SEC notebook: UT could get RB Brown back

<p>HOOVER, Ala. — There's a chance disenchanted sophomore tailback Bryce Brown could return to Tennessee this season. Brown announced after last season that he planned to transfer. He has remained in classes at UT, but has not been part of the football team.</p><p> Brown is scheduled to meet with new UT coach Derek Dooley on Monday to discuss the possibility of his return.</p><p> "We'll see what happens," Dooley said at SEC Media Days on Friday.</p><p> Brown was rated the No. 1 recruit in the nation a year ago by several recruiting services. As a true freshman, he was the Vols' second-leading rusher last season with 460 yards and three touchdowns.</p><p><b>Hold that Tiger</b></p><p> In a bit of a surprise, LSU has been picked by the media to finish fourth in the Western Division this season. The Tigers are coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons after winning the national championship in 2007.</p><p> Despite the media's rather dire prediction, the Tigers are planning a revival this season.</p><p> "We're focused on being the old LSU, being victorious week after week," quarterback Jordan Jefferson said. "We have a lot of great talent. We just have to put it all together."</p><p> LSU coach Les Miles is optimistic.</p><p> "I like my team," he said. "I like us in every game. I can't wait until the fall is here."</p><p><b>Quite a comeback</b></p><p> Auburn senior safety Zac Etheridge has been cleared by AU's medical staff to play this season. Etheridge's career was in jeopardy after he sustained a serious neck injury against Ole Miss last season.</p><p> "This is a tremendously blessed young man," AU coach Gene Chizik said. "What a great kid. He's put so much into Auburn University and so much into football. He eats and drinks football. It's been a very emotional journey for him, an incredible journey.</p><p> "(His return) is great for our football team and great for him. We're excited about the prospect of having him back."</p><p><b>Big recruiting victory</b></p><p> Chizik put together one of the best recruiting classes in the SEC in 2010. One of his biggest recruiting victories was signing Travon Reed, the player of the year in the state of Louisiana.</p><p> Reed is expected to see the field early this fall, either at wide receiver or perhaps as a Wildcat quarterback.</p><p> "I know he's a very talented young man with the ball in his hands," Chizik said. "We have to go out and work with him and really see what he can do and where we can best use him. I already know when the ball is in his hands, he's a threat."</p><p><b>A Media Days first</b></p><p> Georgia punter Drew Butler made SEC Media Days history this week, becoming the first specialist ever invited to the event.</p><p> "I hope I'm representing the specialists well," said Butler, the 2009 Ray Guy Award winner. "I definitely never thought I'd be invited to this. It was a surprise to me, but I'm enjoying it."</p><p><b>Rebels in the cellar</b></p><p> After being considered a strong contender in the West a year ago, and failing to live up to all the preseason expectations, the Ole Miss Rebels have been picked by the media to finish last in the division this season.</p><p> Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, who has a reputation for doing a better coaching job when expectations are low, said he's comfortable with the media's prediction.</p><p> "I've always been under low expectations most of the time," he said. "It doesn't matter. All the polls and bowls are decided on the field. It doesn't matter where you put us. You all picked us last. Thank you. That's all right. Good. It doesn't matter."</p><p><b>A shout out for Bobby</b></p><p> Nutt opened his press conference by recognizing former Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson, who unexpectedly retired last week.</p><p> "He's one of the finest coaches in the country," Nutt said. "He has great integrity. He always seemed to have his guys ready to go. He always had a good game plan. I just really appreciated him. I got close to him over the last eight or nine years. I just think a lot of him."</p><p><b>Mascot search in Oxford</b></p><p> Nutt said he does not have a preference for what the new mascot should be at Ole Miss. Colonel Reb is being replaced this season.</p><p> "I haven't worried too much about that," he said. "We're the Ole Miss Rebels. Our students have a lot of passion. They're going to handle that. I know we're the Ole Miss Rebels, and they're going to pick a good one."</p><p> The mascots under consideration are a bear, a horse, a lion, a land shark and two Muppet characters.</p><p><b>Auburn OT back for senior season</b></p><p> Standout Auburn defensive tackle Lee Ziemba had a chance to be a possible first-round draft pick this past spring, but he turned down the NFL opportunity to return for his senior season.</p><p> "It wasn't difficult for me," he said. "I knew what I wanted to do. I had some goals I wanted to accomplish, along with the fact I hadn't had a season where there wasn't a coaching change since I've been at Auburn. I was excited to have another year with this coaching staff and with my friends that I've spent the last four years with.</p><p> "This gives me another year to become a better player and a better man."</p>