Help Wanted: These Five Schools Are Still Looking For Head Coaches

The coaching carousel in college basketball is just starting to slow its rotation over a month after the season's end. Most of the nation's coaching vacancies have been filled, but a few schools around the country are still looking for someone to lead their program. Here's a quick rundown of what's available on the college basketball job market nowadays.


Alabama A&M - The Aggies have been to the NCAA Tournament as recently as 2005, when they were the regular season and tournament champion in the SWAC. Now the small historically black university located in Normal, Alabama is looking for a coach that can make them a conference contender again. Former Northern Illinois coach Ricardo Patton [pictured] would be an ideal hire for the Aggies.

Murray State - This is the best available job in the country right now. The Racers are a perennially successful team in the OVC, and are a threat to make the tournament every year. Former coach Billy Kennedy left this job for a high profile position at Texas A&M. He leaves behind a program that could serve as an ideal stepping stone for another young head coach.

The United States Naval Academy - This is one of the most difficult head coaching jobs in the country. For starters, the Naval Academy does not recruit student-athletes taller than 6'7 (I wonder how David Robinson got in), making the hoops program permanently undersized. There is no tougher task in college basketball than convincing potential recruits to sign up for life at Annapolis and the two year commitment that comes after graduation. Navy's former coach Billy Lange [pictured] was so desperate to find greener pastures that he decided to take a demotion of sorts. He has moved on to Villanova where he will serve as an assistant coach. Whoever replaces Lange at Navy must be prepared to take on a vast rebuilding project. The Middies need a coach that can recruit difference-making guards and post players that rely on strength and positioning rather than height.

Radford - Two years ago, Radford was playing in the NCAA Tournament. Now they are looking for a head coach. Former coach Brad Greenberg, brother of Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, was fired after a disappointing season that saw Radford go winless on the road and finish 5-24 overall. Somehow, the bottom fell out of a program that had won 40 games over the previous two years including that tournament appearance. Whoever replaces Greenberg will be expected to win soon.

Vermont - This job is on par with Murray State as a potential stepping stone for coaches. They don't do much at Vermont besides win basketball games, and the program gets excellent support. Former coach Mike Lonergan took the Catamounts to the postseason four out of his six seasons with the team, including a trip to the Big Dance in 2010. The new coach at Vermont will inherit a squad that won 23 games last year and were a last second bucket away from being in the NCAAs for a second straught year. This program is set up to succeed, and a good coach could run this program on auto-pilot for at least four years. Mike Jarvis II, assistant coach and son of current Florida Atlantic coach Mike Jarvis, is mentioned as a possible candidate for this job as well as at Navy.

Maya Moore is the "First Lady" of the Jordan Brand

Former Connecticut forward Maya Moore has made history throughout her college career. She has won national championships, set countless records, and has garnered an unprecedented amount of awards and accolades. Months after becoming the top selection at the WNBA Draft, Moore may have just solidified her most impressive accomplishment yet. Moore, now a member of the Minnesota Lynx, has signed a deal to become the second female athlete to be sponsored by Nike's prestigious Jordan Brand (Moore is being lauded as the first female to sign with Jordan, but paralympian sprinter April Holmes is recognized by Jordan Brand as their first female athlete). The deal with Moore was announced yesterday in a press release from Jordan Brand, and included a quote from the Jumpman himself.


“I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore into the Jordan Brand,” said Michael Jordan. “Not only has Maya proven to be a prolific winner on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court makes her a valuable addition to the Jordan family. We look forward to working with Maya as she carries her success to the next level.”

Moore's addition to the brand is a monumental breakthrough for women's sports. Moore's inclusion on the Jordan Brand is another testimony that brings attention to the marketability of top-tier female athletes. Many questions will be answered in the near future about Moore's inclusion on the brand. It seems to be a long shot that Moore would have a signature shoe like other "Team  Jordan" members such as Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwayne Wade. However, her contract with the brand is expected to be in an area between three and four million dollars, and the company looks to have big plans for her. Going forward, Moore will undoubtedly soon challenge the likes of Candace Parker and Serena Williams as one of the most recognizable female athletes in the world.

Thumbs UP & Thumbs DOWN: NFL Draft Edition

The NFL Draft came and went this year without a lot of the usual post draft fanfare. The reason for this is obviously because the NFL lockout has prevented rookies from signing contracts or participating in team activities.With no rookies on the field, and the end of the lockout becoming a hazy destination to locate, little attention has been paid to the draft hauls from each individual team. One day these rookies will suit up and see the field. Some teams should be anxiously awaiting the opportunity to debut their prized prospects, other clubs should be hoping that the lockout ends just in time for the 2012 NFL Draft so they can atone for this year's mistakes without anyone noticing. We don't do letter grades at AmStat, it's only "Thumbs UP or Thumbs DOWN" with a list of the players I believe to be good picks from that particular teams draft. If your team's list of impact players is long, you will probably get a THUMBS UP, but if your team's best pick was a fullback in the seventh round, expect criticism.

