USF football lost out on a potential late addition Friday as former N.C. State receiver Donald Bowens said he was not accepted into graduate school at USF and will play his final season of college football at Division II North Alabama.

Bowens, a St. Petersburg High graduate, would have given the Bulls much-needed experience and help at a position suddenly in need for both. He had 41 catches for N.C. State in 2007, but has been limited by injuries the last two seasons. He'll play for former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, whose program was built last season with a heavy does of major-college transfers.

USF's athletic teams have learned this summer that it can be difficult to get athletes into graduate school -- men's basketball had a commitment from Memphis senior Roburt Sallie but couldn't get him admitted; he has since signed with Louisville, though he hasn't been accepted there yet either.

USF already has four transfers due to join the team this fall in Notre Dame cornerback Spencer Boyd, East Carolina fullback/tight end Kevin Gidrey, Colorado running back Darrell Scott and Auburn running back Dontae Aycock. Coach Skip Holtz is not commenting on the late arrivals until the team reports for preseason camp on Aug. 4.