09/02/10- Marvin Austin, Sr, North Carolina, 6-3, 310 Regarding Austin, Davis said in a prepared statement "this decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review." Baddour reiterated that sentiment, saying no one should assume the suspension had anything to do with breaking NCAA or academic rules. During his radio show Wednesday night, Davis didn't specifically address the Austin suspension, but said: "Long after I'm the football coach here and long after any of the players that are playing here (are gone), there is going to be a University of North Carolina and there is going to be a football program. And whatever we have to do to restore the character and integrity, that's our challenge." A team spokesman would not say what team rules Austin broke. A criminal background check on the player showed no felonies. He is scheduled to be in Orange County District Court on Sept. 15 for the following charges: a Feb. 10 citation for a misdemeanor noise ordinance violation; a May 7 driving without registration citation; and a May 7 citation for improper window tinting. - Robbi Pickeral, The Charlotte Observer
09/02/10- Jurrell Casey, Jr, Southern Cal, 6-1, 295 MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: DT Jurrell Casey - It would be easier to say QB Matt Barkley, but at least USC has some depth there with senior Mitch Mustain. Casey had a big spring and looks like another in the line of standouts at the position for USC. And he'll be needed more than ever in the interior, as Christian Tupou suffered a torn ACL in the spring game. Casey had 59 tackles last season, including nine for loss.
09/02/10- Ladi Ajiboye, Sr, South Carolina, 6-1, 280 PLAYERS TO WATCH: DT Ladi Ajiboye had a strong junior campaign after getting off to a slow start following a suspension prior to the start of the season. He appears to be in the best shape of his life, which is good because he will be counted on to give USC a consistent presence in the trenches.
09/02/10- Travian Robertson, rJr, South Carolina, 6-4, 298 MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: DT Travian Robertson - Although QB Stephen Garcia would appear to be an easy answer, Robertson, a redshirt junior, returns to the starting lineup after missing most of the 2009 season after suffering a knee injury late in the Gamecocks' victory over Mississippi. He is physically the team's strongest player, and South Carolina had to scramble on the defensive front after he went down. He appears ready to go. Paired with senior Ladi Ajiboye, the Gamecocks have one of the best tackle tandems in the SEC.
09/02/10- Jared Crick, rJr, Nebraska, 6-6, 285 Nebraska's Jared Crick put up big numbers last season because opposing offenses were so preoccupied with trying to contain Ndamukong Suh. The popular argument is that Crick can validate his 9 1/2-sack season only by doing it again this year without Suh at his side. Coach Bo Pelini disagrees, saying game films show that opponents schemed against Crick as much as they did against Suh. "I don't think he has anything to prove," Pelini said. "The only thing he has to prove is that he can get better. You can also say the argument that Suh benefited from having Crick next to him. It's a two-way street." Suh, a high-profile rookie with the Detroit Lions, and Crick teamed up to make the Huskers hard to handle in the middle last season. With Crick as the anchor and more seasoned players available, Pelini predicts the defense can be even better than the 2009 group that allowed a nation-best 10.4 points a game and ranked among the top 10 in stopping the run and total defense. An All-Big 12 first-team pick a year ago, Crick comes into his junior season as a preseason All-American and conference co-defensive player of the year. "If at the end of the season I have the same credibility or same hype as at the beginning," he said, "then I did my job." The Crick hype is fueled by eye-popping statistics for an interior lineman, including: 73 tackles, 15 for loss, 16 quarterback hurries. And don't forget the 9 1/2 sacks. - AP Sports
09/02/10- Marcus Forston, rSo, Miami, 6-3, 310 PLAYERS TO WATCH: DT Marcus Forston is coming off an injury-plagued year that earned him a medical redshirt. If healthy, he will be an integral cog in the rotation up front defensively.
09/02/10- Mister Cobble, rFr, Kentucky, 6-0, 310 Redshirt freshman DT Mister Cobble is academically ineligible for the 2010 season. The loss is a big blow because Cobble was projected to be a starter this season.
09/02/10- Ricky Heimuli, Fr, Oregon, 6-4, 280 True freshman DT Ricky Heimuli is definitely going to play this season for the Ducks, who could lose him after the season for two years. Heimuli is still mulling a decision whether to take a two-year church mission. Other true freshmen to look for this season -- WR Josh Huff, who was a touted all-purpose threat from Aldine, Texas, and RB Dontae Williams from Houston. He seems to be a bit ahead of another big-time running back recruit, speedy Lache Seastrunk.
