Ex-Clemson QB headed to Missouri
USC stays mum on hiring Kingsbury despite reports
CLEMSON, S.C. — Former Clemson starting quarterback Kelly Bryant says he’ll play his final season at Missouri.
Bryant released a video on social media that ended with a player in a Missouri uniform and fans chanting “M-I-Z” for its nickname “Mizzou.”
Bryant had visited several schools after he announced his transfer from Clemson because he was demoted as starting quarterback behind freshman Trevor Lawrence. Others he met with included Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State and North Carolina.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bryant helped Clemson win an Atlantic Coast Conference title and reach the College Football Playoff in 2017. He started the first four games for Clemson this season before Lawrence took the starting job. Bryant was 16-2 as Clemson’s starter. He threw for 3,263 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions the last two seasons.
USC: It appears USC coach Clay Helton’s plan to improve his program includes bringing on one of the best offensive minds in college football as his offensive coordinator.
Multiple reports Thursday said USC has agreed to a deal in principle with former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury to lead the Trojans’ underachieving offense. On Tuesday, after a weekend of quiet on the USC front and speculation that Kingsbury was reviewing NFL options as well, more reports surfaced saying his move to USC was now a done deal.
A USC spokesman said Tuesday morning that there was no announcement to be made about the coaching staff.
NFL DRAFT: Mississippi receiver A.J. Brown has announced that he will skip his senior season and enter this spring’s NFL draft.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Brown had a stellar three-year career for the Rebels, and was named an AP All-Southeastern Conference selection this season after catching 85 passes for 1,320 yards and six touchdowns. He is the school’s all-time leading receiver with 189 career receptions for 2,984 yards and 19 touchdowns.
… Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
The junior announced his decision Tuesday but plans to stay for the Tigers’ Music City Bowl matchup with Purdue on Dec. 28.
… North Carolina receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams says he’s skipping his final season to pursue an NFL career.
The junior tweeted his decision Tuesday, saying he is declaring for next spring’s draft after meeting with his family.
KENTUCKY STATE: Veteran football coach John L. Smith has been fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Kevin Weston on an interim basis.
Smith, who previously coached Division I programs at Louisville, Michigan State and Arkansas, was 7-25 in three seasons with the Division II Thorobreds. KSU was 0-10 this season.