1. Gator Fans Now Have To Wait Out Urban-To-OSU Rumors

2. SEC Lands 2 In Hoops Attendance Top 5

3. Kevin Ware Decommits From Central Florida

4. ESPN Going Easy On Tressel, OSU? Uh, No

5. UF’s Jenkins On Muschamp: “He Washed His Hands Of Me”

1. Ryan Mallett drops to the third round and is headed to New England. Will the Pats regret the decision? Don Banks: A “spectacular freefall.” The Mallett 6? Dropping to third round could be “blessing.”

2. He blames the weed.  Georgia linebacker Justin Houston drops to third round.

3. Roddy White to Julio Jones – I like doughnuts on Fridays and hamburgers on Wednesdays.

4. Alabama long-snapper Carson Tinker’s condition improves.

5. Auburn players pitch in to help on storm cleanup.

6.Florida’s Marcus Gilbert is reuniting with former teammate Maurkice Pouncey in Pittsburgh.

7. Kentucky’s Randall Cobb is drafted by the Green Bay Packers. More here.

8. First Texas and then Alabama – success can be humbling.

9. Four LSU players go in the third round of the draft.

10. Tennessee’s basketball team honors its seniors – privately.

Extras

11. Biggest first-round surprises in the NFL draft.

12. Top ten surprises of the first three rounds.

13. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and his Ohio State tormentors.

Running back Donovan Roberts from Norman (Okla.) High School has committed to Arkansas.

Roberts chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from such schools as Arizona, Pittsburgh, Michigan, Iowa State and Kansas State, according to Rivals.com.

Roberts, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior at Norman, is the sixth commitment in the class of 2012 for Arkansas.

Georgia has received a commitment from linebacker Leonard Floyd from Dodge County High School in Eastman, Ga.

Floyd is the sixth commitment for Georgia’s class of 2012.

“He’s ecstatic about it,” Dodge County assistant Ricky Collins said. “He has been smiling at school all day. Everybody has been congratulating him on choosing Georgia. It really has been a great day for Leonard.”

Floyd, who has played tight end and wide receiver for Dodge County, could also play defensive end – his high school position – for Georgia.

The recruiting saga of basketball prospect Kevin Ware has become more complex.

The former Tennessee signee from Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga., told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last night that he’s no longer committed to Central Florida.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on right now, personal stuff that I don’t really want to speak about right now,” Ware said. “I spoke with my family about everything, and I decided it was time to back off on UCF.”

Ware, who was granted his release from UT following the firing of Bruce Pearl, insisted his decision has nothing to do with academics. He said he isn’t favoring any particular school.

“I’m interested in any college that’s interested in me,” Ware told the AJC.

That could include Georgia and Louisville, two schools that showed interest in Ware before he committed to UCF. Could UT enter the picture again?

“Tennessee hasn’t been in contact,” Ware said. “They’ve got other guards coming in.”

That’s true. UT coach Cuonzo Martin signed guards Wes Washpun and Josh Richardson after the Vols granted a release to Ware.

Ole Miss has signed wing player Maurice Aniefiok from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep School.

Aniefiok, who averaged 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season for Huntington, is the fifth signee in the class of 2011 for Ole Miss.

The Rebels also plan to welcome in transfers Jelan Kendrick from Memphis and Murphy Holloway from South Carolina. Holloway, who played two seasons at Ole Miss between 2008-10, is awaiting word from the NCAA on whether he will be eligible to play this fall.

As we await the start of Rounds Two and Three of the NFL draft, we thought we’d update the list of SEC first-rounders taken since 2000. 

So below is a list of how many first-round picks each SEC program has produced over the past 12 drafts:

1.  Alabama long-snapper Carson Tinker suffered a concussion and a fractured wrist in Wednesday’s Tuscaloosa tornado.

UPDATE — Tinker’s girlfriend was killed in the storm.

UPDATE – This writer says Tuscaloosa will recover… but it won’t be easy.

2.  Marcell Dareus was the first of a school-record four first-round picks from Alabama in last night’s NFL draft.

3.  As the #1 pick in the draft, Cam Newton wins again.

4.  Ex-Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is still waiting to hear his name called.

5.  Hog hoops coach Mike Anderson is working through a hectic month.

6.  Patrick Peterson was glad he could celebrate his first-round selection with Les Miles.

7.  Derek Sherrod admits there were some tense moments before the Packers called his name last night.

8.  Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe may have to wait a while loner to hear his name called.

9.  A former UM sports media assistant is suing Ole Miss, claiming that he was fired for a non-sexual relationship with a female basketball player of another race. 

10.  Mike Pouncey told his brother he’d be picked earlier than he was… and he was.

11.  This writer says Will Muschamp is already a better disciplinarian than Urban Meyer.

12.  This AJC blogger is glad Mark Richt is losing his patience.

13.  New scoreboards at Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium will be paid for with private funds.

14.  This writer gives North Carolina the edge over Kentucky in hoops next year.

15.  Everyone this South Carolina beatwriter has spoken to expects Stephen Garcia to be reinstated to the team in June.

16.  Former Tennessee receiver Denarius Moore is still hoping to hear his name called in the NFL draft.

Mark Richt has been the picture of cool this offseason.  Hot seat talk hasn’t appeared to get under his skin at all.

