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News Nuggets, 02.06.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

NFL gates swing open for underclassmen

Heisman Trophy runner-up Larry Fitzgerald, the Pittsburgh sophomore who set NCAA receiving records in his two college seasons, was declared eligible Thursday for the NFL draft.

The NFL's ruling came on the same day a federal judge opened the door for running back Maurice Clarett to turn pro despite playing only one season at Ohio State.

Under league rules, a player must be in college for three NFL seasons before he can be drafted.

Fitzgerald left the Academy of Holy Angels in Minneapolis, Minn., midway through his senior year in 2001 and transferred to Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy to boost his grades for college.

After spending nearly 1½ academic years there, Fitzgerald signed with Pittsburgh and immediately became the most productive receiver in school history.

The NFL determined Fitzgerald was eligible because he would have graduated from high school in 2001 had he not transferred and thus is three years past his senior year of high school.

A federal judge ruled Clarett, currently on suspension at Ohio State, eligible for the draft, stating a violation of antitrust laws. Clarett, who recently declined an offer to continue working out with the Buckeyes, was granted permission to enter the upcoming April draft by U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin.

The NFL is expected to challenge Scheindlin's decision. NFL rules currently deny players the option to enter the NFL Draft until they are three years removed from completion of high school.

Zook shakes up Gators' offensive staff

Florida offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher was demoted to quarterbacks coach Thursday after consecutive 8-5 seasons and constant criticism for an offense that hasn't been as productive since Steve Spurrier left for the NFL.

Gators coach Ron Zook promoted assistant coach Larry Fedora to offensive coordinator.

"I think this move on our coaching staff will allow us to take advantage of all of our strengths," Zook said. "Coach Fedora has a great offensive mind, and Coach Zaunbrecher has a proven track record with successfully grooming quarterbacks."

Fedora was Florida's running backs coach in 2002 and then the perimeter game coordinator and receivers coach last year. He spent three years as offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State before joining the Gators in 2002. Under Fedora, the Blue Raiders averaged 31 points and 424 yards per game.

Zaunbrecher has received the bulk of Florida fans' ire in two seasons, with many of them calling for him to be fired. Florida rarely went deep and relied on bubble screens and dump-off passes for much of its air attack, leading to questions of whether Fedora, Zaunbrecher or Zook was really calling the shots.

"I've always done what the head coach has asked me to do and will continue to do so," Zaunbrecher said.

Conference USA football recruiting lists

Ten of Conference USA's 11 football schools have released their lists of 2004 football signees. Army will release its academy appointments in the spring. Below is the roster of incoming players for each of the other ten teams:

CINCINNATI (16)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Butler Benton RB 6-1 210 Fr. Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King
Brad Bury FB 6-1 245 Fr. Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding
Trevor Canfield OL 6-5 300 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Western Hills
Jon Carpenter RB 5-11 215 Fr. Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster
Khalil El-Amin OL 6-5 310 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian
Bradley Glatthaar RB 5-11 215 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder
Dustin Grutza QB 6-3 200 Fr. Maysville, Ky./Mason County
Anthony Hoke LB 6-1 235 Fr. Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding
Adam Hoppel DL 6-2 250 Fr. Lisbon, Ohio/Beavercreek Local
Earnest Jackson QB 6-3 200 Fr. Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day
Tyjuan Jones DB 6-3 210 Fr. Dayton, Ohio/Trotwood Madison
Haruki Nakamura WR/DB 5-10 180 Fr. Elyria, Ohio/Lakewood St. Edward
Lamonte Nelms S 6-3 210 Fr. Ravenna, Ohio/Ravenna
DeAngelo Smith CB 6-0 180 Fr. Columbus, Ohio/Independence
K.L. Smith CB 6-0 170 Fr. Copley, Ohio/Copley
Marcus Winston LB 6-2 225 Fr. Lansing, Mich./J.W. Sexton

