Seven true freshmen were held out of drills Tuesday morning, and coach Jim Leavitt said the players haven't been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. He said he is confident all will eventually be cleared.

"They haven't gotten through the clearinghouse yet. Why haven't we done a better job with all that? We probably (with) some things maybe should have done a little bit better than they have been," Leavitt said. "Is it frustrating? Yes. I know all our people are working hard at it. Maybe a high school doesn't send in, most of it is just final transcripts not getting in from a high school. Every year we have a couple, two or three. Some of that stuff is outside of our control. Some of it is not outside our control."

The seven -- offensive lineman Danous Estenor, tight end Andreas Shields, cornerbacks John Lejiste and George Baker and linebacker Quavon Taylor, along with walk-on linebackers Chase Geaney and LaDre Watkins -- did not have any apparent injuries but were limited to being spectators in jerseys and shorts while other true freshmen participated as normal. Of the seven, only Estenor and Watkins have been mentioned as players likely to see game action this season.

The player Leavitt had held out of Monday's afternoon practice, junior cornerback Theo Wilson, returned to practice Tuesday. "I'm not counting on him," Leavitt had said Monday night. "He legally could practice right now, but I told him I don't want him around until we figure it all out."

Had anything changed to have him out at practice Tuesday? Just Leavitt, it seems.

"Legally, he can practice. I was just mad," said Leavitt, who said he believes Wilson will be cleared to play this season. "He needs to practice. I go back and forth with him. I get mood swings with him."

Leavitt said he expects the three players still wearing boots on injured ankles -- offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren, defensive tackle Cory Grissom and walk-on linebacker Lucas Darr -- will miss USF's opener against Tennessee-Martin, and that Grissom "might miss the first two or three games."

"Their ankles aren't broken, but if you have a high ankle sprain, it can take a long time," Leavitt said.

Defensive tackle Aaron Harris, who was splitting time at end last week, was back at tackle Tuesday, and Leavitt said walk-on linebacker Kenneth Luberice has been moved to end. "I like him. He's 6-1, 240, and he's got a motor. Big-time motor," Leavitt said. "We've worked (linebackers) Chris Robinson and (Alonzo) McQueen some at d-end."

There was little more than blustery winds to show that Tropical Storm Fay was moving across the state as the Bulls practiced under cloudy skies Tuesday. Wednesday's practices are likely to be limited by heavy rains expected to hit the Tampa area, but Leavitt said he plans a light practice Wednesday morning and a scrimmage of about 60 plays Wednesday night.