1. Alabama right guard Anthony Steen is trying to develop into a leader for the Crimson Tide.

2. Alabama returned to practice Monday following spring break. It wasn’t a great practice.

3. Andrew Gribble and Don Kausler discuss Alabama’s return to practice following spring break.

4. Auburn’s LaDarius Owens is feeling more comfortable now that he’s playing linebacker again.

5. Justin Garrett is more comfortable, too. He’s playing the “Star” position for Auburn.

6. Those comments about Nick Saban? Arkansas coach Bret Bielema says they were only a joke.

7. Columnist Kevin Scarbinsky reminds Bielema he’s not in the Big Ten anymore.

8. Florida has plenty of competition at running back as the Gators try to replace Mike Gillislee.

9. Florida’s basketball team is losing key contributors but returning guard Scottie Wilbekin believes the Gators will be deep.

10. One key player in that depth could be center Patric Young, who hasn’t decided if he will return for his senior year.

11. The return of linebacker D.T. Shackelford has provided a big boost for the Ole Miss defense.

12. Here some notes following Ole Miss’ Monday night practice.

13. Mississippi State finalized its 2014 non-conference schedule by adding Tennessee-Martin.

14. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will throw out the first pitch at Sunday’s Texas Rangers game.

15. Chris Conley’s presence should help Georgia replace some departing wide receivers.

16. Center Willie Cauley-Stein will return to Kentucky. ESPN’s Chad Ford believes forward Alex Poythress should return, too.

17. Tennessee’s maturity will be tested as it returns to football practice following spring practice.

Extras

18. The Pac-12′s head of officials has been investigated for comments he made about Arizona coach Sean Miller.

19. That head of official, Ed Rush, must be fired, writes Gary Parrish.

20. Southern California has hired coach Andy Enfield away from Florida Gulf Coast.

21. Former Georgia, Kentucky and Minnesota coach Tubby Smith has been hired at Texas Tech.

1.  DeAndrew White could be the next go-to receiver at Alabama.

2.  Anthony Steen expects to be a better offensive lineman this year for the Tide.

3.  This writer says if Nick Saban were any more secretive about stats he’d be Gene Chizik.

4.  Somebody done give Chizik a big ol’ Waw Eagle sculpture.

5.  Auburn veterans have confidence in their underclassmen.

6.  Trooper Taylor wants receivers Trovon Reed and DeAngelo Benton to be “fueled up.”

7.  Arkansas’ loss of Knile Davis will put more pressure on new quarterback Tyler Wilson.

8.  Bobby Petrino brought in former one-legged Arizona State wrestler Anthony Robles to inspire his team… and they say it worked.

9.  The Hogs’ offensive line play — complete with two new tackles – is improving.

10.  Mike Anderson’s first roundball schedule at Arkansas features games with Michigan and defending national champ UConn.

11.  A weekend scrimmage gave LSU’s offense a confidence boost.

12.  The Tigers hope to once again thrive in the kicking game even with a lot of new faces (and feet).

13.  Karnell Hatcher and Kevin Minter are fighting to win Kelvin Sheppard’s old middle linebacker job.  (This writer says Hatcher has “wisdom and guile” on his side.  So you might say the job could come down to “Karnell knowledge.”)

14.  LSU will unveil its new statue of Shaquille O’Neal on September 8th.