NCAA Football News

Sports Illustrated launched a salvo that resonated with college football and basketball fans alike. Both the Braxton Miller and Jadeveon Clowney covers made it pretty clear that heading into March, football is still on people's minds.

Sure, the "Sorry Hoops, Two More Weeks To Wait" at the top belies a sort of competition between the two sports, where an apology is needed. However, ultimately this is not about college basketball being bad. It's not about ratings or scoring or even a true battle between the separate entities.

Ultimately, like most things on the American sporting landscape, it's about football taking the lead and everyone else playing the background.

We've seen it for awhile with the NFL. The league locks down the news cycle for their schedule release. They televise their scouting combine and folks watch in droves, myself included. They force other sports to avoid Sunday competition for fear of losing viewers to the behemoth that is the NFL.

Recently, we've seen it trickle down to the collegiate level as well. Conferences releasing their finalized schedules has become a big deal. The entire expansion game has revolved around the football product. Spring games, those oddly structured exhibitions that most fans aren't sure what to take away from, have become a television staple. Hell, teams like Ohio State and Alabama are battling cross country for spring game attendance records.

Oh, and of course, spring practice has captivated America.

Depth-chart battles, freshmen (both redshirt and early enrollees) who can step up and Heisman talk are at the forefront of people's minds. As Aaron Torres over at Crystal Ball Run points out, college football is, without a doubt, a 365-day-a-year sport. It's a league, like the NFL, that is relevant on a daily basis across America.

Even with the swipe by the subtext, this is less about marginalizing college basketball folks and more about recognizing just how far football has come at the collegiate level. It is the game that commands folks' attention, and through that attention it commands the dollar and ultimately steers the ship of collegiate athletics.

The game has a long way to go, and a lot of issues to fix, but as the Sports Illustrated cover reminds us, it is healthier than it has ever been. Whether you're an Ohio State Buckeye or a South Carolina Gamecock, or neither, if you're a college football fan, that health is something to celebrate.

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Recruiting deregulation is already one of the hot-button topics of the offseason, and battle lines have already been drawn.

Programs like Auburn and Alabama have already begun hiring high-profile college and high-school coaches into "front office" positions. The intention is to hit the ground running when the new rules take effect in the summer, which will allow unlimited contact for coaches and support staff.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten has taken exception along with several other coaches and athletic directors, including Georgia's Greg McGarity.

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen lands somewhere in the middle in the fight over recruiting deregulation, and has his own thoughts on how to limit the impact.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mullen thinks that adding a four-week "dead period" in the summer with no contact would be a good way to minimize the impact of the unlimited contact rule. 

I don’t want to want to sound like a non-worker, but everybody worries about these new rules, and how you will be working 24 hours per day. They want to know where is your down time? If they want a time for where coaches have to shut it down, then you designate four weeks in the summer where you’re completely off. You can do no recruiting during those four weeks, and you’ve eliminated the problem for all coaches.

Mullen went on to add some specifics to his proposal, which would allow teams to designate which four weeks they'd use as their "dead period."

Currently, we have eight weeks where we’re not allowed to do anything with our (current) players. You can do that for coaches with recruiting, too. You would let the schools pick their four weeks because schools get out earlier in the South than they do up North. Schools up North, they would need later recruiting times to do camps and summer visits. You can pick your four weeks, and move from there. So for four weeks, you can’t do anything during the summer. 

Four weeks is a long time, especially in the summer, when players are attending camps across the country. The length of time may need to be tweaked, but Mullen's goal is something that I can absolutely hop on board with.

The new recruiting rules will certainly separate the "haves" from the "have nots," not only from across the country, but within each individual conference—including the SEC.

In theory, allowing for unlimited contact will go a long way towards paring down the NCAA's rule book. However, it also runs the risk of creating a "wild, wild west" atmosphere, which is something that can't be sustained.

That's what makes Mullen's idea so intriguing.

He says that he loves the unlimited contact rule, but cutting down on the time periods in which it is allowed would limit that atmosphere and make the gap between the programs with differing recruiting budgets.

It's also clear that he's concerned about the perception that comes along with opposing the new legislation.

I love how NCAA deregulated recruiting. College coaches complaining are scared of getting outworked or out-spent

Mullen doesn't fall into that category.

Sure, Mississippi State isn't going to be able to compete with the big boys in the SEC on the bottom line; but Mullen's idea suggests that he's interested in tweaking the rules to make them better, and not concerned about being outworked.

I like that.

