SEC Football

Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested in Barrow County earlier this month. 

Per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, Smith was given two misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and speeding in a construction zone after being arrested on Jan. 19.

Smith was released from custody less than a half-hour after being booked into Barrow County Detention Center. 

According to the Barrow County Sherriff’s Office (via Weiszer), Smith was pulled over when his pickup truck was clocked going 89 mph in a 55-mph construction zone. 

"A license check showed Smith’s license had been suspended since Jan. 19. 2021 for a 'serious violation under 21,'" Weiszer wrote. 

Smith told the officers his license was supposed to be reinstated the day after he was pulled over. 

A native of Bradenton, Florida, Smith just finished his junior season for the Bulldogs. He has appeared in 38 games over the past three seasons, including 14 of 15 contests during the 2021 season. 

Georgia has not yet commented on the situation. 

Smith recorded seven total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in Georgia's 33-18 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 10. He announced on Jan. 17 that he was returning to school for his senior season in 2022.    

Harold Perkins, a 5-star linebacker from Cypress Park High School in Texas, has decommitted from Texas A&M, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

"His options are open right now," his uncle, Alvin Walton, told Wiltfong.

Perkins has already visited Florida and will visit LSU this weekend.

While potentially losing the No. 4 overall recruit in the country is a blow for Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher still has compiled the top-ranked class of 2022, per 247Sports.com's composite rankings.

The incoming Aggies have a whopping six 5-star incoming recruits: wideouts Evan Stewart and Chris Marshall, defensive linemen Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and Walter Nolen, cornerback Denver Harris and quarterback Conner Weigman.

Five of those players are considered top-20 recruits nationally for next season. 

The top-ranked linebacker and the top-ranked player from the Longhorn State, Perkins would have bolstered the Aggies defense in a big way, though. Per Gabe Brooks of 247Sports, he's a "dynamic two-way player with big-play ability with the ball in his hands and as an attacking defender" who could "legitimately could be a high-major running back prospect in addition to elite linebacker recruit."

He added that Perkins "possesses the potential to become a multiyear impact starter at the high-major level with long-term early-round NFL draft upside."

So schools like Florida and LSU, among others, will be monitoring this situation closely. Nabbing Perkins would help bolster any incoming recruiting class. 

If you can't beat them, join them. If you do beat them, join them anyway.

After helping Georgia beat Alabama in the national championship game, receiver Jermaine Burton will switch to the other side of the SEC rivalry by transferring to the Crimson Tide, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.

Burton finished second on the Bulldogs with 497 receiving yards, adding five touchdowns on 26 receptions. In 2020 as a freshman, the wideout totaled 27 catches for 404 yards and three scores.

The former 4-star recruit was considered the No. 15 receiver in the country entering college, per 247Sports composite rankings, holding offers from Alabama, LSU, USC and more before deciding on Georgia.

Burton quickly emerged as a deep threat for Georgia, averaging 19.1 yards per reception in 2021. That would have ranked 14th in the country if he had enough catches to qualify. One of the biggest plays of his career came in the Orange Bowl win over Michigan when he caught a 57-yard touchdown from Stetson Bennett:

That touchdown catch helped put Georgia in the national championship game, where Burton totaled two catches for 28 yards in a 33-18 win.

He could have an even bigger role at Alabama, where the team is desperate for proven receivers.

The top three wideouts from last season—Jameson Williams, John Metchie and Slade Bolden—all declared for the NFL draft, while tight end Jahleel Billingsley transferred to Texas. 

Outside of tight end Cameron Latu, the Tide's top returning receiver is Traeshon Holden, who has just 21 catches for 239 yards in his collegiate career.

Burton could be an impact player in 2022 catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.   

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was one of 14 people dropped from a lawsuit alleging LSU officials violated Title IX policies and failed to properly investigate sexual assault complaints.

"The judge asked to narrow our complaint down and we analyzed who the relevant parties were," said Karen Truszkowski, the attorney for the plaintiffs, to Koki Riley of the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. "From a legal perspective, there are certain people, entities that cannot necessarily be held responsible."

Five people are still listed as defendants in the suit.

Riley reported the lawsuit still cites Orgeron for alleged misconduct, with plaintiffs saying he failed to report an alleged rape he was notified of by LSU's Title IX office.

