Associated Press
CORAL GABLES, Fla. ó Miami backup quarterbacks Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith both announced plans to transfer Tuesday, a surprising pair of moves that suddenly leave the Hurricanes lacking depth at the marquee position.
Miami will list freshman A.J. Highsmith as the backup to starter Jacory Harris for the Sept. 7 season-opener at Florida State. Besides Harris, the only other player on Miami’s roster with any college quarterback experience is holder Matt Perrelli, who saw time in one game during the 2006 season.
Miami coach Randy Shannon said he was surprised by both decisions.
“It was kind of strange, to me,” Shannon said. “Both guys came in and they felt like, given the situation and what we had, it was better for them to go pursue other options.”
Fall semester classes start Wednesday at Miami. By leaving Tuesday, Cook and Smith likely will not lose a year of NCAA eligibility. Both will try to enroll elsewhere closer to their homes ó Cook is from Texas, Smith from Tennessee.
Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ó Tennessee center Josh McNeil will undergo knee surgery and miss some playing time. The senior will have his already surgically repair knee scoped this morning to determine if there is further damage to it.
SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó South Carolina defensive coach Ellis Johnson says he expects suspended defensive end Clifton Geathers to miss the Gamecocks opener at N.C. State.
Geathers was arrested Sunday by Columbia police and charged with public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for his role in a fight. Geathers’ booking photo showed his right eye swollen shut and a bandage just underneath.