Carolina Panthers...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Newton (QB) - Auburn
Brandon Hogan (CB) - West Virginia
Terrell McClain (DT) - South Florida
Sione Fua (DT) - Stanford
Kealoha Pilares (WR) - Hawaii
Lawrence Wilson (LB) - Connecticut
The Panther's get a thumbs up for drafting a franchise quarterback, a sure handed receiver, and making major upgrades to their defense with four rookies that should make an instant impact. The Cats leave this draft as a much better football team, but are still far away from being competitive.

Denver Broncos...TWO THUMBS UP!
Von Miller (DE) - Texas A&M
Rahim Moore (FS) - UCLA
Orlando Franklin (OT) - Miami FL
Nate Irving (LB) - North Carolina State
Quinton Carter (SS) - Oklahoma
Julius Thomas (TE) - Portland State
Mike Mohamed (LB) - California
Virgil Green (TE) - Nevada
Jeremy Beal (DE) - Oklahoma
So if I end up listing every one of your selections as an impact player it means two things. First, your team was really bad last year. Second, your team is now much better. The Broncos may not have hit home runs with every pick but they put a man on base with every at bat in this year's draft. Expect four, maybe even five of these rookies to start for the Ponies in week one.

Buffalo Bills...THUMBS UP!
Marcell Dareus (DT) - Alabama
Aaron Williams (CB) - Texas
Kelvin Sheppard (LB) - LSU
Da'Norris Searcy (SS) - North Carolina
Johnny White (RB) - North Carolina
The Bills get a very unenthusiastic thumbs up for not screwing anything up, but not really making a drastic improvement to the team. Dareus and Williams were home run picks, but there isn't much star potential outside of those two. The Tar Heel duo of White and Searcy could prove me wrong by becoming difference makers in the running game (White) and the return game (Searcy).

Cincinnati Bengals...THUMBS UP!
AJ Green (WR) - Georgia
Andy Dalton (QB) - TCU
Dontay Moch (LB) - Nevada
Clint Boling (OT) - Georgia
Robert Sands (FS) - West Virginia
The Bengals hit home runs with their first five picks, and that's more than enough to get a thumbs up from me. I even like their sixth (Stanford WR Ryan Whalen) and seventh (Baylor RB Jay Finley) round picks. Green and Dalton are big name prospects, but players like Boling and Moch could be week one starters as well. Robert Sands is also much more talented than the average fifth round pick.

Arizona Cardinals...THUMBS DOWN!
Patrick Peterson (CB) - LSU
Robert Housler (TE) - Florida Atlantic
Sam Acho (LB) - Texas
Quan Sturdivant (LB) - North Carolina
It seems like it would be hard to get a thumbs down from me if you drafted the player that I thought was the best prospect in the draft with the fifth pick, but the Cardinals pulled it off. Despite having Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, the Cards spent a second round pick on Ryan Williams, which makes their backfield way too crowded. Williams will likely struggle to see the field. The Cards also took Anthony Sherman, a backup running back from UConn. Where does he fit in? Robert Housler could be a stud tight end, but the Cards may have had more pressing issues to address in the third round. Acho and Sturdivant are good choices to rebuild the linebacker corps, but they can't offset a series of questionable picks.

Atlanta Falcons...THUMBS DOWN!
Julio Jones (WR) - Alabama
Akeem Dent (LB) - Georgia
Jacquizz Rogers (RB) - Oregon State
The Falcons get a thumbs down for essentially trading away their draft. They are a team with very few weaknesses, so they decided to give up the farm for the one player they wanted. Dent will be an impact player and Rogers is an dynamic playmaker, but the draft lacks overall substance. The Dirty Birds are banking on the fact that they probably didn't need a big draft as much as they needed a big play wide receiver. This draft will always be judged based on the career of Julio Jones.

