ALABAMA QB AMONG THOSE LEAVING FOR NFL
Four stars from Alabama’s national championship team, including Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Mac Jones, are leaving early to enter the NFL draft.
Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive lineman Christian Barmore announced their intentions to leave on Thursday — all are considered potential first-round picks.
Jones arrived as a skinny recruit along with much more heralded prospect Tua Tagovailoa, a No. 5 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins last season. Both played behind young quarterback Jalen Hurts, now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s just been a great journey,” said Jones, who finished third in the Heisman voting.
There also are several Alabama seniors considered first-round picks, including Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith, All-America tailback Najee Harris and Outland Trophy winner left tackle Alex Leatherwood.
Notable
Manny Diaz decided someone else needed to call Miami’s defensive plays. He chose himself.
The Hurricanes’ head coach — and former defensive coordinator — will call the plays on that side of the football in 2021, he said Thursday, while announcing a slew of other changes including the return of Jess Simpson to coach defensive line. Simpson had that role at Miami in 2018 before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons; after two NFL seasons, he returns to Coral Gables.
Blake Baker will remain as defensive coordinator, though Diaz will assume the bigger role for games.
Diaz also has promoted former Miami standout and NFL veteran DeMarcus Van Dyke to cornerbacks coach. He was on Diaz’s staff the last two years as the Hurricanes’ assistant director of recruiting.
Duke head coach David Cutcliffe is giving up play-calling duties amid multiple changes in responsibilities for the Blue Devils coaching staff following a two-win season. The school said Jeff Faris would shift from coaching tight ends to quarterbacks while taking over as primary in-game play-caller.
Florida officially welcomed former Auburn defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk to the program, a little more than a week after landing ex-Penn State defensive tackle Antonio Shelton.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea has added four people to his coaching staff, a group including Justin Lustig from Syracuse as his assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.