Safety Young could be back as starter Friday

Sophomore strong safety Jerrell Young, who has returned to form after missing four games with a broken arm was working with the first-team defense Tuesday and could return to the starting lineup Friday when the Bulls play host to No. 20 West Virginia.

"You could tell he was back pretty close to the old Jerrell, back in there grabbing and reaching, hitting and doing the things you want him to do," Leavitt said. "He's working with the 1s right now."

Young had six tackles off the bench in USF's 41-14 loss at Pittsburgh, his first significant action after playing sparingly in the Bulls' loss to Cincinnati. Junior walk-on Mistral Raymond has filled in admirably with three starts, totaling 21 tackles and an interception this season.

"Skinny (Raymond) has worked so hard. Skinny's a good player. His effort is unbelievable," Leavitt said.

Young could wind up covering a good friend in Friday's game -- West Virginia receiver Jock Sanders, a St. Pete Catholic grad, said he's looking forward to seeing Young, as well as Bulls receiver Theo Wilson, a Dunedin graduate.

MORE REPS FOR TAYLOR: Junior running back Jamar Taylor made his season debut against Pittsburgh, gaining 8 yards on his first carry and having a 19-yard run negated by penalty. He'll give the Bulls another dependable runner against West Virginia, and Leavitt has been impressed by the work he put into his rehab.

"It's unbelievable, that young man. He's everything you dream about," Leavitt said. "I couldn't ask for anything more from a young man and how hard he works and how hard he goes. ... The guy can play."

DEVINE INSPIRATION: The task of simulating West Virginia running back Noel Devine in practice this week falls on two small, quick Bulls -- freshman walk-on running back Jonny Sitton and freshman receiver Derrick Hopkins. Hopkins is an elite sprinter who is redshirting this fall, and Leavitt had praise for Sitton, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound walk-on from Indian Rocks Christian.

"He's very quick. I don't know how many yards he had in high school, but I'll bet a bunch," Leavitt said. "I don't see anybody stopping that kid in high school. They don't stop him out here. He's got a chance to stay on this team and may play a little bit someday. That little running back's pretty good."

THIS AND THAT:  Defensive end Craig Marshall was limited by an elbow injury in Tuesday's practice, but Leavitt said he expects him to be fine for Friday's game. ... Offensive lineman Jamar Bass, who wore a No. 86 jersey in Saturday's game and lined up on one play as a tight end, was back to his No. 63 Tuesday.

Comments

[Timmy]

Don't quite understand Leavitt on his quote on Jonny Sitton. If the kid is making everyone on defense look bad, why isn't he getting a chance to show what he has got in a game? Just a question.

[Ken]

Tad's right and so is Weber. BJD is young--hopefully, he'll learn. I'm not for firing CJL, but I think we fans can question aspects of what's going on, and CJL needs to prove us wrong. If those were the two toughest teams on the schedule and we come back to win the rest, we'll be quite impressed. If we continue to slide, it won't be pretty.

[Sanjay]

Tad, but he did execute the offense. Maybe not well, but BJ executed the offense called.

[Tampa Tad]

Sanjay,

He should of said what a leader says,
" I didn't execute the offense, I need to work hard." Doesn't put it on his coach or his O line, that's how you gain respect and become the leader of the team.

[Thumper]

David Weber,
your post at 2:22 pm is very accurate and rational. I have followed USF athletics since 1972. Love the Bulls (Golden Brahmans). Love the job coach has done so far, but the games against Rutgers last year, and the two losses this year, were very painful to watch. We were completely outcoached.

[David Weber]

There's a difference between being a casual fan and being an ardent supporter. The people that comment on this blog frequently are, by and large, ardent supporters. We really do care how the team is doing. After years of careful observation, we know what the problems are and how Leavitt operates. Maybe not in the day to day sense, but the results on game day are seen by all. What we've seen is a failure to play consistently, to address the issues of penalties and drops, and a team that sulks. This has happened with dramatic changes on the coaching staff from year to year. Therefore, it can be inferred that it stems from Leavitt. We are right to be asking if Leavitt has what it takes to put a complete season together. Clearly, he is an amazing program builder, but now that we're pretty much built up (not like UF, but certainly compared to our conference), Leavitt has to prove that he build a consistently great team. He needs to show that he can be an effective game manager. He must figure out how to get the team to quit sulking after a loss. He hasn't done those things yet that great coaches do. Brian Kelly has built a dominant team with less talent and fewer resources. How? He's an awesome game manager, motivator, and game planner.

