Andre Hall to sign with Bears

Andre Hall has a second chance at making it in the NFL.

The former USF running back, an undrafted rookie cut by the Bucs on July 21, has agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday. He'll sign his deal and report to preseason camp this morning, eager to prove he's worthy of a pro contract.

"As a kid, Walter Payton was someone I always liked to watch," said the Dixie Hollins graduate, who led the Big East in rushing last season. "The Bears are my style. Blue-collar, tough guys. I can't wait to get started."

The Bears have three established running backs on roster in Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson, but Jones recently injured his hamstring and, according to an ESPN.com report, could be traded to the Broncos.

"I felt I did all I could in Tampa, but it was a good thing that they let me go early, so I could sign with another team," said Hall, who spoke with Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo on Wednesday. "I'm definitely going to spend a little more time with the playbook and show them what I can do."

If Hall can make the Bears' roster, he'll have a chance to go up against the Bucs when they come to Chicago on Dec. 17.

Catching up ...

News should start coming pretty steady -- the state's college football coaches meet in Tampa this weekend to meet with the media, and football practice starts for the Bulls on Aug. 7. For now, it's just tying up loose ends here and there around campus ...

-- After last week's surprising news that running back Andre Hall had been cut by the Bucs, it now looks like he should be in camp with another NFL team next week. Hall's agent, Jonathan Kline, said Wednesday that two teams have shown the most interest in Hall -- Seattle and Chicago -- and while no move is likely before early next week, the Bears and former Bucs executive Jerry Angelo seem eager to get Hall into their camp, even if it means cutting another player to make room for him.

-- I watched a voluntary workout at USF on Tuesday afternoon and left very impressed with the progress by the Bulls receivers since last fall. Jim Leavitt had said after spring drills that receiver was USF's most improved position, and the summer seems to be another step in that direction. Jackie Chambers was out there at full go for the first time I'd seen since he hurt himself during spring drills, and as deep as the Bulls' returning receivers go, I was impressed with the way freshman Jason Sherman looked. The three freshmen will be hardpressed to break out of redshirts this fall, but it'll be interesting to watch. ...

-- Got to see USF's football media guide on Wednesday -- looks sharp, with a player's outstretched hand holding a gold USF helmet on the front. Four key seniors are pictured on the back -- linebackers Stephen Nicholas and Patrick St. Louis, quarterback Pat Julmiste and receiver S.J. Green.

There's some curious updates from the depth chart in there -- redshirt freshman Danny Tolley is listed as the starting left guard, ahead of sophomore Matt Huners (the rest of the line, as expected is LT Thed Watson, C Nick Capogna, RG Walter Walker and RT Marc Dile). Another redshirt freshman, George Selvie, is listed as the starter at right end, ahead of Jarrett Buie, and freshman walk-on Ilia Petrov is the only player listed at punter.

-- Interesting news Wednesday about the new All-American Football League, a spring venture that will have pro teams playing on college campuses across the country. The league's official site invites fans to suggest schools they think are deserving of an AAFL franchise. The bad news for USF fans is that the Bulls aren't even an option: the site lists 68 schools, but four Big East schools (USF, Cincy, UConn, Rutgers) don't make the cut. So USF's alums -- and college degrees are required -- will likely play in Gainesville, it would seem. And no, Central Florida isn't listed either ...

-- From the Where Are They Now Dept., former USF defensive tackle Paul Uhatafe, who did not play in his only year on campus, will play this fall at College of the Canyons in California. His goal, his dad says, is to return to USF to finish his college career. And USF is considering two more Uhatafes -- twin linebackers Navi and Zco, rising seniors at Gibbs, will likely be a package deal wherever they go, according to their father.

-- USF men's basketball coach Robert McCullum has added a new walk-on for the upcoming season in 6-5 guard/forward Jared Rubens from Miami Krop High School. Good player from a great high school team that included three Division I players, his coach, Marcos "Shakey" Rodriguez, said he's a smart, heady player who wouldn't hurt a college coach if he had to play a few minutes here and there to spell someone.

By January, USF's depth problems should be a thing of the past, but this summer is still much like last spring. Because incoming freshmen can't practice with a team before a foreign tour, and because midyear transfers can't travel on them, the Bulls right now have six healthy players for their trip to Italy next month. Redshirt freshman Zaronn Cann has not been cleared to play yet but could before the team leaves on Aug. 12.

Andre Hall cut by Bucs

Andre Hall's hopes of making the Bucs as an undrafted rookie met a surprisingly early end Friday when he was released by Tampa Bay to make room for the signing of two draft picks.

Hall and former West Virginia safety Jahmile Addae were released. It's expected that Hall will be able to sign with another team and try to make its roster or practice squad.

Check back for more on Hall and what his next step will be.