09/02/10- Calvin Smith, Fr, New Mexico, 6-4, 267 NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: Part of Ugo Uzodinma's effectiveness will come from the emergence of true freshman DT Calvin Smith. He, too, will be undersized, but as he learns to play at the college level will give UNM's line a more athletic presence. Both Uzodinma and Smith should excel under the tutelage of defensive line coach Rubin Carter, one of the best position coaches around. Offensively, TE Bradley Miller will get a chance to prove himself, especially with backup Jonathan Mader out with a dislocated ankle. Coaches love Miller's athletic ability and envision lining him up in space to use his speed on an opposing linebacker and size on an opposing defensive back.
09/02/10- Ugo Uzodinma, rSo, New Mexico, 6-4, 262 BREAKOUT STAR: Sophomore DT Ugo Uzodinma was less heralded than his Illinois transfer counterpart, Reggie Ellis, but Uzodinma was the player who established himself on the starting unit in the spring. A bit undersized, Uzodinma has enough speed and quickness to elude bulky offensive linemen and get to the quarterback or tackle a running back in the backfield.
09/01/10- Kevin Pamphile, rFr, Purdue, 6-5, 278 DT Kevin Pamphile is out after foot surgery in July. The redshirt freshman could return before the Big Ten slate.
09/01/10- Marvin Austin, Sr, North Carolina, 6-3, 310 As it stands now, is important to note that while Austin's suspension was characterized as "indefinite," to this point UNC has only publicly committed to keeping him out against this weekend's opener at LSU. "This decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review, " says Davis. "Marvin has violated team rules and has neglected his responsibilities to the team." Whatever Austin did to draw the ire of Davis (perhaps posting on his Facebook? ), it may not be close to the amount of trouble he's already in with the NCAA. Austin, of course, and his teammate, wide receiver Greg Little, are widely believed to be at the center of the NCAA's investigation into college football players receiving improper benefits from sports agents. Austin considered entering the draft last year. He finished the 2009 season with 42 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. He earned Second-Team All-ACC honors despite only starting 11 of 13 games for the Tar Heels. Austin features rare burst for a 6-3, 310 pounder. Had he left last year, he could have made the first round despite the fact that scouts thought he played with inconsistent effort. His grade, according to scouts last January, was very similar to the one given to former UCLA star Brian Price. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Price with the third pick of the second round (No. 35 overall) last April. On film, Austin is arguably the top three-technique senior prospect in the country and well worth a first round grade. Regardless of how long his suspension(s) ultimately last, Austin will have to answer some tough questions by NFL teams. If his answers are sincere enough, his upside is likely enough to persuade some NFL team he's worth a pick in the top 32. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
09/01/10- Calvin Howell, rFr, Texas, 6-4, 290 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: DT Calvin Howell - After appearing in three games last season, Howell suffered a concussion in practice that earned him a medical redshirt. He's back this year as a redshirt freshman at the position that Mack Brown says concerns him the most on defense. If Howell is able to develop into a contributor next to Kheeston Randall, it will free Sam Acho to play most of the time at his preferred position at defensive end rather than inside.
09/01/10- Kheeston Randall, Jr, Texas, 6-5, 295 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Longhorns are stacked with as much defensive talent as any team in the nation. Potentially, Will Muschamp's unit could be the best in a long time at Texas. A big outing in their opener will be vital for the Longhorns to start developing experience and confidence. PLAYERS TO WATCH: DT Kheeston Randall - On a defense studded with potential NFL draft picks, Randall is the most important player as the Longhorns' primary inside run-stuffer. Behind him, they have a lot of heralded recruits but not much experience. Keeping Randall healthy will be one of Will Muschamp's primary aims this season.
09/01/10- Dillon Quinn, rFr, Boston College, 6-6, 280 Redshirt freshmen DT Dillon Quinn was suspended for the first three games for violation of team rules.
09/01/10- Calvin Howell, rFr, Texas, 6-4, 290 Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will be juggling different players as he looks for a starting defensive tackle to play with Kheeston Randall. Calvin Howell, Tyrell Higgins and Kyle Kriegel all will be closely scrutinized during training camp, along with incoming freshmen Ashton Dorsey and Taylor Bible. Muschamp has much more depth at defensive end than at defensive tackle. But he'd like to avoid using Sam Acho at defensive tackle if possible. Acho played about 40 percent of his snaps at defensive tackle last season and played there much more during spring practice.
