TBO: USF's Leavitt: LB Only Spot Locked Up

[Minotaur]

USF's Leavitt: LB Only Spot Locked Up

By GREGG BECNEL Tribune correspondent

Published: Aug 11, 2006

TAMPA - After the University of South Florida practiced for the first time in full pads Friday, Coach Jim Leavitt said most of the team's starting spots are up for grabs, except at linebacker and possibly at cornerback.

''The only place where there's no competition is linebacker,'' Leavitt said. ''Stephen Nicholas, [ben] Moffitt and [Patrick] St. Louis  nobody is going to get close to those guys. And Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams are pretty strong at the corners.

''This is the youngest team we've had since my first year. By far, this is the most competition we've ever had.''

GOOD MOVE: It seems freshman Nate Allen, who considered staying at quarterback before switching to free safety, made a smart decision.

''Nate's going to play this year,'' Leavitt said. ''He's as good a safety that I've seen in a long time. We wouldn't have moved him if we didn't know he'd be awfully good.''

TYPICAL TEMPERS: The combination of the heat and being in full pads caused tempers to flare toward the end of board drills.

Freshman OG Morgan Mathis and junior DE Treco Bellamy engaged in a scuffle where punches were thrown. Two other minor skirmishes involving other players followed before the drill ended. No one was injured.

ODDS AND ENDS: Senior RB Walt Smith, who shined during spring practice, is sitting out while concentrating on school work. ''Academically, he's got to get some things squared away or he can't play,'' Leavitt said. … Leavitt said he has been pleased with OL Marc Dile and DBs Jerome Murphy, Ryan Gilliam and Jeremy Burnett. ... Keith Abrams, who has experience working with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Bucs, was named associate athletics trainer and director of rehabilitation, assistant AD sports medicine Steve Walz said. ... USF begins two-a-day practices today.

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bulls/MGB9M501RQE.html

[bulls96go]

wow our two deep is set for a 3yr run if most of these guy's pan out!

watch out BE....here come the bulls! ;D

[bullwark]

No surprise at the LB positions, great to read that USF will be strong at corner positions.

[E.T.]

And the corner position are vital ... and we still have great depth there - AND the safeties are very good also .... and expecting our Front Four to do well.

I am sure Leavitt & Burnham are thinking that this may be their best LB crew in the careers. Leavitt's for sure ... maybe for Burnham also, not sure about his years at fsu

gO bulls !!!