San Francisco 49ers...THUMBS UP!
Aldon Smith (DE) - Missouri
Colin Kaepernick (QB) - Nevada
Chris Culliver (FS) - South Carolina
Kendall Hunter (RB) - Oklahoma State
Ronald Johnson (WR) - USC
Bruce Miller (DE) - UCF
The Niners had a great haul but actually missed a few opportunities during this draft. Aldon Smith was a reach pick, but is still a solid prospect. Kaepernick will have an opportunity to start by mid-season and Hunter will be a great addition to the backfield with Frank Gore. Chris Culliver has the potential to be a starter in time at either safety or cornerback. Ron Johnson will help stretch the field on offense, and is a potential difference-maker as a return man. Bruce Miller won't start for the Niners but he will be a valuable asset on the defensive line rotation. It's amazing that a draft this good had the chance to be so much better.

Tennessee Titans...THUMBS UP!
Jake Locker (QB) - Washington
Akeem Ayers (LB) - UCLA
Jurrell Casey (DT) - USC
Colin McCarthy (LB) - Miami FL
Jamie Harper (RB) - Clemson
Karl Klug (DT) - Iowa
The Titans drafted their quarterback of the future in the first round and then focused on upgrading their defense with a quartet of quality defensive selections. Jamie Harper adds another speed back to the Titans stable that already includes Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer. Harper gives the Titans the opportunity to have a home run threat on the field even when Johnson is on the sidelines.

Dallas Cowboys...THUMBS DOWN!
Tyron Smith (OT) - USC
Bruce Carter (DT) - North Carolina
DeMarco Murray (RB) - Oklahoma
The Cowboys started the draft on fire with their first three picks. Smith and Carter will be week one starters, and Murray is much better than his third round selection indicates. He very well could be the number one back in Big D before the season ends. After that, America's Team started choking away picks left and right. East Carolina WR Dwayne Harris (sixth round pick) is the only player drafted after the third round who even has a chance of helping this team. 

Jacksonville Jaguars...THUMBS DOWN!
Blaine Gabbert (QB) - Missouri
I commend the Jags for getting their man in the first round, but the rest of their draft class leaves plenty to be desired. I was temped to pencil in Mount Union WR Cecil Shorts as an impact player, but remember that receivers tend to breakout during their sophomore NFL seasons.

Houston Texans...THUMBS UP!
JJ Watt (DE) - Wisconsin
Brooks Reed (DE) - Arizona
Brandon Harris (CB) - Miami FL
Rashad Carmichael (CB) - Virginia Tech
Shiloh Keo (SS) - Idaho
Taylor Yates (QB) - North Carolina
The Texans had the worst pass defense in football last season and it was the sole reason for them missing the playoffs. The Texans responded by drafting three highly regarded defensive backs and two pass rushing demons to put more pressure on opposing QBs. Keo is a personal favorite of mine because he loves to hit and could be a future pro bowler on special teams. Yates has all the intangibles necessary to be a successful backup quarterback. He became the Tar Heels unquestioned leader last year during an especially trying season. His maturity from that experience will help him stick in the league.

Minnesota Vikings...THUMBS UP!
Christian Ponder (QB) - Florida State
Kyle Rudolph (TE) - Notre Dame
Christian Ballard (DT) - Iowa
Brandon Burton (CB) - Utah
DeMarcus Love (G) - Arkansas
Mistral Raymond (CB) - USF
The Vikes definitely reached for Christian Ponder but I really like him as a prospect. They got him a quality safety net in TE Rudolph soon after and got too quality corner prospects later in the draft (Burton will be a STEAL). Love will enter the rotation right away on the line, as will Ballard on the defensive side.

Detroit Lions...THUMBS UP!
Nick Fairley (DT) - Auburn
Titus Young (WR) - Boise State
Mike Leshoure (RB) - Illinois
I'm not as in love with the Lions' draft as other people. Cornerback and linebacker were much larger needs than wide receiver and running back. Personally, I'm just not that enamored with Titus Young as an NFL wide receiver. Leshoure has the potential to be a monster  though, and he is the perfect compliment to Jahvid Best. Still, this draft is being carried by the fact that drafting Nick Fairley gives the Lions the best defensive line in the league.

St. Louis Rams...THUMBS UP!
Robert Quinn (DE) - North Carolina
Lance Kendricks (TE) - Nebraska
Austin Pettis (WR) - Boise State
Greg Salas (WR) - Hawaii
Jermale Hines (SS) - Ohio State 
After looking at the Rams draft results, you would think that Sam Bradford was the only person in the St. Louis war room. The truth is, the Rams know they have their franchise quarterback, and this draft was dedicated to giving Bradford all the weapons he needs. The Rams are starting to take the shape of a dynamic offensive team. In other news, the Rams took a defensive end in the first round which is essentially cheating since all of them were studs. Hines has a lot of potential as a safety and I think the Rams can get it out of him.

