The Spartans lose a ton of that draw on just the strength of their football program minus basketball, and that statement is multiplied when considering the prestige and potential that Michigan's football program possesses.

To make matters worse for Michigan State, Harris recently took a visit to Michigan, and it was one that reportedly went very well. Chris Balas of TheWolverine.com quotes Harris' father on the trip:

"With Denard there, they were running first, passing second," Mr. Harris said. "Last year, you could see how the transition was with Gardner. You could see him throwing the ball a lot more down the field. They showed Drake how they would use him, cut up his high school film and stuff - they were actually showing him on the screen, and that really opened his eyes. He said, 'Wow - they are showing me where I would be,' bringing out his clips from high school and comparing their offense to what he runs."

He went on to talk about the impression that head coach Brady Hoke made, per Balas:

"He's a straight-up-type guy," he said. "He is what he is, no façade or anything like that. He just comes across like real guy. He talked about how he really wanted Drake, and it was nice to hear that from him. [Hecklinski and Borges], too, told him they thought he was a special kid and they really wanted him to come to Michigan."

Finally, Mr. Harris talked about his son's commitment, via Balas' report:

"He wants to go and make sure his 'I's are dotted and the 'T's crossed, make sure the school he decides to go to is the right fit in every way, from an athletic and academic standpoint," Mr. Harris said. "He's not going to be one of those kids who keeps committing and de-committing. The first time he committed he thought he was going to play both football and basketball, and now it's football only. 

"If Michigan State turns out to be the best fit for him, that's where he'll go. But he's going to look around make sure [he] does his homework on all the teams to make sure he finds that right fit. It's the biggest decision he's ever going to have to make right now, so why not take your time?"

One would be naive and/or in denial to not see that Michigan has a great chance to get a flip from Harris. He could still stay in-state, and the allure of Michigan football is undeniable.

The Spartans have had the edge for the past few seasons, but Hoke changed that this year with a win in Ann Arbor, and the program is trending in a very positive direction. Part of that has to do with Michigan's prestige on the recruiting trail—and specifically Hoke's abilities as a recruiter—and some of it can be attributed to Michigan's slow, but steady transition to the pro-style offense.

Therein lies the key to flipping Harris. 

Unlike the Denard Robinson era, the pro-style set will feature a quarterback that can throw the ball in a premier fashion. The running game will still be featured, but it will take on a whole new look with more power sets and downhill running schemes, and going vertical in the passing game will be an emphasis.

Devin Garner showed us that he can be an effective pocket passer in 2012, but the finality of this transition will be marked by 4-star quarterback Shane Morris' presence in the starting lineup. Morris is the perfect pro-style quarterback recruit, and he has the talent to be an elite quarterback for Michigan.

He'll also be able to throw the ball downfield with the best of them in college football, and that has to be a major point to bring up with Harris.

Harris is ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and he checks in at 6'4'', 180 pounds. He has the potential to be a deep threat because of his size and abilities, and he could provide Morris with a legitimate vertical target.

That's the one thing this era of Michigan football has been lacking so far, and Harris could join the likes of Braylon Edwards and Mario Manningham in the discussion of elite vertical threats in recent Michigan history. At the very least, he has the potential to be in that discussion.

Add in a running back like 5-star recruit Derrick Green, who will force the secondary to respect the run and will pull defenders up into the box, and Michigan's future appears to be incredibly bright offensively. 

A top-notch receiver like Harris could really stand out in Michigan's new offensive scheme, and considering the national attention Michigan football garners, that means Harris could stand out on the national stage. Throw in the potential to compete for the Big Ten championship and maybe even more on a yearly basis—and there's not much to dislike about Michigan football.

Frankly, the Spartans are going to have a hard time holding onto Harris if all of those factors come into play, and that's considering the fact that Dantonio is a great recruiter himself, and his program should still be competitive in the Big Ten.

It's also worth noting that Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, Georgia and Notre Dame are all considered to be equal with the Spartans on Harris' interest list, per Balas' report, and he is considered a "soft verbal" by Rivals.com.

Either way you look at it, the Spartans have their work cut out for them if they want to keep Harris committed. 

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Following an exciting and slightly surprising 12-0 season, expectations in Columbus couldn't be any bigger heading into next season. Urban Meyer and his staff have implemented a winning culture into this program, and with tenacious work on the recruiting trail, they were able to ensure that this success would be sustained. In fact, the 2013 team will most likely be ranked within the preaseason top-five this summer.

Braxton Miller will have a real shot at winning a Heisman Trophy, and players like Bradley Roby could play their way into being a first-round draft pick in 2014. Experts are already mentioning the Buckeyes as legitimate title contenders, and Buckeye Nation will excitedly watch their talented team embark on a possibly historical season come this fall.