The idea could use a little adjustment, because four weeks may be two too many. However, while the NCAA is interested in deregulating its recruiting rules, some structure needs to remain in place.

A summer "dead period" for unlimited contact may be an interesting method to provide that structure.

Follow @BarrettSallee

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The Miami Hurricanes are starting off the 2014 recruiting cycle in a big way, with 5-star running back Joseph Yearby flipping his commitment from Florida State to UM.

Getting him to flip is huge for Miami, and the Hurricanes can give credit to new offensive coordinator James Coley in this situation. According to Kynon Codrington of Rivals.com, Coley was a big reason why Yearby flipped:

Miami (Fla.) Central running back Joseph Yearby has switched his commitment from Florida State to Miami, thanks in large part to new Hurricanes offensive coordinator James Coley.

"Coach Coley is a great guy," Yearby told Rivals.com. "He was very happy when I committed. Once he took the job, I started looking at Miami harder. Plus it's a better situation for my family."

This is a marquee recruiting win for Al Golden and the Hurricanes for numerous reasons. The first and most obvious reason is the fact that Yearby is an extremely talented recruit.

He's ranked as the No. 5 running back in the 2014 class and he's the No. 4 ranked player from the state of Florida, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings. 

Landing in-state recruits is an integral part of the success of any college football program. On that principle alone, Yearby is a major recruit for the Hurricanes. It's also worth noting that he goes to Miami Central High School, which is just about a half hour away from Coral Gables.

Recruiting success in-state is integral, but that statement is intensified when considering the competition within the state of Florida.

Regional in-state recruiting wins are just as important, so the fact that Miami was able to keep Yearby in the area is huge. Consider the fact the Hurricanes were able to steal Yearby away from Florida State, and you really get the full picture as to why this is such a monumental flip for Miami.

If the Hurricanes want to make it back to the top of the college football world, it's going to start with recruiting. That itself must start within the state of Florida. Miami didn't have much in-state success with the 2013 class, but the 2014 cycle brings new opportunities and momentum on the recruiting trail can change on a dime.

This flip could signify the beginning of a great recruiting cycle for the Hurricanes. The final factor to consider here is that talent begets talent. Now that one elite recruit has chosen Miami, other elite recruits around the area and even nationally will take notice.

The impact Yearby's commitment can have on the 2014 cycle is overwhelmingly positive for Miami, so this is a very notable recruiting win for the Hurricanes. 

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When you order the latest copy of NCAA 14, you will either see Ryan Swope or Denard Robinson on the cover. EA Sports has been running a contest over the last several weeks where you, the fan, can vote for your favorite baller or school and help put them on the cover of the popular video game.

Texas A&M and Michigan either have an overwhelming fan base that has computers, or you guys just didn't like the rest of the choices available. Both Swope and Robinson have beaten out guys such as Kenjon Barner of the Oregon Ducks, Eddie Lacy of the Alabama Crimson Tide and EJ Manuel of Florida State, just to name a few.

So who ends up on the cover? Well, that's up to you. You can make your voice heard by visiting the EA Sports Facebook page and voting for who you think deserves it most. You can also check out the updates on the EA Sports Twitter page to see how your favorite player is doing in the polls. Voting ends March 8, so this isn't something you can put off any longer.

Let's now take a look at the two athletes who are going head-to-head for the cover vote, and throw out a prediction for who will walk away victorious.

Making a Case for Denard Robinson

When I think of sport video games, I think of the guys who were unstoppable. The players you wouldn't want to compete against, no matter what.

If somebody was going to use Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl, there was absolutely no hope for you. You would call folks a "cheater" if they played with the Atlanta Falcons in Madden 2004 because of what Michael Vick could do to your defense. Even Jeremy Roenick could do everything in NHL 1994, likely creating a little bit of distance between you and your friends.

Those guys instantly remind you of Robinson and what he did for the Michigan Wolverines. There is no quarterback in college football history that has more rushing yards. He is also the first player who has rushed for at least 1,500 yards and thrown for at least 1,500 in a single season. (Jordan Lynch is the only other player to do so)

Robinson has broken numerous school, NCAA and Big Ten records throughout his career, often putting his team on his back and leading it to victory. There is the game against the Connecticut Huskies when Robinson racked up 383 total yards and scored two touchdowns. There was also this incredible run against the Irish that ended up being the longest run in Notre Dame Stadium history.

Robinson was pretty much a video game player out there on the field with all of the things he was able to do.

It's only right that he graces the cover.