Miami Dolphins...THUMBS DOWN
Mike Pouncey (G) - Florida
Daniel Thomas (RB) - Kansas State
Charles Clay (FB) - Tulsa
The Dolphins needed to do a better job on the third day of the draft to get a thumbs up from me. Daniel Thomas is a great pickup for the sea mammals and so is Pouncey, but Edmond Gates is not an immediate answer at wide receiver as he will go through major growing pains after coming from Abilene Christian. The biggest impact player for the 'Phins could be big Charles Clay. Clay can catch it and run it with the best of them and he is huge. Clay is the most versatile big man in this draft and the Dolphins are the perfect team to use him at his best.

Washington Redskins...TWO THUMBS UP!
Ryan Kerrigan (DE) - Purdue
Jarvis Jenkins (DT) - Clemson
Leonard Hankerson (WR) - Miami FL
Roy Helu Jr. (RB) - Nebraska
Dejon Gomes (CB) - Nebraska
Niles Paul (WR) - Nebraska
Evan Royster (RB) - Penn State
The Skins had a lot of picks and they put every single one of them to good use. These seven prospects are expected to be impact players next year, but I believe that ALL 12 of the Redskins drafted rookies will suit up at one point next year. This was a difference making draft class that could really help turn this franchise around if they find consistent quarterback play from someone. Hankerson and Paul will have an opportunity to develop into a dynamite receiving tandem if they are handled properly.

New England Patriots...THUMBS UP!
Nate Solder (OT) - Colorado
Ras-I Dowling (CB) - Virginia
Shane Vereen (RB) - California
Stevan Ridley (RB) - LSU
Ryan Mallett (QB) - Arkansas
Marcus Cannon (OT) - TCU
The Pats have never been closer to receiving a negative response from me concerning their draft exploits. Belicheck comes away with two very solid immediate starters in Solder and Dowling, even though Solder is regarded as a raw talent (albeit a mesmerizing one). After those selections, the Pats made three straight surprising selections. Vereen and Ridley were surprising choices for two reasons. Running back wasn't considered a pressing need, and most people thought that there were better backs on the board. Still the Pats have now established a formidable stable of backs that ensures that Tom Brady will always get something from the running game. Vereen is also one of the best pass catching backs in the draft (the next Kevin Faulk maybe?). The Patriots also drafted Tom Brady's apparent heir by selecting Mallett. This move shocked everybody, but it makes all the sense in the world to select a first round talent (I believe he is the best quarterback in the draft) in the third round to eventually replace your aging stud QB. Drafting Cannon is just another example of what makes this organization so great. Cannon was diagnosed with cancer right before the draft but he is expected to recover, and when he does, the once first-round prospect will be an anchor for the Pats' offensive line. Decisions like drafting Cannon are what make Patriots such a solid organization.

San Diego Chargers...THUMBS DOWN!
Corey Liuget (DT) - Illinois
Marcus Gilchrist (CB) - Clemson
Jonas Mouton (LB) - Michigan
Shareece Wright (CB) - USC
Jordan Todman (RB) - Connecticut
Steve Schilling (G) - Michigan
This thumbs down isn't a slight towards the players. It refers to the positions where they were drafted. The Bolts spent the first two days of the three day draft reaching for prospects. Granted, they got some pretty good ones (especially Shareece Wright in the third round), but the Chargers could have been more creative and came away with a better draft. Todman and Schilling could also be sixth round steals but the selections of Liuget, Gilchrist, and Mouton (He had to be shocked that he was a second round pick, I doubt he was even watching the draft that early) lacked the shrewdness that I expect from an NFL team on draft day.

New York Giants...THUMBS UP!
Prince Amukamara (CB) - Nebraska
Marvin Austin (DT) - North Carolina
Jernel Jernigan (WR) - Troy
Greg Jones (LB) - Michigan State
Tyler Sash (SS) - Iowa
Da'Rel Scott (RB) - Maryland
I really like what the G-men did on draft day. They add three week one starters to their defense (Prince, Austin, and Jones) while adding a dynamic returner and slot receiver (Jernigan) who will be everything Sinorice Moss wasn't able to be during his time in New York. Sash hits like an anvil and will be a fan favorite on special teams. Scott is simply the fastest running back in the draft. Surely, Tom Coughlin will find a way to get him the ball in space.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers...THUMBS UP!
Adrian Clayborn (DE) - Iowa
Da'Quan Bowers (DE) - Clemson
Mason Foster (LB) - Washington
Luke Stocker (TE) - Tennessee
Ahmad Black (SS) - Florida
Allen Bradford (RB) - USC
The Bucs leave this draft with two defensive lineman that were at one time considered as top five picks. Clayborn and Bowers have the potential to be the outside equivalent to what everyone expects Suh and Fairley to be on the inside for the Detroit Lions. Foster and Black are also quality additions to the defense as they are highly productive players that aren't being drafted based off of measurables. Luke Stocker is considered to be one of this year's impact tight ends, and Allen Bradford could be a menacing goal line back now that LeGarrette Blount is the featured guy in the Tampa backfield.

