09/02/10- C.J. Fiedorowicz, Fr, Iowa, 6-6, 245 Iowa says it is extending coach Kirk Ferentz’s contract through 2020. Ferentz’s current deal runs through 2015 and pays him roughly $3 million per season. Ferentz’s new deal will total nearly $3.7 million a year. School officials expect the deal to be signed Friday. The announcement Thursday comes just two days before Iowa kicks off its most anticipated season in years. The ninth-ranked Hawkeyes, coming off an 11-2 season and a win in the Orange Bowl, host Eastern Illinois on Saturday. Iowa athletic director Gary Barta says the extension supports his goal of retaining Ferentz until he retires. Ferentz is in his 12th season as the head coach at Iowa. Last season, he was named the Big Ten’s Coach of the Year for the third time. - AP Sports
09/02/10- Lee Smith, rSr, Marshall, 6-6, 265 The 2010 season begins today at Ohio State and Smith has been content enjoying his final year with the Thundering Herd. He is already thinking about the future, however, and has a few additional things he aspires to accomplish before concluding his career in a Marshall uniform. But one dream that doesn’t allude him is progressing to the next level. “If you don’t shoot for the stars, you’ll never reach them,” he said. “As a team goal, I want to be in Memphis [at the Liberty Bowl]. I think every individual goal at this level should be to play in the NFL. If I could paint a fairy tale, I’m playing in a conference championship and then playing on Sundays in the future.” Smith has already attracted the attention of NFL scouts. He is a likely prospect for professional football because he is such a well-rounded athlete, Ratliff said. “Without a doubt, I believe he’s going to be an impact player in the NFL if God keeps him healthy,” he said. “He’s one of those old school tight ends that are hard to find. He’s got great hands. He’s faster on the field than you think he is. From everything I’m hearing from scouts, they’re just hard to find like Lee Smith.” - Marlowe Hereford, MU The Parthenon
09/02/10- Jake Stoneburner, rSo, Ohio State, 6-5, 245 PLAYERS TO WATCH: TE Jake Stoneburner - Big Ten defenses will scramble to keep Pryor in the pocket and might use tandem defensive backs to keep WR DeVier Posey in check. That's going to create a lot of seams for Stoneburner, who consistent caught the ball cleanly and turned heads in spring drills. At 6-5, 245, he moves well and is hard to miss in the red zone.
09/02/10- DeAngelo Peterson, Jr, LSU, 6-4, 240 LSU tight end DeAngelo Peterson injured an ankle in practice Tuesday and will miss the season opener against North Carolina Saturday, LSU Coach Les Miles said Wednesday. Peterson, a 6-feet-3, 240-pound junior, is the Tigers top receiving tight end and was expected to be the starter. He caught five passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns last season as a backup to Richard Dickson. Miles said the injury is "short term in nature" and the team would "get him back quickly." - Jim Kleinpeter, The Times Picayune
09/02/10- Kavario Middleton, Jr, Montana, 6-5, 253 A tight end who was dismissed from the University of Washington for a violation of team rules has joined the University of Montana football team. Kavario Middleton practiced with the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Middleton, a junior, caught 26 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in 2009 and was slated to start for the Huskies this year. But he was dismissed from the team in July for what The Seattle Times reported was a failed drug test. Middleton tried to transfer to Nebraska, but he told the Lincoln Journal-Star on Aug. 23 that he was going to have to play elsewhere because of academic and admission hold-ups. - AP Sports
09/02/10- Kavario Middleton, Jr, Montana, 6-5, 253 The Griz are getting another Pac-10 dropdown, and it's a guy that took an interesting route to Missoula. Montana head coach Robin Pflugrad announced on his radio show on Tuesday that tight end Kavario Middleton will transfer from Washington to Montana. According to Middleton's facebook page, he’s already practicing with the Griz. Middleton was kicked off of the Huskies in July for violating team rules, and tried to transfer to Nebraska, but the school wouldn't admit him for academic reasons. Coming out of high school, Middleton was the third ranked tight end in the country by scout.com. - NBC Montana
09/02/10- Lee Smith, rSr, Marshall, 6-6, 265 Lee Smith is the top pro prospect on the Herd. Having originally played at Tennessee, the 6-foot-6, 267-pound Smith has good hands and is a solid blocker, and will get his chance to shine with the departure of Cody Slate. Marshall has had one player taken in the last five NFL drafts, and that was tailback Ahmad Bradshaw, chosen in the seventh round by the New York Giants in 2007.