Making a Case for Ryan Swope

Chances are, unless you are a Texas A&M fan, or just a religious college football fanatic, you haven't heard of Swope until recently. This is somebody who didn't receive a lot of media attention. He wasn't thrown down your throat after a big game on Saturday, and he certainly wasn't somebody who was going to let the world know he just caught yet another football.

Swope handled his business in College Station for four years and let his numbers do the talking.

Not the flashiest player in the world, but one of the more productive and underrated players over the last several seasons. He hauled in at least 72 passes in each of the last three years, racked up more than 3,000 receiving yards in his career and finished with 24 touchdown receptions. Keep in mind, all of this was done against defenses that knew he was the go-to guy within the Aggies offense.

Last season many questioned how Swope would fair against SEC competition. He shut those critics up quickly, as he averaged nearly 13 yards a reception, scored eight touchdowns and finished fifth in the conference in receptions. With 72 catches under his belt his senior season, 36 of them picked up first downs and 12 of them went for 25 yards or more. Easily the most productive receiver in school history.

Swope doesn't have an interesting story to tell. He wasn't a household name for much of his career and he wasn't in any Heisman discussions at any time. However, if you want to reward production and a class act on and off the field, this former Texas A&M Aggie is your guy.

Who Is Going to Grace the Cover? 

As you can see, you can make a solid argument for both of these players. They both had tremendous college football careers and got the job done week in and week out. But video games are all about being flashy and hip to today's market. You are never going to see a kicker on the cover of Madden no matter how many game-winning field goals he makes. People want the big name and the guy that provides the swagger to appear on the cover.

This is why Robinson is going to have his face plastered on NCAA 14.

Pretty much a video game character already, Robinson was an in-your-face type of player and was by far more known than many of the other candidates for this award. He fits the mold perfectly for this type of game and falls in line with many of the other terrific players who have received this honor.

Texas A&M has a remarkable fan base and will keep it close, but due to overall popularity and the household name, Robinson should have enough to put himself on the cover of NCAA 14.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

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The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up with the defensive backs a day ago and the NFL masses left Indianapolis with more data, medical reports and personal takes than you can usually get in one place. The biggest job fair in sports came to a close and now we've got about two months of rumors, posturing and guessing games.

For draftniks the combine is great. NFL fans look at their possible targets and get giddy during the event. Fans of individual college teams all root for their guys.

Now, for a guy like me, who has been watching all of these kids work for their collegiate teams on Saturdays; the combine is a real treat because it means watching them go out and try to ball hard on the biggest individual stage they're going to get.

Whether you're a first-round-caliber guy, or a mid- to late-round pick, the combine is a chance to help increase the likelihood of an NFL GM, coach, scout and the like, falling in love with what you bring to the table. It's a chance to confirm what they have seen on film, prove that you belong on their board and, hopefully, make a couple extra bucks by showing what you can do.

The combine is not, by any means, the end all be all when it comes to draft stock. Granted, "draft stock" is not a thing that I truly deal in because the NFL is 32 individual teams with a myriad of opinions within their own draft rooms. But, that doesn't mean the combine is, as so many under-educated fans try to tell us, meaningless.

Hard numbers on drills are great to have. They give you a baseline. But what is more important, at least to a guy like myself, is actually watching the drills themselves. It's a chance to see how these kids move. Are they smooth, fluid athletes that get into and out of breaks with no wasted motion and relative ease? Or, are they straining in the face, off-balance and flailing arms, instead?

It's about watching guys play on the balls of their feet and maintaining a good body lean. Sinking their hips and not bending at the waist. Yes, in the 40 and jumps you're looking for explosive power. However, once the position groups hit the field, you want to see those raw numbers translated to movement.

If you're a college guy, like myself, you've been watching these kids play ball every week. You've seen them over the last few years and you have a good idea of what they are. Seeing them tested is merely an opportunity to watch how the film matches up with their numbers.

When you invest as much time and gain as much enjoyment out of football at the collegiate level as I do, it's hard not to root for the kids. And I don't just mean a specific team. Rather, I'm talking about all the players. They get after it and bust their behinds on a daily basis to make college football work. This combine is sort of a coming-out party, a chance for them to build on their college performances and earn a solid payday.

Some guys will get drafted high, others will be selected in the back half of the draft. Still, other players will not be drafted at all. Some guys will flourish, others will take time to succeed. Some will, for lack of a better term, fail at the NFL level. It's a hard business and while player performance matters tremendously, so too does getting selected by a team that fits what you do best.

Regardless of it all, as a college football guy, I love the combine because I'm rooting for these guys too succeed. Getting to watch them succeed makes it that much better.

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