Seven freshmen held out of practice

Seven true freshmen were held out of drills Tuesday morning, and coach Jim Leavitt said the players haven't been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. He said he is confident all will eventually be cleared.

"They haven't gotten through the clearinghouse yet. Why haven't we done a better job with all that? We probably (with) some things maybe should have done a little bit better than they have been," Leavitt said. "Is it frustrating? Yes. I know all our people are working hard at it. Maybe a high school doesn't send in, most of it is just final transcripts not getting in from a high school. Every year we have a couple, two or three. Some of that stuff is outside of our control. Some of it is not outside our control."

The seven -- offensive lineman Danous Estenor, tight end Andreas Shields, cornerbacks John Lejiste and George Baker and linebacker Quavon Taylor, along with walk-on linebackers Chase Geaney and LaDre Watkins -- did not have any apparent injuries but were limited to being spectators in jerseys and shorts while other true freshmen participated as normal. Of the seven, only Estenor and Watkins have been mentioned as players likely to see game action this season.

The player Leavitt had held out of Monday's afternoon practice, junior cornerback Theo Wilson, returned to practice Tuesday. "I'm not counting on him," Leavitt had said Monday night. "He legally could practice right now, but I told him I don't want him around until we figure it all out."

Had anything changed to have him out at practice Tuesday? Just Leavitt, it seems.

"Legally, he can practice. I was just mad," said Leavitt, who said he believes Wilson will be cleared to play this season. "He needs to practice. I go back and forth with him. I get mood swings with him."

Leavitt said he expects the three players still wearing boots on injured ankles -- offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren, defensive tackle Cory Grissom and walk-on linebacker Lucas Darr -- will miss USF's opener against Tennessee-Martin, and that Grissom "might miss the first two or three games."

"Their ankles aren't broken, but if you have a high ankle sprain, it can take a long time," Leavitt said.

Defensive tackle Aaron Harris, who was splitting time at end last week, was back at tackle Tuesday, and Leavitt said walk-on linebacker Kenneth Luberice has been moved to end. "I like him. He's 6-1, 240, and he's got a motor. Big-time motor," Leavitt said. "We've worked (linebackers) Chris Robinson and (Alonzo) McQueen some at d-end."

There was little more than blustery winds to show that Tropical Storm Fay was moving across the state as the Bulls practiced under cloudy skies Tuesday. Wednesday's practices are likely to be limited by heavy rains expected to hit the Tampa area, but Leavitt said he plans a light practice Wednesday morning and a scrimmage of about 60 plays Wednesday night.

Comments

[Ken]

If they can only practice a certain number of days and they are only "getting close" to that number AND CJL is expecting they will be cleared, why take them out of practice before they reach the number? Wanting to save a practice or two for later--what's the point of that, and if they are approved in the next few days they end up missing practice unnecessarily.

[Steve Stacy]

Chris Robinson at end, eh? I remember some really smart guy suggesting that on this blog a week ago. CJL is obviously monitoring the blogs for quick pointers from those of us who live 200 miles away, don't get to see the players actually practice, and have no form of coaching experience whatsoever.

[Dave W]

I bet Jim loves complications like this. Every day of practice counts for true freshmen, so hopefully it's not too much of a setback (I'm sure the defensive coaches will get them up to speed quickly, though).

[Stephen]

I have not read that any other school around these parts have this issue. Is it the recruit or the clearinghouse?

[G.A.]

There's a certain number of days players are allowed to practice -- 10? 12? -- in anticipation of being cleared. Sounds like USF is getting close to that number on these kids ...

[Boolio]

How are they legally practicing if they aren't even cleared by the NCAA to play?

Is it just me, or is the new NCAA Eligibility Center setup in Indianapolis slower and more cumbersome processing everything than the old clearinghouse setup. I know they are busy this time of year, but try and get anyone there on the phone.

[G.A.]

This isn't admissions, as much as a clearinghouse issue. What's changed is all the newcomers are getting to campus for Summer B instead of fall classes, so they're provisionally accepted to facilitate that, knowing if they're not cleared before fall, there will be problems.

Again, Leavitt is confident that all the players awaiting clearance will be fine. Only two -- Estenor and Watkins -- are expected to play this year, so even if someone were not cleared and had to wait until January to start, you're losing something on the scout team.

Lots of players have come in in January and worked out fine -- Cedric Hill, Brouce Mompremier, etc. ... I don't think it'll come to that, but if it did, it's not a huge issue to this year's team.

[DJ]

Whats going on with the admissions department. Seems they are behind on everything and not hadling their business with these new recruits. Foot ball & basketball. What's up?

[Windbane]

oh boy...