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Snyder excited about 'enthusiasm' on defense
We opened spring practice with a closer look at USF's new offense under new coordinator Todd Fitch, and halfway through spring drills, we're writing about Mark Snyder's USF defense and what change you might see on that side of the ball this spring.
Snyder knows how much talent from last year's defense will be moving on to the NFL, but he's pleased with what he's seen from players this spring, with a mix of seasoned veterans like Sabbath Joseph and Terrell McClain, and exciting young players like Sam Barrington, Kayvon Webster, Ryne Giddins and others.
What do you think will be the strength of USF's defense this fall?
Junior college wing Poland has USF in final 3
The late signing period for basketball is just two weeks away, and USF coach Stan Heath is in the mix for another top junior college recruit -- Jawanza Poland, a 6-foot-4 guard/forward from Wichita who is rated as one of the top wing in all of junior college basketball. ... Read more
Soccer coach Kiefer gets new 4-year contract
USF men's soccer coach George Kiefer, who led the Bulls to a Big East championship and the NCAA Elite Eight in 2008, has signed a four-year contract to keep him at USF through the 2013 season.
"George has done a terrific job in building one of
the
premier men’s soccer programs in the Big East and country," athletic director Doug Woolard said in a statement. ... Read more
Photos from Pro Day
Images from USF's Pro Day.
Pro Day notes: Mitchell continues rise with 4.40
TAMPA -- On a day when two of USF's best NFL draft prospects didn't run -- defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul didn't need to, and safety Nate Allen had a nagging quad injury -- receiver Carlton Mitchell continued to improve his draft stock, running the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds, according to USF's results.
"I had a great time. I'm very fortunate to be here," said Mitchell, who checked in a 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and improved on an official time of 4.49 seconds at the NFL Combine four weeks ago.
Mitchell, a junior from Gaither, has been diligent in training since making the decision to skip his senior year after becoming USF's career leader in receiving yards in three seasons. He's in a position to be taken on the draft's second day, which would be the second or third round.
"There's a lot of good talk -- they like my size and my speed, my ability, my character," Mitchell said. "At the same time, they want to see me pluck the ball better, keep it away from my body, sink my weight and create separation." ... Read more
Pro Day is here: Biggest ever for USF football?
The headline is a question, but there's probably no need for the question mark. Two years ago, USF had a likely first-round draft pick in cornerback Mike Jenkins, but today, there are six draft picks working out for NFL scouts at USF's soccer/track stadium, including defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is in position to be the highest-drafted player in Bulls history.
It's an intriguing day, because you don't know who the big story will be: Can Pierre-Paul solidify his status as a mid-first-rounder? Can Nate Allen, who didn't run at the combine due to a leg injury, put up a 40-yard time that gets him into the bottom of the first round? Can Jerome Murphy improve his stock with a quick time?
Then there's receiver Carlton Mitchell, who has gone from a questionable early entry to a likely second-day pick -- and the second day of the draft is now rounds two and three, on a Friday night. And where do George Selvie and Kion Wilson fit in, especially Selvie, once seen as a first-rounder after being a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2007? ... Read more
Rundown: Holtz on his new USF depth chart
Before we get to the important stuff about Skip Holtz explaining his first USF depth chart, I want to share another new development in uncovering more fun from the Holtz vocabulary.
In the Jim Leavitt days, the geographically nebulous area where injured players went during practice was known as "Muscle Beach," a popular if decidedly West Coast reference. Today, we learn that Holtz calls it "The Yellow Brick Road," after the long (actually not yellow) path that winds back up to USF's athletic facility .
Me: "Is that a 'Wizard of Oz' thing or an Elton John thing?
Holtz: "Ah, I'm probably more the Elton John era than I am the Wizard of Oz. They're all going to see the Wizard."
Quarterback: B.J. Daniels is the starter. Freshman walk-on Ryan Eppes "is a long way away from being ready to play," but is doing fine for a freshman walk-on eight practices into a new offense. ... Read more
Changes for USF: Lamar shifts from RB to WR
USF coach Skip Holtz unveiled his first depth chart Monday, with the most notable change being that sophomore running back Lindsey Lamar has been moved to wide receiver.
No players have moved from offense to defense or vice versa, but there are other minor moves -- redshirt freshman tight end Isaac Virgin has moved to fullback, and with left tackle Jeremiah Warren officially moving inside to guard, with Jamar Bass stepping up as the first-team left tackle.
Lamar showed promise as a true freshman at running back, but his lack of size makes him a match at receiver, where his track-star speed can still be put to good use in USF's offense. Lamar's move also bodes well for the progress of sophomore running back Demetris Murray, now listed as the top backup to senior Mo Plancher.
Other notable changes to USF's depth chart:
-- Sophomore Jon Lejiste has moved ahead of Jerrell Young at strong safety.
-- Redshirt freshman Luke Sager, who has put on 25 pounds since arriving on campus, is now working as a second-string defensive tackle. ... Read more
Writer biathlon: Racin', then depth-chartin'
Busy with double duty today, with the rain-delayed Grand Prix of St.
Petersburg starting in just a moment, then a quick jaunt back across the
bridge this afternoon for football practice at USF. We should have a
brand-new depth chart from Skip Holtz -- complete with a few position
changes -- before this afternoon's practice.
The gentlemen (and women) are about to start their engines, but I
have a few morning links to share ...
-- There's a Bulls cameo in our news section today, as former
USF running back Ben Williams is mentioned in a feature on people
working to join the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Can't think of
many players who universally had the respect of teammates and coaches
the way Williams did during his playing days.
-- Not entirely USF-related, but an update on former
Plant and Miami quarterback Robert Marve, who is now competing for a
starting job at Purdue for this fall. ... Read more
Rain-delay fun: More USF notes and links ...
Heavy rains have me in a weather delay here at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which might wind up being a Monday race, which could knock me out of covering football practice on Monday afternoon.
I think my last rain delay might be from the Big East baseball tournament, and I imagine no drivers have gathered for an impromptu dance off, as USF and Connecticut did last spring.
It gives me a few minutes, though, to pass along some USF links -- good reading, even if you're not stuck inside a media center waiting for an announcement that you get to drive across the bridge for a fifth consecutive day.
-- Still not sure if it has any impact on his eligibility, but USF's Mike Ford apparently played Saturday night for the Bradenton Gladiators in a 62-0 win against the St. Pete Sharks. Still no word on Ford's plans after USF. ... Read more
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South Florida Bulls fans, you've come to the right place: the USF Sports Bulletin blog. Tampa Bay Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin, and we invite your participation in the comments area.
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E-mail Greg Auman:auman@tampabay.com.
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