However, the first step in this team's journey will be getting though spring practice, and there are plenty of things to observe from afar. The Urban Meyer-led Buckeyes will look to further perfect their new offensive system and fill some major holes on defense during the spring period. Also, due to the departure of a few key starters from last season, this year's spring practices will feature intense position battles and give us a better understanding of how Meyer plans on utilizing his personnel.

Here are the top six storylines for the Buckeyes as they get set to begin spring practice.

Begin Slideshow

After posting an unspectacular 8-5 record last season, Michigan is looking for more success in 2013.

While the team is losing a lot of talent due to graduation on both sides of the ball, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the upcoming year. All-American tackle Taylor Lewan will anchor the offensive line, while Devin Gardner showed last season that he could succeed at quarterback.

Still, there will be plenty of teams trying to prevent the Wolverines from putting together a good season.

These will be the toughest matchups for Michigan on the 2013 schedule.

 

5. Nov. 2 at Michigan State

Traveling to East Lansing is never easy. Even though Michigan State lost its best offensive weapon in Le'Veon Bell, the defense will remain one of the best in the country.

The good news is that the game comes later in the year as the young offense starts to come together. Once Gardner starts to hit his stride, plus the addition of freshman Derrick Green at running back, the offense should be clicking.

Without a tough offense to stop, the Wolverines should be able to survive this game.

 

4. Oct. 12 at Penn State

After a poor start to the year, Penn State regained its momentum and ended up winning eight of its last 10 games.

It was all for nothing as the team was ineligible for the postseason and remains that way for a few years.

However, Bill O'Brien showed that his team still has a lot of talent and is willing to fight all season long. This will make things difficult for Michigan in the trip to Happy Valley.

 

3. Nov. 9 vs. Nebraska

Now a rising senior, quarterback Taylor Martinez has the potential to be one of the biggest playmakers in the country.

The dual-threat QB runs the option to perfection and will have Ameer Abdullah beside him as one of the best running backs in the Big Ten.

While the Wolverines have talent on defense, the linebackers will be put to the test as they try to stay with this lightning fast offense.

 

2. Sept. 7 vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame lost Manti Te'o and a few other leaders, but this is still one of the top teams in the country.

Everett Golson will be improved in his second year running the offense, and the defense has just as much talent as it did a year ago behind defensive tackle Louis Nix III.

It will be a stretch to think that Notre Dame can return to the national title game. However, this game on the second week of the year is certain to be a challenge.

 

1. Nov. 30 vs. Ohio State

Once again, the game that Michigan players and fans should circle on the calendar is Nov. 30 against Ohio State.

Quarterback Braxton Miller is certain to be a Heisman candidate as the Buckeyes look to repeat their 12-0 mark from last season. Although the team was ineligible for the postseason last year, the squad is ready to play for a conference and national championship this season.

Even if the Wolverines struggle throughout the season, they are certain to come to play in this one in an effort to prevent good things from happening to their rivals. 

Hopefully, Michigan has what it takes to win this high-profile battle at home.

 

Follow @TheRobGoldberg

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

After winning three of the last four BCS National Championships, the expectations for Alabama in 2013 are clear: Anything less than another title will be a disappointment.

While the first round of the upcoming NFL draft will showcase several former Crimson Tide players, key performers from last year’s team will be back in Tuscaloosa.

Nick Saban’s defense always finds a way to turn in impressive performances, but the coach will rely on three of his returners to ensure that the offense puts up points.

Here are the expectations for Alabama’s three biggest offensive stars.

  

A.J. McCarron, Quarterback 

Last season, McCarron continued to improve upon his work as a sophomore. He showed leadership and poise late in games and rarely made mistakes.

His signature moment came when he led a game-winning drive to beat LSU in Death Valley, and that will be a memory he will never forget. 

Statistically, he was extremely impressive. He completed 67.2 percent of his throws while racking up 2,933 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

In 2013, fans will be expecting more of the same. He will once again have to avoid turning the ball over while making big plays late in games.

Expected 2013 Stats: 68.0 completion percentage, 3,300 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 4 interceptions

 

T.J. Yeldon, Running Back

As a freshman, Yeldon provided the lightning, while Eddie Lacy contributed the thunder in Alabama’s backfield. 

This role helped Yeldon record 1,108 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. 

But Yeldon is much more than a change-of-pace back, and at 6’2” and 216 pounds, he certainly has the build to carry a full load. 

The Crimson Tide will likely use multiple backs in 2013, but Yeldon will be the focal point of the team’s running game. Due to this, his numbers should go up.

Expected 2013 Stats: 1,350 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, 6.5 yards per carry average

 

Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver 

Alabama has traditionally taken a conservative approach on offense and focused mainly on moving the ball on the ground. But with the amount of talent the team will have at wide receiver, there will be fireworks in 2013.

Cooper is the star of the receiver corps after a stellar freshman season. In 2012, he pulled in 59 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

Several offensive players had standout performances in the National Championship Game against Notre Dame (including Yeldon and McCarron), and Cooper was incredible with six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

He is a rising star, and he will be expected to stay on that trajectory when the new season starts.

