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South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders hasn't said much since speaking with the NCAA in July. And he didn't get the chance to talk after the Gamecocks' opening practice.
Saunders was on the field with his teammates Tuesday night, even hauling in a nice over-the-shoulder catch that brought applause from the 300 or so fans who turned out for South Carolina's first workout.
Saunders was not cleared to speak to the media after the session and could not take questions about the NCAA probe.
"You guys know as much as we do about all that," Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said following the two-hour workout.
Spurrier identified Saunders, the 6-foot-6 senior, as the Gamecock player interviewed by NCAA investigators looking into possible rules violations at a party on Miami's South Beach in May.
Spurrier has said Saunders told the coach he'd done nothing wrong.
Spurrier was pleased with Saunders' offseason work habits. "Weslye's actually in the best shape he's ever been in," the coach said.
Saunders status this season is uncertain as South Carolina's athletic compliance office awaits results of the NCAA's inquiry.
If Saunders is eligible, he'd be a big reason for optimism for the Gamecocks' offense, which was ninth overall in the Southeastern Conference at 347 yards a game.
Georgia: As an analyst for Southeastern Conference football, Matt Stinchcomb spends his fall offering opinions.
When the subject is Georgia and how its 2010 offensive line might stack up with others under Mark Richt, that's right in the former Bulldogs All-America offensive tackle's wheelhouse.
"I think it's definitely the best O-line since '02," said Stinchcomb, who works on the SEC's syndicated Saturday football studio show.
"You start looking at these guys they have up front and where they are, these guys are battle tested and that's what you had with this '02 line, as well, in coach Richt's second season."
The current group has a combined 127 career starts from senior tackles Clint Boling and Josh Davis, senior guard Chris Davis and juniors Ben Jones, a center, and Cordy Glenn, a guard.
Boling, Glenn and Jones started as true freshmen.
The '02 team won Georgia's first SEC title in 20 years, won the Sugar Bowl and finished 13-1.
Tennessee: Two Volunteers players are ineligible for the upcoming season, and the team is awaiting word on the status of four more.
Coach Derek Dooley said Tuesday the NCAA has ruled defensive back Dave Clark, of Baton Rouge, La., ineligible. Defensive tackle Chase Nelson was declared academically ineligible at the end of the spring semester and is no longer on the team.
Defensive back Eddrick Loften, defensive lineman John Brown, linebacker Martaze Jackson and athlete Marcques Dixon have not been cleared by the NCAA. Dooley says he hopes to have final word on their eligibility within the next week.
The Vols begin fall camp today.
Auburn: The Tigers go into fall camp with more depth and plenty of familiarity with the coaches.
The Tigers formally report today ahead of the first practice Thursday evening. They have plenty of newcomers with chances to play, led by tailback Michael Dyer.
Guard Byron Isom says he doesn't think lack of depth will be a big issue for this team.
Auburn is approaching the full allotment of 85 scholarship players.
Safeties Aairon Savage, Mike McNeil and Zac Etheridge are all returning from serious injuries.