An ardent supporter is certainly qualified to weigh in with his/her opinions on the state of the program, the coaches, and the players. We spend a lot of time following the team and, thanks to this blog, are aware of every newsworthy event that happens. Simply put, we've earned the right to be critical where that criticism is warranted. Reasonable fans can disagree about Leavitt, but I think that at least questioning his ability is warranted given the circumstances and eerie resemblence to the past two years.

[Norb]

"Why can't we all just get along?"

- Rodney King '92

[USFShep]

Steve W

Yes! You know it's funny, people were critical of all those UF fans that supported the FireRonZook.com frenzy a few years back. You think those folks are still upset about it now?

[Steve W]

Shep... How dare you take an honest look at the state of South Florida football... Your hatred of the Bulls program and CJL is readily apparent... You are obviously a UCF hack and just hate us b/c we're better than you... GA, this kind of decisive talk is not what we need here...

lol, j/k of course... It feels good to take an honest look at things doesn't it?

[USFShep]

Come on, theres no crying in football! Bulls deserve criticism after performances with Pitt & Cinci!!

There is NO bigger Bulls Homer than me! Trust me! Lifetime Alumni, go to the games, USF stuff all over home, car & office!! Love my Bulls!!

BUT...when they play like they have 2 games in a row, in October during critical Big East schedule 3 years in a row..guess what..still love my Team but criticism is coming! Will continue to pull hard for them. You know the saying:

Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me
But Fool me three times, shame on you, your Momma, your Daddy and your Dog!

I've accepted we are an average team...4th year in a row..hard to argue with facts people.

[Steve W]

so 'true fans' can't criticize their team? Just b/c someone is criticized doesn't mean you love them less... I would argue that true friends, and by extension, fans say what needs to be said, not what the other wants to hear...

[David Weber]

@HaitianSensation

From the couch, it's pretty clear that Raymond can't cut it full time. His story is admirable, and he's a good special teamer and solid backup, but he just isn't a starting caliber player. That's not a diss. The progress he's made is incredible, but he's just not big enough to deal with the stronger players. A poster here can't tackle a big RB either, but that doesn't mean we can't point out the obvious. Facts are facts- experience has nothing to do with it.

Young has more potential, and is probably the better player.

[werbito]

WOW... implosion.

[Bulliever]

Jupiter Bull,

Thanks for your thought provoking and respectful comments!

I ditto your remarks... It is a shame that we do have so many ridiculous antagonizing comments... And people posting comments that are not them!

We will be at that game and cheering on our bulls!! And tailgating and meeting true fans that love this team win or lose!

[brendan o'leary (Harrisburg Pa Hood)]

Looks like I'll be driving to the game on November 12 at Rutgers. Let's hope it is a better trip than going to Pittsburgh. As much as I can not stand the current coaching situation, I still love my Bulls.

Brendan O'Leary, from the Hood in Harrisburg

[Sanjay]

What do you want BJ to say when he's asked why did you throw it only 8 times?

"Well we called 16 pass plays but I was running for my life since the line couldn't block anyone so I only got off 8 passes"? Or, "Well I dropped back 16 times, but none of the guys could get open so I tucked and ran for 3"? So throw his teammates under the bus?

He runs what the coaches call. If they wanted him to throw 32 times they know how to call it like they did against Cincy. Also, Canales said Pitt was giving them the run so that's what they were trying to take.

[Tampa Tad]

No your not understanding the original comment, it's when he was questioned about his lack of passing he basically said, " not my fault, ask coach he called the game." Yes that is a selfish statement " not my fault, it's coaches," well you threw the ball 8 times and 2 where picked off, my guess he had more than 8 plays called to pass. Take the blame, don't blame the Coach!That's LEADERSHIP!!!