Cleveland Browns...THUMBS UP!
Phil Taylor (NT) - Baylor
Jabaal Sheard (DE) - Pittsburgh
Greg Little (WR) - North Carolina
Jordan Cameron (TE) - USC
Owen Marecic (FB) - Stanford
Buster Skrine (CB) - Chattanooga
The Browns didn't look like they would be extremely busy on draft day until they decided to pass on Julio Jones and trade down into slot #21. Instead of Jones, the Browns walked away with a replacement for Shaun Rogers (Taylor, the unquestioned best nose tackle in the draft), a talented receiver who doesn't compare to Julio but is still an upgrade (Greg Little), and a football playing bulldog that could feasibly be an impact player on offense, defense, and special teams (Marecic). Cleveland also came away with a superbly athletic pass-catching TE and the cornerback Skrine who can absolutely FLY when the ball is in the air. Sheard was a sackmaster at Pitt and should perform well along side the space-eating Taylor. The Browns didn't have much to work with going into the draft but they left with a more than adequate haul of prospects.

Indianapolis Colts...THUMBS UP!
Anthony Castonzo (OT) - Boston College
Drake Nevis (DT) - LSU
Delone Carter (RB) - Syracuse
Chris Rucker (CB) - Michigan State
The Colts didn't have a lot of selections in this year's draft, but they picked their spots wisely. Castonzo can start for Indy today, and the rest of the selections are all high potential players. Second round pick OT Ben Ijalana from Nova may not be an immediate impact guy, but he will eventually be a starter. The Colts are one of only a few teams that could have a draft like this and still get a thumbs up.

Philadelphia Eagles...THUMBS DOWN!
Danny Watkins (G) - Baylor
Curtis Marsh (CB) - Utah St.
Casey Mathews (LB) - Oregon
Dion Lewis (RB) - Pittsburgh
The Eagles may have had the most disappointing draft. The team arrived in New York loaded with picks and left without making much of an impact. The Eagles drafted the best guard in the draft, but probably have more pressing issues. The Iggles spent a second round pick on a safety (Temple's Jaiquawn Jarrett) who is currently a liability in coverage. Curtis Marsh will likely pan out better but he is still just learning to not rely soley on his athletic ability. He won't be able to claim a starting spot by year's end. Andy Reid and friends also blew a fourth round pick on a kicker (Florida's Alex Henery) that probably won't make the team. I'd be shocked if a rookie where able to come into training camp and beat out a former Pro Bowler such as David Akers. Casey Mathews, younger brother of Clay, seems to be the Eagles best most talented selection. That's more of an indictment of how the team handled the first three rounds. Dion Lewis is a talented back who would have went higher in next year's draft had he have stayed in school, but he will contribute as a rotation back next year. The Eagles rounded out the draft by selecting four more players that seemingly have no shot of actually making the team.  

New Orleans Saints...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Jordan (DE) - California
Mark Ingram (RB) - Alabama
Martez Wilson (LB) - Illinois
Greg Romeus (DE) - Pittsburgh
The Saints don't have too many holes to fill, but they made three quality upgrades to their defense and selected Ingram. Ingram gives the Saints the type of back that they've been missing since Deuce McAllister left the team. It does not signify the end of the Reggie Bush era though. With Ingram, Chris Ivory, and Pierre Thomas all in the fold Bush will likely be used more in the slot where he has always thrived during his NFL career.

Seattle Seahawks...THUMBS DOWN!
John Moffitt (G) - Wisconsin
I stand corrected...my deepest apologies to the Eagles, because the Seahawks clearly went home with the worst draft class. The Eagles reached on their first round pick (Bama G James Carpenter), and were a round (or maybe even two) ahead of time with their selections of Georgia WR Kris Dunham and Miss State LB KJ Wright. The rest of the draft is a cluster of players that I don't expect to make the team.

