Lake Gibson twin guards off to junior college

Twin guards Andrea and Andrell Smith of Lake Gibson, rated among the state's top recruits when they signed with USF last fall, have yet to post test scores to meet NCAA eligibility requirements and started classes this week at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City.

The sisters were still awaiting a final test score this week, but GCCC coach Roonie Scovel said Wednesday that she expects both to play for her program this season. USF coach Jose Fernandez was certainly aware the Smith twins had not yet qualified when he signed three junior college guards late in the spring signing period, including two from GCCC.

Andrea was rated as the state's No. 4 prospect by Floridahoops.com before this season, with Andrell rated No. 10 in the same rankings. It works out as an even swap with GCCC, which saw sophomore stars Alexis Givands and Janae Stokes sign with the Bulls in May after winning a junior college national championship. The incoming class is still guard-heavy, so depth in the backcourt shouldn't be a significant issue.

Football: USF released its preseason football roster, though new walk-ons won't be added until the start of practice in August. No surprises in the personnel, though there is the novelty of learning uniform numbers for the newcomers. The only significant numbering change answers the question of which young defensive back earned the right to wear Mike Jenkins' No. 4. Freshman Charlton Sinclair had hoped to earn that, but he's stuck with No. 31, while converted running back Tyson Butler has been allowed to shift from No. 13 to No. 4.

Here are the new numbers for 22 incoming players, especially for you video-game junkies ready to update your rosters. The biggest names? Quarterback B.J. Daniels will wear No. 7, while defensive end David Bedford will wear No. 58. There's still double-numbering aplenty, with many numbers matching a player on offense and defense, like quarterback Evan Landi and defensive back John Lejiste, who both will wear No. 12. The rest? Theo Wilson has No. 2, Daniel Bryant 4, Justin Brockhaus-Kann 18, Demetris Murray 21, George Baker 22, Maikon Bonani 28, Jeff Hawkins 34 (curious for a tight end), Kion Wilson 42, Danous Estenar 45, Corey Grissom 46, Armando Sanchez 51, Mike Lanaris 55, Quavon Taylor 56, Josh Garvin 69, Damien Edwards 73, Mark Popek 74, Jatavious Jackson 93 and Craig Marshall 94.

One more note: I talked Wednesday night with Zach Hanson, the huge tackle from Sacramento who visited last weekend and was hosted by senior center Jake Griffin. He's down to USF and Kansas State, where he'll visit Thursday, and said he expects to decide by Sunday. He said North Carolina called this week and offered him a scholarship, but he told them he was happy with his final two choices. As far as USF? "It looks like a place I can fit in well at," he said. "The facilities are really nice, and I'd have a chance to come in and play right away." We'll get another updated on the 6-foot-8 Hanson this weekend ...

Comments

[G.A.]

6:34, how hard did you look?

Scout:
http://southflorida.scout.com/a.z?s=359&p=8&c=1&nid=3368332

[Joe]

Where does everyone think USF will land on the Rivals Top 50? They are on no. 36 today and they have already done FSU and UM. I know it's one of a million preseason polls, but they are usually high on USF. They ranked the Bulls 25th last season even after the Sun Bowl supernova like implosion.

Who is Zach Hanson? Scout and Rivals have no record of a Zach Hanson?

[G.A.]

Dale, Quavon will start as an outside linebacker, but with his size, safety is obviously a possibility. All three freshman linebackers are likely to redshirt, and Taylor's first impact should be on special teams in 2009.

[Dale]

Greg,
Quavon Taylor #56, at 6'0 190, is the plan to make Quavon a LB as opposed to a stong safety? He would have to gain significant weight, approximately 40 pounds,to play the position.

[go bulls]

Join the stampede!

[Windbane]

Jump on board this locomotive, Zach Hanson; you could be one of the final pieces of a really fun ride.