Kentucky has received a commitment from wide receiver DeMarcus Sweat from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Sweat committed to Kentucky after performing at a camp in Lexington on Sunday. His firmed up his commitment during a conversation with Wildcats coach Joker Phillips on Sunday night.

“I told Coach Phillips that I wanted to be a Wildcat,” Sweat told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I said I really wanted to talk to my parents first about it, but wanted to go ahead and commit because I didn’t want to lose that spot if another wide receiver committed. Coach Phillips was great about it. He said, ‘I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry about it. We got your scholarship. We’ll hold your spot. Talk to your parents and call me back later.”

And that’s when Sweat told Phillips he would be sticking with his commitment to Kentucky.

Sweat is the fourth prospect to commit to Kentucky’s class of 2012.

Stephenson High School now has seven players committed to FBS schools. Five of those players are committed to SEC schools. Stephenson is expected to have 14-17 players sign with FBS schools in February, according to the AJC.

1.  Sophomore Auburn linebacker Jessel Curry — who didn’t take part in spring drills — is reportedly planning to enroll at a California community college this summer.

2.  Despite a lot of roster turnover in the past month, Arkansas AD Jeff Long believes Bobby Petrino is “very clear with those student-athletes before they sign them.”

3.  This writer expects LSU to be ranked “behind Oklahoma and possibly Bama” when the main preseason football polls are published.

Jim Tressel is out at Ohio State.

“After meeting with university officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach,” Tressel said in a statement this morning.

Since it became apparent two months ago that Tressel had lied to the NCAA regarding rules violations in his football program, many SEC fans — Tennessee fans specifically — have wondered why the nation’s media hadn’t focused on Tressel the way it had focused on former Vol basketball coach Bruce Pearl.  Many of those same fans praised Ohio State for doing what they believed Tennessee should’ve done — stand by its coach.

And here at MrSEC.com we repeatedly said, “Just wait.”

Over the past two weeks, the media has reported one alleged violation after another at OSU — car deals for players, selling of memorabilia, etc.  Facing more serious sanctions and a further tarnishing of the school’s image, it was only a matter of time before Tressel and OSU administrators decided it would be best if he left.  Now the school can lay all the blame on the departed coach’s shoulders when it goes before the NCAA’s committee on infractions.  Sound familiar, UT fans?

For the record, Tennessee actually stood behind Pearl about three times longer than OSU and Tressel continued their romance.  Now we’ll see if the NCAA credits UT for forcing Pearl out — while Tressel was allowed to resign — or punishes the Vols for not bringing a bad situation to a close much sooner — as Ohio State did.

Either way, when coaches lie to NCAA investigators, they seldom survive.  A recent Sports Illustrated investigation showed that 78 of the last 81 coaches or administrators found guilty of lying to the NCAA were fired or forced to resign. 

Today, you can make that 79 out of 82.

First, Happy Memorial Day to all the SEC fans out there.  I hope you have a great day today wherever you are.

Second, many thanks to Mike and Josh for holding down the fort last week as I took a week’s vacation.  I can tell you I wish I was still in Charleston.

And third, we’ll once again be keeping you up to date on all things SEC this week and beyond.  Our goal from Day One of this site back in 2008 was to provide you with a site where you can keep up with all of the stories making headlines across the league.  Over the next few weeks and days you may see some new features and new some means of delivering that information, but the goal remains the same — If you come to MrSEC.com everyday, you will become a Mr. (or Mrs.) SEC.

Today’s headlines and stories coming soon.  And again, have a good Memorial Day!

LSU has received commitments from defensive end Jerald Hawkins and defensive backs Derrick Raymond and Jerquinick Sandolph.

Hawkins, who attends West Saint Mary High School in Baldwin, La., was previously committed to Texas A&M before he switched to LSU. He also held offers from Pittsburgh, Memphis, Southern Mississippi and Tulane.

Jefferson attends East Jefferson High School in Metairie, La. He chose LSU over offers from such schools as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Nebraska and Penn State.

Sandolph, who attends Hahnville High School in Boutte, La., held offers from Pittsburgh, Memphis and Louisiana-Lafayette.

LSU has 12 commitments for the class of 2012.

Zeke Pike’s commitment to Auburn is strong.

The quarterback from Edgewood, Ky., made that clear during his visit to Auburn for the Tigers’ Big Cat Weekend. Pike was in town to help recruit many of the top uncommitted prospects to Auburn.

“I try to tell them I’ve been everywhere,” Pike said. “I tell them, ‘Everybody you have an offer from, I’ve had a chance to see. There is no place like this.’ It’s such a special place. I try to get them to understand that.”

One person who bought the pitch was offensive lineman Shane Callahan, who committed to Auburn during his visit. Others walked away impressed without giving their pledge to the Tigers.

“(Pike) was trying to get me to commit there with him,” Memphis athlete Brian Kimbrow said. “He just kept telling me this is the place for him.”

Auburn could be the place for wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson from Hutchinson Community College. That wasn’t the case before the weekend began.

“At first, Auburn wasn’t on my top list,” Patterson said. “When I came here they jumped on my top so quick. I didn’t expect it to be like that so fast.”

Auburn has six commitments for the class of 2012.

Former Southern California and NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson was part of a panel on ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” on Sunday morning to discuss the subject of 7-on-7 football camps.

1. Kevin Scarbinsky: “It’ll be fascinating to watch the politics play out in Destin.”

2. “In the SEC, the right way is winning.”

3. Expect cowbells to be on the agenda at this week’s SEC spring meetings.

4. Adding two games to the basketball conference schedule and doing away with divisions also on the agenda this week.

5. The good, the bad and the fanatical.  SEC 2010-2011 season perfect for a time capsule.

6. Unnoticed phone calls by Bruce Pearl and his staff means Tennessee will have a lot of explaining to do next month before the NCAA Infractions Committee.

7. High school is over. College life begins.

8. How do SEC national champions perform in their repeat bids?

9. Just how much extra money should be tacked on to a scholarship package?

10. 24-year old Gilbert Pena is expected to contribute to the Ole Miss defensive line this fall.

11. The preseason magazines like LSU.

12. Ten things South Carolina fans discovered about their football team this spring.

13. Expect these newcomers to have an impact on SEC basketball.

14. What could have been.  Dirk Nowitzki considered Kentucky back in 1998.

Extra

15. Lost in a Louisiana swamp.

Auburn has received a commitment from offensive lineman Shane Callahan from Chaparral High School in Parker, Colo.

Highly-touted running back Barry Sanders Jr. is in Auburn this weekend for the Tigers’ Big Cat Weekend.

His visit was a surprise, according to the Birmingham News.

Sanders has often been linked to Alabama, which has been aggressively recruiting Sanders to follow Trent Richardson in the Crimson Tide’s backfield.

Sanders said he was enjoying his trip during an interview in Auburn.

“It’s definitely more relaxed just seeing some of the top guys going out there and busting a move and having a good time, smiles on their faces,” Sanders said. “This is something I’ll remember and look forward to experiencing again.”

Oklahoma State will of course be a school to watch for Sanders, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 121 prospect by Rivals.com. Sanders’ father won the Heisman Trophy in 1988 playing at Oklahoma State.