Kansas City Chiefs...THUMBS UP!
Jonathan Baldwin (WR) - Pittsburgh
Rodney Hudson (G) - Florida State
Justin Houston (LB) - Houston
Allen Bailey (DE) - Miami FL
Jalil Brown (CB) - Colorado
Ricky Stanzi (QB) - Iowa
Jerrell Powe (DT) - Ole Miss
The Chiefs continue to model their organization after the Patriots by stockpiling draft picks and bringing in a large, talented class of rookies. The Chiefs made big improvements to their defense, and added a game breaking receiver to play opposite of Dwayne Bowe. Ricky Stanzi is an ideal selection as a backup quarterback, since he will feel no pressure to play and will be able to develop behind the scenes while Matt Cassell continues to lead the team.

Baltimore Ravens...THUMBS UP!
Jimmy Smith (CB) - Colorado
Torrey Smith (WR) - Maryland
Tandon Doss (WR) - Indiana
Chykie Brown (CB) - Texas
Pernell McPhee (DE) - Mississippi State
Tyrod Taylor (QB) - Virginia Tech
Anthony Allen (RB) - Georgia Tech
The Ravens made some interesting selections, but I think they all work for the franchise. Jimmy Smith was saddled by character issues, but that won't be a problem on the watch of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. The team also paired Joe Flacco's rocket arm with the draft's fastest receiver (Torrey Smith), tack on Doss and the Ravens have completely revamped their receiving corps. The addition of Chykie Brown along with Jimmy Smith gives the secondary a similar makeover. Pernell McPhee is a pass rushing specialist that the Ravens could utilize better than most teams. Taylor is more than a runner at QB, despite his size he has great arm strength and is a valuable weapon. Allen was a product of the option at Georgia Tech, but his size and strength could land him a role similar to Le'Ron McClain's.

Chicago Bears...THUMBS UP!
Gabe Carimi (OT) - Wisconsin
Stephen Paea (DT) - Oregon State
Da' Bears didn't have much work to do during the draft. They grabbed two sure-fire starters in the first two rounds, and then made three smart, yet underwhelming choices to round out the draft. Personally, I'm a big fan of Idaho QB Nathan Enderle as a big strong-armed backup to Jay Cutler.

New York Jets...THUMBS DOWN!
Muhammad Wilkerson (DT) - Temple
The Jets left a lot on the table with this draft class. To pick the massive Hampton DT Kenrick Ellis one round after taking Wilkerson was redundant. Bilal Powell was a questionable selection with so many other quality backs on the board at that time. Jeremy Kerley is a return specialist that will take a long time before he can help as a receiver, and Greg McElroy is generally regarded as one of the most overrated players in college football. I don't see his value as a pro.

Pittsburgh Steelers...THUMBS UP!
Cameron Heyward (DE) - Ohio State
Marcus Gilbert (OT) - Florida
Curtis Brown (CB) - Texas
The Steelers don't have bad drafts, plain and simple. They grabbed three top flight players that can play immediately. The draft was put over the top by the selections of high potential projects like CB Cortez Allen from The Citadel, Fresno State LB Chris Carter, and O-lineman Keith Williams out of Nebraska.  

Green Bay Packers...THUMBS UP!
Derek Sherrod (OT) - Mississippi State
Randall Cobb (WR) - Kentucky
Alex Green (RB) - Hawaii
DJ Williams (HB) - Arkansas
Caleb Schlauderhaff (OG) - Utah
Ricky Elmore (DE) - Arizona
It isn't often that the Super Bowl champ makes a major improvement in the draft, but the Pack really improved through the draft. Sherrod and Schlauderhaff provide invaluable depth to the offensive line. Green and Williams are two unique backs that provide size and exceptional pass catching ability. Randall Cobb is a big play receiver that will be a more than adequate replacement for James Jones who is expected to leave during free agency. Ricky Elmore is a sackmaster who will have a chance to thrive on third down.

USA Basketball Under-19 Team

USA Basketball has announced a preliminary 17-man roster that will go to training camp next month in Colorado Springs with hopes of representing the United States at the Under-19 World Championships this summer in Latvia. The team will be cut down from 17 to 12 before the tournament, which starts on June 30th. Involvement in USA Basketball has generally coincided with major improvement for young college players, making this an important accomplishment for the players listed below.

