Former USF receiver Huey Whittaker, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze last year, has signed a contract to join the New York Jets.
Whittaker, a 6-foot-5 receiver who led the Blaze with 126 catches, 1,541 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns last season, signed a "reserve futures" contract, which allows teams who are out of the playoffs to add to their roster as it expands for the offseason. Whittaker, who played at USF from 2001-03, said Friday he'll report to practice with the team in March.
-- USF has lost one of its oral commitments in recruiting, as New Jersey offensive lineman Zach Chibane, who committed in November, has backed out and committed to Big East rival Syracuse. Chibane's coach, Dan Sabella, said Friday that USF wanted Chibane to "grayshirt," or defer his enrollment until January, but Chibane preferred to start classes in August. Syracuse offered him a chance to come in as part of the incoming class, and he took the offer, with no objections from USF, Sabella said. "He loved USF, but he wants to get going with school in September," he said. "There are no hard feelings either way."
-- It's still tentative, but USF has moved its spring game to April 11 at Raymond James Stadium, a week earlier than was originally announced. And RayJay isn't the only thing getting new sod for the Super Bowl in three weeks -- USF's practice fields, where the AFC champions will practice before the big game, are also getting new sod as well.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
You won't think it's a waste when practice begins. Its a fair bet that many of our practice-incurred ankle and knee problems have something to do with the uneven, spotty practice fields the Bulls use.
Posted by: Stephen Blackehart | January 10, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Hopefully Huey can stick. Good to see him get a chance with somebody at least.
Posted by: BC | January 10, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Game day expenses are pennies compared to the TV revenue the NFL earns. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, the sod upgrade benefits the Bucs and Bulls without cost to the taxpayers.
Posted by: SailingBull | January 10, 2009 at 04:29 PM
All that sod seems like a big waste of money to me.
Good for Huey!
Posted by: Ken | January 10, 2009 at 02:50 PM