The Hurry Up, Jan. 12: College Football Headlines For Thursday

Could Brian VanGorder Hire Sway Leonard Williams To Auburn?

Leonard Williams is one of the fastest rising recruits in the country. Where will he commit?

Stefon Diggs Waiting Until After Signing Day To Commit?

Stefon Diggs is one of the nation's fastest recruits, but he's been slow to narrow his list of prospective schools.

NFL Draft 2012: Rueben Randle Also Leaving LSU, According To Reports

According to multiple reports, Rueben Randle will become the next player to leave LSU for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Mo Claiborne, Michael Brockers Leaving LSU For 2012 NFL Draft

As expected, LSU Tigers cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive lineman Michael Brockers are leaving Baton Rouge for the big time. The pair announced at a Thursday afternoon press conference that they're entering the 2012 NFL Draft.

Claiborne is expected to be a top-10 pick and could go in the top five, while Brockers said he's been told he could go as high as the end of the first round himself. Our own Mocking the Draft served up a Michael Brockers scouting report just before the announcement came out:

In the 2012 NFL Draft, few players carry as much potential and upside as Brockers, a redshirt sophomore. On a loaded LSU defensive line, Brockers routinely stood out and should transition well to the NFL. At 6-foot-6, Brockers has an impressive frame with a lot of room to grow. Because of his relative inexperience (one season as a full-time starter), he'll need to get drafted on a team that can rotate him in while he develops.

For more on Claiborne and Brockers, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook. For more on the NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft.

LSU Wide Receiving Corps Not The Happiest Place In The World

NFL Draft 2012: Dont'a Hightower Also Leaving Alabama Early

Shortly after Alabama Crimson Tide stars Trent Richardson and Dre Kirkpatrick announced their declarations for the 2012 NFL Draft at an afternoon press conference, linebacker Dont'a Hightower decided to do the same, reports Chase Goodbread.

SBNation.com's most recent 2012 mock draft has him filling a big hole for the Philadelphia Eagles with their No. 15 pick (not to mention kicking off a run of three straight Alabama players, not including likely first-rounders Richardson and Kirkpatrick):

I'm still amazed that the Eagles could do what they did in free agency last year and completely ignore a gaping hole at linebacker. With Hightower they get a beast who can prevent opponents from continually racking up 150 rushing yards every week.

Hightower led one of the all-time best defenses in tackles, finished second on the team in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries, and added four sacks.

For more on the Tide, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll. For more NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft.

Trent Richardson, Dre Kirkpatrick Declare For 2012 NFL Draft

As expected, Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson and defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick are leaving school early to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. Both expressed bittersweet emotions about leaving Alabama. Said Richardson on what he and his contemporaries have accomplished in Tuscaloosa:

To have two national championships in three years is pretty big. To only lose four games since we've been here is big.

Richardson is considered a solid first-rounder, which has otherwise been becoming something of a rarity for modern running backs. Kirkpatrick is also expected to go in the first round. In SBNation.com's latest 2012 mock draft, Kirkpatrick went No. 11 to the Seattle Seahawks and Richardson went No. 21 to the Cincinnati Bengals, along with a host of other Bama players going all over the place.

Coach Nick Saban said both players are committed to returning at some point to finish up their degrees. Richardson has previously said he was torn due to how close he was to graduating.

For more on the Tide, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll. For more NFL Draft, visit Mocking the Draft.

Florida's Jeff Demps Won't Enter 2012 NFL Draft, Opts To Pursue Track

Florida Gators speedster Jeff Demps will forgo the 2012 NFL Draft in pursuit of his track career. The diminutive back racked up 569 yards rushing and six touchdowns this season.

Kevin Steele Out As Clemson Defensive Coordinator, According To Reports

Kevin Steele is reportedly out as Clemson's defensive coordinator.

Mississippi State Charging Spring Game Attendees For Sugarland Concert

Tennessee Football Program May Actually Be Evaporating

NFL Draft 2012: Morris Claiborne, Michael Brockers Likely Declaring Thursday

Top cornerback Mo Claiborne, along with athletic defensive lineman Michael Brockers, are likely to enter the 2012 NFL Draft.

Alabama Turning To Brian Schottenheimer, Doug Nussmeier, According To Reports

The Alabama Crimson Tide need an offensive coordinator to replace Jim McElwain, who headed from New Orleans to begin his new full-time gig as Colorado St. Rams head coach. Boise St. Broncos OC Brent Pease was believed to be the top candidate, but the Florida Gators scooped him up first. This happens when you don't leave yourself free time on a Monday night.

Among the reported candidates as of late was Jacksonville Jaguars OC and former Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter. Another NFL name joins the list: former New York Jets coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who's also a rumored Atlanta Falcons target. He was the Jets OC from 2006 to 2011, announcing he wouldn't be back for 2012 amid concerns about Mark Sanchez' long-term viability.

Another name, according to Mark Schlabach: Doug Nussmeier of the Washington Huskies. Which brings us to an interesting dichotomy in our list of candidates.

Koetter and Schottenheimer aren't known as revolutionary offensive minds, while Nussmeier and Pease have operated very un-Bama operations out there on the West Coast.

For more on the parties involved, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, Washington blog UW Dawg Pound and Jets blog Gang Green Nation.

LSU Recruit Patrick Miller Enrolls At Auburn Weeks Before Signing Day

Tiger-on-Tiger recruiting theft in the SEC, as Auburn plunders LSU for Patrick Miller.

Evan Boehm Swung Back To Missouri By Family Values

Auburn was 14 hours away from home, which was too many for Evan Boehm's liking.

NFL Draft 2012: Trent Richardson, Other Alabama Players Expected To Announce Thursday

Trent Richardson and some top Tide defenders are expected to announce their NFL Draft decisions at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

The Hurry Up, Jan. 12: College Football Headlines For Thursday

College football without Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson? What's the point? Elsewhere, coordinators are hired like wild, reunions are made, and Ohio State steps in it a time or two.