Spring Practice - QB POLL !

[E.T.]

Garris, Searcy, Camon Lauded By Leavitt

Published: Mar 31, 2004

TAMPA - At the halfway point of spring practice, South Florida WR J.B. Garris, DT Antonio Searcy and FS Javan Camon have been the highlights so far, Coach Jim Leavitt said.

Garris, a 6-foot-2 freshman from East Bay is working with the first-team offense, and Camon takes over the free safety spot from J.R. Reed, who's expected to be picked in next month's NFL draft.

Searcy, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound junior college transfer from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, has worked his way into the two-deep rotation at defensive tackle.

Gregg Becnel

[E.T.]

Leavitt Worried About RBs

Published: Apr 1, 2004

 

 

TAMPA - Because of injuries this spring, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said the Bulls' running back position wouldn't be settled until the fall.  

``The running back situation is not that good,'' Leavitt said. ``That's why we signed a junior-college back [Andre Hall] and all those [high school] running backs [Ricky Ponton, Chad Simpson, Terrance Jones and Andre Copeland]. It's been the most disappointing position this spring.''  

The Bulls lost junior Billy Henderson (torn ACL and MCL), who will miss the 2004 season, and senior Clenton Crossley has been slowed by a shoulder injury.  

While depth at running back has been decimated, Leavitt said sophomore QB Pat Julmiste is showing improvement from last season.  

Julmiste, who Leavitt named starter last week because senior Ronnie Banks has been slow recovering from knee surgery, is ``doing some good things.''  

``I feel he's better than last year, but he's not there yet,'' Leavitt said. ``We've sure given him a lot of reps.''  

Brett McMurphy

[E.T.]

Times:

USF's Top Units Meet

TAMPA - USF completed its final tuneup in preparation for next weekend's spring game with a 100-play scrimmage.

The two-hour scrimmage differed slightly from last weekend. Instead of the No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense facing off - and vice versa - both No. 1s primarily played against each other.

Unlike last weekend's scrimmage, which was dominated by the defense, the offense looked sharp and drew praise from coach Jim Leavitt.

"The offense had an outstanding day," Leavitt said. "The biggest change was our quarterback play. All three quarterbacks looked good."

Starter Pat Julmiste went 7-of-13 for 113 yards and a rushing touchdown. The score was set up by a long pass to Joe Bain. Julmiste capped the drive with a 1-yard run.

Ronnie Banks, who sat out last weekend's scrimmage recovering from offseason knee surgery, worked with the No. 1 offense and went 5-of-7 for 56 yards.

"(Banks) had the most productive day, definitely," quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said.

Banks engineered consecutive scoring drives capped by a 40-yard pass to Allynson Sheffield and his 5-yard run.

Evan Kraky went 12-of-24 for 86 yards but threw two interceptions. Despite them, Leavitt said Kraky "had an outstanding day" and the backup quarterback position appears wide open.

Santiago Gramatica made 4 of 5 field goals, including 50- and 51-yarders. Linebacker Ronnie McCullough had a sack and a fumble recovery. Utility player Brian Fisher, held out last week after being arrested on suspicion of failing to pay child support, participated. Leavitt said Fisher won't practice this week and his status for the spring game is unclear.

- BRANDON WRIGHT

Trib:

Offense Opens Up In Closed Workout

Published: Apr 4, 2004

TAMPA - A week after being dismantled by the defense, South Florida's offense had a productive outing in Saturday's 100-play scrimmage, which was closed to the media.

``We executed better as an offense today and the defense struggled a little bit more than they usually do,'' quarterbacks coach Rod Smith said. ``Today was better than last Saturday, so I'm happy.''

Sophomore QB Pat Julmiste and senior Ronnie Banks worked with the first team and Evan Kraky, who threw two interceptions, took the majority of the snaps with the second team.

