NCAA Football

I thought I had a wild college experience. I really did.

I honestly went after it with a zealous fervor and tried to get myself into as many weird and strange situations as possible.

But nothing I did is even close to messing with the kind of legendary material Texas A&M star quarterback Johnny Manziel is putting out right now. Not even that one thing with the peanut butter and the alpacas.

He’s a young superstar who has embraced his fame and still continues to pump out college-age ridiculousness in spite of the saturating press coverage that's dumped upon his every move.

Johnny Football isn’t bowing to the quiet “read a chapter of The Boxcar Children and go to bed early” mold most young athletes embrace after rising into the eye of the national media.

Nope, Johnny Manziel is still enjoying his time in school and isn’t in any rush to be someone he’s not. And between his fame and love for living it up, his college glory days are utterly demolishing yours.

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With National Signing Day 2013 quickly approaching, which schools are in trouble as the deadline nears?

According to Scout.com, Michigan comes in as the number one recruiting class with Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Ohio State, and LSU rounding out the top five.  

While teams continue to shift in the rankings and make the final push to boost their rankings, three programs are in trouble.  

USC, Oregon, and Florida State, typically strong recruiting schools, are in trouble heading toward the deadline.  

 

USC Trojans

According to Scout.com, USC currently has the highest average star rating out of any team in the country with 4.46 stars.  But, USC only has 13 recruits, which skews that average star rating.  

Nonetheless, 13 recruits who are all four and five star players is impressive.  But the Trojans are still in trouble as the deadline approaches. 

According to Rivals.com, USC had already landed 18 recruits in July and found themselves sitting at the top of the Rivals recruiting team rankings.  The Trojans had everything set in place.  They had a number one recruiting class, a number one ranked team, and a national championship run in sight.  

 

Then disappointment set in.  

USC struggled all season long, finishing 8-5.  Head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff sat on the hot seat. Kiffin is still around, but has lost most of his defensive coaches including Monte Kiffin and Marvin Sanders.  

With the losses of coaches on the defensive side, USC lost five commits on defense and six commits overall.  

According to Gary Klein of the L.A. Times, "Hatcher would be the sixth player who orally committed to the Trojans to reopen his commitment, following safety Max Redfield, receiver Eldridge Massington, defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes, defensive back/receiver Sebastian LaRue and defensive lineman Kylie Fitts."

USC may lose more recruits, and they will not be able to recover from the losses.  

The Trojans will have a strong talent pool of players. But with a low number of recruits, if they continue to lose, the Trojans are in trouble.  

 

Oregon Ducks

Chip Kelly is finally done flirting with the NFL.  Kelly made the jump to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Kelly's decision to dive into the world of NFL coaching hinders Oregon's recruiting. But, Kelly's indecisiveness and wavering throughout the season slowed the Ducks recruiting prior to the big announcement.

According to Bud Elliott of SB Nation, "Oregon really didn't have much to lose. Oregon's class numbers just 13, and of those, only six are consensus rated four-stars or better. Hardly a recruiting class of a consistent national title contender."

Oregon should not have much of a drop off since Kelly's flirtation with the NFL already left its mark on this year's recruiting class.

But now Oregon has little time to recover and is without the face of their program for the last four years.

Two other fairly strong football schools in recent years lost their head coaches, Tennessee and Auburn, and then plummeted in recruiting.

Oregon will not drop as much as these two schools.  

But Kelly's indecisiveness and sudden departure has left new head coach Mark Helfrich and the Oregon Ducks struggling as the signing day deadline approaches.  

 

Florida State Seminoles

 

 Florida State is the top ranked recruiting class out of the ACC, but sits at number 21 on Scout.com's list.

The Seminoles have a stacked defensive class thanks to the recruiting power of new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.  

Offensive coordinator James Coley left the Seminoles for the Miami Hurricanes offense.  Coley was arguably the Seminoles top recruiter, and many players have ties to him.

Coley's loss could spell a loss of recruits on offense as national signing day approaches.  

According to Dallas Jackson of Rivals.com, "Four targets, in particular, may have been rattled by the turnover."

The coaching change has left offensive tackle Austin Golson, defensive end Davin Bellamy, cornerback Marquez White, and running back Alex Collins to reconsider their commitment to FSU.  

