It looks like Jake/Jacob Coker made a good move by exiting the situation in Tallahassee. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston told reporters last week that he might play two more years of college football for the ‘Noles. (I have a feeling he will change his mind after the impending drop off in 2014). Winston is a rising redshirt sophomore.
Speaking of Coker and the "Russell Wilson Rule", I have a feeling that there may be a crackdown on that ruleloophole in the near future. The original rule states that a graduated student-athlete with remaining eligibility may transfer to another school for grad school and not sit out a year. BUT that new school has to offer a master's program in a field of study that is not available at his original school. At Wisconsin, Wilson took classes in something called "Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis". The Southeastern Conference passed a bylaw in 2011 prohibiting players from transferring into the league with just one year of eligibility. Coker has two years remaining. I am a bit curious what graduate program Alabama offers that FSU does not.
More Russell Wilsons:
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- Former 4-star QB Max Wittek is transferring from Southern California after graduating at the end of the semester. He's visiting Texas this weekend and is also considering Louisville, Pitt and Hawaii. My money is on Texas.
- After NC State coach Dave Doeren publicly proclaimed that Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett would be the starter for the next two seasons, senior quarterback Pete Thomas has decided to transfer following his graduation in May. Thomas started six games last year throwing for 1667 yards 4 TD and 9 INT. He had started 21 games at Colorado State in 2010 and 2011 before transferring to the Wolfpack.
- Georgia senior offensive tackle Mark Beard, originally from Adamsville, AL, plans to transfer to another school for his final year of eligibility after graduating this summer. He played in 26 games, including two starts, in his two seasons in Athens following his transfer from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He was a backup left tackle in 2013.
This is a new one. Florida redshirt junior defensive back Cody Riggs told SI.com that he will be transferring to find a suitable graduate school where he would earn his MBA or master's in science in business. He will be giving up football despite starting 26 games over the last three seasons. Riggs' departure hurts an already decimated Gators defensive backfield. Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson are entering the NFL draft and senior safety Jaylen Watkins has exhausted his eligibility.
- In a bit of a surprising move, All-SEC linebacker A.J. Johnson opted to return to Tennessee for his senior year instead of heading to the NFL. He may be regretting that move today as he was arrested over the weekend on alcohol-related charges. Johnson, 22, was charged with purchasing alcohol for a person underage and resisting arrest. 20-year old teammate defensive lineman Danny O'Brien was charged with criminal impersonation, resisting arrest and underage consumption of alcohol. Also arrested was former Vols linebacker Dontavius Sapp, who just finished his senior season. Officers responded to complaints about a loud party at Sapp’s apartment. Seriously, guys. Just say "yes, sir" and turn down the music.
- Kalvaraz Bessent has not gotten his college football career off on a good foot. Less then a week after signing a Letter of Intent with Auburn, the Georgia native is facing two felony marijuana charges. Nassau County, Florida police pulled a car over for speeding and found four bags of marijuana totaling more than 200 grams under the front passenger seat, where Bessent was seated.
- Washington suspended Cyler Miles and Damore'ea Stringfellow for the dreaded "violation of team rules" and remain under investigation for alleged post-Super Bowl assaults. Miles was penciled in as the starting QB for 2014. Stringfellow caught 20 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown in 2013.
- Staying in the Pac-12, Washington State's leading receiver in 2013, Gabe Marks, was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with four misdemeanors: fourth-degree assault, second-degree criminal trespass, being a minor intoxicated in public, and frequenting a tavern as a minor. When reached for a comment, WSU coach Mike Leach said "Well, shiver me timbers!"
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
The Ed Orgeron Watch reports the increasing likelihood that Coach O will go without a job for the coming season. Arkansas has hired former Rutgers DC Robb Smith and Arizona State brought former WVU DC Keith Patterson on board as their D-coordinator. Ed may have to go back to hawking Hummers.
SOMEBODY GIVE THIS MAN A TV SHOW!!!