EAST CAROLINA (28)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Zach Baker S 6-2 205 Jr. Tucson, Ariz./Pima College [Ariz.]
Steve Belford DE 6-4 240 Fr. Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Lake Worth
Pierre Bell RB 6-2 205 Fr. Vanceboro, N.C./West Craven
Zach Davis C 6-4 250 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian
Davon Drew QB 6-4 215 Fr. New Bern, N.C./New Bern
Jamar Flournoy LB 6-0 220 Jr. Valley, Ala./Hutchinson CC [Kan.]
Josh Grier DT 6-3 315 Fr. Daytona Beach, Fla./Atlantic
Sean Harmon TE 6-3 264 Jr. Edmond, Okla./NE Oklahoma A&M College
Fred Hicks DL 5-11 275 Fr. Seffner, Fla./Armwood
Demetrius Hodges DB 5-10 175 Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla./Georgia Military Acad.
Chris Johnson WR 5-11 175 Fr. Orlando, Fla./Olympic
D'Mario Kelly S 5-11 201 Fr. Norcross, Ga./Norcross
Durwin Lamb DE 6-2 230 Fr. Miami, Fla./Pace
Shawn Levesque TE 6-4 260 Jr. League City, Texas/Kilgore College [Texas]
J.J. Millbrook DB 5-10 180 Fr. Miami, Fla./Pace
Patrick Pinkney QB 6-1 189 Fr. Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest
Joel Renaud OL 6-7 325 Jr. Pompano Beach, Fla./Reedley College [Calif.]
Tony Richardson LB 6-2 205 Fr. Sandersville, Ga./Washington County
Ted Riley DB 6-0 184 Fr. Boynton Beach, Fla./American Heritage
Mark Robinson DE 6-4 208 Fr. Longwood, Fla./Lyman
Richie Santos OL 6-6 295 Fr. Deltona Beach, Fla./Deltona
Chris Sellars DE 6-5 210 Fr. Newport News, Va./New Mexico Military Inst.
Zach Slate DE 6-5 210 Fr. Melbourne, Fla./Melbourne
Stacy Walls DB 5-9 170 Fr. Sandersville, Ga./Washington County
Paul Walsh OL 6-5 300 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla./N. Florida Christian
Jarrett Wiggins DE 6-4 215 Fr. Camden, S.C./Camden
Mike Williams OL 6-3 287 Fr. Orlando, Fla./Boone
Travis Williams DB 5-11 175 Fr. Daytona Beach, Fla./Atlantic

HOUSTON (25)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Sean Bailey DB 5-11 175 Fr. Fort Worth, Texas/Dunbar
Michael Bloesch OL 6-2 270 Fr. Spring, Texas/Klein Collins
Brian Boehm TE 6-5 220 Fr. Victoria, Texas/Memorial
*Kendal Briles QB 5-11 195 Jr. Lubbock, Texas/Texas
Victor Crosby DL 6-4 280 Fr. Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch
*Sterling Doty OL 6-1 290 So. Stephenville, Texas/Army
Jake Ebner OL 6-2 270 Fr. Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood
*James Fitch LB 6-0 220 Jr. Texas City, Texas/Texas Tech
Kenneth Fontenette DB 6-0 165 Fr. Pflugerville, Texas/Connally
*Ryan Gilbert IB 5-10 206 Jr. Dallas, Texas/LSU
Mark Hafner TE 6-3 200 Fr. Waller, Texas/Waller
Phillip Hunt DL 6-3 250 Fr. Fort Worth, Texas/Dunbar
D.J. Johnson DL 6-3 295 Jr. Houston, Texas/Garden City CC
Mark Kimmey OL 6-5 274 Fr. Van Vleck, Texas/Van Vleck
Cody Lubojasky LB 6-3 200 Fr. Sugar Land, Texas/Kempner
Ernest Miller DB 6-2 190 Fr. Taylor, Texas/Taylor
Brendan Pahulu LB 6-3 214 Fr. Euless, Texas/Trinity
Chris Pilot LB 6-1 215 Fr. Lufkin, Texas/Lufkin
Cody Pree DL 6-2 280 Fr. Hooks, Texas/Hooks
Rodney Rideau LB 6-2 210 Fr. Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial
SirVincent Rogers OL 6-3 270 Fr. Jasper, Texas/Jasper
Curtis Shaw WR 6-1 170 Fr. Beaumont, Texas/Ozen
Harold Taylor RB 6-0 210 Fr. Houston, Texas/Smiley
Sylvester Walker WR 6-2 185 Fr. Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill
Ivory Williams WR 5-10 175 Fr. Beaumont, Texas/Central

