Receiver Amp Hill, who caught 19 passes last year but found himself entrenched in coach Jim Leavitt's doghouse, is no longer part of USF's football team.
Hill had been on thin ice since spring practice, when Leavitt suspended him from the team after he pulled out a Sharpie as if to sign the football in celebration after catching a touchdown in an intrasquad scrimmage. Leavitt said at the time that other issues with Hill had led to his decision.
"It was inappropriate, and I want to be very clear how inappropriate it was. ... It's uncharacteristic of our program," Leavitt said back in April.
We'd addressed the strong possibility of Hill's departure here last month, and Hill, who was taken off USF's online roster Monday, did not return a message Monday seeking comment, nor did Leavitt. Hill is perhaps best known for a catch he didn't make, dropping what would have been the tying two-point conversion with 15 seconds left in last year's 22-20 loss to Rutgers. The Bulls still have solid depth at receiver, with senior Amarri Jackson and juniors Marcus Edwards and Taurus Johnson leading a talented group that also includes redshirt freshman Carlton Mitchell and former walk-on Colby Erskin.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Greg and other readers, who wasted more potential- Amp or Josh Julmiste? I think J. Julmiste is the bigger waste as he flashed NFL ability and was constantly doing stupid things in his time at USF. Amp lost some exlposiveness in his legs through his injuries, so it's not all his fault (whereas Julmiste should be held entirely accountable). Too bad, though, that he'll go down as the worst moment (aside from the Cincy game) of the 2006 season.
Posted by: Dave | July 10, 2007 at 05:39 PM
I'm sure curious as to what the "other issues" were - I don't believe the Sharpie thing was enough to get the guy booted, but it probably was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Posted by: Matthew Cox | July 10, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Bye Amp Hill we don't want a TO. Good luck.
Posted by: Jim | July 10, 2007 at 08:28 AM
Too bad about Amp Hill. After the spring game last year, I was a really big Amp Hill fan and was just waiting for him to bust out every game. Oh well, we will move on with some good receivers. How about Courtney Denson as a receiver? He looked pretty good in the spring game this year.
Posted by: AnhVu Nguyen | July 09, 2007 at 09:33 PM