Sunday Sports Briefs: UM/MSU/USM

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Ole Miss

Coach Ed Orgeron is confident he will have at least one of his two most decorated signees in tow when the Rebels begin preseason practice in three weeks.

Orgeron has confirmed former Waynesboro All-America defensive lineman Jerrell Powe is headed to prep school at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy. But the coach believes Memphis Briarcrest All-America offensive lineman Michael Oher will be academically cleared to enroll at Ole Miss in time for preseason camp.

"We feel strongly that Michael Oher is going to make it and will be a part of our football team this season," Orgeron said last week.

Orgeron also said he expects QB Robert Lane (shoulder), RB Brandon Jacobs (leg), DL McKinley Boykin (knee) and OL Andrew Wicker (foot) — four potential starters who missed spring practice because of injuries — to be cleared when camp opens on Aug. 9.

"Some of those guys may not be full speed just yet, but they'll be ready to go," Orgeron said.

— Michael Wallace

Mississippi State

Former West Jones linebacker Archie Sims said he is not eligible to play for the Bulldogs and instead will attend Jones Junior College this fall.

Sims, a first-team All-State selection, said he did not make the required ACT score to meet NCAA freshman eligibility requirements.

"(Jones) was my last option and there are a lot of people from West Jones down there," said Sims, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound Dandy Dozen selection. "I am still going to try to go to State in two years, but I'll just have to see what happens."

Sims said he "double-signed" with MSU and Jones in case he didn't meet requirements.

He recorded 112 tackles and one interception while leading West Jones to a 12-2 record as a senior. He also played running back for the Mustangs, rushing for 329 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.

At Jones, Sims will team with West Jones teammate Derrick Howard, who he watched play in Friday night's Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic football game in Madison.

Baseball: While outfielder Jon Mungle applied for a medical hardship waiver for a sixth-year of eligibility, it doesn't necessarily mean he will return.

Mungle has missed the majority of the last two seasons with knee injuries. A twice-drafted fifth-year senior, Mungle said his priorities have shifted from a baseball career to finishing his degree and starting work as a trainer.

"I'd say it is more of a just-in-case thing," Mungle said. "Just because I get (the extra year of eligibility), doesn't necessarily mean I'll use it."

There figures to be serious competition for playing time in the outfield this season. Accordingly, Mungle said he will play fall ball, test his reconstructed left knee out, and see where he fits in.

"We'll see where baseball goes," he said.

Campbell's ring: Looking for a 2003 SEC Western Division championship ring? Check out ebay.com.

A user named "pawndrosa" is auctioning off former State center Marcus Campbell's 10k gold ring, which celebrates the 2002-2003 season during which the Bulldogs finished 21-10. Campbell finished his four-year career in Starkville last season.

As of Saturday afternoon, there had been 19 bids, with the latest for $710. The auction ends Monday afternoon.

Power out: Earlier this week, the Indiana Pacers released former MSU guard Shane Power from their summer league team.

— Rod Walker and Ian R. Rapoport

Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG — Baseball coach Corky Palmer has taken the Golden Eagles to three consecutive seasons of 40 wins or more as well as an unprecedented three straight NCAA postseason trips.

As a reward, Palmer is expected to receive a $10,000 raise in his base salary and a two-year contract extension.

Palmer is one of three USM coaches who will have extensions up for approval when the state College Board meets next week.

"He deserves it," said USM athletic director Richard Giannini, whose one-year contract extension also has been resubmitted for board approval.

Giannini's extension, which will take him through the 2008-09 school year, was tabled last month because it was worded incorrectly.

Palmer received a raise and extension in 2003 after leading USM to Conference USA regular-season and tournament championships. USM hosted an NCAA regional for the first time.

His new contract will take him through the 2009 school year, putting him back at the maximum four years allowed under state guidelines. The contract will include a base salary of $90,000. With incentives, Palmer could make $115,000.

Giannini said men's basketball coach Larry Eustachy and women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis will have their contracts extended by a year, taking them both through the 2008-09 season.

Neither will receive a raise, Giannini said.

Football: Reserve offensive lineman Joseph Leech has left the program.

"He decided to give it up," USM football coach Jeff Bower said.

Leech transferred from Itawamba Community College in the spring on 2004 and played 11 snaps in one game last fall.

A rising senior, he left spring practice as the back-up at right tackle.

— Tim Doherty