Each week during the off-season we will be doing this feature that will simply be called “This Week In College Football”. We will cover the biggest news and stories of the past week and give some opinions and analysis. In addition to covering the weekly happenings we also have started our Pre-Season Previews and we have several up already. The top three most read so far are Central Michigan, Houston and Wyoming. A couple of big stories broke this week that we’ve already covered on CFBZ so I will re-share these links instead of re-hashing these items in our weekly re-up. Our Alabama guy, Jay Martin, did a piece on the death of Alabama OL Aaron Douglas that you should read. I covered Georgia’s announcement that RB Washaun Ealey, the leading rusher for the Dawgs for the past two seasons, would be transferring this summer. Here is the rest of the most notable news of this past week…
JANORIS JENKINS HEADED TO NORTH ALABAMA?
Two weeks ago we talked about Will Muschamp giving the boot to Janoris Jenkins after his second drug related run-in with the law since Mushcamp came on board. Now it appears that Jenkins has made his decision to transfer to North Alabama to play for none other than Terry Bowden. Jenkins had the choice to apply for the supplemental draft but doesn’t appear to be going that road. On the surface the best decision Jenkins could have made was to bolt for the NFL after last season but I think it’s obvious that he’s not mature enough to handle that right now. Maybe going to a small school is just what the doctor ordered. Or it could also be an enabler for his issues. Jenkins will be an interesting story to watch. Can he re-habilitate himself in the eyes of the public and the NFL? If you want to watch the Florida Gators best defensive player in action then you need to head to Florence this fall.
RYAN WILLIAMS TRANSFERS TO MIAMI
Just a couple of months ago former Michigan QB Tate Forcier made the announcement that he would be transferring to Miami to compete for their starting QB job in 2012. This past week Miami announced that last years starting QB for Memphis would also be transferring to the Canes. Williams started the final 10 games of the season for the Tigers and showed some promise despite their record (165 of 290 for 2075 yds, 13 TD, 10 INT). Williams made the decision to leave Memphis when they switched from the pro style to a spread attack. Williams has all the tools to be successful at Miami where he will be eligible to compete after sitting out a year.
AND TATE FORCIER ISN’T
You win some (Ryan Williams), you lose some (Tate Forcier). Apparently, Forcier won’t be coming to Miami after all. Forcier signed with Miami in February and was planning on enrolling in June but now, just one month before hitting campus, he is citing unspecified personal reasons as his reason he will not be going to Miami. Where he will land, nobody knows. Maybe Miami lucked out in all of this by basically trading Forcier for Williams. Forcier might have a higher-upside but Williams has a pretty high up-side too and looks like he comes with less drama.
ANOTHER GATOR TRANSFERS
Just a couple of weeks ago we told you about two freshman receivers that were transferring from the Florida program. Well now we hear about yet another freshman that will be taking his talents elsewhere. RB Mike Blakely entered the Florida program early but missed all of spring practice with an injury. Now he’s come to the conclusion that he doesn’t want to play football at Florida. So that’s two true freshmen and one red-shirt freshman skill position players that are gone. It won’t really hurt Florida immediately but depth will be a concern in the near future. Plus, you have to wonder if there will be any more turnover when the newest freshmen find their way onto campus. Blakely is 5’9″, 190 and the thought is that is was more of a fit for Urban Meyer’s offense instead of Charlie Weis’. Muschamp needs to hit the recruiting road hard.
TYLER GABBERT TRANSFERRING FROM MISSOURI
Blaine Gabbert’s younger brother won’t be carrying on his name at Missouri. At the end of April, sophomore James Franklin was named the top QB on Missouri’s depth chart after out-playing red-shirt freshman Gabbert. It looks like Gabbert doesn’t want to stick around and wait behind Franklin for three years so he’s hitting the road. Maybe this is the first year I’ve noticed but it just seems like every kid that is getting beat out is getting the hell out of dodge. Injuries are a part of the game and sometimes the guy who wins the job doesn’t perform when he’s under the lights. I’m not saying that these kids should stay put in every situation but give yourself a chance. Just simply running to another school is not always the answer. On a side-note if you are interested in putting together a spreadsheet documenting all of the QB transfers so far this year then hit me up.
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