Oracle Sports Blog

[aly20xx]

One thing that's always interesting about covering the baseball games will be the random -- though not really random because they're becoming more frequent -- coach Jim Leavitt sightings.

He loves baseball, as most of the in-depth fans know, and, as it has been said before by many publications: Leavitt was the Big 8 batting champ in 1976 at Mizzou.

Crazy, right? Well, Leavitt said tonight that the football team ran 40s on Monday, and it'll probably shock most of you who the fastest player on the team is.

Want to guess? Who would you think a receiver like Taurus Johnson or defensive backs Mike Jenkins or Trae Williams?

Nope, it's actually receiver Colby Erskin. Yeah, I know, Erskin. Leavitt said he ran a 4.23.

Leavitt said redshirt freshman Carlton Mitchell came in second with a 4.28. Impressive numbers and Leavitt says he really wants to work Mitchell into the offense, and with the departures of Ean Randolph and S.J. Green, Mitchell looks to really move up the ladder and compete for a starting job.

And for those you haven't heard anything about the highly-touted running back Mike Ford in a while, he clocked in a 4.66, which, Leavitt said, impressed everyone since the cousin of senior receiver Amarri Jackson weighs in at 220 pounds.

One thing that Leavitt pointed out was amount of coaching changes that not only USF has had this offseason, but Miami and FSU as well. The Bulls have added four new coaches -- two hires and two grad assistant promotions -- FSU had five including Lawrence Dawsey being hired at the same position for the Seminoles, and the Hurricanes, obviously, outright fired Larry Coker.

Leavitt said he was excited about his new coaching staff and that everyone has been clicking during workouts. More importantly, as we discussed that he takes a daily run around campus, Leavitt, as always, is ready to get back to practice.

Should be an interesting spring.

-- Mike Camunas

http://www.oraclesports.blogspot.com/

[gurlybull]

Good blog Mr. Camunas!  I am itching for football to start!!

Aly, SUHWEEEET avatar!!!  

    GO BULLS!!

                          -Gurly

[OracleCamunas]

Thanks, Brittany.

[NormalBull]

Aly's avatar is cool, but not nearly as sweet as yours gurly.   8-)

Normal

[aly20xx]

^ i agree  

[PitBull]

And for those you haven't heard anything about the highly-touted running back Mike Ford in a while, he clocked in a 4.66, which, Leavitt said, impressed everyone since the cousin of senior receiver Amarri Jackson weighs in at 220 pounds.

4.66 isnt very impressive.  is he just out of shape or something?  maybe we should convert him to FB and make plancher the RB.

[E.T.]

Ford just isn't in football shape.

And these times were on not on a track ... they were on grass(no bad comments please).

I hope that Jackson is really feeling the pressure and pushes himself. Would love to see a MONSTER season from him.

T.J. also has gained weight, increased his bench and his speed is still Top 5 on the team.

Go BULLS !!!

[KeysBull]

4.66 on grass out of shape at 220 is just fine.

Though when someone who looks like an 8th grader runs a 4.2....

Must be good grass  

Seriously ppl misunderstand how fast 40 times really are.  

In high school I was a solid runner in the 200 and 400 meters, and I never broke 4.85  (electronic time).  

[BiggTipp]

:o :o :o..Erskin 4.23....did I read that right?

[BiggTipp]

wow Mitchell is 6'4 rightover 200lbs...4.28 very impressive