E.T. Posted January 15, 2006 Group: TBP Subscriber III Topic Count: 4,751 Content Count: 37,666 Reputation: 2,362 Days Won: 29 Joined: 12/24/2001 Share Posted January 15, 2006 USF LB Nicholas Decides Not To Go ProBy BRETT McMURPHY Published: Jan 14, 2006TAMPA - None of the recruiting commitments the University of South Florida lands this year will compare with the one USF received from junior linebacker Stephen Nicholas on Saturday.After contemplating leaving early for the NFL draft, Nicholas said he will return for his senior season at USF."I thought I was going to go pro," Nicholas said. "I must have changed my mind at least six times the past couple of weeks."I didn't think it would be this hard of a decision. It was like, 'Yeah, I'm going,' then 'No, I'm staying.' I feel good about this decision."Nicholas petitioned the NFL's draft advisory council and was projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick."I want to work hard and get better," said Nicholas, who sought advice from his family and USF coaches. "Nobody pressured me either way. I made up my own mind.Nicholas had a team-high 15 1/2 tackles for loss this season and also was a freshman All-American two years ago. He is nine hours shy of a communications degree."I think Stephen will be projected as one of the top [NFL] linebackers after next year," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.With Nicholas back, the Bulls return eight starters off the nation's No. 17 defense.Brett McMurphy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dausfbulls11 Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 320 Content Count: 3,030 Reputation: 670 Days Won: 2 Joined: 11/15/2005 Share Posted January 15, 2006 this defense is gonna be bad ass.....especially if j. julmiste, buie, harry, clerbert play to their potential. Bring on the uwv hillbillies!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Eats It Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 1,088 Content Count: 8,158 Reputation: 107 Days Won: 3 Joined: 02/11/2004 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Freaking FANTASTIC!Wise choice, Stephen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofbull99 Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 114 Content Count: 6,744 Reputation: 912 Days Won: 17 Joined: 02/17/2002 Share Posted January 15, 2006 this defense is gonna be bad ass.....especially if j. julmiste, buie, harry, clerbert play to their potential. Bring on the uwv hillbillies!!!!! Won't mean a **** thing if the offense doesn't get their act together! > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Admin Topic Count: 13,330 Content Count: 97,047 Reputation: 10,834 Days Won: 469 Joined: 05/19/2000 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Won't mean a **** thing if the offense doesn't get their act together! > Incorrect. It means quite a bit - independent of what the offense does. It means our defense will undoubtedly be stronger than it would have been without Nicholas. In turn our defense will keep us close enough to have a chance to win. It means Nicholas likely increases his draft value. It means we get another year of watching one of the most heralded defensive players ever to play for the Bulls. It means a lot of good things LOB, Let's leave negative offense-based posts on the negative offense-based or Leavitt and Smith bashing threads. No need to taint good news too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 723 Content Count: 12,293 Reputation: 64 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/01/2003 Share Posted January 15, 2006 no reason why we cant be a top 10 defense next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgingBull Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 26 Content Count: 295 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/24/2005 Share Posted January 15, 2006 anytime you can retain a player projected to go in the NFL draft it cant be all bad..good choice Stephen..and the Bulls will soon be one of the top 10 in defense no doubt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastiebull Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 135 Content Count: 3,809 Reputation: 82 Days Won: 4 Joined: 12/26/2001 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Why would this defense be any better than last year? We're still losing our best players in both Jones's and Terrence Royal. Defensive play will drop off from last year, essentially all of our senior leadership. Nicholas will still be there to lead however it won't make up for the big losses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smazza Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 9,898 Content Count: 66,091 Reputation: 2,434 Days Won: 172 Joined: 01/01/2001 Share Posted January 15, 2006 big dealit is too his benefit more than usf'si was hoping he would leave and by some chance usf would recruit someone better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cubanbull Posted January 15, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 295 Content Count: 6,833 Reputation: 1,102 Days Won: 22 Joined: 12/23/2001 Share Posted January 15, 2006 LOL. i wont even comment on the last post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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