09/01/10- Damik Scafe, rSr, Boston College, 6-3, 292 DT Conor O'Neal will start with Damik Scafe still out after back surgery.
09/01/10- David Carter, rSr, UCLA, 6-4, 295 There are a couple of hefty questions about the UCLA defense that could get answered this weekend — defensive tackles David Carter and Justin Edison are the nearly 600 pounds worth of elephant in the room when the Bruins face Kansas State on Saturday. A year ago, the Bruins handled the Kansas State running game, holding the Wildcats to 69 yards as a team and limiting running back Daniel Thomas to 54 yards. Kansas State averaged 180 rushing yards per game for the season, and Thomas rushed for 1,265 yards. But that was with Brian Price and Jerzy Siewierski as the defensive tackles. Price was an NFL prospect and was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Siewierski was considered one of the best all-around athletes on the team. Carter and Edison try to fill those cleats. "I think the defensive front, with how hard we've worked, is ready to take it onto the field," said Carter, a 6-foot-5, 301-pound senior. "We're going to be more than ready." Carter played in 13 games last season, all off the bench. He became the most experienced defensive lineman on the field for UCLA after defensive end Datone Jones suffered a broken foot. - Chris Foster, The LA Times
09/01/10- DeAngelo Tyson, Jr, Georgia, 6-2, 295 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The key to new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 scheme is nose tackle. Junior DeAngelo Tyson (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) appeared to have the job won in the spring, but has been pushed in camp by junior Justin Anderson (6-5, 326), a converted offensive lineman. Justin Houston could have a big season as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. In the secondary, Georgia is looking for more consistent play from cornerbacks Brandon Boykin and Vance Cuff.
09/01/10- Shawn Green, Fr, Georgia Tech, 6-2, 278 Coach Paul Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that freshmen LB Quayshawn Nealy and DE Anthony Williams likely will redshirt, but that DE Shawn Green has a chance to play. Sophomore S Jemea Thomas also likely will redshirt because Tech is so deep at that position.
09/01/10- John Rice, Jr, Western Michigan, 6-0, 275 The Broncos needed help in the interior of their defensive line, so they turned to John Rice, a nephew of NFL receiving legend Jerry Rice. John Rice, a junior college transfer, and freshman Travonte Boles are expected to provide great help on the D-line.
09/01/10- Devon Still, rJr, Penn State, 6-5, 295 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The strength of most of Penn State's recent defenses has been the front seven, and the 2010 unit should be no exception. Defensive end Jack Crawford and tackles Ollie Ogbu and Devon Still lead a deep and versatile defensive line while linebackers Nate Stupar, Bani Gbadyu, Chris Colasanti and Michael Mauti are anxious to step out of the shadows of predecessors Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull. Sophomore Stephon Morris and converted wide receiver Chaz Powell, both cornerbacks, join a secondary that returns the other three starters.
09/01/10- Terron Sanders, rSr, Florida, 6-2, 316 OL Matt Patchan will miss the season opener with a broken wrist. DT Terron Sanders (sprained knee) is doubtful. TE Jordan Reed is questionable with a deep knee bruise. WR Stephen Alli (groin) also is questionable.
09/01/10- Marvin Austin, Sr, North Carolina, 6-3, 310 North Carolina coach Butch Davis has suspended defensive tackle Marvin Austin indefinitely for violating team rules. In a brief statement issued Wednesday by the school, Davis says that the suspension “is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review.” Davis says Austin “has violated team rules and has neglected his responsibilities to the team.” Austin, a senior, has been projected as a possible NFL first-round pick. He will not play Saturday night when the No. 18 Tar Heels face No. 21 LSU in Atlanta. The NCAA has two trips to North Carolina this summer to look into whether Austin and receiver Greg Little received improper benefits from agents. Both players have been working with the second team for much of training camp and haven’t spoken with reporters. - AP Sports
09/01/10- Marvin Austin, Sr, North Carolina, 6-3, 310 University of North Carolina head coach Butch Davis has suspended senior defensive tackle Marvin Austin indefinitely. "This decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review," says Davis. "Marvin has violated team rules and has neglected his responsibilities to the team." Austin will not play Saturday vs. LSU. - North Carolina football
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