Sometimes you realize USF isn't alone....

[Bullpride08]

i dont think usf has as much wiggle room as more established programs like auburn,gators and the like

Smazza is correct in this case.  Those other teams have such depth that a few losses don't hurt too much.  We've picked up an awful lot of walk-ons recently and some are being called on to fill gaps.  Let's hope these walk-ons have the ability to fill those gaps successfully.

Virginia Tech has a thriving walk-on program, as does Texas A&M, Clemson, FSU etc...

The difference between the schools smazza listed and USF is that fans from those schools don't turn on their own team and don't have unrealistic expectations about a 9 year old program.

Comparing our walk-ons to walk-ons at VTech, Clemson and FSU is an unrealistic expectation in my opinion.  As a 9 year old program, we just aren't at that level yet where we can have the best of the best come and walk-on our practice field.  It's not "turn(ing) on their own team" to realize that we just aren't there yet.  

Losing proven starters and replacing with walk-ons is going to hurt, unless these walk-ons can really step it up.

Smazza might not say things too eloquently and is always seen as negative around here, but in this case he's right-on.

That's not necessarily true either.  If you understood Leavitt he makes most transfers, and kids walk-on regardless of their skills, or intentions.  He's very stingy with his schollies and doesn't give them out as freely as some.  Maybe the quality of our walk-ons is quite as extensive at those other schools but let me cite you some examples.

Will Bleakley- 1st All-Suncoast Team from the Times in 2003, that's the top players out of Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Manatee.  Will was first team, and had other offers but chose to walk-on at USF.

Jared Carnes- was a 1st team all-county selection.  He was on scholarship at a small DII school in WV before wanting to come home- 6-7 310lbs, and benches over 400lbs.  Not your average walk-on.

Treco Bellamy- 3rd team all-state at Monticello HS, cousin of former/future Bull Carlton Hill.  Was a two year JC star, all conference his final year, and had other DI schollie offers but chose to walk-on at USF because we didn't have a schollie to offer at the time.

Shawn Cannon- similar to Bellamy he was an all-stater ran for over 1,700 yards his senior year in HS.  Was a good RB at a top Kansas JC, and was offered pref-walk-on status at USF.

Antwon Hanks- 6-3 215lb track star, all county, all region, Honorable Mention All-State at Lake Weir.  A track star that runs on our track team in the 400m.  Walked on at USF, a very good and talented football player.

Devin Gordon- a very underrated TE prospect, played receiver, te and de in HS, and was a considered a rising star by some with some 1-AA offers, walked on at USF.

Jamaal Jenkins- brother of RB recruit Aston Samuels, just got a scholarship, one of the fastest Bulls on the team, starred at Belle Glade HS as a cornerback and receiver.  A big kid at 5-11 190lbs with 4.4 speed.

There are more names just like this, how about the Schulyer kid from Ohio, a real big DT at 6-3 275lbs, a motor that doesn't quit, big, and nasty.  A real find by the coaching staff.  Larry Lindsey not a great OL, but solid, provides good depth at 6-3 300lbs.  Hell Leavitt made Ean Randolph, and Jeremy Burnett walk-on their first year when they transfered from Weber, and Purdue (Randolph went to Weber because of grade issues, and no test score, he went on to have 55 catches for 750 yards, 4 TD's, and returned punts and kicks with them taking three back for scores his last year there).

The staff rotates walk-ons like they're going through the first round of the American Idol, but when they find one with good athletic ability that they think can be developed they latch on immediately like a prospect like Quincy Okalie, a 6-6 225lbs WR/TE that came to USF, they like his physical nature so they moved him to DE.  He's very quick, imagine if he grows to say 265lbs, but keeps most of his quickness- worth a chance to see.

I wouldn't condemn walk-ons at USF, many of our guys are players like Houllis at FSU.  Good athletes, often forgotten, or players smaller schools cherish but if they come in, work their asses off, some can develop into very dependable players by their 4th year in the program like a Will Bleakley, or Jared Carnes.