USA BASKETBALL U-19 ROSTER
Keith Appling, G - Michigan State
Melsahn Basabe, F - Iowa
Brad Beal, G - Chaminade College Prep HS (Committed to Florida)
James Bell, G - Villanova
Anthony Brown, G - Stanford
Trevor Cooney, G - Sanford School HS (Committed to Syracuse)
Allen Crabbe, G - California
Tim Hardaway Jr., G - Michigan
Joe Jackson, G - Memphis
Jeremy Lamb, G - Connecticut
Meyers Leonard, C - Illinois
Doug McDermott, F - Creighton
Travis McKie, F - Wake Forest
Tony Mitchell, F - North Texas
Richard Solomon, C - California
Josiah Turner, G - Quality Education Academy HS (Committed to Arizona)
Patric Young, F - Florida
Head Coach: Paul Hewitt - George Mason
Asst. Coach: Randy Bennett - St. Mary's
Asst. Coach: Cliff Warren - Jacksonville 

It's His Turn Now: Sterling Gibbs Looks to Leave His Mark

Sterling Gibbs isn't your average little brother. Though his older brother Ashton Gibbs has been a star at Pittsburgh for the past three seasons and recently announced that he will return for another, Sterling Gibbs has done a great job of crafting his own niche as a college prospect. The lightning quick point guard looks like a totally different player from his brother on tape. He scores with lightning quick dashes to the rim and distributes the ball effectively on the run. His brother Ashton is very talented as a lead guard, but the majority of his scoring comes from his deadly range on the perimeter. Sterling's versatility leads many to believe that Gibbs 2.0 may eventually be the better model of the two brothers. The Maryland Terrapins got a commitment from Sterling during his junior season, while Gibbs was still under the radar of most scouting services. Now after completing his final year of high school, Gibbs has emerged as an impact point guard in the class of 2011. That's why when Maryland head coach Gary Williams decided to retire after this season, the younger Gibbs brother decided to re-open his recruitment. Gibbs seemed interested in staying with Maryland if they hired Arizona coach Sean Miller, but the hiring of former Texas A&M boss Mark Turgeon didn't impress Sterling enough to keep him committed. Now Gibbs is back on the recruiting trail once again, now receiving interest from the likes of Texas, Louisville, Florida, and Seton Hall. There is also a chance he could join Ashton for one year at Pitt or even recommit to Maryland. It's always interesting when a legitimate prospect becomes available so late in the signing period. Sterling Gibbs will have plenty of people watching his next move.

Russell Wilson is a College Football Free Agent

Russell Wilson is an exceptional athlete. As a quarterback for North Carolina State, he was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2008. Last season, he was the ACC's offensive player of the year as a junior. In addition to his success on the gridiron, Wilson is similarly impressive on the baseball diamond. Wilson doubles as a minor league baseball player in the summer, playing for the Class A Asheville (NC) Tourists in the Colorado Rockies farm system. His commitment to football is limited until the minor league baseball season ends in September. This year, with a veteran team returning to NC State and a talented veteran backup quarterback, Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien decided that it would be best for Wilson and the program to go their separate ways. He apparantly did not want to risk tampering with the chemistry that the team was developing without Wilson. O'Brien will turn to highly touted junior quarterback Mike Glennon (brother of former Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon) to lead his team. The story gets intriguing here. Wilson will focus on baseball for now, but he still intends to play college football this season. Now with one year of eligibility remaining, one the best quarterbacks in college football is effectively a free agent. Wilson has not made a decision on where he will play his final year of college football, but when he does, a team in need of a quarterback will become exponentially better. Wilson is not allowed to join an ACC team, and cannot join a team that plays NC State during their non-conference schedule (this rules out Liberty, South Alabama, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati). That means big time schools with quarterback concerns such as UCLA, Auburn, South Carolina, and California will all be willing to take Russell whenever he's ready to suit up. Getting an All-American quarterback a week into the season is better than not having one at all. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out.



This type of situation is not totally unfamiliar to Wolfpack fans. Before the 2006 season, the NC State basketball team lost talented center Andrew Brackman to the New York Yankees. Brackman, a pitcher, is still trying to break out of the minors. However, he is still generally regarded as an eventual major leaguer.

UFL Draft Gives Undrafted Free Agents Opportunity to Play Ball

The UFL recently held what will likely be its most important draft ever. With the NFL lockout restricting teams from signing undrafted rookies, the UFL may very well have selected from the deepest talent pool that will ever come their way. Many players who would have been on their way to NFL training camp as "RFAs" during any other off-season will be suiting up in the UFL this year. The fledgling league, now entering it's third year will have an impressive influx of talent for this season at least, and will likely be very entertaining to watch. The UFL stands to be a big winner if the lockout continues, but if the NFL does resume operations soon, the league has announced that it will allow rookies to "transfer" leagues without penalty (the league charges a $25,000 fee to those who void their UFL contracts to play in the NFL). This consideration is a positive step in the direction of the UFL possibly becoming a developmental league for the NFL in the future. Here is a list of notable college football players that will be calling the UFL home for atleast one season as of now. 