``Our quarterbacks are getting better. All three did a good job,'' Smith said. ``Pat's still our starter, but Ronnie had the most productive day of the quarterbacks. And we wanted to get Evan as many snaps with the second team as we could to see what he can do.''

Julmiste hit Joe Bain with a long pass to set up the first score - a 1-yard sneak by Julmiste.

Banks, who has been limited this spring while recovering from knee surgery Feb. 6, engineered two consecutive scoring drives against the No. 1 defense.

``We weren't going to play Banks much, but I think he got a little competitive and wanted to get with the first team,'' Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said.

``And he drove the first team right down for a score.''

Banks, who completed five of seven passes, threw a 40- yard touchdown pass to Allynson Sheffield, then scored on a 5-yard run the next series.

``Ronnie's still limited, but I wanted him to get some work with the ones to get some continuity,'' Smith said. ``We know what he can do. I just want to keep him fresh and not get rusty.''

Despite Banks' impressive performance, Leavitt said he is in a battle with Kraky for the No. 2 spot behind Julmiste.

Senior Brian Fisher, who has been dealing with legal issues, returned to the team for the scrimmage. During red zone drills, Fisher scored on a 3- yard run.

``It felt good to be back out there,'' he said.

Leavitt said Fisher can't practice with the team during the week because ``he's required to go to study hall.''

Senior K Santiago Gramatica had a solid outing, hitting four of five field goals, including a 50- and 51-yarder.

OL Derrick Sarosi and John Miller were held out of the scrimmage.

Gregg Becnel

[E.T.]

STABILITY WANTED: Quarterbacks coach Rod Smith hopes sophomore Pat Julmiste, who started two games last year, can bring consistency to the offense.

Smith thinks Julmiste, who completed only 44 percent of his passes last season, will improve with another year of experience.

``Pat has a lot of the intangibles I look for in a quarterback,'' Smith said. ``He's a big, strong kid with a good arm and is athletic. So when things break down in the pocket, he can take off and run - kind of like what [former quarterback] Marquel [blackwell] did for us.''

ODDS AND ENDS: WR Brian Fisher practiced Tuesday because his study hall was held earlier in the morning, Leavitt said. ... QB Evan Kraky worked exclusively with the second team while senior Ronnie Banks rested his left knee.

Gregg Becnel

[smazza]

i would like to see offense score more points  

[USFPDiddy]

NO Oline votes for the new poll?  Are you kidding?  We hardly lost anyone, many are experienced!

[E.T.]

NO Oline votes for the new poll?  Are you kidding?  We hardly lost anyone, many are experienced!

No doubt that the O-Line NEEDS to shine IMO, a bit of a disappointment last year and am sure they will be fired up. Hoping the added depth developes.

Go BULLS !!!

[E.T.]

USF Coaches See No Drop In Talent At Linebacker

Published: Apr 8, 2004

TAMPA - South Florida might have lost two starting linebackers from last season, but defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz is confident the level of play will not drop at that position.

``You can count on [juniors] Devon Davis and Stephen Nicholas. Then there are four others trying to take that next spot,'' Kravitz said. ``I'm real happy with Devon. He's done a real good job taking over making calls and adjustments. Stephen is playing a little Will and some Sam and his enthusiasm is carrying over.''

With USF's stable of talented underclassmen, the linebacker position will continue to be a strength of the Bulls' defense.

``We've got some real good, young kids competing for playing time,'' Kravitz said. ``They've worked their butts off and are going to play a big part in our defense in the years to come.''

Kravitz said he has been most impressed with Ronnie McCullough, a graduate of Hillsborough High.

``Ronnie had knee surgery before and these are the only practices he's ever had and he's coming on and competing,'' Kravitz said

[E.T.]

WHO'S BACK; WHO'S GONE:

The Bulls have 51 lettermen returning; 24 on offense, 23 on defense, and 4 specialists.  23 lettermen are gone; 13 offense, 10 defense, 0 specialists.

[smazza]

i will defer to guys who have been at practice