Receiver Colby Erskin, the former walk-on who earned a starting job last fall only to miss the season with a torn knee ligament, may miss the 2008 season after tearing the same ligament last week.

"He tore his ACL," coach Jim Leavitt said Monday after his team's second spring practice. "It just kills me, because he's such a great kid."

Last spring, the Seminole graduate was timed as the fastest player on the team, and he earned a scholarship last fall, only to watch the season from the sidelines. He had recovered well enough that he was listed as a top backup on USF's depth chart entering spring drills. Leavitt said Erskin was working out at Largo High School during spring break when the injured occurred.

Leavitt said he still hoped Erskin would be able to return during the upcoming season, as offensive guard Matt Huners did late last season after tearing knee ligaments in USF's spring game last April.

In other news, walk-on tight end Quincy Okolie will miss spring drills after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. Freshman defensive back Jerrell Young watched practice and said he injured his right hamstring running on the beach Saturday morning.