The Best of the UFL 2011 Drafted Rookie Class
#1 Jerrod Johnson, QB - Texas A&M
#3 Ryan Colburn, QB - Fresno State
#8 Ugo Chinasa, DE - Oklahoma State
#21 Clint Ingram, LB - Oklahoma
#24 Spencer Paysinger - Oregon
#38 Jeremiah Masoli - Ole Miss
#43 Derrick Locke - Kentucky [pictured]
#45 Derek Divine, QB - Marshall
#46 Mario Fanin, RB - Auburn
#49 Keanemana Silva, S - Hawaii
#51 Mark Herzlich, LB - Boston College
#52 Jeff Maehl, WR - Oregon

The Latavious Williams Story

Latavious Williams was once a top prospect coming out of Starkville Mississippi, but after he realized that he would likely be declared academically ineligible to play during his freshman year of college, he took an untraveled path to the NBA - Williams went to the NBA Developmental League. ESPN's Outside the Lines tells Williams' story and poses the question of whether or not this is a viable option for players that wish to avoid the NBA's "year removed from high school" rule in regards to the NBA Draft.

God's Gift Achiuwa (Yup, That's His Real Name)

God's Gift Achiuwa was one of the more intriguing prospects coming out of junior college this year. A large part of the intrigue was based on his unusual name, but the 22 points and 12 rebounds he averaged at Erie Community College (Buffalo, NY) didnt hurt either. Now the 6'9 post player will take his game to New York City after committing to play for the St. John's Red Storm. "Gift", as he is referred to by his teammates, sat down for an interview with ESPN's First Take earlier this week.

The Undrafted

After three days of NFL Draft coverage, 254 college football players realized their dream of becoming professional football players. However, the NFL rookie class of 2011 is not set in stone as of yet. Normally, the upcoming days after the draft's conclusion see teams sign anywhere from 10 to 20 undrafted rookie free agents. Many of these "URFAs" were stars at the college level but didn't have the measurements to catch the attention of NFL scouts, others may have been coveted by a particular team that simply didn't have the chance to draft them due to a variety of circumstances. This year, the NFL lockout has prevented teams from signing undrafted rookies during the aftermath of the draft. Many of the rookies that we will see suit up next season are not yet the property of an NFL team. Here is a list of some notable players that will surely find themselves in an NFL training camp once the lockout has ended. If you don't think it's worth your time to take a look, just remember that 23 players in this year's Pro Bowl were once undrafted rookie free agents.

Notable Rookie Free Agents (no particular order)
Brandon Bair, DT - Oregon
Deunta Williams, S - North Carolina
Terrence Toliver, WR - LSU [pictured]
Darvin Adams, WR - Auburn
Kendric Burney, CB - North Carolina
Jeron Johnson, S - Boise State
Joe Lefeged, S - Rutgers
Ian Williams, DT - Notre Dame
Deandre McDaniel, S - Clemson
Derrick Locke, RB - Kentucky
Mario Harvey, OLB - Marshall
Armon Binns, WR - Cincinnati
Mark Herzlich, MLB -Boston College
Jake Kirkpatrick, C - TCU
Pat Devlin, QB - Delaware
Kris O'Dowd, C - USC
Darren Evans, RB - Virginia Tech
Scott Lustrus, MLB - UConn
Josh Portis, QB - California PA [pictured]
Brian Lainhart, S - Kent State
DeAndre Brown, WR - Southern Miss
Graig Cooper, RB - Miami FL
Devon Torrence, CB - Ohio State
Orie Lemon, OLB - Oklahoma State
Mike Hartline, QB - Kentucky
Jeff Maehl, WR - Oregon
Jerrard Terrant, S - Georgia Tech
Ben Chappell, QB - Indiana
Charlie Gantt, TE - Michigan State [pictured]
Eric Gordon, OLB - Michigan State
Brian Duncan, MLB - Texas Tech
Will Hill, S - Florida
Bryant Browning, G - Ohio State
Mike Morgan OLB - USC
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR - Ohio State
Damien Berry, RB - Miami FL
Justin Boren, G - Ohio State
Ryan Winterswyk, DE - Boise State
Scott Tolzein, QB - Wisconsin
Mark Dell, WR - Michigan State
Adrien Moten, OLB - Maryland
Jay Valai, S - Wisconsin
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR - Iowa
Tori Gurley, WR - South Carolina [pictured]
Jerrod Johnson, QB - Texas A&M
Noel Divine, RB - West Virginia
Zac Etheridge, S - Auburn
Weslye Saunders, TE - West Virginia
Jai Eugene, CB/S - LSU
Taylor Potts, QB - Texas Tech
Matt Asiata, RB - Utah