Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker became the sixth Florida recruit to enroll early, but there is some uncertainty about whether defensive tackle Quinteze Williams will be able to do so this week.

A UF official confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the NCAA Clearinghouse approved Dunker's transcript, and he should be enrolled in classes today. However, there were still some questions regarding Williams' situation, and the school is hopeful it will be resolved by the end of the week.

If Williams is unable to enroll this spring, he will join the rest of UF's signing class and enroll in the summer.

Dunker (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) played tackle at Boynton Beach, Fla./Boynton Beach High School but is expected to start his collegiate career at left guard. That's the weakest position on the offensive line heading into spring practice and Dunker could end up winning the job by the time the season begins.

Williams (6-4, 295), who played at Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek High School, was going to compete for playing time in the tackle rotation.

On Monday, five other players enrolled early: offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, defensive tackle Damien Jacobs, receiver Latroy Pittman, defensive back Willie Bailey and linebacker Antonio Morrison.

We officially said goodbye to the 2011 season Monday night and crowned the Alabama Crimson Tide as college football's new champions. Now, it's time to shift our focus to 2012. Here's to hoping the Mayans were wrong:

1. Alabama: The defense will get hit the hardest by graduation and the NFL draft, but Alabama's offense should be better. While it's almost a forgone conclusion that junior running back Trent Richardson will declare for the NFL draft, Alabama returns a veteran offensive line, has a good set of up-and-coming receivers and has some pretty talented running backs to work with, including pounder Eddie Lacy. Oh, and that quarterback ain't too bad, either.

2. LSU: The Tigers might have come up short in the big one, but it's not like LSU is going anywhere. That defense that ranked second nationally was made up by a slew of youngsters. LSU returns double-digit starters next year, including most of its front seven. A major bright spot for this team is that former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger will now get his chance, and has skill that Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee lacked.

3. Georgia: The Bulldogs might return more starters next year than LSU. After surpassing expectations and challenging LSU for the SEC title, the Bulldogs should enter next fall as the favorites in the SEC East. Stud quarterback Aaron Murray returns and so do most of his weapons. With arguably the easiest schedule (again) in the SEC, Mark Richt will be expected to take his Dawgs back to Atlanta.

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Junior college defensive tackle Visesio Salt (Walnut, Calif./Mt. San Antonio) has decommitted from Florida and switched his pledge to Utah. Salt confirmed the switch via text message Monday night.

Salt was one of two juco defensive tackle commits for the Gators. The other, Damian Jacobs (Gray, La./East Mississippi CC) has already enrolled at Florida.

In addition to Jacobs, the Gators have defensive tackle commitments from Jafar Mann (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) and Dante Phillips (Venice, Fla./Venice).

We’ve dissected this game, written about this game and analyzed this game from every angle.

The picks are in for Monday night’s Allstate BCS National Championship Game, and we have a split decision:

Edward Aschoff: Stopping LSU has proved futile for every team that has had to face the Tigers this season. From LSU’s hard-nosed running game to its ferocious defense, LSU has truly been a force to reckon with. I picked against the Tigers when these teams first met, and for good reason. Alabama had all the tools to be victor on that day. However, I was wrong and I don’t like to make the same mistake twice. LSU has proved itself too many times for me to pick against the Tigers in what will basically be a home game. This season has been too special for LSU to fall at the very end of one of the most demanding years in NCAA history. … LSU 20, Alabama 17

Chris Low: After bouncing back and forth, I’ve made my pick. It wasn’t easy even if we are in the Big Easy. In short, as good as LSU is and has been this season, Alabama is better. The Crimson Tide will be ready for the option this time on defense. They won’t bog down inside the 30 on offense, and aided by the fact that the game is being played indoors, the kickers won’t miss four field goals again. There’s no question that LSU drew the short end of the stick in having to beat Alabama again to win the national title, especially when you’re trying to beat Nick Saban three straight times. And beating Saban twice in the same season is unheard of. It will once again come down to a handful of plays, and when Alabama needs one, Trent Richardson will deliver this time. It’s too bad that one of these teams has to lose. But as I left Bourbon Street on Sunday night, the last thing I heard was “Sweet Home Alabama” blaring from one of the clubs. Revenge will indeed be sweet for the Crimson Tide. ... Alabama 21, LSU 13

Five University of Florida recruits -- including two who have a chance to play significantly in 2012 -- have enrolled early and are eligible to compete in spring practice.

Defensive tackle Damien Jacobs, offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, receiver Latroy Pittman, defensive back Willie Bailey, and linebacker Antonio Morrison were on the Gainesville campus today, the first day of the spring semester, a UF official confirmed this morning.

Humphries, a five-star recruit from Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek, and Pittman, a four-star recruit from Citra (Fla.) North Marion, are expected to compete for playing time in the fall at two of Florida's biggest positions of need. Humphries (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) is ESPNU's top-rated offensive tackle. Pittman (6-0, 195) is ESPNU's No. 16 receiver.

Four-star defensive end Jordan Jenkins will announce his college decision between 7 p.m.-8 p.m. ET today live on “The Next Class” on Fox Sports South.

Jenkins, the No. 5 defensive end and No. 61 player overall according to ESPNU, will choose between Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Auburn.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound athlete was a standout at the Under Armour All-America Game last Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla., as he totaled eight tackles, including two sacks.

Florida is recruiting Jenkins to play its Buck position. The Buck is a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position that Ronald Powell played this past season.