[Steve W]

Tad,

You are the one who said that the quarterback must be selfish b/c he wanted to THROW the ball when down by 24... THAT ISN'T SELFISH, IT'S COMMON SENSE!!!

I was just using your argument in comparing Tebow... You just don't get it...

[bob]

hopefully young will put a big hit on Jerome Murphy.

[Tampa Tad]

Oh you mean like Tebow's freshman year why he basically played full back, I think he even caught a pass for a TD.

And what about all the other HS QB's playing another position on the Bulls...... What message does this send to them.

Then check out Scout.com look up Landi and see how many offers he received, SC and Wisconsin was not on that list.

[Sandro]

Does anybody know how many tickets have been sold for Friday's game?

GO BULLS !!!

[Jim]

Players won't show up again they are just not with it these days. Very sad.

[G.A.]

Just FYI, Landi had plenty of other offers, like Wisconsin and South Carolina.

[Steve W]

Tad,

oh and in the UF game the other day, the commentators were saying how Tebow always wanted the ball and he and Mullen (their old OC) would get into it b/c he always wanted the ball in his hand... is he any less of a leader? Your argument is a straw man

[Taurean]

Leavitt and the rest of the staff offer so much praise of our running backs, but he doesn't give any of them the opportunity to be a feature back. He should find one RB he really likes, give the guy 20-25 carries a game and give that kid a shot to be our feature back.

I'm tired of hearing all this praise for this RB and that RB, just pick a guy and stick with him!

[Steve W]

How is it being selfish to want to throw more when you are down big time? They were down 24 at the half... You don't keep running the ball... He wanted to throw in order to win...

stop making mountains out of molehills tad...

[Tampa Tad]

I know this story is about Young back in the D mix, good. But this team is not going to get better till CJL gets a clue, he is lacking field leadership. Yes Grothe is gone so lets move on, Daniels or Landi, I say give Landi a chance, WHY? LEADERSHIP...... I watch the spring game didn't see a Daniels that was a whole lot better that Landi in fact not much better at all.

Daniels:
-Could went to Michigan,W Virginia, Ga Tech, But came to USF because they where the only ones that would let him play QB.
-Blames his coach for his lack of passing, " that's what coach called, of coarse I wanted to throw more " really?

Daniels is sounding a bit selfish here, Selfish people don't make good leaders.

Landi:
-No other offers than USF.
-Landi starts working out with receivers, " Hey what ever I can do to help the team, I'm just glad to playing." Go across the middle, sure Coach.

That's Leadership and character........
If I can see it and I'm not around this team at all, I bet the Football team can really see it. We have already seen what can happen when you have a real leader on a team ask Tebow and Urban.

[Jupiter Bull]

USFMike, I'm no bandwagon fan, and I love my Bulls. But in my opinion, we need to start questioning coaching...it's been questionable the last 3 years, starting (in my mind) with Rutgers in 2007.

We should all be able to share opinions, even if they aren't pro-USF players or coaches. I agree people shouldn't bash players & coaches...but suggestions, criticism, etc. are part of what makes this forum thought-provoking & interesting. I don't think it'd be very compelling to tune in only to hear positive stuff. But respect should be the common foundation.

I'm hopeful we'll be ready for WVU, and show up prepared, focused and positioned to win.

[Steve Stacy]

I wish CJL would have red shirted Taylor.

I think he's the best RB in the stable and it's a shame that we didn't get to use him for half a season.

And I think yet ANOTHER running back is the last thing we need. We need one dude to get the ball 20 times a game instead of the leftover Greg Gregory philosophy of running back by committee. My vote is Ford (unless Taylor is all the way back to health).

[Bill B.]

I hope the corners find out they are supposed to hang out next to the guy running not stand and watch the guy throwing the ball. The safety coming back may just be what we need to make sure we stop WV running game.
Our offense needs to decide what they are able to do and then go and do it. We can't run a Groethe offence anymore. A combination of Blackwell and Hall would be nice.
See you at the game. Near full moon, near Halloween.