LOUISVILLE (23)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Mozell Axson LB 6-1 230 Fr. Lakeland, Fla./Jenkins
Gary Barnidge TE 6-6 215 Fr. Middleburg, Fla./Middleburg
Brian Brohm QB 6-4 205 Fr. Louisville, Ky./Trinity
Bobby Buchanan DB 5-11 180 Fr. Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy
Johnnie Burns LB 6-3 225 Fr. Neptune Beach, Fla./ Fletcher Senior
Terrance Butler SS 6-2 212 Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla./Clay
Brandon Cox DE 6-3 225 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Douglass
Elijah Daniel WR/DB 6-0 175 Fr. Brundidge, Ala./Pike County
Jeremy Darveau OL 6-7 320 Jr. Hilton Head, S.C./Dodge City CC
Anthony Douglas DE 6-4 215 Fr. Eufaula, Ala./Eufaula
Marcus Folmar WR/DB 5-11 175 Fr. East Brewton, Ala./Neal
Adrian Grady DT 6-3 270 Fr. Nichols, Ga./Coffee
Breno Giacomini DE/TE 6-7 242 Fr. Malden, Mass./Malden
Scott Kuhn TE 6-5 235 Fr. Burlington, Ky./Conner Senior
Maurice Mitchell LB/DE 6-3 220 Fr. Glasgow, Ky./Glasgow
Phillip Moody OL 6-5 260 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla./North Florida Christian
Lamar Myles LB 6-0 200 Fr. Winterhaven, Fla./Lake Region
Devin Shivers DT 6-5 307 Fr. Monroe, Ga./George Walton Academy
Drew Steinmetz FB 6-1 232 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy
George Stripling RB 6-1 185 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Andrew Jackson
Mario Urrutia WR 6-6 205 Fr. Louisville, Ky./Fern Creek
Josh Waller DT 6-3 280 Fr. Louisville, Ky./Southern
Eric Wood OL 6-5 265 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder

MEMPHIS (23)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Carlton Baker LB 6-2 240 Jr. Belle Glade, Fla./Hutchinson CC
Philip Beliles OL 6-4 265 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./CBHS
Joseph Doss RB 5-9 190 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Melrose
Brandon Douglas OL 6-3 275 Fr. Brownsville, Tenn./Haywood County
Brandon Farrar DE 6-4 255 So. Woodville, Miss./Southwest Miss CC
Michael Grandberry WR 5-10 170 Fr. Covington, Tenn./Covington
Heath Grant LB 6-1 220 Fr. Starkville, Miss./Starkville
Greg Hinds DB 6-1 205 Fr. Southaven, Miss./Southaven
Will Hudgens QB 6-3 200 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway
Tyus Jackson DE 6-3 250 Jr. Birmingham, Ala./Northeast Miss CC
Maurice Jones WR 6-2 185 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./White Station
Dustin Lopez DB 5-10 175 So. Hopkinsville, Ky./Minnesota West JC
Antonio McCoy WR 6-0 165 Fr. Starkville, Miss./Starkville
Cortez McCraney DL 6-4 220 Fr. Southaven, Miss./Southaven
TiQuintin Morrell OLB 6-1 205 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Douglass
Brandon Patterson DB 6-1 195 Fr. Germantown, Tenn./Germantown
Brandon Pearce OL 6-5 270 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./CBHS
Rubio Phillips DL 6-2 250 Jr. Kosciusko, Miss./Holmes CC
Carlton Robinzine WR 6-5 190 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./Bolton
Brett Russell TE 6-3 220 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./CBHS
Rod Smith DB 6-1 205 Fr. Milan, Tenn./Milan
Earnest Williams WR 6-0 170 Fr. Alamo, Tenn./Crockett County
Ryan Williams DL 6-2 290 Fr. Memphis, Tenn./CBHS

SOUTH FLORIDA (24)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Jarriette Buie DE 6-3 230 Fr. Seffner, Fla.Armwood
Jackie Chambers WR 5-11 185 Fr. Miami, Fla.Edison
Richard Clebert DT 6-1 275 Fr. Miami, Fla./Edison
Andre Copeland RB 5-9 190 Fr. Lake City, Fla./Columbia
Mark Dile OL 6-4 275 Fr. Miami, Fla./Edison
Marcus Edwards WR 5-11 170 Fr. Mayo, Fla./Lafayette
Louis Gachette QB 6-2 205 Fr. Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee
Andre Hall RB 5-10 205 Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla./Garden City Community College
Jake Griffin OL 6-4 300 Fr. Seffner, Fla./Armwood
Matt Huners OL 6-2 275 Fr. Palm Harbor, Fla./University
C.J. Hunnicutt DL 6-2 220 Fr. Bradenton, Fla./Manatee
Randy Jackson DL 6-2 260 Fr. Lake Mary, Fla./Lake Mary
Shadie Jones OL 6-4 285 Fr. Pace, Fla./Pace
Terrance Jones RB 5-10 180 Fr. Sarasota, Fla./Booker
Josh Julmiste TE 6-4 220 Fr. Miramar, Fla./Miramar
George Kearse DE 6-4 275 Fr. Tampa, Fla./Blake
Duane Moment DB 5-11 190 Fr. Hollywood, Fla./Miramar
Brouce Mompremier LB 6-1 220 Fr. Miami, Fla./Edison
Johnny Peyton WR 6-5 185 Fr. Dade City, Fla./Pasco
Ricky Ponton RB 5-11 205 Fr. Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough
Antonio Searcy DT 6-3 305 Jr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dodge City (Kan.) Community College
Chad Simpson RB 5-9 180 Fr. Miami, Fla./Edison
Danny Verpaele DB 5-11 185 Fr. Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island
Mike Williams WR 6-0 175 Fr. Seffner, Fla./Armwood

