Ex-Navy nose guard opts for North Alabama

An update on former Navy nose guard Nate Frazier, who was reported this week to be considering a transfer to USF after being dismissed from the football program at Navy. The Annapolis Capital now reports that Frazier has enrolled at Division II North Alabama, largely because moving to a smaller school allows him to play this fall without sitting out a year as he would at a I-A program.

North Alabama is where Terry Bowden is now coaching, and it's becoming a popular spot for big-school transfers. Former N.C. State quarterback Harrison Beck, who played in last year's loss to USF, has also transferred to North Alabama, as have seven former FSU football players.

We're checking up on another potential transfer -- South Carolina receiver Joe Hills, a 6-foot-4 junior from Palmetto, has left the Gamecocks and told USFbullseye.com he's interested in transferring to USF. The Bulls are limited enough in their available scholarships that I'm not sure this will happen, but we'll see.

-- Thanks to loyal reader Heidi for sending a picture of me interviewing safety Nate Allen at Fan Fest. Hey, anything that doesn't show me golfing ...

-- Former USF receiver Taurus Johnson had one catch for 11 yards in the Chiefs' second preseason game. Three USF players go for the Bucs, along with Bulls in nine other games tonight ...

-- If being ranked 45th in the AP poll weren't motivation enough for Bulls fans, the Washington Times offers its bowl projections, including USF going back to the St. Petersburg Bowl to play Tulsa.

Comments

[G.A.]

I'll follow up on Monday to check, but my guess is that the only way the seven number makes sense is if you count signees already established to miss the NCAA cut, and even then, it's high.

[WilliamTell]

Greg,

Do USF's compliance folks confirm what Leavitt told you? Word on campus is that there are as many as seven who haven't been cleared by the NCAA yet.

WT

[G.A.]

William, I asked Leavitt that question on Saturday, and he said there is one other current player who may face issues with the Clearinghouse, but USF wouldn't know until Monday.

Except that, it appears the rest of the class is in and clear with the NCAA. Schools are allowed to have players practice a certain number of days if they've been accepted into school but haven't been cleared -- I believe Battles had reached that limit and that's why he hasn't practiced this past week.

Leavitt is confident that Battles will be cleared and will be back with the team shortly.

[Ken]

I imagine that Bowden told them that he has a track record and can give them a shot at the pros, without sitting out, and without risking riding the bench at a BCS school behind a coach's favorite.

[WIlliamTell]

Besides Battles, have all of this year's freshmen cleared the NCAA Eligibility Center, Greg? If so, what's the hold up with him? If not, how come he can't practice, but everyone else can?

[wow....]

Preston Parker is probably the most prolific player on the roster. But Marcus Sims, Brandon Paul, Will Furlong, Jamaal Edwards were all four stars for FSU. TJ Porter was real big contributor for Pitt, leaving on bad terms. Richie Rich was a four star coming out to UNC, Courtney Harris was a four star that played some at Miami, Brandon Fanney was a four star DE that went to Bama, Beck was a four star coming out, and Kenton Thornton was highly respected coming out of HS to UNC. Same with Quinton Andrews at WVU.

They have at least 8 former four star kids on that roster-- most were clearly overrated, but some were just troubled kids with a troubled past. I hope Bowden has a reserve bail fund....it could get good use with that bunch.

[G.A.]

Jupiter, can probably do something like that. It's a good idea ...

[JupiterBull]

GA: Any chance you could run an update on the status of our best recruiting class? I know some have left, such are redshirting and some will see a lot of action. Not rushing...but maybe as get more certainty. Thanks, as always.

[JupiterBull]

Any truth to the rumor they'll be changing their team name to the Raiders?

[G.A.]

Here's that roster: Former FSU receiver Preston Parker is probably the most impressive name on the list ...

http://www.roarlions.com/Lion_Sports/Football/Current_Season/roster.htm

Looks like a team assembled for one big year and a jump to a bigger job for Bowden.

[Turd Ferguson]

Re: Transfer guys w/ troubled pasts

It's Terry Bowden...what would you expect??

[wow....]

holy smokes, when you look at the UNA roster it's like the who's who of the cast-off transfer guys with a troubled past. I think they have like 8 or 9 former 4 star athletes that have been dismissed from their teams.