One that got away: Bass picks Illinois
Jamar Bass, the junior college offensive lineman from Apopka who had narrowed his choices to USF and Illinois, said Friday that he'll be joining the Illini this spring.
"I guess the atmosphere was it, the people there, the staff and the players," said Bass, who played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas this fall.
Offensive line will continue to be a priority in recruiting, as the Bulls lose four senior starters from this year's starting five. USF remains in the running for another junior college standout, tackle Carlos Savala from College of the Desert.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Don't worry about Marve. He's not coming to USF. After a small fight, I bet he gets the SEC opened up, sans UF. Lane Kiffin will need a new QB. He already took a great WR from us.
On Bass, I think that Savala is more important, because he's a true tackle. I think we have enough talent for the interior spots (not sure about C, but I'm sure that the guards will be fine). OT is a more important position and one that requires a certain body type (taller and leaner). Savala fits that prototype and it sounds like he should be able to come in and compete. The development of a competent o-line is the most important thing this off-season. I noticed that Grothe gets sacked more in a year than Teel was in his career (except this year). We need a line that pass protects better while remaining effective in run blocking. I don't think Simmonds is the coach to make that improvement, and I'm not sold that the bodies we have will cut it.
Posted by: David Weber | January 02, 2009 at 08:47 PM
Pete, what I've heard is that the Marve family wants to have him closer to home, which would only logically involve USF, UCF or Florida.
It's very normal for a school to block a transfer to another school on their immediate schedule, so I don't know why Miami would soften its stance so much so as to allow Marve a chance to beat them twice with the Bulls. He could circumvent a release by spending a year at a community college (like HCC) and then still have the same two years of eligibility anywhere he wants. I don't know if that's a loophole the family is considering or not.
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 02, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Greg....what do you know about Marve? Is there any possibility that he may come to USF if UM softens their stance on tranfers?
Thanks.
Posted by: pete | January 02, 2009 at 08:26 PM
As long as the headline works without the joke, it's not that bad.
You almost have to go with "Bulls reel in 280-pound Bass" or "Bulls land Bass" or something along those lines.
Thought about doing "Zook, line and sinker" but reined myself in a bit.
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 02, 2009 at 05:40 PM
...the bass that got away. Tsk... Tsk...
Somebody had to say it!
Posted by: BasketBull. | January 02, 2009 at 05:32 PM