Around the SEC ---- from the Memphis Commercial Appeal and other area newspapers: 1. Oxford, MS – John Thompson former defensive coordinator at Southern Miss, University of Memphis, (almost LSU), Arkansas, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State, could be the next assistant coach hired at Ole Miss. It was announced last Thursday that Thompson had spoken with Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron about a position on the Rebels' staff. Thompson, 51, is the Thompson, 51, is the athletic director at Central Arkansas - his alma mater. 2. Alabama – Saban hires new assistants -- former Auburn tight end Ron Middleton (tight ends and assistant special teams coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also coached from 1999-2003 as an assistant at Ole Miss under former Rebels coach David Cutcliff) -- former Tennessee assistant Steve Marshall -- Bo Davis who was an assistant strength coach at LSU under Saban and is a former All-SEC defensive lineman for the Tigers and who most recently served as the Miami Dolphins assistant strength coach under Saban -- former University of Texas quarterback Major Applewhite, Rice's offensive coordinator this past season and who is expected to coach quarterbacks and could share play calling duties with recently hired Joe Pendry. 3. Ahmad Paige, a Super Southern 100 wide receiver from Sterlington, LA is in Tallahassee this weekend at Florida State who has offeded.. Then it’s off to Florida and Southern Cal who have also offered. 4. Lee Ziemba, a top-five offensive tackle from Rogers, Ark., is at Auburn this weekend. The Super Southern 100 star will choose between the Tigers and Arkansas, which he visited last month. 5. Norman, Okla., cornerback Ryan Broyles (no. 11 ranked cornerback by Rivals) has eliminated Tennessee and narrowed his list of finalists to Arkansas and Oklahoma State.
