Friday Links: Could Russell Wilson Land At South Carolina?

Russell Wilson has become a hot name on message boards across the land as college football fans from the southeast to the mid-west try to figure out where this former N.C. State quarterback will land next season.

Wilson did big things for the Wolfpack in 2010, nearly leading them to an ACC Championship before falling short in the final week, but his need to be a two-sport man has tired head coach Tom O'Brien and forced him to go in a different direction for the betterment of his team—not sure how you get much better than Russell Wilson (308/526 for 3,546 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. 144 carries for 422 yards and 9 touchdowns*) but whatevs—so Wilson is saddled with the decision of where he will play next year.

Since he has already completed his coursework at N.C. State, he is free to transfer—according to NCAA transfer rules—to any school he pleases so long as he enrolls as their graduate program offers studies in something N.C. State does not (see Jeremiah Masoli).

So, now, every SEC team in need of a veteran quarterback, with the skill-set of Wilson, is chomping at the bit to see if they can be the chosen one. Auburn has been a hot name in the fray, as has Ole Miss, but Olin Buchanan (senior writer for Rivals.com) seems to feel that South Carolina is the best fit for Wilson given "proximity and opportunity". 

It does make sense to place Wilson as a Gamecock given how much talent they return and Spurrier's current quarterback troubles, but if South Carolina is where he wants to be (keep in mind Wilson is from Virginia), then he could just as easily land in Clemson. Better still, doesn't Penn State need a quarterback?

At this point no one knows where Wilson will land but it certainly is interesting to see a guy who no one gave two-cents about four-years ago, suddenly become one of the hottest commodities in college football—oh and did I mention he was a 2* prospect out of high school?

It just goes to show you, it's all about coaching and development. 

2. A deaf college football fan is suing the University of Kentucky for not offering closed-captioning on their scoreboard.

3. Brad Nessler used his noggin and left E$PN for a network that actually knows something about football.

4. Russell Wilson to the Pac-10?

5. Gus Malzahn explains why Cam Newton will be a success at the pro level—that sure would make Gus look like a genius if he did, wouldn't it?

6. Big Ten Commisioner, Jim Delany, isn't worried about Nebraska fitting into the conference come July 1.

7. I guess Boise State isn't used to cheating.

8. Some intellectuals at the University of Massachusetts are a bit peeved about a plan to move football into Division I FCS—one called the move a "profoundly stupid" idea.

9. New Florida coach, Will Muschamp, is making big money to make big things happen in Gainesville.

10. Knowshon Moreno could see a lot more touches this season.

Related articles

• Stunner: Russell Wilson given release by N.C. State (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Russell Wilson's potential dance partners (blutarsky.wordpress.com)
• '95-percent' certainty Russell Wilson plays in '11 (collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

*Stats offered courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Tuesday Afternoon Tea: Just a Few Links For Your Drink

Now that Clemson's starting quarterback might decide to bolt for an MLB paycheck—people are suddenly interested in what Tajh Boyd will do in his stead. Here's a good guess, in a year or so, people may forget who Kyle Parker was in the first place because, honestly, most of Clemson is already saying "bye, bye" to his services. Boyd is going to be very good for Clemson.

It's funny to me that Notre Dame is still being given this much credit. Here's the thing, people, Notre Dame can get paid big dollars without extending a branch to any other conference—why would they want to save the hides of any one?

Yawn...The Gators are still making the rest of SEC sports play second-fiddle; it'll be nice when that streak ends. 

If the Pac-10 does actually expand, somebody send the State of Texas a memo to remind them that: Baylor Sux...just a suggestion.


Bill King sheds a little light on Georgia's recent run of "bad publicity".

Clemson won't be the only ACC team looking for another quarterback this coming season. N.C. State may be saying "so long" to Russell Wilson as he, potentially, also will join the Colorado Rockies roster.

And, staying with MLB for a touch longer, the Texas Rangers nabbed Georgia Diamond Dawg pitcher, Justin Grimm, in the fifth-round.

Paul Finebaum has turned his venomous attention towards the Cock's and Hogs of South Carolina and Arkansas, respectively.