SOUTHERN MISS (23)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Britt Barefoot K/P 6-1 170 Fr. Laurel, Miss/West Jones
C.J. Barrows RB 6-2 195 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern
Ivory Bradshaw ATH 6-2 185 Fr. Bastrop, La./Bastrop
Ricardo Clark OL 6-3 280 Jr. Shannon, Miss./Itawamba CC
Travis Clark QB 6-0 200 Fr. Lincolnton, Ga./Lincoln County
Dustin Danzie DB 6-1 180 Fr. Homer, La./Homer
Eric Elijah DL 6-3 305 Fr. Donalsonville, Ga./Seminole Co.
Wesley Housley OL 6-3 270 Fr. LaPlace, La./East St. John
Thomas Johnson DL 6-4 290 Jr. Moss Pt., Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC
Cedrick Jones DE 6-6 225 Fr. Waynesboro, Miss./Wayne Co.
Joseph Leech OL 6-4 280 Jr. Amory, Miss./Itwamba CC
Cole Mason FB 6-1 240 Fr. Parrish, Ala./Parrish
Gerald McRath OLB 6-2 210 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern
Tony Miner RB 5-10 200 Fr. Jackson, Miss./Jim Hill
Lance Moore DB 6-1 175 Fr. Leakesville, Miss./Greene Co.
Shawn Nelson TE 6-4 220 Fr. Gonzales, La./East Ascension
Howard Overby DB 6-0 200 Jr. Mendenhall, Miss./Copiah-Lincoln CC
Eric Phillips DL 6-6 250 Fr. Birmingham, Ala./Wenonah
Brandon Sumrall DB 5-11 185 Fr. Beaumont, Miss./Perry Central
Maurice Taylor WR 6-0 160 Fr. Vicksburg, Miss./Vicksburg
Philip Tobias OL 6-4 280 Fr. Brookhaven, Miss./Brookhaven
Ladarius Webb DB/ATH 6-0 160 Fr. Opelika, Ala./Beauregard
Eddie Willingham DB 5-11 170 Fr. Daytona Beach, Fla./Seabreeze

TEXAS CHRISTIAN (21)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Walter Bryant WR 6-4 200 Fr. San Angelo, Texas/Central
Quincy Butler CB 6-0 180 Jr. San Antonio, Texas/Roosevelt/Tyler JC
Robert Clark OL 6-7 250 Fr. Weatherford, Texas/Weatherford
Drew Coleman CB 5-11 175 Jr. Henderson, Texas/Trinity Valley CC
Steven Coleman S 6-2 190 Fr. Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands
Zarnell Fitch DT 6-3 300 Jr. Spencer, Okla./Star Spencer/Navarro JC
Chris Hayes DE 6-1 240 Jr. Fort Worth, Texas/Wyatt/Kilgore JC
Brent Hecht TE 6-4 247 Jr. Bern, Kansas/Butler County CC
Robert Henson LB 6-1 205 Fr. Longview, Texas/Longview
Detrick James WR 5-9 175 Fr. Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian
Donald Massey WR 5-11 170 Fr. Hillsboro, Texas/Hillsboro
Otis McDaniel WR 6-0 185 Fr. San Antonio, Texas/Taft
Giles Montgomery TE/DE 6-3 235 Fr. Sweetwater, Texas/Sweewater
Cody Moore DT 6-1 265 Fr. Comfort, Texas/Comfort
Matt Panfil S 6-1 180, Fr. Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley
Jason Phillips FB/LB 6-1 215 Fr. Waller, Texas/Waller
Preston Phillips OL 6-6 270 Fr. Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa
Heath Raetz OL 6-5 250 Fr. Burleson, Texas/Burleson
Shae Reagan QB 6-4 255 Fr. Idalou, Texas/Idalou
Blake Schlueter OL 6-4 245 Fr. Ganado, Texas/Ganado
Justin Watts TB 5-10 195 Fr. Center, Texas/Center

