Riggs can play immediately because he is scheduled to graduate from Florida this spring.

The 5-9, 190-pound Riggs ranked fourth for the Gators last season with 51 tackles playing safety after previously playing cornerback. He also had three pass breakups and 1.5 sacks. He played in 40 games over three seasons, totaling 107 tackles, two sacks, an interception and eight pass breakups.

The Irish lose starting cornerback Bennett Jackson to graduation and started five players at safety last season.

Riggs is the son of former Atlanta Falcons standout running back Gerald Riggs Sr. and the nephew of former Notre Dame wide receiver Bobby Brown.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly called Riggs an outstanding player.

"Cody definitely brings veteran leadership and versatility to our team and defense," Kelly said. "He will help us immediately but, more importantly, Cody is a great kid with a tremendous focus on both football and academics."

Riggs said he was looking forward for the chance to be a leader for the Irish.

"I am very thankful for this opportunity," Riggs said. "I fully intend to make the most of this opportunity by not only giving my absolute best effort, but also leading by example both on and off the field."

Riggs received a medical redshirt for the 2012 season after playing in just two games.


AUBURN SERENADES NEWTON


Cam Newton will always be the Big Man On Campus.

The former Auburn QB/Heisman winner/national champion is back on campus, wrapping up his final semester to earn his sociology degree.

Before that happens, the Carolina Panthers quarterback — and two-time Pro Bowler — had to deal with Valentine’s Day on campus.

And that means another love song directed at Newton.

He was serenaded last year (“My Girl” was changed to “My Guy”) when he returned to school and guess what? He was serenaded again this time around.

In a class of nearly all females, sophomores Tomi Obebe and Avery Ginn from the Auburn Wesley Foundation sang One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” for Newton and delivered three roses to him as well.


NKEMDICHE LAWSUIT


Mississippi football players Denzel Nkemdiche and Robert Nkemdiche are being sued for $2 million after allegedly beating a man at a fraternity party last year.

According to a complaint filed in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Friday, plantiff Matthew Baird claims Denzel Nkemdiche punched him from behind and knocked him unconscious. The complaint then says Robert Nkemdiche and five others — who were not named — began to kick and stomp Baird while he was on the ground.

Baird's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The story was first reported by foxsports.com.

The Ole Miss administration says it supports the Nkemdiches, who are brothers.

"When this alleged incident occurred, the proper authorities investigated the matter and could find no evidence of wrong-doing related to Denzel and Robert Nkemdiche or any other members of our football program," Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork said. "This is a personal matter for them and we will support Denzel and Robert while they defend themselves in this civil case."

The Nkemdiches, who are from Loganville, Ga., were both important for the Ole Miss defense last season.

Denzel Nkemdiche, a sophomore linebacker who was an All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2012, is already suspended indefinitely after being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace last weekend.

Robert Nkemdiche was the consensus top recruit in the nation in 2013. The 6-foot-5, 294-pound freshman defensive end was second on the team with eight tackles for a loss last season.


TCU WR KICKED OFF TEAM


TCU receiver LaDarius Brown has been kicked off the team after being arrested on a marijuana possession charge.

A statement Wednesday from the Horned Frogs athletics department says Brown violated team rules and was removed from the football program. Officials didn't elaborate.

Fort Worth police late Sunday stopped Brown's vehicle after he allegedly went through a stop sign. The officer smelled an odor believed to be marijuana and searched the vehicle. Police confiscated a bag containing a green, leafy substance.

Brown was charged with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. He was freed Monday on $500 bond.

Jail records Wednesday didn't list an attorney for Brown, who as a sophomore last season had 393 yards and two touchdowns. No publicly listed phone number could be located for him.


FORMER PSU OFFICIALS WANT DISMISSAL


Three former Penn State administrators are urging a judge to dismiss a criminal case charging them with covering up sexual abuse complaints.

In lengthy filings released Wednesday, former university President Graham Spanier, retired Athletic Director Tim Curley and retired Vice President Gary Schultz argue that the school's former general counsel violated their right to legal representation.

They say they believed Cynthia Baldwin represented them when they testified before a grand jury investigating retired assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky for sexual abuse of children.

Their lawyers say Baldwin should not be allowed to testify against them in a still-unscheduled trial on charges including perjury and conspiracy.

In a separate filing, the attorney general's office says the defendants' complaints are unjustified and cannot be used as a "get out of jail free" card.

Contributors: Ken Bradley, The Associated Press