Needing to test something with the story editor anyway, I thought I'd might as well do so by sharing with y'all the compilation of links from around SB Nation's Big 12, Big East, Pac 10 and Non-BCS blogs that I send out to various network partners.

Questions for the comments: (1) Should I post these links more regularly?  (2) Any thoughts on the cosmetic tweaks to the site design?

NON-BCS

* BCS Evolution offers his weekly "If I Were King" feature, highlighting the upcoming playoff scenario under his proposed post-season.

* Block U weighs in on critics who claim Utah has just been lucky on the football field this year.

* (HOOPS)  Blogging the Bracket previews the Big 10 conference, the MEAC Conference, the Big West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, the Horizon League, the Atlantic Sun Conference, the Ivy League, the Big South, the Summit League, and the America East Conference.

* How to break down the Louisiana Tech roster? With anagrams, that's how.

* (HOOPS)  The Bulldogs' freshmen looked great in Gonzaga's exhibition win over Alberta.

BIG 12

* (HOOPS)  Big 12 Hoops compares the college and NBA games and explains his preference for the non-paid version.

* (HOOPS)  Blogging the Bracket previews the Big 12 basketball season.

* Rock Chalk Talk brings a detailed analysis of the upcoming Kansas vs Kansas State match up.

* (HOOPS)  Rock Chalk Talk gets fans ready for No. 1 ranked Jayhawks basketball.

* (HOOPS)  Bring on the Cats thoroughly breaks down conference rival Colorado.

* (HOOPS)  Rock M Nation takes a look at what be a breakthrough recruiting class for head coach Mike Anderson.

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More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

Vince Young says he's in the best shape of his life. Updates on how he's doing in Titans camp after the jump.

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Is Texas thin at tailback? Previewing the Longhorns, Chuck Carlton at the Dallas Morning News curiously fills in the "Team is thin at" blank with tight end and... tailback?

The Longhorns aren't necessarily thin at running back. They have plenty of possibilities in all shapes, sizes and styles, ranging from bulldozing Cody Johnson to multi-gear breakaway threat Fozzy Whittaker to tenacious Vondrell McGee. Yet none has been able to claim the position so far.

Elsewhere, the Rock of Love tour bus is thin on crazy because none of the strippers have OD'd on heroin.

Mostly, Carlton's choice is just a limitation of Form Previewing (although UT's legitimately thin at defensive tackle, which could have been mentioned), but I really point this out because he's hardly the only one making the claim; on no fewer than three radio interviews this past month, the host has asked me how the Longhorns intend to rush the ball with Christopher Reeve at tailback.

Once and for all, then: Texas is not lacking in quality running backs. It lacked a quality running attack last season, but that's not the same thing. Not only do I like what Cody Johnson, Fozzy Whittaker, and Vondrell McGee each bring to the table, but the diversity in talent actually gives Greg Davis a better opportunity to put together a competent running game. Whether he succeeds or fails in that regard will depend on a number of factors... but it won't be because Texas lacks quality players to carry the ball.

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Franklin still torn over decision. Marshall linebacker Aaron Franklin almost made his decision without ever being able to sit down with Mack Brown and company and tour the Texas campus. Almost. After a last-minute change of heart on taking a trip to Austin in an effort to give the Texas coaches a fair chance ($), Franklin got a ride to campus from his high school principal, a UT graduate no doubt intent on helping his alma mater.

Since the Longhorns didn't begin recruiting Franklin until they saw him work out at the first summer camp in June, Franklin never received the normal treatment for a coveted recruit -- an invite to at least one of the Junior Days and a chance to see the spring game. Coaches are not supposed to talk recruiting at the summer camps, so Franklin never toured the campus and never spoke directly with Brown, Will Muschamp, and the rest of the support staff. Needless to say, that all finally had a chance to happen ($) on Friday, as Franklin also spoke with several Longhorns from the east Texas area and spoke with Ken Rucker and his wife (among others), who recruited the area for many years at Texas.

Franklin's comment about giving the Texas coaches a fair chance makes it sound like he was ready to become a Sooner, but, combined with his childhood love for the Longhorns, this trip undoubtedly made up a lot of ground for Texas. There's no leader at this point, said Franklin after returning home, but the depth chart should help the 'Horns as well: Oklahoma took four linebackers in the 2009 class and Texas only took two. Furthermore, the Longhorns are losing all three starting linebackers (including Sergio Kindle) after the 2009 season, providing plenty of opportunities for young ilnebackers to get quality early playing time. Though Franklin is still far from a lock to become a Longhorn, the likelihood is now much, much higher than it was on Wednesday night.

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Nelson picks the Aggies. Two days ago, Skyline linebacker Corey Nelson confirmed what many had anticipated for some time -- that the Longhorns had little chance with the rangy linebacker, as Nelson chose to become an Aggie ($). Rated as the no. 3 outside linebacker by Rivals, Nelson has a combination of sideline-to-sideline speed and striking ability that is highly valued in these days of the spread offense. If there is one criticism of Nelson it's that he doesn't have prototypical linebacker size at this time and looks more like a safety. However, with another year of development and a scheme that keeps him from having to fill gaps and take on offensive lineman in the hole, Nelson should be able to contribute early and often.

