We've mentioned that USF coach Skip Holtz has 10 more roster spots at his disposal now, ever since fall classes started Monday, allowing the roster to expand from 105 players to 115.

Injured receivers A.J. Love and Sterling Griffin, who are starting to at least stretch with their teammates before practice, are two of those new 10, as is walk-on punter Renato Proia, the soccer goalie who joined the team before last season and redshirted. The rest of the newcomers are expected to come from this past Monday's meeting for prospective walk-ons.

And while we haven't gotten official word that all t's have been crossed and so forth, another new walk-on will be Clay Kessler, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive end/linebacker from Brooksville's Hernando High. Kessler spent last year in South Euclid, Ohio, at Notre Dame College, which is launching its Division II program this fall and played a club schedule last fall.

Kessler was a second-string middle linebacker entering last season, according to this depth chart. Entering his senior year at Hernando in 2008, the Times called him a "bona fide Division I prospect." Before transferring to Hernando for his senior year, he played at Hernando Christian Academy, where he did a little of everything -- as a junior, he rushed for 722 yards while leading the team in tackles (68) and receptions (32), according to Hernando Today.

Kessler tore his hamstring right before the 2008 season, missed much of his senior year and was limited by the injury when he was able to play. Hernando coach John Palmer, who has kept in touch with Kessler, said the injury kept him from getting recruited by colleges as much as he should have been.

"He was a very good athlete, very strong -- he was a state qualifier in weightlifting as well," Palmer said. "He was definitely a leader, always the first to practice, always hustling, very good character."

As Holtz said this week, the new walk-ons are highly unlikely to contribute this season, but can use this fall to put themselves in position to compete for something in 2011. We'll have more on the other new additions as soon as we know more. ...