But last night, when a fan on UGA’s Bulldog Club tour shared a lengthy complaint about the Dawgs’ rushing attack, play selection, and coaching staff, Richt fired back.

“I’ll tell you this, and you’re certainly close to an expert in football, I’m sure you are,” Richt said before explaining what makes a good running game.  He then added: “I’ve seen teams throw the ball and win the national championship; I’ve seen teams run the ball and win the national championship.  Believe me, you can win the SEC doing it more than one way.  Steve Spurrier, when he was at Florida, he chucked the ball, and he won how many SECs?”

And then — according to The Macon Telegraph — “the temperature rose a little bit more.”

“I see your frustration, I understand your frustration,” Richt said.  “I wasn’t born yesterday, I’ve coached football for 25 years, so I know what the hell I’m doing, OK?”

That response drew a strong ovation according to The Telegraph’s Michael Lough.  (How would you have liked to been the fan getting dressed down publicly?)

Richt continued his remarks: “I appreciate your passion, I appreciate your support for this football team.  Everybody can just calm down and know that we’re in good hands.  And (running backs coach) Bryan McClendon is a hell of a coach, he’s a hell of a recruiter.  And I’m glad we got Bryan McClendon.”

Eventually, Richt’s fire flickered out and the boy scout emerged once more.  Minutes later when answering another question, the Bill Bixby side of UGA’s coach said: “Excuse me for saying ‘h-e-double heck.’  I know there’s a media member here.  Can you just say that I know what the heck I’m going?  Just so my Sunday school class doesn’t give me grief?”

Five of the first six.  Seven of the first 15.  Ten of the first 32. 

When it comes to NFL draft first rounds, year-in and year-out about a third of the top talent in the land comes from the Southeastern Conference.  Last night, as noted above, was no exception.

Below are the SEC’s draft picks on the first night of the draft:


1.  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn — Carolina Panthers

No surprise with this one.  Newton was expected to be the draft’s top choice.  Let’s hope the Panthers are more patient with him than they were with last year’s QB pick, Jimmy Clausen.

Newton said he was blessed to land in Carolina.

In Charlotte, the Panthers got “an equalizer behind center.”  (Maybe, but they didn’t get the Equalizer.)


3.  Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama — Buffalo Bills

The Bills eschewed a quarterback in order to grab Bama’s big tackle.  Perhaps that’s because Buffalo ranked dead last against the run last year.

The folks in Buffalo say Dareus is the best defensive player the Bills have drafted since Bruce Smith.


4.  AJ Green, WR, Georgia — Cincinnati Bengals

It looks like the Bengals might have a ready-made replacement for Chad Ochocinco should they part ways with the temperamental veteran.  Now, will Green be enough to lure quarterback Carson Palmer back?

Green’s got talent, but folks there’s concern in Cincy about who’ll throw him the ball.


5.  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU — Arizona Cardinals

Peterson will team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in Arizona’s secondary.  If the NFL hadn’t changed its kick return rules it’s possible Peterson would have gone a slot or two higher.

The Cardinals wanted any one of five guys… Peterson was the last of the five left when they picked.


6.  Julio Jones, WR, Alabama — Atlanta Falcons (traded up from Browns)

The Falcons went all in to add Jones to their high-powered offense, giving up three picks this year and two more — including another first-rounder — next year.  That’s a lot to give up for a receiver who played through a number of injuries at Alabama.

Jeff Schultz of The AJC says the Falcons picked the right time to make a big splash.


13.  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn — Detroit Lions

So Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh will play alongside one another on the same D-line?  Wow.  Here’s guessing QBs won’t look forward to facing the Lions anymore.

This Detroit writer says Fairley and Suh give Detroit “a genuine, undisputed strength.”


15.  Mike Pouncey, OG/C, FLoirda — Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins grabbed a versatile player who can start at three different spots on the offensive line.  Smart pick.

Pouncey might not be exciting, but The Miami Herald says he’s a safe pick.


25.  James Carpenter, OT, Alabama — Seattle Seahawks

Carpenter’s surprise selection might have helped draw the biggest laugh of the first round.  Nick Saban was caught on video with repeating Carpenter’s name with a “what the?” look on his face.

It was a shocking pick, but Seahawks brass seemed awfully secure in their selection.


28.  Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama — New Orleans Saints (traded up from Patriots)

The Saints now have two Heisman-winners in their backfield, sort of.  Reggie Bush had to give his back, of course.  Ingram landed in a great spot on a good team.  New Orleans traded away a second-rounder and next year’s first-rounder to get him.

Bush let it be known last night that he thinks he’s on his way out of The Big Easy.


32.  Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State — Green Bay Packers

So much for the Bulldogs 14-year drought in the NFL’s first round.  Talk about good landing spots.  Sherrod will begin his career with the reigning Super Bowl champs.

Sherrod looks to be the heir apparent at left tackle… destined to replace ex-SEC’er Chad Clifton.