Though the Longhorns do have a Skyline alumnus on the roster (Christian Scott), it has been an extremely difficult school for Texas to recruit for the past several years, with some speculation that members of the coaching staff don't particularly care for the state's flagship program. While the coaching staff may not have impacted Nelson's decision at all, things started off poorly for the Longhorns in the recruitment of Nelson when he was spotted in Norman throwing the "horns down" gesture. He later played it off as being caught up in the moment, but the writing was on the wall early. 

Given that Will Muschamp his own self recruited Nelson personally, how did such a talented player end up an Aggie? While it's not as incomprehensible as some Texas fans might think (or outsiders think Texas fans think), Nelson related the scene of his commitment to head coach Mike Sherman and explained his decision in his own words:

He was telling me that I was the centerpiece of what they wanted to do on defense. He wanted me to be a leader of the rebirth of the Wrecking Crew. That got me pretty excited and I was ready to do it.

Some players want to join programs already on the verge of competing for championships and others like the appeal of a wide-open depth chart and the ability to resurrect a once-proud program. Sherman played on Nelson's ego to some extent, but that's the nature of recruiting. It also helped the Aggies that Nelson's high school teammate, fellow linebacker Dominique Patterson committed to A&M during the spring.

Those are the knowable factors. The unknowables include the possibility that Nelson just didn't like Austin that much. It's not uncommon for players coming from more conservative families to dislike what they perceive as a hedonistic culture in the capital city. Nelson's father is a minister, and though that doesn't mean that the family is conservative or that the younger Nelson is personally, it is possible that the family doesn't care much for Austin and it's vices.

Nelson's decision leaves two linebackers on the radar for the Longhorns: Aaron Franklin and Jordan Hicks, with no pressure on either one to make a decision because of limited spots. Franklin still doesn't have plans to visit Austin before he makes a decision in the next month or so and has similar speed and build as Nelson. Since he didn't play his junior season, it's possible that Franklin could prove himself just as talented as Nelson. Hicks now says that he doesn't have any official visits planned besides one to Ohio State for the USC game, but Austin is a likely destination when he does firm up his plans.

The name of Rashod Favors continues to surface among fans as a possibility, but he would need to answer significant questions about short-burst quickness before the Longhorn coaches would seriously consider him. After Franklin makes a decision, the coaches may consider looking at other linebackers if the Marshall product heads elsewhere, but probably wouldn't pull the trigger until after the football season as they have a chance to evaluate any rising prospects during the fall.

Until any new names surface on the radar, it's down to Franklin and Hicks at the position with the loss of Nelson to the Aggies, the first player with a Longhorn offer to commit to another school. The word on Jake Matthews after a visit to USC recently is that he's essentially down to the Trojans and Aggies, so the number of recruiting victories by A&M over Texas this year could double in the near future.

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It's Friday and it's over 100 degrees again in Austin. So before you head out to the pool to have a couple cold ones, indulge in some actual news during the horrible, terrible, very bad offseason.

Texas 7-on-7 news is a crack-like substance. Scipio Tex has some second-hand information about a recent Longhorn 7-on-7 workout observed from a nearby cheerleading camp. Hey, it's the off-season, so this counts as serious news! Mmm, feel the goodness wash over you. Let's do it bullet-stylie:

• Garrett Gilbert has good velocity on his throws and looks like he might have gained some arm strength since his shoulder surgery. I've thought for a while that Gilbert come make the throws he needs to make and a lot of the perception of his lack of arm strength came from his junior season, when, guess what, he played with a torn labrum ever since the early part of the season. It might not be that his arm is that much stronger now, just that he is now able to put what he has on it. Whatever the case, Colt McCoy still isn't lauded for his arm strength, but in the current version of the Texas offense, Gilbert doesn't need to have a Jay Culter-arm, he just needs to be accurate. 
• Colt McCoy looks better than ever, with "improved" footwork and the accuracy Texas fans now expect from their robo-quarterback. As he will have to do during the season, McCoy was reportedly putting the ball in small spaces against strong and getting stronger secondary play. Based on the reports, any concerns about McCoy not being the leader of the team (they should be just about gone) should be absolutely put to rest.
• DJ Grant! Playing football! Now up to a little over 220 pounds, Grant still moves like a receiver (no surprise), but more importantly is able to find holes in coverage, as he will need to do in the Texas offense, along with stretching the seam. The obvious question remains about how well he can block.
• Everyone in the secondary looks stronger, but especially Earl Thomas and Aaron Williams, who both appear ready for monster seasons. Based on other reports, Thomas is now the leader of the secondary, instructing other players (like Christian Scott, most likely) on where they need to line up after relying heavily on Blake Gideon last year to do the same for him. More thoughts on that and Aaron Williams at a later point.

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Aggies and Horns still on top for Matthews. Since the last update, not much has changed on the list of Fort Bend Elkins offensive lineman Jake Matthews, who possesses one of the few outstanding offers from the Longhorns. Texas A&M and Texas remain at the top ($), with the USC Trojans still a possibility, though they remain a somewhat distant third.