09/02/10- Lee Smith, rSr, Marshall, 6-6, 265 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Marshall at Ohio State, Sept. 2 - Marshall will be a significant underdog, but the Thundering Herd has made a living over the years of being competitive with or even defeating some of the top programs in the nation. In the only previous meeting between these clubs, the Buckeyes escaped with a 24-21 win in 2004. KEYS TO THE GAME: Marshall must institute a ball control offense, keeping the football away from Ohio State's multi-talented attack. The offensive line will have to protect Anderson, who must avoid the turnovers that hampered him last season. Defensively, the Herd must contain quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the pocket, stop the running game and - even though Pryor has improved as a passer - make him try to beat them with his arm. PLAYERS TO WATCH: TE Lee Smith - Cody Slate, one of Marshall's all-time greats, graduated after last season, but Smith might be better. On the John Mackey Award watch list, the 6-foot-6, 267-pound Smith, who started his collegiate career at Tennessee, is equally proficient at catching and blocking.
09/02/10- Alex Smith, Fr, Kentucky, 6-5, 260 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: TE Alex Smith - Kentucky needs an upgrade at the position, so the incoming four-star recruit will get a long look in camp. Smith was rated as the nation's 11th-best high school tight end by Rivals.com and should make an immediate impact as a pass catcher.
09/02/10- Brandon Williams, Jr, Oregon, 6-4, 235 KEYS TO SUCCESS: Oregon's running game averaged 231.7 yards per game last season, the sixth-best mark in the country, and the Ducks continue to have surplus of speed. Sophomore LaMichael James is explosive, averaging 118.9 yards per game as a freshman, when he had six games with at least 150 rushing yards. Sophomore Kenjon Barner, also a dangerous kick returner, gives Oregon one of the top running back duos in the nation. Plus, the Ducks have incoming freshman Lache Seastrunk. Elsewhere on offense, Jeff Maehl returns as a clutch, go-to receiver, while David Paulson and Brandon Williams try to fill the void of departed Ed Dickson at tight end. Even with a new quarterback, Oregon -- which scored at least 37 points in eight of nine conference games last season -- has ample firepower to overwhelm most opponents.
09/02/10- David Paulson, rJr, Oregon, 6-4, 250 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Ducks were unstoppable at times last season, averaging 36.1 points per game behind a well-coordinated read-option offense. Oregon loses only two starters from that unit, but both were major components - QB Jeremiah Masoli and TE Ed Dickson. Masoli might have been worth a couple of victories by himself, but the Ducks aren't barren at the position. At tight end, look for David Paulson to step up; he saw plenty of time last season, and coach Chip Kelly calls him one of the most underrated tight ends in the Pac-10.
09/01/10- Mike Ragone, rJr, Notre Dame, 6-5, 252 Notre Dame backup tight end Mike Ragone is suffering from an inner ear infection and his status for Saturday's opener against Purdue is uncertain. It's the second physical setback of the preseason for Ragone, who was hospitalized for a day earlier this summer after a practice because of heat illness. Head coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday after practice that Ragone is "in the infirmary right now. The report was vertigo, inner ear infection." Kelly said Ragone had been doing well after his earlier bout with heat illness. Ragone, a senior from Camden, N.J., started seven games last season and made six catches for 60 yards with a long play of 30 yards. - AP Sports
09/01/10- Michael Egnew, Jr, Missouri, 6-6, 228 BREAKOUT STAR: TE Michael Egnew - It seems like forever ago when Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman were putting up big numbers from the tight end position. Last year, the tight end was noticeably absent from Missouri's repertoire, although some of those receptions went to Danario Alexander's gaudy season. The 6-6, 225-pound Egnew, however, made the best of 2009 starter Andrew Jones' postseason injury, and enters camp as the No.1-option at tight end. With his size and athleticism, Egnew could take the torch that Coffman and Rucker left burning.
09/01/10- Ladarius Green, Jr, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-6, 228 BREAKOUT STAR: TE Ladarius Green - Green's sophomore production (32 catches and a team-best 533 receiving yards) would have been even more impressive had he not missed three games with a neck injury. Green, 6-6, 229, was one of only three underclassmen on the midseason Mackey Watch List as the nation's top tight end.
09/01/10- Ladarius Green, Jr, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-6, 228 KEYS TO SUCCESS: The Cajuns have the potential to move the football behind the arm and legs of QB Chris Masson, who has a prime target in TE Ladarius Green. WR Marlin Miller (37 catches, 325 yards) also returns. The defense has potential in the return of seven starters, including all-Sun Belt preseason choice LB Grant Fleming. The secondary also is a salty group.
09/01/10- Andrew Jones, Jr, Missouri, 6-5, 238 While Michael Egnew is atop the tight end position right now, a healthy Andrew Jones will challenge him for time. Jones was the starter in 2009, but battled through a shoulder injury that required postseason surgery. Finally healthy, he won't give up the starting job without a fight.
09/01/10- Kendrick Bruton, rJr, Miami (OHIO), 6-4, 264 BREAKOUT STAR: TE Kendrick Bruton - A standout tight end can help any offense, and the RedHawks may have one in Bruton. The junior looked good in spring ball and is the favorite to win the starting job.
09/01/10- Andrew Szczerba, rJr, Penn State, 6-6, 260 TE Andrew Szczerba will not play in the season's first game due to an unspecified back injury that has hindered him throughout the summer. The redshirt junior is Penn State's most experienced returning player at the position after Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler left for the NFL last season.
