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GAINESVILLE — His football career at Florida over, senior running back Jeff Demps will focus on track and the 2012 Olympics and compete for the Gators in track this year.
The five-time track and field All-American and four-time NCAA champion sprinter wants to vie for a spot on the U.S. track and field team. He won't attend college football all-star games or NFL draft workouts.
"I can have the mind-set of a full-time track guy now," he said.
He started training with UF's track team this week and hopes to compete at the Virginia Tech Elite Meet next month.
USF player departs: Bulls coach Skip Holtz said rising sophomore defensive back Spencer Boyd will not be back. Boyd, who transferred from Notre Dame to USF after one semester, was suspended for the final three games of the 2011 season due to "in-house things."
NCAA Boss backs playoff: NCAA president Mark Emmert would support a four-team playoff, as long as the field doesn't grow. After giving his annual state of the association speech in Indianapolis, Emmert said he would back a small playoff if that's what BCS officials decide.
Early nfl departures: Alabama running back Trent Richardson, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick will enter the draft. They are all projected first-rounders, Richardson and Kirkpatrick as top-10 picks. ... LSU All-America cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers will leave. Reports also have Tigers leading receiver Rueben Randle leaving. … Boston College defensive end Max Holloway will forgo a fifth-year senior season. The former Jefferson High player has earned his degree. He was fourth on the team with 47 tackles last season. … Toledo receiver Eric Page is leaving needing 44 catches to break the NCAA career mark held by Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles. … Texas A&M record-setting receiver Ryan Swope will return.
Clemson: Embattled defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, whose team gave up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, left after three seasons.
Oklahoma State: Assistant Joe DeForest is leaving after 11 seasons and reportedly taking a job at West Virginia.
Penn state: New coach Bill O'Brien formally announced most of his staff: Bills receivers coach Stan Hixon (lead assistant); Ron Vanderlinden (retained, linebackers coach); Larry Johnson (retained, defensive line coach); former Texas associate head coach Mac McWorther (offensive line); Titans offensive assistant Charles London (running backs); and Ball State offensive line coach John Strollo (tight ends). UCF defensive coordinator Ted Roof is reportedly taking the same job at Penn State.
Oklahoma: Mike Stoops, fired during the season as Arizona coach, said he will join his brother Bob's staff at Oklahoma in a role to be determined.
Wisconsin: Quarterback Russell Wilson told the Rockies he will play in the NFL rather than stay in their minor-league system. He has to return a portion of the $200,000 signing bonus.
Yale: Tony Reno, a Harvard assistant for three seasons, was introduced as the new coach.
Times staff writers Antonya English and Greg Auman contributed to this report.
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