‘Good spring’ leaves Ryan Finley as Boise State QB front-runner

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The same weekend a former Boise State quarterback great was feted, the future of the position gained some additional clarity as well.

Prior to Saturday’s spring game, Kellen Moore, the football program’s all-time passing leader and winner of 50 games in a career that ended in 2011, was honored by the Broncos during a pregame ceremony.  Shortly thereafter, the quarterback competition to replace Grant Hedrick continued, with Ryan Finley once again reaffirming to most observers that he will enter the summer as the front-runner for the job — even as his coaches will wait until the first couple of weeks of summer camp before officially anointing anyone.

“He’s done well,” head coach Bryan Harsin said according to the Idaho Press-Tribune. “He’s put himself in a position to have the most experience out of those guys. He was the guy ready to play had Grant (Hendrick) gone down last year. He’s improved, and he’s taken advantage of that.”

He’s had a good spring,” offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz added. “This competition is open, and this competition is going to stay open until coach Harsin says it’s no longer open. But the reality is he’s had a good spring.”

In addition to the redshirt sophomore Finley, the open competition includes redshirt sophomore Tommy Stuart, true freshman Brett Rypien and redshirt freshman Alex Ogle. None of those three players have attempted a pass at the collegiate level.

As Hedrick’s primary backup in 2014, Finley completed 12-of-27 passes for 161 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

South Carolina gives AD Tanner raise, two-year extension

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner received a two-year contract extension that ties him to the school through June 2026.

Tanner, 64, is a two-time College World Series champion as the Gamecocks’ baseball coach who moved to leading the athletic department in July 2012.

The new deal was approved by the school’s board of trustees Friday and replaces Tanner’s old agreement that was set to expire in June 2024. Tanner will receive a raise of more than $153,000 per season, increasing his total compensation to $1.175 million.

Tanner has had his ups and downs leading the department. He took over when football coach Steve Spurrier was in the middle of three straight 11-2 seasons with players like defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney and receiver Alshon Jeffrey.

Tanner’s hire to replace Spurrier, Will Muschamp, lasted less than five seasons before he was let go in the middle of 2020. Muschamp’s replacement, current coach Shane Beamer, has had back-to-back winning seasons and been to a bowl game his first two yeas.

Tanner has also overseen the rise of women’s basketball under coach Dawn Staley, who signed a seven-year contract before the 2021-22 season worth $22.4 million. Staley and the Gamecocks won the national title last April and are favorites to repeat this season.

Michigan RB Blake Corum says he’ll be back by fall camp

Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan All-America running back Blake Corum said his surgically repaired left knee has gotten strong enough that he’s been cleared to run on an anti-gravity treadmill next week.

Corum said that he is “100%” sure he will play in the season-opening game on Sept. 2 against East Carolina

Corum tore a meniscus and sprained a ligament in his left knee against Illinois on Nov. 19. After playing sparingly against Ohio State, he sat out when the Wolverines won the Big Ten title and advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Instead of entering the NFL draft, Corum decided to stay in school for his senior year.

“Feeling great all-around mentally, physically spiritually,” Corum told The Associated Press.

The 5-foot-8, 210-pound Corum ran for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and had 952 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021.

“I’ll be back definitely by fall camp,” he said. “I plan on doing everything in the summer workouts, depending on on what doctor says. He told me I shouldn’t be cutting until maybe June. I’m taking my time, but I will be ready by the season.”

Corum will be watching when his teammates face each each other in the Maize and Blue spring game on April 1 at Michigan Stadium.