Jenkins to Bucs? SI.com thinks so ...
I'm in Palm Harbor today, covering the WNBA Draft, but want to check in with a few USF links. First, there's a new mock first round at SI.com, where former Times writer Don Banks now has USF cornerback Mike Jenkins going 20th to the hometown Bucs. Banks has Jenkins as the fourth cornerback taken, but it'll be interesting to see if Kansas' Aqib Talib stays ahead of him on draft boards after news reports this week of multiple positive tests for marijuana.
We reported this morning that USF women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez was among 17 candidates to interview Monday in Tampa for the head coaching vacancy at UNLV. UNLV is expected to hold follow-up interviews with finalists on campus this week, and you can read more about other candidates in this story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. We've confirmed one reserve player being granted a release to transfer from the Bulls -- sophomore forward Caitlyn Mitryk, who averaged 1.7 points this past season. Mitryk did not score a point in Big East play in either of her two seasons with the Bulls.
On the men's basketball front, an interesting development Tuesday with Mott Community College guard Jeremie Simmons, who briefly committed to Valparaiso before quickly changing his mind and keeping his options open. I talked to Simmons on Tuesday afternoon, and he said his commitment was "a mistake," something that happened as he thought about wanting to stay close to home. He's certainly considering Valpo, but said USF is still in the mix. He'll visit Alabama on April 25, and the Tide suddenly have some big openings for guards. With the signing period opening on the 16th, it'll be interesting to see if USF is willing to hold out more than a week until he makes a decision. ...
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
This would be very ideal for Jenkins and the Bucs. It would cost Jenkins some $$$, as other mocks have him going in picks 8 thru 20. The flip side is he would stay closer to home, family (mom, brother, etc), and USF. He would had great tutors (Barber, Kiffin, etc) and also walk into a situation without a lot of pressure to immediately perform. I hope the BUCS draft him and I hope he succeeds. As a USF alumnus, this would be awesome for the Tampa community.
On a side note, what Don Banks says doesn't have alot of credibility in my eyes.
Posted by: mulham shbeib | April 09, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Simmons would be huge for Valpo...but did he say what his chances are of officially committing there was? What are USF's chances of getting his signature?
Posted by: AGW | April 09, 2008 at 06:25 PM
I hope and kind of think that the Bucs are the last slot for Jenkins. He would be a good fit in most systems, but especially here.
Seems like Simmons is having a tough time deciding.
Posted by: Dave W | April 09, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Couldn't hurt the Bulls to have one of our own on the local NFL team--available to help with promos for USF, etc.
Posted by: Ken | April 09, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Alabama is having trouble with guys entering the NBA draft and guys transferring.
Simmons could go there and probably start from day one which is something he will have to really earn at USF.Because of the way he shoots FTs he would be on the floor to finish games if he comes here which is what you want as a player.
Now what Simmons has to keep in mind is Bama's Mark Gottfried is less then a year from being fired.He has always been a great recruiter, but the results of the talent he gathers haven't always matched up.
Reading between the lines the fans of that school want their AD to make the move now and if he doesn't then he needs to go and let another AD come in and fix the broken bama basketball team.
Posted by: The Champ | April 09, 2008 at 10:06 PM
G.A. you did good to post the strange adventure that Simmons had yesterday with Valpo.
Now as I said yesterday as well give a call to Faber to see if he is coming in for USF's spring fb game.
If I'm guessing right Heath will have an in home with Simmons very soon which could clear this kid's mind and show him USF is the best place for him in the overall picture.
Posted by: The Champ | April 09, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Pewter Report (a prominent Bucs insider magazine) has Jenkins on the front cover of their draft preview issue. If he makes it all the way to the Bucs I doubt they pass on him.
Posted by: Blake | April 09, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Wow, so GA works for the Times and for the Champ.
Champ, GA knows what he is doing and does it well. A request can be made with the word please or in an interoggative sentence, such as this example: GA, could you please give us an update on Faber?
Posted by: Dave W | April 10, 2008 at 12:17 AM
First off nobody and I mean nobody appreciates the work that G.A. is doing more then me.He might not know it but he has developed quite the fan base on my job with his recruiting reports.Those guys and gals might not write on this blog like me but they do read it.
G.A. is one of the best and he is blowing away the competition like a F-5 tornado.Besides he has the best first name on the planet.
Posted by: The Champ | April 10, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Simmons = Ohio State
Posted by: Slugs | April 14, 2008 at 08:19 PM