Former USF receiver Huey Whittaker, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze last year, has signed a contract to join the New York Jets.

Whittaker, a 6-foot-5 receiver who led the Blaze with 126 catches, 1,541 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns last season, signed a "reserve futures" contract, which allows teams who are out of the playoffs to add to their roster as it expands for the offseason. Whittaker, who played at USF from 2001-03, said Friday he'll report to practice with the team in March.

-- USF has lost one of its oral commitments in recruiting, as New Jersey offensive lineman Zach Chibane, who committed in November, has backed out and committed to Big East rival Syracuse. Chibane's coach, Dan Sabella, said Friday that USF wanted Chibane to "grayshirt," or defer his enrollment until January, but Chibane preferred to start classes in August. Syracuse offered him a chance to come in as part of the incoming class, and he took the offer, with no objections from USF, Sabella said. "He loved USF, but he wants to get going with school in September," he said. "There are no hard feelings either way."

-- It's still tentative, but USF has moved its spring game to April 11 at Raymond James Stadium, a week earlier than was originally announced. And RayJay isn't the only thing getting new sod for the Super Bowl in three weeks -- USF's practice fields, where the AFC champions will practice before the big game, are also getting new sod as well.