Florida State still has one of the higher ranked recruiting classes, but they still have a ways to go. Within the ACC, Florida State is at the top, but in comparison to other teams in the almighty SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12, the Seminoles have more work to do.

With time running out before National Signing Day 2013, the Seminoles could be in trouble.   

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The Florida State Seminoles have lost the commitment of 4-star offensive tackle Austin Golson.

This is a rather sizable recruiting loss for Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles, but Florida State's loss could ultimately be the SEC's gain.

Corey Dowlar of ESPN.com reports on Golson's decommitment. The 4-star recruit is reportedly uncertain about whether or not Florida State is still in the running, but a few SEC schools certainly seem to be, per Dowlar's report:

Golson made an official visit to Ole Miss, now considered the frontrunner for Golson, earlier this month. He just finished his trip to FSU this past weekend. Golson has also made an official visit to Alabama and previously had one planned for Auburn this upcoming weekend, but that could be on hold. 

It's worth noting and repeating that Florida State isn't officially out of the running for Golson just yet, but for all intents and purposes this looks like the SEC's recruiting race to lose from here on out.

Specifically for Ole Miss, landing the now former Florida State recruit would be a huge win.

Golson is 6'6'', 285 and he's ranked as the No. 8 offensive tackle in the 2013 class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He projects to be extremely talented at the college level, and at the very least he has incredible potential.

The Rebels are easily one of the hottest recruiting programs in the country right now, and elite recruits are considering Ole Miss to be a major option. Ole Miss just recently landed 5-star wideout Laquon Treadwell, and its considered to be the unofficial favorite for No. 1 overall recruit Robert Nkemdiche.

Landing Golson would be yet another big recruiting win for Ole Miss, and it would be a statement commitment for Hugh Freeze and his staff. At least for now, the Rebels appear to be in the lead. They are the leader on his 247Sports interest list, followed by Florida State.

There's also Alabama and Auburn to consider here, and the Tigers could end up playing a major factor if he does indeed go through with his scheduled official visit. If not, I still wouldn't count out either Nick Saban or new Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on the recruiting trail. Malzahn is slowly but surely salvaging Auburn's recruiting class and Saban's prestige on the recruiting trail speaks for itself.

Florida State isn't officially out of the running just yet, but the odds are stacked against them.

The chances seem rather slim that Golson ends up playing football in any other conference but the SEC.

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College football has become a multimillion dollar business that is driven by television contracts and bowl revenues. One group that reaps the rewards of the modern business model that drives football is the coaches. 

Over the past few decades college football coaching has become one of the more lucrative careers in sports. With the increase of revenue has come a group of overpaid coaches. This is a look at the 10 guys that should feel bad for taking home the cheddar that they do. 

It is a widespread epidemic across the game where teams are under the assumption that they must pay top dollar for unproven coaching talent. Others overpay coaches past their prime. This is an evaluation of coaches that need their contract reviewed this summer. 

 

***Salary information from USA Today 

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An unfortunate casualty of the latest round of college football realignment was the cancellation—at least for the time being—of the Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry in football.

But that rivalry may be renewed in the future, according to a bill filed in the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Ryan Guillen (h/t: Clay Travis of OutkickTheCoverage.com).

Just filed HB 778; it requires UT and A&M to play each other annually in a nonconference, regular season football game bit.ly/T24EvW

— Ryan Guillen (@RyanGuillen) January 29, 2013

That bill would require the two football programs to meet on the gridiron every year.

And on cue, critics voice their displeasure.

"Doesn't the government have anything better to do?"

Just stop.

Yes, the government has a laundry list of things that should—and do—take priority over ensuring that football rivalries are played. But as Travis points out, government was needed to keep or restart the Iron Bowl, South Carolina/Clemson and Kentucky/Louisville, to name a few rivalries.

But keeping the rivalry going helps the state economy, encourages state pride and gives casual fans something to identify with.

Plus, it's not necessarily something that takes up a lot of time anyway.

The bottom line: Whether it's something that's agreed upon by the two institutions or mandated by the State of Texas, the two programs need to get the rivalry going again—for college football's sake.

