Genus opens camp as starting nose tackle

Six months ago, Sampson Genus was a backup offensive lineman. Now his transition to defensive has gone so well that USF is listing the sophomore as the starting nose tackle, ahead of fellow sophomore Terrell McClain.

"(Genus) probably is going to start," coach Jim Leavitt said Tuesday at the Big East preseason media gathering in Newport, R.I. "If Sampson's going to be on defense, he's going to play for us."

Genus, who played sparingly at offensive guard last fall, is one of the strongest players on the team and is still learning the technique and nuances of playing on defensive line. McClain, meanwhile, will cross-train at both nose tackle and at "three technique," the other interior d-line position, where junior Aaron Harris is a returning starter. Leavitt said coaches will give a long look in preseason to true freshman Danous Estenor, who could push for a spot on the two-deep as well.

-- USF's new media guides are out, and the preseason depth chart shows a few new insights. The biggest would have been Delbert Alvarado not being listed at kicker -- it shows senior Justin Teachey and freshman Maikon Bonani -- but Leavitt said that listing is incorrect. Alvarado will be his kicker and punter until someone can come in and unseat him. Bonani and freshman punter Justin Brockhaus-Kann will have a chance in the next month to prove themselves.

-- Other depth-chart tweaks? The top backups at both tackle spots are true freshmen, with Mark Popek backing up Jake Sims at right tackle and Damien Edwards behind Marc Dile at left tackle. Senior Carlton Williams is listed as the starting strong safety, ahead of Danny Verpaele, and redshirt freshman Jerrell Young is listed as the top backup to Nate Allen at free safety. If I have time later, I'll type in a full depth chart for you guys to see ...

Comments

[cg]

Here's hoping that Genus' o-line xp gives him Selvie-like instincts as well.

[Blake]

It's great to see Sampson succeeding at DT. Hopefully this will mean we won't have as much trouble stopping bigger backs any more.

I still think Alvarado will likely be the punter going into the season, but I'm thinking (praying/hoping) that Bonani unseats him as the kicker.

I also like that incoming freshmen are pushing the guys already on the team. Normally this would be a sign of a lack of depth, however, our incoming classes are becoming more and more talented each year, now to the point that we can't afford to red-shirt them. This is just like Leavitt mentioning that BJ Daniels will be getting playing time this year. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him as the first guy in during mop-up duty (if there is any) during the TN-Martin and UCF games. Gregory has more experience, but Daniels is in a different echelon of talent.

[Taurean]

This is good news to hear. In the face of all the criticism USF football receives about being able to replace star players, we are able to prove we have depth at some skills positions.

Our incoming Freshmen will only help to light the fire of the players playing above them.

Will BJ Daniels really get some PT this year? I hope that means CJL seems some really good potential from this future stud.

[Dave W]

I like Gregory as the #2, and he deserves meaningful time, too. I just don't see the point in wasting a red-shirt for BJ if he doesn't need to play. If they said BJ is redshirting, would that mean he'd be locked up for the season, or could he play at a later date in case of injury?

I think Genus will be really good at not getting pushed around, which would be huge for us. I think McClain has potential, too, so I'm optimistic for those three guys. Beyond them, I'm very skeptical on the depth.

Damien Edwards could turn out to be just as amazing of a find as Selvie. Think about it- Selvie switched positions, but he redshirted and is from Florida. Edwards won't switch positions, but if it wasn't for his family connection to Tampa, we never would have found him, and it looks like he'll contribute as a freshman. Of course, Selvie has proven to be the find of the century in college football so far, but Edwards has the same potential. We need him to be a monster for the 2009 season.

[Blake]

My comment on BJ playing this year was completely based on what CJL said. Leavitt said last week that BJ will definitely be playing this fall. So, if we are going to waste a year of eligibility for him, then we should definitely have him be first in for clean-up work.

[Taurean]

@Blake

I still think BJ should be redshirted. Gregory is a fine backup and BJ is obviously our QB of the future. He'll be our QB when we square off against the 'U.' To me, redshirting him makes sense. He'll gain experience while maintaining an extra year of eligibility.

[JR]

You think B.J. will play over Grothe in 2009?! Wow, what a statement.

[Blake]

@Taurean

I completely agree (I guess I probably should have stated that). If I was in control I would definitely red-shirt BJ this year. I think losing that year of eligibility could hinder us in the long-run. However, I will defer to CJL on this one, seeing as how he knows way more than I do.

In Leavitt We Trust.

[delray]

Great update Greg. I was hoping Danous would play offense, but obviously Jim knows best. Seems like everything else is just "lovely".

[USF95]

I don't understand why Leavitt wants to play BJ this year. Grothe is the clear starter and Gregory is a proven backup (plus a senior). You redshirt BJ and next year he backs up (Gregory is graduated) Grothe (Grothe's Senior Year) and you work him in like Tebow was worked in at UF in 2006. He is then ready to take over the starting job as a redshirt sophomore with three years to play in 2010 versus only having two years to play if we play him this year.

[JR]

Greg, where is Louis Gachette at on the depth chart? He is not listed with the safeties top back ups? I would think he would be on the 2 deep, but I am guessing he is behind Carlton Williams and Danny Verpaele at SS.

[Ken]

I'm with all of you on Daniels. BTW, as far as I know, red shirting has nothing to do with what the coaches SAY and only to do with whether the player plays. If MG gets hurt, and Daniels is needed, that's a different matter, but the program looks better to me in his 5th year if he doesn't play this one. On the other hand, maybe CJL has that sort of confidence about bringing in another top-notch QB so BJD won't be needed for a 5th season.

[Pingbull]

I completely disagree with redshirting Daniels this year. I think he should play. What if Grothe goes down in 2009, even if for only a few games? Now you have BJ coming in with absolutely no experience whatsoever. Lets say Grothe doesn't get injured at all in '09 and all BJ does is come in for mop up duty at the ends of games. Now we are in 2010 with by far the most difficult schedule in our history and are starting a QB that has barely played at all. I'm sure we'll continue to bring in talented/more talented QB's (just like with every other position), so I don't see Daniels being a Junior in 2010 as that much of an issue. Just my opinion.

[BiggTipp]

I'm good with Daniels playing now that Voss left. If Voss was here i think Daniels redshirts. Let him take in the offense and play some during the season like 10 snaps a game or something. Let him play in different situations against other people than scout team players. When I watched Daniels highlight video I felt like i was watching Charlie Ward.

[gary]

He should play. If BJ doesn't play this year, then we have NO backup we can count on next year. We run our qb too much to go into the year with 1 qb who has ever played.

I understand wanting him to be the starting qb for as long as possible, but we have to have a little confidence in our future recruiting too.

Relying on one player to be healthy and produce ( Grothe, then Daniels ) especially at the qb will bite us big one day. We can't be a major player for long doing that.

[SailingBull]

I agree with you BiggTipp, that highlight video reminded me of one person, Charlie Ward. If he busts his a** let him play, he has too much talent to warm the pine for a year.

Letting him get real-time game experience this year will pay for itself by 2010. Especially if he makes it into the rotation during real game time.

Have no fear, Leavitt will bring in another fine QB recruit before BJ graduates!