SEC Media Days expands, 2014 itinerary announced

While college football fans must wait another 70-plus days for the 2014 season to officially begin, the media frenzy, in respect to the SEC, will commence July 14.

Expanding from a three-day event to a four-day spectacle, the 2014 installment of SEC Media Days will not only provide nuggets of information to fans and media alike, the event, as usual, will host every SEC head coach as well as player representatives from each institution.

While The Wynfrey Hotel, in Hoover, Alabama, will once again provide the tent for this annual media circus, SEC Media Days will serve as not only a gathering place for news and conversation, it will also serve as a reminder that college football, and more importantly SEC football, is just around the corner.

Officially one month left in the Alabama offseason. On July 17, it'll be Nick Saban's turn at SEC Media Days.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) June 17, 2014

The text below is the itinerary for the 2014 edition of SEC Media Days. While individual coaches have been included, player representation for each school has not been provided at this time.

MONDAY - JULY 14

Session I: 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

SEC Commissioner - Mike Slive
Auburn - Head Coach Gus Malzahn

Session II: 2:40 - 5:40 p.m.

Florida - Head Coach Will Muschamp
Vanderbilt - Head Coach Derek Mason

TUESDAY - JULY 15

Session I: 9 a.m. - Noon

South Carolina - Head Coach Steve Spurrier
Mississippi State - Head Coach Dan Mullen

Session II: 1 - 4 p.m.

Texas A&M - Head Coach Kevin Sumlin
Tennessee - Head Coach Butch Jones

WEDNESDAY - JULY 16

Session I: 9 a.m. - Noon

SEC Coordinator of Officials - Steve Shaw
ESPN Senior Vice President/SEC Network - Justin Connolly
Missouri - Head Coach Gary Pinkel

Session II: 1 - 4 p.m.

LSU - Head Coach Les Miles
Arkansas - Head Coach Bret Bielema

THURSDAY - JULY 17

Session I: 9 a.m. - Noon

Georgia - Head Coach Mark Richt
Ole Miss - Head Coach Hugh Freeze

Session II: Noon - 3 p.m.

Alabama - Head Coach Nick Saban
Kentucky - Head Coach Mark Stoops

Hale Hentges gives verbal to Alabama

Helias High School (Jefferson City, MO) tight end Hale Hentges has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2015.

After much deliberation and prayer, I have decided to play football at The University of Alabama! #RollTide
— Hale Hentges (@HaHentges) May 26, 2014

Hentges, who stands 6-foot-6 and tops the scale at 230-pounds, selected the Crimson Tide over the likes of Auburn, Florida State, and Ohio State. Hentges is the first 'Bama commitment from the state of Missouri during the Nick Saban era.

Saban adds a new state to the board with commit from TE Hale Hentges. First Missourian of the Saban era http://t.co/Zy33mups3K
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) May 26, 2014

Listed as a four-star prospect per the 247Spors composite rating system, Hentges becomes the 16th Alabama verbal commitment in respect to the 2015 signing class.

Derrick Thomas joins College Football Hall of Fame

After being snubbed a total of three times, the late Derrick Thomas is finally a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Spoke w Derrick Thomas Jr. about today: "It's exciting for me but it really didn't make me see him as great bc he's always been No. 1 to me.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) May 22, 2014

Thomas, who tragically lost his life in February of 2000 at the age of 33, is considered to be one of the greatest linebackers in the history of college football, and one of the most decorated athletes to ever play for the University of Alabama.

Suiting up for the Crimson Tide from 1985-88, Thomas was an All-American at 'Bama and the 1988 recipient of the Butkus Award, which is presented to the best linebacker in the nation. During the 1988 season, Thomas recorded a total of 27 sacks, an NCAA record that has yet to be broken. Thomas concluded his Tide career with 52 sacks and 68 tackles-for-loss, both of which are Alabama school records.

Former Alabama LB Derrick Thomas will be inducted posthumously into the @cfbhall » http://t.co/ttkEp9Yekd pic.twitter.com/RDxAUW1TrH
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) May 22, 2014

In regards to the aforementioned "snubbing" of Thomas, on three different occasions, no particular reason has ever been given as to why Thomas was shunned. Logic suggests that a player who holds NCAA records, as well as individual school records for performance, should have been a lock for the Hall of Fame on the initial ballot of eligibility, but that obviously was not the case for the legendary Alabama linebacker.

Former Crimson Tide standout Cornelius Bennett, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005, made his case in 2013 by saying he would boycott the College Football Hall of Fame until Thomas was inducted. Bennett, also a prolific linebacker in his own right, played along side Thomas for two years at the University of Alabama.

While the wait was long, and at times confusing for those who loved and admired Thomas, the man who reinvented the linebacker position in respect to the collegiate ranks, has finally taken his rightful place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Congratulations to the late Derrick Thomas for receiving an honor so richly deserved.

*This blog post will appear on Yahoo! in the coming weeks.

Take Two: C.J. and HaHa selected in first round

Two of the most decorated football players in Alabama history, and certainly of the Nick Saban era, have been selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley, taken at the 17th selection by the Baltimore Ravens, and safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, selected 21st by the Green Bay Packers, were the lone Tide players selected in the first round.

In respect to Mosley, the pride of Theodore, Alabama will now join former Tide stars Terrence Cody and Courtney Upshaw in Baltimore. The UA connection is likely not a great coincidence when one considers that Ozzie Newsome, one of the greatest players in Crimson Tide history, is the distinguished general manager of the Ravens.

Say hello to the newest member of #RavensNation: @TreyDeuce32RTR! #RavensTalk pic.twitter.com/du98cZa2Vk
— CSN Ravens (@CSNRavens) May 9, 2014

When it comes to HaHa Clinton-Dix, his nickname describes how many 'Bama fans feel about his selection courtesy of the Packers. "HaHa"...laughing with joy! The pride of Orlando, Florida will now join former Alabama running back Eddie Lacy in the land of the cheeseheads.

.@TideNFL Holding it down in my new Green & Gold. @packers fans, what do you all think? #OurColors #Spon pic.twitter.com/775Jt1Loww
— Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (@haha_cd6) May 9, 2014

In a rather unexpected turn of events, which was documented and discussed by literally everyone interested in the draft, both Mosley and Clinton-Dix were selected ahead of highly touted quarterback Johnny Manziel. The dual-threat QB was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd selection.