Texas and Texas A&M have played 118 times since 1894, with the Longhorns holding a 76-37-5 advantage over the Aggies. Texas won the last meeting between the two teams in 2011; Justin Tucker hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give the Longhorns a 27-25 win in College Station.

Plus, think about how much has changed since then.

The Aggies stepped out of the shadow of the Longhorns in 2012, going 11-2 in their first season in the SEC and producing the first redshirt freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy in quarterback Johnny Manziel.

They've emerged as one of the hot up-and-coming programs in college football and look to continue that momentum this offseason with one of the top recruiting classes in the country.

Meanwhile, Texas is rebuilding, but certainly still playing the "big brother" role in the state.

Why not put state pride on the line on an annual basis? If it's that big of a deal, settle it. Every year. Don't just live off history.

Tradition is the foundation of college football. While several of those traditions are being stripped away as the game evolves into the new era of big bucks and a four-team playoff, some of those traditions need to be preserved.

The Lone Star Showdown is one of them. 

Good for Guillen for kick-starting the process. Whether it's accomplished via the institutions themselves or mandated by the state, these two teams need to get back together.

 

Follow @BarrettSallee

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This time last season, Texas A&M quarterback Jameill Showers was the front-runner to replace Ryan Tannehill as the starting quarterback for the Aggies in their first season in the SEC.

One year later, he's looking for a new team.

According to Billy Liucci of TexAgs.com, Showers will transfer from the Texas A&M football program in the hopes of finding more playing time elsewhere.

Backup quarterback Jameill Showers confirmed to me this afternoon that he has been granted his release and will transfer from A&M

— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) January 28, 2013

Can you blame him?

Showers was blocked at A&M behind superstar quarterback Johnny Manziel. In case you missed it, Manziel became the first redshirt freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and set the SEC single-season total offense record (5,116 yards).

Showers wasn't a big-time prospect when he signed with Texas A&M out of Killeen, Texas in the class of 2013. He was a 3-star prospect in the 247Sports.com composite index, and the 475th-ranked prospect in the country.

But his ability to make big throws and make an impact on the ground made him the likely successor to Tannehill as the Aggies exited spring practice in 2012.

If he's good enough to push Manziel, and lead him for a significant period of time, he's good enough to start somewhere—especially a program that employs a similar offense to Texas A&M's.

Players want to find their way to the NFL, and if you're good enough the NFL will find you.

Just look at the two NFL quarterbacks still playing football this season. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick starred at Nevada, while Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Joe Flacco backed up Tyler Palko at Pitt before transferring to the University of Delaware.

At some point, players have to look out for themselves. While the possibility of possibly playing for a national championship at Texas A&M is a big draw, Showers is doing the right thing by moving on.

 

Follow @BarrettSallee

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Le'Veon Bell, running back from the Michigan State Spartans, put forth an absolutely amazing junior season this past fall. Bell piled up the yards all season and helped lead the Spartans to an exciting comeback win over TCU in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Though he was among the nation's best running backs, Bell still seems to be underrated.

Earlier this month Bell, tight end Dion Sims and defensive end William Gholston all decided to forgo their senior seasons at Michigan State to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the Spartans, Bell collected 3,346 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. Despite his strong numbers, Bell is considered to be a fourth round draft pick and the No. 10 running back in this year's class according to CBS Sports.

Bell has many characteristics to be a successful NFL running back. He has size, strength and quickness. Bell has a good motor and is a very physical runner. NFL teams may want to take a good look at this tough running back come draft time, as he has the tools to be a great NFL player.

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Michigan is on its way to yet another ranked season under head coach Brady Hoke after 5-star running back Derrick Green committed to the program on Monday.

According to ESPN, Hoke was brought to tears upon the news. As well he should be.

I wrote earlier this month about how important the commitment of Green would be for Michigan's football program. With redshirt senior Fitzgerald Toussaint, junior Thomas Rawls, redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes, redshirt freshman Drake Johnson and freshman Deveon Smith at running back for 2013, there wasn't a standout player in the backfield before Green made his decision (especially with Denard Robinson moving on to the NFL), but the Wolverines must be brimming with joy now.