[Steve W]

SS,

Your post is ridiculous... 'It's free garbage'... you sound like a 2-yr old...

GA, I think you should ban all those who comment with green-and-gold colored glasses who never question anything... they are mindless sheeple...

See how I did that? Free speech is a right... Not something that we have to 'earn'... We can express our opinions, one way or the other...

I don't fall on the Fire Leavitt tomorrow bandwagon, but I'm not on the 'He's the Greatest thing since sliced bread' bandwagon either... If we lose this Friday, I will definitely be leaning heavy towards the Fire Leavitt side...

[Steve O'Neal]

Well said, SS. It's only a couple that are that way. Used to be RR and Al. I think rr now posts as the turd and Al as tired of the jim. Just a guess, but if you read the posts of rr and al they sound just like turd and tired of the jim. They can only get away with being like that on the internet. No one would put up with their BS in person. GO BULLS!

[USFShep]

I watched Leavitts press conference from Tuesday. He acts like everything is just fine. No anger, no frustration no this kind of play is not acceptable. Biggest concern was did the D quit in the 2nd half? What? Imagine what brian kelly or Wanstache or meyer or Saban or Kiffin or any quality coach would be saying after a loss like that. I think Leavitt actually believes he is doing good. You watch Saban after winning a game and he is more upset than Leavitt after that putrid performance at Pitt. Yes I am bashing on the Coach again but come on. Act like your upset and just maybe you can get that team to get some fire in their belly to respond & understand what is expected on a CONSISTENT basis. He said he saw the team fight hard the entire game? Fighting hard is a given, its expected day in and day out. Didn't realize fighting hard was an option? Fighting hard includes disciplined play with executuion and not 71 penalty yards or allowing Pitt to score on first 6 possesions in a row. Fighting hard?? That press conference should have been an embarrassment to the players on that team. They needed to be called out and put on notice but nah...Leavitt isn't strong enough for that kind of leadership. But hey, they fought hard right!

[SS]

Steve W,

That's not free speech. It's free garbage.

You see, that is the problem in this country. People have taken the word "free" way out of context and feel they are entitled to what are truly privileges.

USFMike, as annoying as some of these few cretins are it is our responsibility to ignore them and understand that they get their daily erection fix off of the replies.

[BC]

Yay!

[josh]

J. young is back yes he's a big time player one of the best in the big east. i have seen him play he really will hit u.should sure up our d and make it better

[Steve W]

silence free speech huh usfmike? We know what side of the aisle you fall on...

[usfmike]

greg can we please clean this cr@p up, i'm sick and tired of the bandwagon fans and/or ucf fans coming here just to trash the program and the players. we get it, you don't like leavit, now get the f out of here.

[Tampa Tad]

This is the problem with the BULLS................Leadership

[NYC BULL]

I know Jerome Murphy's considered a strong NFL prospect, but he has not been playing like an NCAA starter the past couple weeks. Also, I just need ONE game where we concentrate on running the ball with Mike Ford consistently. He's a punishing back, five-star recruit and we need to give him the opportunity. With the passing game in it's current state, BJ Daniels should be taking off a bunch more as well.

[Joke]

Who cares about our pathetic program... We are a bunch of thugs. What a joke. USF 4EVER!

[Turd Ferguson]

"USF 4EVER......"

Posted by: HAITIAN SENSATION | October 27, 2009 at 09:15 PM

--------

Oh, totally. Will you sign my yearbook, Haitian Sensation?

B.F.F.

K.I.T.

2cute2b4gotten

H.A.G.S.

[HAITIAN SENSATION]

well hey tim how bout you come on the feild and tackle the big RBS..... dont talk about a player when your on your couch just cheering you dont know what it mean to play D1 football USF 4EVER......

[tj]

That's good news. Our strong safety is back r u ready for some football.

[Tim]

Good. Mistral Raymond is too skinny to tackle big RBs. He gets run over too easily and can't lay a big hit.