Expected 2013 Stats: 70 catches, 1,150 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller must ignore his own hype and work harder than ever before in 2013 if the Buckeyes are to have any chance of winning the BCS championship this upcoming season. 

The team would have been in the BCS title game last year if not for the sanctions against the program, and the pressure is on to equal those accomplishments this fall.

Expectations couldn't be higher, and the only way this young team will meet them is if Urban Meyer can somehow get his young quarterback to focus on improving each and every day instead of getting caught up in what's being said on television and what's being said about him on the radio.

Miller has already been thrust into the national spotlight after his recent Sports Illustrated cover, and we haven't even hit the month of March. The talent is certainly present on the roster for Ohio State to make a legitimate run at the title, but it won't do so without a fully focused and humble leader. 

Miller's athleticism and speed are a major weapon, and he's going to get plenty of yards rushing. However, if the team's offense has any hope of exceeding what it accomplished last year, he needs to become a more accomplished pocket passer. 

Last season, Miller only completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Buckeyes scored over 37 points per game despite this. If Miller can improve, the offense will be nearly unstoppable. 

So far, it seems as if Miller is doing what it takes to improve. He's been working out with noted quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. (via Tim May of BuckeyeXtra), and if anyone can help him improve, it's this man. 

The "Quarterback Whisperer" has worked with many players you've heard about over the years, including Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Johnny Manziel and Tajh Boyd.

Miller will likely be much improved this year as a passer, but that won't be enough.

He must lead by example, and the most important thing he must do to lead his team to a national championship is stay humble and forget about the hype surrounding his name.

If he becomes enamored by his fame, Ohio State's chances at winning the BCS title in 2013 are doomed.

 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78 

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Syracuse strong safety Shamarko Thomas' 2013 NFL combine performance may be forever remembered for his epic face plant. The fact of the matter is, Thomas left scouts with much more to think about rather than how well he eats dirt.

Let's break down how Thomas actually fared at the combine.

With blazing speed, overpowering strength and limitless leaping ability, Thomas put on a show for the scouts, general managers and coaches in attendance. He did so by ranking in the top five by position in four of the five drills he performed.

That includes the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump.

So let's go down to it.

How did Thomas fare in each individual event? Furthermore, how much has he improved his draft stock as a result of his execution?

Most importantly, where might he go?

 

40-Yard Dash: 4.42 Seconds

Thomas obliterated the field of safeties, completing his 40-yard dash in a time of 4.42 seconds. That was the fastest time posted by any safety at the combine.

This was a display of what Thomas is all about on the football field.

The former Syracuse Orange standout attacks the ball at blazing speeds and collides with receivers and running backs with reckless abandon. This is what makes Thomas such an intriguing prospect.

With his burning speed proven at the combine, we could see this strong safety move up many draft boards. Fortunately for Thomas, speed isn't all he has to offer.

It's far from it.

 

Bench Press: 28 Reps

After leading all safeties in the 40-yard dash, Thomas was at it again with the bench press. He performed 28 reps and fell just four short of the position's all time record.

More importantly, Thomas led all safeties—again.

This is what scouts needed to see from Thomas, as he proved that he is much more than just a fast runner. Thomas is a powerful player that possesses a rare combination of brute force and open field speed.

Once again, Thomas wasn't finished.

 

Vertical Jump: 40.5 Inches

You may think I'm making this up, but I'm not. During the vertical jump, Thomas again topped his position.

Thomas and LSU's Eric Reid tied for first at their position with respective 40.5-inch verticals.

This offers hope for scouts in attendance that they have found a capable defender when facing the pass. With speed, strength and vertical leaping ability, Thomas has proven that he can handle anything thrown his way from a physical perspective.

If you still don't believe it, check the final workout.

 

Broad Jump: 133.0 inches

For once, Thomas did not finish first at his position during a combine drill. Instead, he finished in second.

Thomas's 11'1" broad jump was right behind Eric Reid of LSU and Earl Wolff of North Carolina State. Reid and Wolff tied for first at 11'2"—just one inch further than Thomas.

In case you aren't getting the picture, Thomas proved to be one of the most physically gifted players in this draft class. While he may not have established himself as the best player at his position, Thomas went a long way towards defining his upside.

Scouts, general managers and coaches have taken notice of Thomas—and not because of a face plant.

All statistics and information provided by NFL.com.

Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

Last season, Johnny Manziel amassed 3,706 yards through the air while compiling another 1,410 yards on the ground. Even the best SEC defenses had trouble containing the eventual Heisman winner.

Now armed with a year of game film on the dual-threat quarterback, will SEC defenses have better luck containing or even shutting down Manziel in 2013?

Better yet, which teams are equipped to try and stop Johnny Football this season?

Let's take a look at five teams that have the best shot.

 

Follow @SephTalksSEC

Begin Slideshow