In November 2020, Kenny Jacoby, Nancy Armour and Jessica Luther first reported for USA Today that LSU personnel "repeatedly have ignored complaints against abusers, denied victims’ requests for protections and subjected them to further harm by known perpetrators."

LSU commissioned the law firm of Husch Blackwell to conduct an investigation. Husch Blackwell's report, which was released in March, laid out systemic failings by the school when it came to addressing sexual assault allegations.

Former Tigers running back Derrius Guice was mentioned in the USA Today investigation. The LSU athletic department received two separate allegations of Guice committing rape in 2016 and 2017. The USA Today report said university officials "either doubted the women’s stories, didn’t investigate, or didn’t call the police, allowing Guice to continue his football career."

Orgeron gave a statement to USA Today, saying the football program "takes any allegation very seriously" and reaches out to the Title IX office when necessary.

The allegations against Guice were also referenced in an August 2020 report by Jacoby and Armour.

The woman who first accused Guice of rape was dating an LSU football recruit who subsequently joined the team. The former player said Orgeron referenced the alleged assault about a year after it happened and told the player he shouldn't be too upset because, "Everybody’s girlfriend sleeps with other people."

Orgeron denied making the comment:

In October, LSU and Orgeron agreed to part ways following the conclusion of the 2021 season. Brian Kelly has succeeded him as the Tigers' head coach.

The recruiting battle for 2023 quarterback Arch Manning looks to be getting more intense with several top college coaches visiting Isidore Newman School.

Isidore Newman football coach Nelson Stewart told Koki Riley of the Lafayette Daily Advertiser that Alabama's Nick Saban and Georgia's Kirby Smart will be among the coaches heading to New Orleans this week.

Riley did note that NCAA recruiting regulations prevent coaches from interacting with Manning or his family at this time, but they are allowed to speak with Stewart.

"I know they're limited in their interactions (with Manning), but obviously anytime he can briefly speak with somebody or really even have a Zoom or go on campus, I think he's really enjoyed it," Stewart told Riley.

Other notable coaches visiting the school this week are Brian Polian and Mike Denbrock from LSU, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and Texas quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee. Alabama is also sending offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and defensive coordinator Pete Golding with Saban.

Per Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Mississippi offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. visited the school last week and was in attendance for one of Manning's basketball games this week.

Manning—the oldest son of Cooper Manning, brother of Peyton and Eli Manning—has already generated tremendous hype as the next great quarterback recruit, and he is ranked as a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 class, per 247Sports.

Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma are among the schools that have offered Manning a scholarship.

He finished the 2021 season with more than 2,000 yards passing, 26 passing touchdowns, eight rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Isidore Newman lost 49-7 to Lafayette Christian Academy in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division III playoff semifinals.   

Stetson Bennett is ready to run things back for the national champions.

The Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, who just helped lead his team to a victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, announced Wednesday he will be returning to the program for "one more year":

While there is something to be said about this potentially being the opportunity for Bennett to go out on top and try his hand at the NFL after winning a championship, he also isn't widely considered a top draft prospect.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department did not have him among its top 150 players overall or top seven quarterbacks in its big board from earlier this month. Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss' Matt Corral were the top three quarterbacks on the list.

Yet Bennett will have an opportunity to further prove himself at the collegiate level in 2022 during a season when Georgia will surely get every opponent's best shot as the defending champion.

Regardless of whether he eventually makes the NFL or not, he will forever be a Bulldogs legend.

He went from former walk-on quarterback to making key throws on the sport's biggest stage against its most daunting opponent in Alabama. He threw for 224 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Crimson Tide with both touchdowns coming in a legendary fourth quarter as Georgia completed a comeback.

Bennett's return is all the more important because Pete Thamel of ESPN reported JT Daniels is in the transfer portal. Quarterback depth would have been a concern if Bennett also left.

Instead, he will be back to defend his crown as the Bulldogs prepare to face a challenging 2022 schedule that includes matchups with Oregon, Auburn and Florida.       

Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean announced Friday on Instagram that he is forgoing his senior season and declaring for the 2022 NFL draft.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department ranks Dean as the No. 1 linebacker and No. 21 overall prospect in the 2022 draft class. The group's latest mock draft before Monday's College Football Playoff title game had Dean going 16th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pro Football Focus thinks highly of his work, too:

His leadership and intangibles are also big plusses.

Dean helped lead a Georgia defense that allowed a Division I FBS-best 10.2 points per game this past season. He finished the year with 72 tackles (36 solo), six sacks, five pass breakups and two interceptions.

The star linebacker shouldn't wait too long to hear his name called. The Eagles in particular have a need for playmaking linebackers who can rush the passer, and they currently own the 15th, 16th and 19th overall selections.

Dean wasn't the only Georgia player to declare for the draft Friday, as wideout George Pickens announced his intentions to go pro as well.

ESPN college football analyst and former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy fired back at Oregon Ducks star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux on Thursday for his remarks about the quality of education at Alabama. 

During an interview with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt during the national championship game between Alabama and Georgia, Thibodeaux talked about choosing the Ducks over the Crimson Tide. He took a shot at the education players receive at Alabama. 

"I already hate the stigmatism of football players being dumb jocks," Thibodeaux said. "So now, do you know the stigmatism of Alabama education? It ain’t the West Coast. It ain’t Harvard."

He continued later in the interview by saying he wasn't sure if his degree "would mean anything" if he went to Alabama. 

"I just take real personal offense, man," McElroy said Thursday on his radio show with Cole Cubelic, according to Erik Hall of the Tuscaloosa News. "I genuinely do. I don't care. Don't come. If you think so little of us, don't come. Fine by me, because I know the people that live in this state. I chose Alabama, because I love Alabama. ... If you don't want to see Alabama for the greatness it can potentially provide you, it's on you. You're missing out."

McElroy, who played QB at Alabama from 2007 to '10 and was drafted by the New York Jets in 2011, went on to mention that he received offers from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Duke, Stanford, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. He cast doubt on whether Thibodeaux received an offer from Harvard or other Ivy League schools. 

Thibodeaux is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2022 NFL draft after finishing the 2021 season with 49 tackles and seven sacks. 

LSU found plenty of success when it turned to the Big Ten in the transfer portal in the past, and it is doing so again this offseason.

Former Penn State running back Noah Cain announced he is transferring to the Tigers after spending three years in the Nittany Lions' program. While living up to Joe Burrow's legacy as a Big Ten transfer is probably too much to ask, Cain is a formidable backfield playmaker.

Cain arrived at Penn State as a 4-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and was seen as the next marquee running back after Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders.

He never fully lived up to the expectations that came with his recruiting ranking, although he wasted little time making an impression with 443 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman for a team that also included Journey Brown.

Just when it seemed like he would break out after his impressive freshman campaign, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the shortened 2020 season.

Cain returned in 2021 but finished behind Keyvone Lee with 350 rushing yards for a Nittany Lions team that disappointed on the way to a 7-6 record. The lack of a strong rushing attack was part of the problem, and nobody on the team posted more than 46 yards on the ground during the Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas.

That quarterback Sean Clifford was the leading rusher only served to underscore the concerns.

Cain wrote in a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday:

"Throughout the last three years I have been in Happy Valley, I have learned endless things about myself on and off the football field and I have been blessed with opportunities which I will carry with myself for a lifetime. Penn State has provided me with a myriad of opportunities athletically, academically, civically and socially. For that, I could never be more grateful."

He heads to LSU where he will both look to rediscover the individual form he showed in flashes as a freshman and help the Tigers bounce back from a 6-7 campaign.          

Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is reportedly hiring his brother Chris as co-defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Chris Low. 

Chris Kiffin is expected to coach the Rebels' linebackers and work in conjunction with Chris Partridge as co-coordinators. Partridge has coached the Ole Miss safeties for the past two seasons. 

The news comes after D.J. Durkin left to become defensive coordinator at Texas A&M after two seasons as the Rebels' defensive play-caller. 

Chris Kiffin served as a defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2020-21 and has also held various roles around college football, including:

• Defensive line coach for Arkansas State (2011)
• Defensive line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator for Ole Miss (2012-16)
• Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Florida Atlantic (2017)

Ole Miss finished the 2021 season with a 10-3 record. It was Kiffin's second season as head coach.