08/15 Practice Report

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

TAMPA, Fla. -- The University of South Florida football team continued preseason practice with an 8:30 a.m. start on Wednesday.  The Bulls will return to the field this afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. for the second practice of the day.

Head coach Jim Leavitt praised the defensive line and linebacking corps for their work during the opening session.

"The defensive line did a good job this morning," said Leavitt.  "Richard Clebert had a good day and our backup nose tackle Julian Riley pushed really hard as well."

With LB Chris Robinson sidelined with a ankle injury, several other linebackers have stepped forward and are making a strong impression.

"It has been a battle," said Leavitt.  "They lit it up today. Donte Spires is tearing it up and today Alonzo McQueen had a really good practice."

Leavitt doled out praise for the majority of the linebackers, "They are all playing, being physical, playing downhill and they all can run."

Senior DB Michael Jenkins missed the morning practice with family obligations.  Jenkins is not expected to practice on Wednesday afternoon due to a knee injury he suffered yesterday.  The injury is not considered serious and Jenkins is expected back in the near future.

Leavitt was not concerned with Jenkins preparation if he is forced to miss practice time.

"Right now, Mike should be ready to play that first game," said Leavitt. "He's been here a lot of years.  He knows what he is doing."

Below are some number changes from camp:

4 - Freshman WR Jason Sherman changed from No. 23. Duplicate number with DB Michael Jenkins

5 - Freshman WR A.J. Love changed from No. 86.  Duplicate number with DB Nate Allen.

51 - Freshman LB Keith McCaskilll changed from 40. 

52 - Freshman LB Lucas Darr changed from No. 51. 

80 - Freshman WR Dontavia Bogan changed from No. 81.

81 - Freshman WR Patrick Richardson changed from No. 80

86 - Sophomore TE Shane McElwain changed from 40.

[Velcro]

Big shoes to fill for Keith McKaskill, getting Nicholas's old number.  I wonder if that played any bit into why Darr got rid of 51.

[Matt]

pretty sure McCaskill was #51 in high school

[KB]

I would think Ca Hill now needs another number so there won't be two #1's on offense. 

[Greg Auman]

Hill has actually gone back to his old No. 4, which means he and Jason Sherman have the same number at the same position. It's like a game of chicken -- one of them has to give up the number. Both have one season at USF, so can't go with seniority. Somehow "C34" doesn't have the same ring as "C4" ... but we'll see.

[JoeB]

Hill has actually gone back to his old No. 4, which means he and Jason Sherman have the same number at the same position. It's like a game of chicken -- one of them has to give up the number. Both have one season at USF, so can't go with seniority. Somehow "C34" doesn't have the same ring as "C4" ... but we'll see.

Thats what I thought.  So we have three guys wearing #4 (Jenkins, Sherman, C Hill)?  Somebody should switch to Amp Hill's #6, since it appears it won't be used this year.

[Matt]

long live C4!

[KB]

Hill has actually gone back to his old No. 4, which means he and Jason Sherman have the same number at the same position. It's like a game of chicken -- one of them has to give up the number. Both have one season at USF, so can't go with seniority. Somehow "C34" doesn't have the same ring as "C4" ... but we'll see.

Odd, seems like a coach or eqpt mgr would step in and tell Sherman that Hill already is #4 on offense.  Still a lot of #4 jerseys floating around out there among the fan base.

Speaking of jersey numbers.  I have been to BH, BO and the book store over the last couple of weeks getting geared up for the season.  Ton of #8 jerseys and shirts everwhere.

[Cardo4]

What #is Courtney Denson now?

[Matt]

i thought denson was something like #23 now