Heisman front-runner takes on Tigers: Cam Newton has led Auburn to a 7-0 start, and the quarterback has become a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. But Newton tells ESPN’s Mark Schlabach he wishes he were still at Florida. Newton signed with Florida out of high school in 2007 and was groomed as Tim Tebow’s replacement. But he ended up leaving the school in 2009 after he was charged with possession of a stolen computer. Although the charges were dropped, Newton headed to a Texas junior college after he fell behind John Brantley III on the Gators’ depth chart. “My heart is still at Florida because of the long-lasting relationships I have with my teammates there. Leaving them was the hardest part,” he says. His year in Texas helped him mature, he says, and he has flourished playing with the Auburn Tigers. Read the profile here.
Rebound: Jarrett Lee has established himself as LSU’s passing quarterback, says ESPN’s Chris Low. That’s a comeback for Lee, who threw 16 interceptions in 2008, seven of which were returned for touchdowns. The problem is, Lee wasn’t ready to be an SEC quarterback, having been thrown into the job after Ryan Perrilloux was kicked off the team. “It was one of the worst things you can go through,” Lee told ESPN. “But it made me a better player and a better person. I don’t regret it at all. You’re going to have things happen to you in life, and it’s how you bounce back that matters.” Lee has been successful moving the Tigers this season, and he should get ample playing time against an Auburn team that hasn’t been able to stop the pass. Read the story here. LSU travels to Auburn Saturday afternoon to take on the other Tigers in a game that will be televised by CBS. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Online sports books have Auburn as a six-point favorite.
Hoop dreams: Representatives of the LSU men’s and women’s basketball teams are in Hoover, Ala., for the SEC Tipoff 2011, the basketball media days. LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson is appearing along with Malcolm White, a forward who will make his debut with the Tigers this season after transferring from Ole Miss. LSU women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor will be accompanied by Katherine Graham, the captain of the Lady Tigers. The Lady Tigers tip off their season Nov. 8 against Delta State, while the Tigers hit the hardwood four days later against Northwestern State.
Top of their class: Doug Williams and Mel Blount are two of this year’s inductees into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Williams, a native of Zachary who went to Grambling, was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII when he was quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Williams later went on to coach Grambling, replacing the legendary Eddie Robertson. Blount, who went to Southern, was a six-time All Pro defensive back with the great Pittsburgh Steelers teams of the 1970s. Blount is considered to be one of the best defensive backs in NFL history. Other inductees include Bob Hayes, a Florida A&M receiver who won an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meter dash and starred with the Dallas Cowboys; and Art Shell of Maryland-Eastern Shore, who was an anchor of the Oakland Raiders offensive line from 1968-1982. The induction ceremony will be held in February in Atlanta.