Green is just the kind of physical, downhill runner that Michigan has been dying for since Hoke took over in 2011. He's also the kind of running back who figures to mesh well with Michigan's five 4-star offensive linemen this year.

While starting quarterback Devin Gardner possesses pocket mobility, he's more dangerous as a pocket passer, as evidenced by his play last season. He averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt last season, which would have ranked second among all signal-callers if he had thrown enough balls to qualify, per CFBStats.com. He also tossed a respectable 11 touchdowns to five interceptions in five games taking over for Robinson.

Gardner's pocket passing, combined with Green's talent in the backfield, could make for an eye-opening combo down the line for Michigan as early as 2013. The Wolverines have been working to play SEC-style football since Hoke arrived, and Green has the talent to complete the picture.

Don't look now, but Michigan is neck-and-neck with Ohio State for the Big Ten's best recruiting class this year. Green figures to be the Wolverines' most important recruit of 2013.

 

What are your thoughts?

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You only have to look at Notre Dame's starting tight ends the past two years, Tyler Eifert and Kyle Rudolph, to know that the Fighting Irish are no strangers to standout players at the position.

That's why it wasn't a surprise that Notre Dame pursued 4-star tight end Durham Smythe this year, despite having three juniors and two other 2013 recruits at the position.

Now that the Fighting Irish have landed Smythe, it's only going to make them better moving forward.

Notre Dame not only has juniors Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack and Alex Welch at tight end, it also landed 4-star recruit Mike Heuerman and 3-star recruit Jacob Matuska in 2013. But while it may seem the Fighting Irish are overloaded at tight end, this only makes the team deeper and more talented at the position.

Niklas and Koyack, 4-star recruits in 2011, both spent the most time with Notre Dame's second team in 2012 while Eifert locked down the starting spot. Alex Welch, a 4-star recruit in 2010, suffered a torn ACL and missed the 2012 campaign, but could legitimately enter the mix in 2013.

Combined with Heuerman and Matuska, there will be plenty of players trying to show they are capable of succeeding Eifert.

There's nothing like a little competition to motivate players to work their tails off in the offseason. On top of that, incorporating these players into multiple tight-end sets will give starting quarterback Everett Golson more options in the passing game and only aid his development under center.

Notre Dame may not have another Tyler Eifert or Kyle Randolph in 2013, but the depth at the position figures to be an asset for the football team. The hardest part will be determining who gets the most reps and finding a way to blend the talented tight ends into the mix.

If anything, the Fighting Irish have some youngsters to develop until it's their time to shine, whether it be in 2013 or down the road.

 

What are your thoughts?

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For many high school football players, it comes down to the wire. The recruits have completed their campus visits, and the coaches have finalized their pitches, but we still don't know where everyone is going. National Signing Day is February 6, just over a week away, but there are still some top recruits that have yet to make their decisions.  

This is a look at the top running backs still available from this year's class and speculation on what hats they will be wearing when they announce their decisions.

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Just when you thought that recruiting couldn’t become more hectic, it did. Over the weekend, current Ohio State commit and 4-star linebacker prospect Trey Johnson took an official visit to Tennessee.  

This news came as shocking to most who follow the Buckeyes, as Johnson had previously committed to Ohio State at the Under Armour All American game.  

However, late Monday night, Johnson’s high school coach confirmed that he is all Buckeye and will sign with Ohio State next week, according to Eleven Warriors.

 

 

Trey Johnson's coach confirms that his star player will sign with #OhioState following #Tennessee visit

— 11W Recruiting (@11WRecruiting) January 29, 2013  

 

 

With Ohio State still chasing other recruits such as Dontre Wilson, James Clark, and Vonn Bell, Johnson’s visit put a little worry into the Buckeyes. If this statement holds true, Ohio State will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. 

Though none of the prospects listed above have pulled the trigger for Ohio State, sometimes the best pickups are the players who are already committed. This is exactly the case with Trey Johnson.

Johnson will be able to compete for playing time right away next season as the Buckeyes return only one starter at linebacker. The linebacker from Lawrenceville, Ga., possesses a high knowledge for the game, and that could give him an edge when fall camp rolls around. For now, Buckeye Nation can rest easy as Trey Johnson seems back to being a Buckeye. 

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