RJF Drama Continues....

[Ricky the Bull]

USF Remains In Running For Lineman

A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: Feb 5, 2005

     

TAMPA - Miami Carol City's Ricky Jean-Francois finally decided Friday morning to sign with LSU over South Florida - and then changed his mind an hour later.

``He came by my office and asked for LSU's letter-of-intent, but then returned it an hour later and said he still wasn't sure,'' Carol City coach Walt Frazier said.

Jean-Francois remains undecided whether to sign with USF or LSU. He won't be able to sign with either school until Monday because Frazier has Jean-Francois' unsigned letter- of-intent offers from USF and LSU in his desk drawer at Carol City.

``So I guess the drama continues,'' Frazier said.

Rated the nation's No. 3 defensive end, Jean-Francois skipped school Wednesday for Carol City's National Signing Day ceremony. Jean-Francois and his family remain torn where he should attend college, Frazier said.

Brett McMurphy

http://bulls.tbo.com/bulls/MGBAB1SAT4E.html

[Brad]

He should give it some good thought...especially on what matters most.

The parents are near, and apparently wish him to go to USF.  

Furthermore, he knows the USF staff well.  We've produced some good DEs.  Tampa vs. Baton Rouge.  Raymond James Stadium - Tops.  New athletic facility.  So many reasons to join us in the Big East.

Too many kids get homesick when so unsure about going away.

USFMikeB - a student of both USF and LSU - what say you?  

[Ricky the Bull]

I was kind of hoping the article would say that he picked up LSUs LOI to put it in the shredder.

I think that our coaches have made a very good case for USF and his parents see that.  Perhaps LSU has more 'glitter', but I really don't see it making him better prepared academically and/or for a pro football career.

[USFMikeB]

LSU has the tradition that USF lacks.  Go to a football game here and it is like a festival.  The campers start rolling into a special parking area at 7:00 AM on Friday morning.  The stadium holds 90k people, but most games have twice that many tailgating.  This is one of the biggest selling points for the LSU program.  Other than that, Baton Rouge SUCKS.

Racism is alive and well in this southern town.  There is nothing to do here, except go to New Orleans.  Traffic is horrible, they screwed up the road planning.  Two blocks north of the campus is the hood.  The coaching staff is nearly entirely new since Saban left, including the DC.  I could go on.

[Guest BasketBull.]

How many of them have done this now -picking another institution and then throwing everything away?

I just hope RJF is not another one...

[79 Bull]

I know this kid is a GREAT player, but what does all this flip-flopping and disagreement with his family say about where is head and frame of mind will be during games and classes?  Will he be able to focus and make life decisions a lot more important than where to play football?  Do you guys believe overall he is worth pursuing?  I am concerened he may turn into another distraction for this team instead of an asset.

[BULLO12]

Who cares?  Do we need this type of individual on the team?  Can't make a decision...wanting the attention that this brings?  Do we need that? Do we want that?

The kid needs to learn to live with the decisions he makes in life.  USF doesn't need this type of disruption on the field in class or anywhere.

[Cubanbull]

Guys as ive stated before ive met the kid and he is a very nice respectful kid. He is very confused and wants to make sure he makes the right decision.The fact that he hasnt means is very close.I rather have someone that thinks it out and makes an informed decision rather than one that says im comming and turns around and splits the next day.

As i told him Good luck either way.The Bulls and LSU will both be ok either way,so let him choose whats best for him,

[bullman3]

Who cares?  Do we need this type of individual on the team?  Can't make a decision...wanting the attention that this brings?  Do we need that? Do we want that?

The kid needs to learn to live with the decisions he makes in life.  USF doesn't need this type of disruption on the field in class or anywhere.

Give me a break.  Are you telling me you didnt waffer on what school to attend?  For most of us there were fewer variables to consider.   This guy, like most have numerous factors to consider.  He obviously sees the plusses and minuses of both programs, and is weighing his decision.  That has nothing to do with not being able to make a decision or causing a disruption.  Thats why signing period is open for so long.  Kids dont have to decide by Feb.2.  Most do, but they dont have to.  The longer this goes, the better chance we have.  I think LSU has more tradition obviously, but I think this guy would do much better at USF because he would be a big fish ina smaller pond and would be noticed more then he would other places.  He would start sooner at usf and would have a bigger impact on the BE.   Not to mention he would be closer to home, and his parent could easily see every game.  Trips to BR are not easy.

[Knight_Light]

From today's St. Pete Times...(bottom of USF Article) mentions RJF:

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/02/05/Sports/Fisher_arrested_again.shtml

Fisher arrested again, charged with driving on suspended license

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published February 5, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - Former USF football star Brian Fisher was arrested for the fourth time in 11 months Thursday, charged with a felony count of driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender and a misdemeanor count of giving a false name to an officer.

Fisher, who is attending Hillsborough Community College with the hope of returning to USF this fall, was released on $2,500 bond early Friday morning. USF's offensive MVP in 2003, he left the program last summer after multiple arrests relating to nonpayment of child support.

While his return remains unlikely, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said he hasn't ruled it out, providing he clears up his problems.

"If he gets all his academic work done, I told him we would sit down then and discuss whether to go forward from there," said Leavitt, who was unaware of the arrest.

Leavitt also said he might allow receiver Darren Haliburton to return in the spring, though not on scholarship.

Haliburton spent three months in jail last spring after he pleaded guilty to two counts of battery, including one noted as domestic violence, and trespassing. He was arrested in September 2003, accused of battery on a pregnant ex-girlfriend in two separate campus incidents. He remains on probation, and has been enrolled at USF since last fall. He would have two years of eligibility remaining if reinstated.

"Coach Leavitt has told me that if I came back, my next mistake would be my last mistake," Haliburton said last month. "Darren Haliburton isn't going to make any more mistakes, and you can write that down."

'NOLE ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE: Florida State redshirt freshman defensive tackle Chris Bradwell was arrested and charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, a misdemeanor, late Thursday and has been suspended from the team indefinitely.

Tallahassee Police officers showed up at Bradwell's on-campus dorm in connection with the fraudulent use of a credit card belonging to freshman fullback Joe Surratt. The officers could smell marijuana and, after asking to enter the room, saw the drug on the computer desk, police said.

Bradwell, who played in five games and had one tackle last season, was taken to the Leon County jail and bonded out for $150 at 5:09 a.m. The use of the credit card, a misdemeanor, is still under investigation, but if Bradwell repays Surratt, it's likely that police won't pursue it further.

According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Bradwell, 21, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct (an adjudication of guilt was withheld) when he was arrested in August 2003 by the Tallahassee police on a felony charge of obstructing a firefighter.

USF LOSES PRIZED RECRUIT: USF had hoped to bolster its recruiting class by adding coveted defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois of Miami Carol City, but he appears to be headed to LSU. "He came into my office and asked for his scholarship papers for LSU," Carol City coach Walt Frazier said. "He said he was going to sign with LSU (Friday)." LSU and USF did not report any new signees.