Ohio State defensive lineman suspended after solicitation charges
Defensive tackle isn’t considered a sexy position, but there are quite a few attractive defensive linemen in the 2016 draft. No matter the scheme – 4-3 or 3-4 – there’s someone that can help most NFL teams, and talents like Ohio State’s Adolphus Washington (pictured), Temple’s Matt Ioannidis, Mississippi State’s Chris Jones and Baylor’s Shawn Oakman (who has some legal troubles) will be available in the later rounds. But expect a run on defense ends early, especially for the talents like Florida’s Jonathan Bullard, who aren’t viewed as hybrid linebackers.
Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer suspended defensive lineman Adolphus Washington from the Fiesta Bowl after Washington was cited by police this week for solicitation. ... The Buckeyes also hired Greg Schiano, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Rutgers coach, as co-defensive coordinator. Schiano, 49, had been out of coaching the last two seasons since being fired by Tampa Bay.
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Georgia Southern’s Willie Fritz has reached an agreement to become Tulane’s next football coach, according to a person briefed on the decision who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because an announcement won’t be made until the contract is signed. The announcement is expected by Saturday. Fritz will succeed Curtis Johnson, who was fired Nov. 28 after his second straight 3-9 season.
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Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops announced that he has issued backup quarterback Trevor Knight a full release, which allows him to transfer. Knight was the Sugar Bowl most valuable player after the 2013 season but was inconsistent this year before suffering a neck injury late in the season.
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Alabama hired Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator after he served in that role at Georgia and Florida State. Pruitt replaces Kirby Smart, who became coach of Georgia.
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Arizona State hired Southern Miss offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey to handle the same positions on Coach Todd Graham’s staff. Lindsey replaces Mike Norvell, who became the Memphis coach last week.
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Missouri football Coach Barry Odom will make $2.35 million annually in a five-year contract approved by the Missouri System Board of Curators.
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Seven months after toughening penalties for schools whose fans rush onto the field of play, the Big 12 Conference said it will not discipline Iowa State after students stormed the court following a basketball game. The scene left a newspaper columnist with a broken leg.
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