Again seeming tired by the process, Matthews acknowledged again that he doesn't have the same comfort level with the Texas coaches as he does with the Aggie coaching staff, mostly a result of his older brother playing on the A&M line. Since Jake's father Bruce owns a house in College Station that the elder Matthews brother lives in, all signs point to the Aggies being in the rare lead for a prospect coveted by both in-state rivals. Staying close to his Houston-area home is another priority for Matthews and another advantage for Mike Sherman and the Aggies.

In addition, Matthews like the pro-style offense Sherman runs, feeling it would prepare him better for the NFL and raising further questions about whether or not the zone-blocking scheme employed by the Longhorns might dissuade the technically-sound prospect from ending up in Austin.

For Texas to make up ground with Matthews, the coaching staff needs to get him to Austin for another visit before spring turns into summer, as Matthews would like to make his decision as soon as possible, part of the reason he doesn't have set plans to visit Los Angeles to see USC. Mack Brown rarely fails to make a strong impression on recruits, but unless Brown can create a greater feeling of comfort with Matthews, a process that would depend on a visit to Austin, the young man and his Hall-of-Fame pedigree may end up creating holes for the Aggies for years to come. Time is running out to make an impression.

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Jim Jeffcoat makes some clarifications. Throughout the recruiting process, little information has come from the camp of defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, as the family has preferred to stay quiet and explore the myriad options available for their son.

Jim Jeffcoat, however, did feel the need to clarify some rumors ($) floating around the interwebs. An anonymous source has spoken with several recruiting services, but Jeffcoat says that person does not have any inside information:

There is no source. I know he's not talking (his son Jackson). My wife and I aren't talking. We're just gathering all the information we can right now.

As for rumors that Jeffcoat will try to play basketball and football in college, the senior Jeffcoat has this to say:

We don't really talk about that. That will be his choice, his decision. If it fits his goals that he wants to accomplish, then it's something he'll look at doing.

The other prevalent rumor is that Jackson and his sister Jacqueline, a standout basketball, are a package deal and would like to attend the same college. The former Cowboy weighs in on that as well:

He and his sister are not a package deal. They're two separate individuals, great kids. If it ends up that they're at the same school, that would be great. But if not, so be it. They're their own people.

The Jeffcoats plan on taking numerous visits over the summer, including a trip to California to see USC, Stanford, and Cal, and a trip east to see Georgia, Florida, and Rutgers. As has been expected for some time, Jeffcoat will take his time to properly vet his options and will not make a decision until late in the process.

Playing two sports in college is extremely difficult with the bowl season stretching nearly until conference play. There's no question that Jeffcoat realizes his future is playing football -- put the chance of him playing basketball in college at least than 10%.

As far as playing with his sister, from the comments of the father it seems that both realize they may have to take separate paths to realize their potential. Any concerns about needing to recruit Jacqueline to secure a commitment from Jackson are pure speculation and probably not worth the time spent typing it.

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Running backs dominate early 2011 conversation. Currently sitting at 21 commitments, the 2010 class is essentially done, with the staff simply waiting for the last several blue-chips to make their decisions. The nearly-complete status of the 2010 class is allowing the staff to move on to the early stages of evaluation for the 2011 class -- players who just completed their sophomore seasons.

As hard as it is to project players who will be seniors in 2013 or 2014, several running backs have already emerged as big-time playmakers as sophomores. Aaron Green, 5-8, 175 pounds, burst onto the scene by gaining nearly 2,000 yards for San Antonio Madison. Early in the season, Green absolutely torched Kerrville Tivy, to the tune of 428 yards and nine touchdowns. Elusive, with great feet and explosive acceleration, Green will be one of the states top-ranked players in 2011. However, Fozzy Whittaker, slightly taller than Green, has struggled being physically large enough to pick up blitzers, which would be a problem in college for Green.

Joining Green is close friend Malcolm Brown, known as a between-the-tackles runner though he doesn't possess the size of a player like Traylon Shead or Chris Whaley. Listed at 6-1, but probably much closer to 5-10, Cibolo Steele's Brown lacks the burst of Green, reporting a 4.6 40, but makes up for it with a tough-minded mentality finishing runs, leading to a sophomore average of more than 10 yards per carry.

Another back to watch in the class is Odessa's Bradley Marquez, who has similar speed to Green in a slightly taller package -- 5-11, 173 pounds. Asked often to block for Odessa, Marquez probably already has more experience in taking on defenders as a blocker than most running backs arriving in college, while also showing extremely impressive pad level, lowering his shoulder to take on defenders at any opportunity -- a truly unique skill for a young back.

All three running backs rank in the top six on Orangeblood's initial 2011 rankings and the Longhorns will have a difficult decision about who they offer, with two of the backs probably receiving offers and the Longhorns standing a good chance of landing two of them. Expect one of Marquez and Green to get an offer, with Brown receiving the other at the running back position. Another player to watch for is Abilene's Herschel Sims.

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