Just when you thought USF recruiting had wound down to the point where there were only four or five names left to be decided.
There's a new name -- really an old name -- that has resurfaced on the Bulls' radar. Junior college tackle Jamar Bass, who came down to USF and Illinois, said on Jan. 2 that he was enrolling this spring at Illinois. Thing is, school started there two weeks ago, and he's not enrolled in classes at Illinois, associate sports information director Cassie Arner said Saturday.
Bass, who played at Apopka High and spent this past season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, couldn't be reached for comment Saturday, but if Illinois isn't his choice, USF makes sense to move to the top of the list. Offensive line has been a priority in this recruiting class -- the Bulls lost four senior starters from the 2008 line -- and another junior college tackle, Carlos Savala, is among the Bulls' top commitments.
USF also should have former Jefferson and FSU tackle Daron Rose, but he still has much academic work to do before he can join the Bulls. Rose said Saturday that he still plans on being at USF this fall, but he'll have a heavy courseload this summer, with 18 credit hours needed to get his associate of arts degree from Hillsborough Community College. It's certainly within reach -- defensive end David Bedford pulled it off last summer -- but is still a major hurdle to be cleared.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Bass wasn't accepted into the University for the spring and it's looking doubtful if they'll let him in at all.
Posted by: J | February 01, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Also, great title.
Posted by: David Weber | February 01, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Nice. I didn't know Rose was going to have such a workload this summer. Even if Rose qualifies, I would think that we could find a spot for all three.
How big is Rose? Savala has prototypical OT size and Bass has the height but is a little light for OG (I think it's amazing that 280 could possibly be considered light). One possibility could be Savala, Herm, Bass (I thought I saw somewhere that he can play center), Genus, Rose, with Sims as the top backup and plenty of potential for the other guys.
Posted by: David Weber | February 01, 2009 at 12:13 PM
He would be another welcomed addition to our offense. All we need now is an OC. Any word on who that might be?
Posted by: chris | February 01, 2009 at 11:03 AM
That would be a "HUGE" addition to the OL.
Posted by: Ken | February 01, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Warren Sapp went to Bass's Apopka High too. Sapp had a great football career playing in Tampa...so could Jamar Bass!
Posted by: | February 01, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Heh, go figure.
Apparently so, Road Runner. You always were a quick one.
Posted by: Windbane | February 01, 2009 at 01:05 AM
I don't believe he ever signed a letter of intent. Illinois never issued any official confirmation of his arrival.
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 31, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I thought Bass had signed LOI with Illinois already.Wouldnt he have to be released from it by Illinois to go somewhereelse?
Posted by: CR | January 31, 2009 at 11:29 PM
18 credits is 6 classes. That is a pretty good amount to undertake in a summer term.
Posted by: Randy | January 31, 2009 at 10:36 PM
So you're saying we should perhaps wait until Summer has passed before we start wetting our pants about Daron Rose, then.
Solid advice.
Posted by: RR | January 31, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Rose is going to miss too many workouts. He has been out of football for a year right? Looking at Bedfords situation, he isn't going to be in good enough shape to be of much use. Popek will probably beat him out for the spot.
Jamar Bass would be a huge get at this point.
Posted by: jg | January 31, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Well, it would be nice to get Bass, especially if Rose can't practice as much because of classes as was the case with Bedford. Hopefully he can handle both. 18 credits isn't really that much.
Posted by: Windbane | January 31, 2009 at 10:05 PM