by FOXSports.com

Updated: July 3, 2008, 10:18 AM EST 710 comments

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Texas Tech sophomore wide receiver Michael Crabtree of Carter was recently named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list. Crabtree, who should receive strong Heisman Trophy consideration if he can match his numbers from last season, will likely turn pro after this year. Crabtree was tabbed as the nation's top receiver last year after setting freshman NCAA records with 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the nation in each category. -- Dallas Morning News

Vols show Fulmer the money

Phil Fulmer's deal puts him among the highest paid coaches in the league in terms of annual average salary. He will be in the middle of the SEC pack for 2008 at $2.4 million, but his $2.99 million average annual payout during the course of the contract puts him only behind Alabama's Nick Saban, Florida's Urban Meyer and LSU's Les Miles, who all average more than $3 million a year in total compensation. Fulmer, 57, who made $2.05 million last year, is in his 16th full season as the Volunteers head football coach and recently told The Tennessean he plans to lead UT for "eight to 10 years, at least." In addition to the raise, Fulmer would receive a $1 million longevity bonus in 2012 as a reward for being UT's head coach for 20 years. -- Tennessean

Richt: Stafford is Georgia's leader

For Georgia head coach Mark Richt, Matthew Stafford's biggest improvements are coming in the huddle. "You can be a quarterback by position and you are a leader, but to truly take control of the team you've got to be productive and you've got to be around a little while," Richt said during a visit to Albany last week. He added, "He's been here long enough, he's put his time in, and he's produced enough where everybody is looking to him to (be a leader) and he's ready for it." -- WPXL

Has Spurrier lost it for Gamecocks?

The grumbling Gamecocks are developing doubts as to whether Steve Spurrier has enough tricks left under that visor to pull South Carolina into college football's upper echelon. It's not a good sign when the two new basketball coaches, Darrin Horn and Dawn Staley, are receiving more positive pub than the former grid giant. -- Lexington Herald-Leader

SMU going back to "Pony Express" look

We're still waiting to see what the hiring of June Jones will mean on the field. But clearly SMU is doing everything it can to make this seem like the dawn of a new era. The latest bit of news is a uniform makeover, which should please alumni and longtime fans. Here's the press release that just arrived: The SMU football team will don new uniforms in 2008, it was announced today. SMU will return to white helmets and white pants and will have three jerseys to choose from: red, white and SMU blue. The helmet will feature a red Mustang logo, trimmed in blue, blue and red stripes and a red facemask. SMU wore white helmets during the famed "Pony Express" era and continued using the helmets until the 2003 season when the Mustangs switched to a navy helmet. -- Dallas Morning News

Texas Tech senior QB Harrell receiving preseason hype

Texas Tech senior quarterback Graham Harrell of Ennis could receive some Heisman Trophy consideration this season, especially if the Red Raiders match their high expectations and Harrell continues to put up gaudy numbers. Harrell has been receiving much preseason hype of late. He was recently named among one of 26 of the nation's top senior college quarterbacks who have made the first cut to be considered for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback. -- Dallas Morning News

Georgia's Stafford a Heisman candidate?

He beat Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. That's all Georgia Bulldog fans had to know to agree that rising junior quarterback Matthew Stafford's sophomore season was better than his freshman campaign. However, the numbers support the theory as well, and if Stafford continues to improve at the same rate, fans could hear his name in the Heisman discussion by the end of 2008. -- WFXL

Wolverines' Kevin Grady picked up on DUI charge

Michigan junior tailback Kevin Grady was arrested early Wednesday on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The arrest, which came in Wyoming, Mich., just outside of Grady's hometown of Grand Rapids, was confirmed by Wyoming district court administrator Chris Kittmann. Grady is scheduled to have a hearing the morning of July 9 on the charge. Though Grady is the state of Michigan's all-time leading high school rusher, his U-M career has not matched that standard. -- Detroit Free Press

Nebraskas recruit Williams gets probation at plea hearing

Nebraska football recruit Josh Williams received deferred adjudication probation in a plea hearing in Denton County (Texas) Court on Wednesday morning. His attorney, Greg Boling, said Williams will face no conviction, providing he completes his two years of probation. Williams must also pay a $500 fine. Williams, a defensive end who signed in February, said Wednesday he's coming to Lincoln to begin the second session of summer classes on July 14. -- Lincoln Journal Star

Vols will go with Clawson's spread offense

Rocky Top rumblings over Phil Fulmer's job status aside, Tennessee fans are anxious to gain a read on new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, who slipped into Knoxville advocating the spread offense for this season. The Vols might not be any better than last year, but they figure to be more interesting. -- Lexington Herald-Leader

Croom and Miss State have optimism for season

Miss. State coach Sylvester Croom received a deserved pay hike, and he has a young, energetic new athletic director in Greg Byrne. Starkville has reason for optimism considering last year's team managed to win eight games largely without the help of a quarterback. -- Lexington Herald-Leader

Gators working on ways to get Harvin the ball

Tim Tebow, the quarterback, has a bronze tan and a bronze trophy -- you know, that little guy called the Heisman. Meanwhile, Urban Meyer, the head coach, has a biography heading to a book store near you. And Percy Harvin is healing this summer so that the Gators can figure out a thousand more ways to get his flying feet involved in the offense this season. -- Lexington Herald-Leader

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