SEC expecting record turnout for media days

COMING THIS WEEK• In addition to daily coverage in the sports section this week, get real-time coverage from the SEC media days at Hoover, Ala., at timesfreepress.com. Plus listen to Sports Editor Jay Greeson and SEC beat writer David Paschall interview some of the biggest names from college football's best conference on "Press Row" daily 3-6 p.m. on ESPN 105.1 FM and on timesfreepress.com.

THE GUEST LISTThe three player representatives from each school this week at SEC media days:Alabama• S Landon Collins• WR Amari Cooper• WR Christion JonesArkansas• OG Brey Cook• S Trey Flowers• DB Alan TurnerAuburn• QB Nick Marshall• C Reese Dismukes• DL Gabe WrightFlorida• QB Jeff Driskel• DE Dante Fowler• CB Vernon Hargreaves IIIGeorgia• FL Chris Conley• TB Todd Gurley• LB Ramik WilsonKentucky• DE Bud Dupree• OT Jordan Swindle• DE Za'Darius SmithLSU• OT La'el Collins• TB Terrence Magee• LB D.J. WelterOle Miss• DE CJ Johnson• S Cody Prewitt• QB Bo WallaceMississippi State• S Jay Hughes• LB Benardrick McKinney• QB Dak PrescottMissouri• C Evan Boehm• DE Markus Golden• QB Maty MaukSouth Carolina• OG A.J. Cann• DT J.T. Surratt• QB Dylan ThompsonTennessee• OL Mack Crowder• LB AJ Johnson• DE Curt MaggittTexas A&M• CB Deshazor Everett• P Drew Kaser• OT Cedric OgbuehiVanderbilt• DL Adam Butler• TE Steven Scheu• S Andrew Williamson

photo Alabama coach Nick Saban

There were countless images last summer of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel trying to navigate his way through hundreds of reporters at the Southeastern Conference's annual football media days event.

Manziel, who was hounded repeatedly about his early departure from the Manning Passing Academy, is no longer in the SEC. The reporters will be back at media days, however, and in even greater number.

"We're probably looking at the most preregistered media that we've had, but we don't have any final numbers," SEC associate director of media relations Chuck Dunlap said this past week. "Last year we had 1,239 people credentialed, which included the players, coaches and corporate sponsors. I would think that when we're done on Thursday, this year will top that."

No player had commanded so much attention as Manziel at the SEC's July extravaganza, which runs Monday through Thursday in Hoover, Ala. Tennessee second-year coach Butch Jones will be at the podium Tuesday afternoon, with Georgia's Mark Richt scheduled for Thursday morning and Alabama's Nick Saban for Thursday afternoon.

Alabama is expected to be picked as the conference favorite, a topic Saban often loathes addressing, and the four-time national championship coach likely will continue having to discuss the hiring of Lane Kiffin as his offensive coordinator.

"Lane did a fantastic job with our staff and with our players," Saban said after spring practice. "Both parties have a lot of respect for his knowledge and enthusiasm and experience. Any time you make a change, people have to make some adjustments, and we tried to keep some of the things we were doing while allowing Lane to do some of the things that he wants to do.

"I think everyone has bought into that and that it's working out really, really well. He's a great asset to our staff in terms of his knowledge and experience, and it's been great for me, too, to have a guy who's been a head coach before and had some of the issues and problems that we have."

Media days will open with conference commissioner Mike Slive, who is certain to provide updates on the SEC Network as well as where the league stands in the NCAA allowing new governance for the power five conferences.

Slive will be followed by Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who led the Tigers to the SEC championship in his first season. The Tigers had dramatic down-the-stretch victories over Georgia and Alabama and will be hard-pressed to match their 12-win total with a schedule that contains Alabama, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Kansas State and Mississippi State.

Auburn opens its title defense Aug. 30 against visiting Arkansas, the first time the Tigers have commenced with a league foe since 1995.

"We do have a veteran team, and any time you open up a season with a conference game, you want a veteran team," Malzahn said. "And we're playing at home, so I'm hoping those two factors will help."

Quarterback Nick Marshall is scheduled to be one of Auburn's three player representatives at media days, but the senior was cited Friday in Reynolds, Ga., for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Malzahn issued a statement expressing his disappointment in Marshall, who was not arrested, adding that he would handle the incident accordingly.

As of Saturday evening, there had been no word as to whether Marshall still would be representing the Tigers this week in Hoover.

Also taking the podium Monday will be Florida's Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt's Derek Mason. Muschamp is under a lot of pressure after the Gators bottomed out last year with a 4-8 record, while Mason is the only new head coach in the league.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

photo Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn

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