09/01/10- Virgil Green, rSr, Nevada, 6-4, 242 Seniors Colin Kaepernick, Virgil Green and Ryan Coulson and junior James-Michael Johnson were voted team captains in a player vote. It is the first as captain for all four players.
09/01/10- Jeffrey Anderson, rSr, UAB, 6-3, 255 PLAYERS TO WATCH: TE Jeffrey Anderson - There isn't a player on the field who can better help a quarterback get into a comfort zone than the tight end. Anderson is one of the best at that position in C-USA and, after his 26 reception, 398 yard and five touchdown season in 2009, he's proven he can be a big part of the passing game. Some easy dump-offs to the sure-handed Anderson should help Isabelle and the offense settle down.
09/01/10- Rob Housler, rSr, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 236 BREAKOUT STAR: TE Rob Housler - Housler decided to take a redshirt in 2009 with two more experienced tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart. Now, he's the starter. The 6-foot-5 senior makes for a big target, and he snared 32 catches for 519 yards and four touchdowns during the 2008 campaign. He just needs to shed his reputation for dropping too many passes.
09/01/10- Andrew Parker, Jr, Wake Forest, 6-5, 228 QUOTE TO NOTE: "The whole team, we're definitely tired of hitting each other." - TE Andrew Parker, a junior who has made 10 career starts. That makes him one of 10 players on the team (not counting specialists) who have started 10 or more games in their college careers.
08/31/10- Weslye Saunders, Sr, South Carolina, 6-5, 272 South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that suspended senior tight end Weslye Saunders would not play in the Gamecocks' opener Thursday night against Southern Miss. "He's not on the team. He won't play Thursday," Spurrier said. Saunders was interviewed earlier this summer by NCAA investigators regarding a trip he took to Miami and whether it was funded by agents. He's also one of at least nine South Carolina players who was living at the Whitney Hotel, which has come under NCAA scrutiny. Saunders practiced with the Gamecocks for the first part of the preseason, but has been suspended for the last week for reportedly lying to coaches about why he was late for a scrimmage. Spurrier said Saunders was suspended for violating team rules, adding that his suspension was not tied to the NCAA investigation. As for any other South Carolina players who might have to miss this first game or any additional games because of the Whitney Hotel probe, Spurrier said Tuesday the Gamecocks were still waiting to hear back from the NCAA. - Chris Low, ESPN
08/31/10- Weslye Saunders, Sr, South Carolina, 6-5, 272 South Carolina officials hope to hear from the NCAA on the status of several key players this week, although coaches are preparing for the possibility of playing without embattled tight end Weslye Saunders this season, according to sources close to the program. Saunders, who was questioned by NCAA investigators about his possible involvement with agents, has been suspended for the past week for a separate incident. The senior from Durham, N.C., was the Gamecocks’ third-leading receiver last season. Saunders is also among 10 players who were asked by USC coach Steve Spurrier to move out of the Whitney Hotel this month and make restitution to the Shandon-area hotel after receiving discounted rates for extended stays. Saunders had been living at the Whitney since 2009, and must re-pay more than $5,000, according to a source. In addition to Saunders, defensive backs Akeem Auguste and C.C. Whitlock are the players most likely to face the most severe penalties because of the Whitney situation, sources said. Auguste is the Gamecocks’ starting free safety, while Whitlock is a second-team cornerback. - Joseph Person and Neil White, The State
08/30/10- Weslye Saunders, Sr, South Carolina, 6-5, 272 It hasn't been the peaceful, drama-free South Carolina camp Steve Spurrier hoped for. Standout tight end Weslye Saunders has been suspended for almost a week with no indication when he might return. There's been the missed practice time of players who Spurrier told to move out of a local hotel where they had stayed. And there are the lingering injuries to key performers like fullback Pat DiMarco, a team captain, and linebacker Shaq Wilson, the Gamecocks' leading tackler last season. But Spurrier says his players have put all that aside and worked to make sure they're ready for action when they open against Southern Miss at Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday night. "We really haven't been distracted," Spurrier said late last week. "Things happened all the time and some unforeseen things happened this year at preseason practice." The biggest has involved Saunders, a solid tight end considered a high NFL draft pick next spring. He has met with the NCAA about a party in Miami last May and was among those players living at the hotel. Spurrier suspended him Aug. 23, two days after he led all South Carolina receivers during a scrimmage. The coach said Saunders' suspension was not connected to NCAA issues or his hotel stay. Saunders issued a statement through a local radio station Friday saying he had done nothing wrong and had smoothed out his misunderstanding with Spurrier. Still, Saunders, the team's third-leading receiver with 32 catches last year, was nowhere on South Carolina's depth chart for the opener. "I'm not going to talk about his situation," Spurrier said after practice Saturday. "We're still on hold with him." - AP Sports
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