Kansas paper introduces USF to KU fans

[Minotaur]

USF faces eligibility obstacles

By Ryan Wood

Monday, August 7, 2006

The South Florida football team’s summer hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.

While headlines at the Big East school in Tampa, Fla., revolved around a new baseball coach, negative news emerged in early July after one of the football program’s top talents found himself in legal trouble, then a slew of recruits failed to qualify academically.

Carlton Hill, who chose USF over Miami in 2004, was arrested in late June and charged with possession of marijuana. Soon after, Hill transferred to Pearl River Community College, where he plans to play quarterback before joining the Bulls and coach Jim Leavitt once again.

“We want to help him out and get him back to coach Leavitt in May,†Pearl River coach Tim Hatten told the Tampa Tribune. “We’re excited to have him.â€Â

Hill passed for 135 yards, rushed for 94 and caught three passes for 19 yards in limited action last season, but came into spring drills as the projected starting quarterback. Academics held him out for most of the spring, and it was announced he was yanked from the position altogether after the legal run-in. He transferred about a month later.

The loss potentially puts a bigger question mark at quarterback for USF  though the mystery slinger does have some nice targets.

Pat Julmiste, a senior with 23 career starts, now appears to be the frontrunner at quarterback. The Bulls’ offense, once known for its running because of tailback Andre Hall’s credentials, may see passing as a better alternative in ‘06.

South Florida

Mascot: Bulls

Conference: Big East

2005 record: 6-6 (4-3 conference play)

Series vs. KU: Never met

Will face KU: Sept. 23, Memorial Stadium

Amp Hill could lead that aerial attack. A 6-foot-3, 200-pound transfer from LSU, Hill was highly decorated coming out of high school in Jacksonville, Fla., and spent two years in Baton Rouge  including a national championship year  before a coaching change and stacked receiver position caused him to transfer. He caught a team-high eight passes for 87 yards in USF’s spring game in April.

Another Hill  tight end Cedric Hill  could become a bigger option for USF’s quarterback. Cedric Hill originally signed with Miami, but went to USF instead and caught 10 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown as a freshman.

The Bulls’ current parts in place might have to carry the load, considering the newcomers are thin. The St. Petersburg Times reported that 10 players from the February signing class didn’t make it to the USF campus, most failing to reach NCAA academic standards.

Like Kansas University, South Florida will have three games before the Sept. 23 meeting in Lawrence. On Sept. 2, the Bulls will play McNeese State, followed by a home game with Florida International and a road game at Central Florida on Sept. 16.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/aug/07/usf_faces_eligibility_obstacles/?sports

[E.T.]

Well ... he started out badly  :-/

Glad he got to "football" . . .

Thanx for the post.

[beastiebull]

If any other school had the offseason problems we've had we'de be saying how much trouble they're in.  

[dabull80]

good- lets hope the coaches think we are coming weak.

[JoeB]

I like how they don't even mention our D.  They'll be surprised when they see the speed of the LBs.

[smazza]

i will let usf introduce themselves to ku

[___ Eats It]

i will let usf introduce themselves to ku

That's what I'M talkin' about!  

[E.T.]

i will let usf introduce themselves to ku

That's what I'M talkin' about!  

YES !!!

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Guest R_to_the_izzo]

good- lets hope the coaches think we are coming weak.

Maybe if it was week 1. But since we are going to be 3-0 with a MOV of somewhere between 30-50 they may notice us.

[USFPDiddy]

If any other school had the offseason problems we've had we'de be saying how much trouble they're in.  

If you pay attention to college football news in general, things like what happened to Hill seem to be rampant this year.  Miami, Oklahoma, USC, and QUITE A few others are running into similar trouble.  In our case, at least it was a guy who was somewhat unproven (no guarantee he would have been our best option).  In Miami's and OU's cases, they lost a proven and needed starter (although Miami only loses Moss for one game, that is going to HURT against FSU.)