Gamecock linebacker one to watch

South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood is on the Chuck Bednarik Award's watch list.

The award goes to the country's most outstanding defensive player.

Norwood, a 6-foot-1, 253-pound senior, was an all-Southeastern Conference first-team pick in 2008 after finishing with 75 tackles and nine sacks. He is South Carolina's all-time leader with 43 tackles for loss.

The winner will be announced in December.

- South Carolina's Ronald Byrd will miss the season with a knee injury.

Coach Steve Spurrier said that Byrd, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound lineman from LaGrange, Ga., hurt his left knee during a scrimmage this week and would need surgery.

GEORGIA: Darryl Gamble calls this his best preseason camp since arriving in 2006.

His coaches have noticed.

The junior has regained the starting middle linebacker job he held for four games last season. Akeem Dent began the preseason as the starter at the spot.

"Darryl's definitely earned it," linebackers coach John Jancek said.

- Senior Darius Dewberry has moved into the starting strongside linebacker spot, Jancek said. Dewberry was in a non-contact jersey Thursday because of a sore hamstring.

- Starting strong safety Reshad Jones has been out for more than a week with a hamstring injury, but coach Mark Richt said he'll be back soon. Senior Bryan Evans is the starter at free safety.

CLEMSON: Coach Dabo Swinney says offensive lineman J.K. Jay has had successful back surgery.

Jay, from Greenville, S.C., enrolled in January and went through spring practice with the Tigers. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound freshman hurt his back lifting weights in July and needed surgery.

Swinney has said that since Jay would need several weeks before starting rehab, it was best for him to sit out this season and return healthy in 2010.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE: The Wolfpack will be without their top defensive player this season.

Coach Tom O'Brien said that linebacker Nate Irving won't play as he recovers from injuries suffered in a June car wreck. Irving had met with his doctor in the afternoon and decided it made more sense for him not to rush back after suffering a broken leg, a collapsed lung and a separated shoulder in the accident.