First, the coaching scoop: FSU OC Mark Richt has applied for the Georgia job and has emerged as a front-runner; down at UVa, early names include BC coach Tom O'Brien (a former George Welsh assistant), Steelers assistant Mike Archer and (everyone's Plan B) Western Michigan's Gary Darnell. Expect O'Brien to get the job.

Now for the recruiting scene. With Signing Day for JC recruits fast approaching, one prospect worth tracking is Kai Ellis. The 6'4", 250-pound MLB led City College of San Francisco to the California JC title on Dec. 9 with nine tackles and two blocked kicks. Coaches rave about Ellis' motor and expect him to win a starting job at the 1-A level this spring. His rise has been as dramatic as that of any JC player this season.Initially, Ellis verballed to Washington State, but now Washington, Arizona and Nebraska are his final three.

Southern California-bred DE Shaun Cody may not match his astounding 33 sacks from last year (he's in the low 20s), but that hasn't deterred scouts at all. "He could be a double-digit sack guy for any college next year," says one recruiter. "He's so relentless and has real explosive power. He's like a bigger Kevin Greene." Cody is still undecided about where he'll go.

Adrian McPherson, also a big-time basketball prospect, is a better QB than any of the recruiting gurus realize. Says one coach, "they're probably just couching him because they've seen how Ronald Curry has fizzled, but McPherson looks like a more polished passer."

This year's crop of QBs also is much better than last year's class, especially at the top. McPherson, Brodie Croyle, D.J. Shockley and Joe Mauer all rival '00 gem Brock Berlin. The 6'4", 215-pound Mauer is an intriguing two-sport prospect. He's from the same school as Chris Weinke (St. Paul's Cretin Durham Hall in Minnesota) and knows how the Heisman winner struggled in the minors. Mauer's also spoken to Drew Henson's family about the Michigan QB's attempt to play both sports. "Mauer's real good -- better than Brodie," says a recruiter. "But we may never find out because I think he's gonna go baseball."

Greg Schiano's staff at Rutgers has already started to make an impact on the Jersey recruiting scene. Burner Jamel Harris, a 6'2", 170-pound WR -- who missed the 2000 season after tearing his ACL in his right knee -- is now strongly considering the Scarlet Knights.

Harris, a 10.6 100-meters guy, says he's intrigued by Schiano's Miami pedigree. "I wouldn't mind being part of the group that turns it all around here," he says. Incidentally, Harris has starting running again and says his rehab has progressed faster than he had expected.

LSU looks like it could land the nation's top package deal in Marcus Spears, a 6'5", 275-pound TE, and ultra-smooth Michael Clayton, a 6'3" 200-pound WR. Both are also top-flight hoops prospects too. The best friends met on the summer basketball circuit back when they were in the sixth grade.

Clayton's leaning to the Tigers (although he was wowed by Bobby Bowden), while Spears is also considering Miami.

Nobody said being a recruit was easy, but the courtship of Von Ewing has been downright eerie. In the fall, the 6'6", 290-pound Troy, Ala., OT chose Alabama. Then Mike DuBosegot fired, so Ewing pledged to Georgia. A week later, Jim Donnan got fired. Now, Ewing likes Tennessee -- just don't tell Phil Fulmer.

E-mail Bruce Feldman at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.