FOOTBALL: Freshmen and newcomers report, DJ

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A few quick notes from Houston Nutt’s meeting with the media.

No surprises: All signees who were expected to show up did in fact show up. Five were not going to be there. Knoxville running back Andre Sterling will attend Hargrave. Oxford WR Horatio Williams and Bastrop, La., athlete Randall Mackey will attend junior college. Sherwood, Ark., DB Hunter Miller opted to remain in Arkansas and walk-on at the University thereof, and Orlando, Fla., QB Chris Wilkes opted for pro baseball.

Pleased with late additions: Nutt was especially pleased to add LB Patrick Trahan and CB Demario Moore, two transfers from Northwest Community College, this week. “I’m really proud of the effort and diligence they put forth throughout the summer,” he said. Nutt did not speculate where among the three linebacker positions Trahan might fit.

Powe’s conditioning: He also didn’t have a definitive statement on the conditioning of Jerrell Powe. “I know it’s a lot better than when I first met him,” Nutt said. While Powe was ineligible he could have contact only with strength and conditioning coach Don Decker and his staff.

Devin Thomas’ ankle: San Antonio freshman RB Devin Thomas proclaimed his broken ankle pretty much healed this summer. Now it looks like he’ll be almost 100 percent when practice begins Monday, but not quite there. Thomas has been able to plant, turn and move but isn’t at full strength.

Laurent timetable: Nutt did not speculate on a return date for sophomore DT Ted Laurent, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last week. He did say Laurent is probably in the “three, four or five-week circle” regarding time away. He said Laurent was having a really good summer of conditioning work.

Walker’s suspension lifted: Sophomore linebacker Allen Walker, who was arrested on a DUI charge in April, is back in good graces after what Nutt termed an indefinite suspension. In April Nutt said Walker would begin a program of alcohol education, community service and other areas. “He’s off that. He’s done everything we asked of him,” Nutt said.

Comment: Houston was adamant today that all three freshmen running backs — Davis, Thomas and Brandon Bolden — will compete for playing time at running back. He says he’ll play three backs.