USF senior running back Jamar Taylor, who was held out of spring practice to focus on his academics, is no longer part of the Bulls football program.

Taylor's departure is not a dismissal, as was the case this spring with fellow seniors Mike Ford and Leslie Stirrups, but it's a significant loss at a position that has quickly gone from one of USF's deepest to one with little proven talent. Taylor missed almost all of last season with a knee injury, and his three years at USF were marked by flashes of promise but few statistics to show for what was once a promising future.

Taylor, who starred at Lakeland High, came to USF in 2007 after spending one semester at Alabama. In three seasons, he totaled 477 yards and five touchdowns, his best game a 72-yard effort against Kansas in 2008. Taylor got a look as a potential linebacker in December but did not travel with the team to its bowl game in Toronto due to passport issues.

"We're going to take care of what we have to off the field," coach Skip Holtz said in March in explaining why Taylor wouldn't be practicing with the team. "I don't want
them to be here for spring practice and take up a spot and have us get
all excited about the job they're doing out here on the field only to
find out we're not getting done what we've got to get done
academically."

The Bulls have sixth-year senior Mo Plancher as a solid starter at running back, with sophomore Demetris Murray entering the fall as his top backup and redshirt freshman Bradley Battles and walk-on Joel Miller behind them. USF has lost Ford and Taylor this spring, saw senior Aston Samuels suffer an ankle injury and moved promising sophomore Lindsey Lamar to receiver, all since Skip Holtz took over in January.

Taylor finished spring classes this month as a full-time student, according to the university registrar. With only one year of eligibility remaining, Taylor could either transfer to a I-A program, sit out a season and play in 2012, or could transfer to a Division II or NAIA program and play immediately.