TULANE (23)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Michael Batiste WR 6-2 185 Fr. Breaux Bridge, La./Breaux Bridge
Ryan Bewley RB 5-11 195 Fr. Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound
Jimmy Coleman LB 6-0 195 Fr. Ellenwood, Ga./Tucker
Michael Cox LB 6-4 190 Fr. Metairie, La./East Jefferson
Tom Danel OL 6-7 290 Fr. Hammond, La./St. Thomas Aquinas
Scott Elliott QB 6-1 172 Fr. Bay City, Texas/Bay City
Matt Forte RB 6-1 215 Fr. Slidell, La./Slidell
Craig Gelhardt DS/TE 6-2 230 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln
Joe Goosby DB 6-0 190 Fr. Houston, Texas/Jersey Village
Antonio Harris DL 6-2 245 Fr. Shreveport, La./Green Oaks
Renovell Hill DB 6-1 175 Fr. Kentwood, La./Kentwood
Percy Huff OL 6-4 325 Fr. Greensburg, La./St. Helena Central
Ryan Johnson DL 6-5 250 Fr. Dallas, Texas/Carter
Julian Lowe DL 6-2 240 Fr. Greensburg, La./St. Helena Central
Josh Lumar DB 5-11 170 Fr. Edgard, La./West St. John
Michael McCabe DL 6-4 250 Fr. Amite, La./Jewel Sumner
Frank Morton DL 6-2 290 Fr. Decatur, Ga./S.W. DeKalb
Michael Parenton OL 6-3 298 Fr. Thibodaux, La./E.D. White
Gabe Ratcliff TE 6-2 230 Fr. Houston, Texas/Jersey Village
Julian Shives-Sams DL 6-2 250 Fr. Slidell, La./Northshore
Reggie Scott DL 6-3 240 Fr. Charlotte, N.C./Harding University
Adeboye Tuyo RB 5-11 190 Fr. Houston, Texas/Harding Jersey Village
Avery Williams DL 6-0 295 Fr. Houston, Texas/Houston Lamar

UAB (21)

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN/HS, JC or COLLEGE
Brandon Alexander RB 5-10 190 Fr. Birmingham, Ala./Carver
Nick Benton OL 6-3 310 Jr. Port Arthur, Texas/Trinity Valley, Texas CC
Eric Bogan DB 5-11 190 Fr. Alabaster, Ala./Thompson
Richard Carter DE 6-6 230 Fr. Lovejoy, Ga./Lovejoy
Will Dunbar DB 6-1 195 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./Lakeside
Kris Guyton LB 6-3 215 Fr. Tuscaloosa, Ala./Hillcrest
Jeff Hamby SN 6-1 205 Fr. Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills
Tony Haynes-Dalton DL 6-4 280 Jr. Franklin, Tenn./East Tennessee State Univ.
Joe Henderson LB 6-2 200 Fr. Birmingham, Ala./John Carroll
Vernard Hoover WR 6-4 195 Fr. Lovejoy, Ga./Lovejoy
Nolan Hughey FB 6-0 210 Fr. Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills
Tommie Keyes OL 6-0 295 Fr. Louin, Miss./Jones County, Miss.
Marcus Lampton OL 6-5 315 Jr. Columbia, Miss./Pearl River, Miss. CC
Reggie Lindsey WR 5-10 185 Jr. Pensacola, Fla./SW Mississippi JC
Clarence Respress DT 6-1 305 Jr. Barnesville, Ga./Butler County, Kan. CC
Kevin Sanders DB 5-11 175 Fr. Pell City, Ala./Pell City
Jerrickus Speights DE 6-5 233 Fr. Gardendale, Ala./Gardendale
Todd Tate DB 5-11 175 Fr. Marietta, Ga./Wheeler
Shun Williams DE 6-2 225 Fr. Buford, Ga./Buford
Chad Wilmott QB 6-4 215 Jr. Wichita, Kan./Butler County, Kan. CC
Julius Wilson OT 6-5 310 Jr. Bradenton, Fla./SW Mississippi JC

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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