Four-gone conclusions and more ...

I was off with the family at the beach when Friday's news broke that four scholarship football players wouldn't be back next season for various reasons. I'll get to that in a second, but first can report the real possibility of a fifth player joining that group -- receiver Amp Hill, whose Sharpiegate silliness put him firmly in Jim Leavitt's doghouse at the end of spring football. Asked about Hill's future with the team Monday, Leavitt said it was "up in the air" and declined to comment further. When I reached Hill at his Jacksonville home Tuesday, I got a curt "I don't feel like talking," then a hangup. I'm not saying anything's decided, but don't be surprised if he's played his last game with the Bulls. Now onto the other four departures, in descending order of impact:

Danny Verpaele: Even though he didn't start most of last season, even with sophmore Nate Allen getting rave reviews, this is a notable loss. Verpaele's goal-line hit of Steve Slaton was a huge play in USF's upset of West Virginia, and he started that game because of his speed. USF has depth at safety, with Carlton Williams the starter at strong safety and Louis Gachette behind him. My understanding is that Verpaele will remain on scholarship and can practice with the team this fall and return as a senior in '08.

Ricky Ponton: Was heralded as Andre Hall's heir a year ago and fumbled it away, becoming a non-factor. His six-game suspension hurt the Bulls last season, and coaches were more comfortable giving carries to a reliable walk-on in Ben Williams. This spring, he wasn't listed on the depth chart, with redshirt freshman Aston Samuels listed ahead. If you count Mike Ford ahead of him, that put him fourth at best, so it'd be entirely reasonable that he would have transferred away to find playing time even if he weren't ineligible at USF this fall. It's the third year in a row a running back has transferred out, following Billy Henderson and Chad Simpson.

LeBrandon Glover: USFnation.com's had good reporting on this, citing his grandmother's health problems and a desire to move closer to his home in Pensacola. Glover was participating in voluntary summer workouts Monday, but my understanding on that was that he didn't want to stop working with the team for fear that USF would pull his scholarship and not pay for summer classes he had started. USF has helped its linebacker situation in a big way by getting Tyrone McKenzie and Donte Spires, but with signee Calvin Sutton still in academic limbo, this is a position that will be a priority in USF's recruiting efforts.

Mike Benzer: Lost the kicking job in each of his two seasons, and found himself behind Delbert Alvarado entering the fall. USF says he'll stay in school but won't be part of the team, so it won't hurt the program's APR as much as if he'd transferred elsewhere. I'll remember how happy he was after hitting a field goal in the win against Central Florida, but he didn't have much else to smile about at USF.

I'll have more on the heavy turnover on the football roster in another post, but I'll invite you guys to guess how many players from last year's media guide have left the team (not counting the eight 2006 signees that never made it, or the tragic death of Keeley Dorsey) before their eligibility was up. It's an impressive number ...

-- Quick basketball note: Stan Heath seems to be focusing on two recruits for the last scholarship he'll use this spring, saving the other for next year's class. He had power forward Sean Carter of Fayetteville, N.C., in for an official visit on Monday or Tuesday, but I don't know that a scholarship offer has been made. Heath is in the hunt for former LSU forward Magnum Rolle, who told me Tuesday that USF is a "strong possibility" he's considering. He's talked with Heath as well as former teammate Kentrell Gransberry, who had a great season with the Bulls after making the same transfer from LSU. He's planning a visit to Wyoming and also likes Louisiana Tech, but said he'd like to visit USF before making a decision later this month.

Comments

[Ari]

That pass Amp Hill dropped against Rutgers will forver haunt his perception.

If he makes the catch -- he is a sure starter -- now he is just "another" reciever we have.

Sorry Amp

[Sam]

Can all these departures from the football team be interpreted as a good thing? What is the real expectation of the football team with the lack of depth?

[Claudel]

Sam you are right about our depth. USF has some major talent, but the pool is not as deep as "The BIG BOYS" Losing quality players hurts in that situation. You don't always have someone to plug the hole.

[Bill]

I count 11 gone from last season with Verpaele gone for one season and A. Hill another potential loss. I'm afraid to hear of the 5 - 6 incoming athletes who won't qualify. Seems like they are always the highest rated recruits that become casualties.

[Steve]

Greg,

Any idea if they will give these scholarships to walk ons? And if so any idea who might be the candidates that may get one? Thanks

[Greg Auman]

Bill, 11's a good guess, and I can say you're more than halfway there.

Steve, we've reported that receiver Colby Erskin will be on scholarship this fall, and Ben Williams went on in January. My next guess, especially with Benzer gone, would be Justin Teachey, who has helped the team with kickoffs and punting. Just speculation on my part though. ...

[Verybullish]

I'm going to guess 17 players.

A greg. If chad simpson was there the running game would have been better. If you go back to famu game when all of the backs played chad had less carries but still and averaged the most out of all the runningbacks. The kid is a homerun hitter. At morgan state this season he started only 6 games and had 1100 yards all purpose. Lets not forget his kick return ability. Chad will play on sunday!!!

[Miles Lamoureux]

Would Magnum have to sit out a year because of transferring?

[Greg Auman]

Magnum would indeed have to sit out one season, and would then have two years of eligibility in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Wuz up greg comment about simpson. I don't think you do much reserch on things you write about.

[Greg Auman]

Not sure what more to say on Simpson -- good kid from a good program at Edison. I can remember sitting at the McDonald's his mother manages in north Miami, talking with her about all he'd overcome. He played well last fall at the I-AA level, and I'm sure he'll do the same this season. And I'll try to do some "reserch" just to keep my anonymous posters happy.

[Jason]

Greg,

We have 5 including Amp and I am going to guess 7 recuits? Who else?

[Jason]

recruits*

[Greg Auman]

Now I have the posters scared I'll rip 'em after typos. I don't mean to frighten you guys into correcting yourself, but glad to see the diligence in spelling accuracy ...