Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Michigan State: Quarterback Jeff Smoker has kept up with his substance-abuse recovery for a possible return to the football team, athletic director Ron Mason said. Smoker missed the team's final five games last season and remains on indefinite suspension. Mason said that although he will have some input, the final decision concerning Smoker's future with the team is up to Coach John L. Smith. Mason said he doesn't expect any decision on whether Smoker will be reinstated for next season until at least the spring or summer, and it's unclear whether Smoker will be allowed to participate in spring practice.
Tennessee: The NCAA has found no evidence of violations involving payments former quarterback Tee Martin received from an Alabama sportswriter in 1999. The NCAA also accepted Tennessee's self-imposed penalties for recruiting infractions related to former player Eric Locke. The university will give up two football scholarships in the upcoming signing period and has banned two boosters from contributing to the athletic department for three years. The university and the Southeastern Conference looked into possible infractions after sportswriter Wayne Rowe told The Mobile Register last May that he wired $4,500 to Martin on behalf of insurance agent Dianne Sanford in February 1999.
Elsewhere: Georgia running back Musa Smith will enter the NFL draft after becoming the first Georgia running back since 1992 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. The 6-2, 226-pound Smith bounced back from two injury-plagued seasons to rush for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns this season, helping Georgia win its first Southeastern Conference championship since 1982. Smith was named Sugar Bowl MVP after running for 145 yards in a 26-13 win over Florida State. ... Florida defensive lineman Clint Mitchell will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Mitchell had 121 tackles in 26 games in three seasons for the Gators. He was suspended for much of the 2001 season for violating university policy. Mitchell, whose brother Jeff played for the Gators and is currently with the Carolina Panthers, joins quarterback Rex Grossman and defensive lineman Ian Scott as the third Florida junior to declare for the NFL draft. ... Former NFL quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who led Washington State to a 1988 Aloha Bowl victory, joined the Cougars as quarterbacks coach. Former Purdue coach Leon Burtnett also has joined the staff as linebackers coach. ... Quarterback Tony Stauss, who entered last season as Northwestern's starter but lost the job during the Wildcats' 3-9 season, said he is transferring to Division II North Dakota State. ... Columbia hired Bob Shoop, defensive backfield at Boston College for the last four years, as its new coach. Shoop succeeds Ray Tellier, fired Nov. 26 after 14 seasons.
-- Associated Press