Hey, technically, could be worse for USF

If you wanted a positive spin on those 10 recruits that signed with USF in February but won't make it to campus this fall, this probably wasn't what you had in mind.

Leslie Stirrups, arguably the most highly touted of the 28 recruits who signed with USF in February, was arrested Monday on six felony charges, all related to auto burglaries. Two counts of burglary of a conveyance, two counts of third-degree grand theft, one for dealing in stolen property and another for giving a false name to a pawn dealer. The 18-year-old from Hillsborough High remains in jail on $17,500 bond.

So for USF, it's probably better today that Stirrups isn't on campus as a freshman. Stirrups didn't qualify academically and is slated to play this fall at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi. (You could argue that if he was in the structure and supervision of a major college football program, he might not be allegedly stealing things from cars, but that's another matter). So instead of a USF freshman getting arrested, it's just a talented local kid who signed with USF but didn't make it and hopes to get back to USF in a few years ... legal issues notwithstanding.

Speaking of Pearl River and arrests more closely linked to USF, that's where Carlton Hill is headed for this fall, as part of his academic/character rehabilitation. He's the fourth USF player/recruit placed at Pearl River since January, but he might not be playing quarterback at Pearl River, either. The school already has a strong quarterback in Mike Greco, an N.C. State transfer, so Hill could wind up at receiver or even safety. Either way, the plan is to get him back to USF in 2007, with two years to play. The guy's fallen a long way since March.

Remind me on Tuesday to write more about USF's first men's basketball practice. If you're yearning for the days of Will McDonald, Terrence Leather and Marlyn Bryant, stop by the Sun Dome this week. They're practicing against the current Bulls -- how appropriate that players playing in Europe help USF prepare for its trip to Italy in two weeks. (And you geography majors, yes, Bryant played pro ball this year in Mexico, which is not in Europe, I know .. )

Comments

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the character of a person play into recruiting at all? I don't see why talent is the only thing that is looked out! I have to believe that are plenty of talented athletes out there with good character. Why do they waste their time and efforts on these kids?

[Anonymous]

It seems that the head coach wears many hats, another one could well be "warden".

[Anonymous]

Thats one way to spin this into a positive. The more you turn a blind eye in your writing the more you justify the actions. Maybe should move up the bar a peg or two.

[Chris S.]

8 recruits couldn't qualify, #1 recruit (non-qualifier) was arrested on 6 Felonies, and no one questions the Coach's recruiting standards?Where is Woolard or Genshaft? Their silence is deafening.

[E.T.]

Coaches do their best in checking character of student-athletes ... regarding the non-qualifiers, you take your chances on kids - AND HOPE for the best - for their sake as with USF's."...and no one questions the Coach's recruiting standards?Where is Woolard or Genshaft?"Seems you are and Woolard & Genshaft are just a email or telephone call away.I personally don't see a major issue here.Go BULLS !!!

[Greg Auman]

Hey, anonymous No. 3, it's a tongue-in-cheek positive. If I were turning a blind eye, wouldn't I just not write the story in the first place? C'mon ...

[Anonymous]

It is unfortunate that so many kids have athletic talent but they are dealing with other issues to the point, that they "cannot make it." It would be nice to get all "well adjusted kids" into the program, but that part of the social strata is not where many of the talented athletes live. You deal with the good and the bad. I recommend people go over, look at the USF program, talk to coaches, etc. I am sure they would love to get kids from homes with two parent, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA and an SAT of 1300, run a 4.2 40, bench press 450 pounds, and do volunteer work. Those kids are few and far between.

[ChiTown]

any update on Andre Hall getting into a camp?

[bausfkid]

Greg, As always thanks for the candor in your blog. It's very difficult to see any young person, athlete or not make poor life decisions that will change the way they live for many years. There are folks making poor decisions in every walk of life, everyday, and in every profession. Hopefully these guys will get their lives together and be productive members of society. Looking forward to the fall season and all the student athletes at USF gaining knowledge and winning!Go Bulls!

[Joe P]

For all of those that believe it should be easy to recruit 18 year olds that don't have character issues, read the story on Josh Hamilton. This kid the Rays drafted was from one of the strongest family units and he was the humblest and best of kids. A minor injury and some family issues and his life spiraled downward into drugs. Take the best 80 high school seniors you can find, and I guarantee a few of them will get into some sort of trouble before they are 25.

[Anonymous]

how surprising: ucf fans crashing yet another usf forum. If character counted at UCF then George O'Liar would not be your head coach. Afterall how could your coach falsify his resume and still get a job at institution of higher learning?

[Anonymous]

stirrups comes from a good family. His father is a policeman. Unfortunately, good kids from good families sometimes make stupid decisions. Stirrups never had any publically acknowledge run-ins with the law so this is surprising. Hopefully he can get his life back in order, pay his debt back to society and grow as a person. Football is secondary at this point. How typical for ucf fans to make light of the situation.

[Anonymous]

The problem is USF has some good walk on athletes that are model citizens and they won't reward them with a scholarship! That is what I don't understand.