TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama All-American linebacker Rolando McClain is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
McClain, a projected first-round pick, led the national-champion Crimson Tide with 105 tackles and 14.5 stops for losses in 2009. He also had two interceptions and two sacks.
Also declaring for the draft Monday were defensive end Carlos Dunlap and center Maurkice Pouncey of Florida, and defensive end Derrick Morgan, 1,300-yard rusher Jonathan Dwyer and safety Morgan Burnett of Georgia Tech.
• Oregon State coach Mike Riley agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2019.
• Former Southern California assistant coach Dave Watson stated in legal documents that he received prescriptions from team and university doctors he used to feed his addiction to painkillers, reported.
• Washington Redskins running backs coach Stump Mitchell has accepted the head coaching job at Southern University, which fired Pete Richardson last month after a 6-5 season.
Guerrero signs with Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — Vladimir Guerrero and the Texas Rangers finalized a one-year contract that guarantees him $6.5 million and includes a mutual option for 2011.
Plagued by the injuries last season, Guerrero hit .295 with 15 homers and 50 RBIs in 100 games with the Los Angeles Angels. He will serve primarily as a designated hitter but will play in the outfield as well.
• The Kansas City Royals agreed to a one-year minor-league deal with former Rockies right-hander Matt Herges.
• The Tampa Bay Rays reached a one-year deal with first baseman Dan Johnson, who spent last season with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japanese Central League.
• Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $30.25 million, six-year contract.
• Greg Maddux, a 355-game winner, rejoined the Chicago Cubs as an assistant to GM Jim Hendry.
• Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is considering an offer to sell the team.
Footnotes.
Chicago Blackhawks team president John McDonough received a contract extension through 2016.
• Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski has been suspended two games by the NHL for an elbow hit to the head of New York Islanders rookie John Tavares.
• Amo Bessone, who coached the Michigan State hockey team for 28 years and led the Spartans to the 1966 NCAA title, died in New Mexico. He was 93.
• NBC Sports announced a partnership with USA Network to televise a half-dozen prep races this spring leading up to the Kentucky Derby on May 1. The broadcasts will include the Louisiana Derby, Lane’s End Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes and Arkansas Derby.
• Fox is launching its second all-soccer network in the United States on March 1, with plans to televise matches of the European Champions League, England’s Premier League, the English Football Association Cup and the Italian Serie A on Fox Soccer Plus.
The Associated Press
