Famous' father insists he's coming to USF

Despite a report that his son is asking to be released from a signed letter of intent, the father of junior college center Jarrid Famous was adamant Tuesday that his son will play for USF this season.

"Jarrid is going to South Florida. He's not switching schools," Jerome Famous said by phone. "He's going to South Florida, no doubt about it."

The Tampa Tribune reported online Tuesday that Famous no longer wants to attend USF and is asking to be released from his letter of intent, citing Mickey Carey, an assistant coach at Westchester Community College.

Jerome Famous said Carey has tried to steer his son away from USF in the past, but that his son is not going to back out out of his signing with the Bulls. Jarrid Famous did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone seeking comment Tuesday afternoon, and Carey did not return a message left at the Westchester basketball office.

Famous, who ranked among the national junior college leaders in points and rebounds, is expected to make a major impact with the Bulls this fall. If he did not want to attend USF but was not released from his letter of intent, he could not take a scholarship at another school for the next year. And by Big East policy, once he's signed to one conference school, he can never play basketball at another league school under any circumstances.

-- USF center Jessica Lawson, one of four senior starters on the Bulls' WNIT championship roster, said she has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

"I'm very excited. I still can't believe it, but I'm happy to get this year back," said Lawson, who was sidelined for two seasons by a knee injury she suffered in 2005. "The way we finished the season opens new doors for next season, and we can only go up from here. I'm just all-around excited and happy."

Lawson's return gives the Bulls a big boost in the post, where they also return rising seniors Porche Grant and Melissa Dalembert, key reserves from last season. Coach Jose Fernandez has signed a recruiting class of nine newcomers who will join the Bulls this fall, giving the team improved depth.

-- The Quad, the New York Times' colleges blog, continues its countdown of all 120 programs in Division I-A football, and it's surprising to see the lowest-ranked program in the state of Florida is Central Florida, which checks in today at No. 98. It's a drop of 19 spots from last year's preseason ranking of No. 79, and means the Knights are thought to be worse than both Florida Atlantic and Florida International.

The writeup is even more harsh, suggesting that UCF's offense is "perhaps" the worst in the nation after a "horrific drop" from 2007 to 2008, though they later praise the Knights for aggressively scheduling Miami and Texas. "Anything less than a return to bowl play will force the university administration to make a difficult choice regarding the future of the program," they write.

Comments

[eboi]

Mr. Famous We would like 2 thank U 4 Ur consideration but we understand Ur situation!!! No Ill will sir and good luck, but U will miss out on one fantastic ride that U could have told Ur grandkids about!! We Still want U as Part Of Our Family??
There is still a ticket availible but time is of the essence!!!! SHUMON E, E, E!!!

Bear Down Cats!!!!!!

[Timmy]

Wow, FAU and FIU have now leap frogged ucif. Pathetic. Where are you chalklow?

[Paul]

Go Owls....Go Golden Panthers....

it was just a matter of time.

[Tony Grier]

Famous is coming to USF.

[Ken]

For the record, I appreciate the links--they show us other perspectives and provide other info, and they are something none of us could possible do for ourselves, while Greg's getting paid for it. Aren't those Google alerts great?

[Bull Hooper]

it would seem to me that the tribune has made itself part of the Famous story, and their credibility is somewhat at issue here. add the problems that the trib beat writer has had w/ Leavitt, and perhaps the trib may have to re-assess their USF athletics coverage. Brett is a good guy and a good reporter, but this may be a situation that calls for a change for change's sake.

[Tom]

Greg, Greg, Greg .... the Trib has no clue about what's going on at USF!

[AGW]

I really hope Stan make a strong effort to assure Famous that USF is the place for him and that he is wanted. Stan needs to talk to him and his father to solidify this commitment. Losing Famous would be a huge blow to us.

Also, Noel Johnson does want to stay close to his hometown in GA. That's good for us. Its rumored that GA Tech and LSU are the leaders, but Tech has a loaded class already. So I think that you can eliminate them. Maybe UGA makes a push under Fox, but I think USF could make a strong push as well. He would get the locale, PT, and competition that he is craving right here in Tampa.

SF is a position that we need to solidify and adding Famous and Johnson would be great for us. It would def make this the best recruiting class in history.

[G.A.]

Ed, the New York Times does reach out and cover more than the local boroughs.

We've got a fair amount of our own content here, but I like sharing, especially in the summer, when there's only so much going on. Is there something going on with USF I've neglected to get on here?

fondly,
greg
"so called jounalist"

[Edward R Murrow is dead]

Wow, the New York Times, there is a source for college football. When I think college football, the first place that comes to mind is New York.

Hey Greg, why not do your own story instead of posting links from other so called jounalists. Here is an idea for one, Guess the next type of waiver the NCAA will give USF.

My guess is, they will get a waiver for allowing them to use a second Div 1-aa game to count towards bowl eligibility after you write another article about how it was not USF's fault they scheduled three and in that artcile will be links and comments made from 14 stories from other newspapers.

[Steve O'Neal]

I'm hoping the "father knows best" what the intentions of his son are. Seems like some of these coaches try to ride the coattails of these young athletes. I believe that the majority of them want to help the kids out, but there are always greedy people in every profession. The "reality" is that Heath probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. And the STONE COLD lock of the year; UCF FOOTBALL IS TERRIBLE! HAHAHAHAHA! Clown, there's some national attention for your gnats team! No bowl game for the gnats. GO BULLS!

[DABULLS]

At least were better than ucf, but so is FIU and FAU..and the future of the program is at stake?? ahahaha, finally the biggest joke in Florida maybe on its way out.

[Dr. Spock]

Kirk...get back here to the old folks home right now! You forgot to take your meds again!!

[Ken]

Interesting situation. Who knows better with this kid, the coach or the dad? I sure hope he stays--and wants to stay here.

[David Weber]

Could we have a shot with this SF from GA, Noel Johnson? He was just released from his USC scholarship due to his concern with Tim Floyd.

This thing with Famous' coach sounds like same thing with the guy from JPP's JUCO. The coach probably wants to ride a top talent to an assistant coach job, and it's not necessary for USF to hire a guy to get Famous (or JPP). Plus, for recruiting purposes, the coach has an easier time selling a kid on JUCO that sends a guy to Arizona as opposed to USF.

[Vega]

Stan is going to around here for at least 3 more seasons so that's NO FACTOR in this Famous drama.

I am wondering what's taking so long to hire us a bulldog recruiter.

I wouldn't mind bringing in an assist coach who in turn brings a program changing talent with him.

[Mike Lakeland]

Ooooh...Captain Kirk with the ZING!

[David Johnson]

You are confusing AZ with USC. AZ doesn't offer $omething$ to people. Not under Lute and Not under Miller

[Reality]

Is he worried that Stan is not going to be around? He should be.

I guess Arizona has stepped it up, and is offering $omething$ to the coaches.

Time to offer a job for Dad may be what is needed, or for the assistants to shut up.

[Captain Kirk]

Maybe the bulls can hire his father and put him on their staff, that seems to work for usf.