Gregory gets sixth year, but will transfer

Posted Jan 29, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Jan 29, 2009 at 02:49 PM

University of South Florida back-up QB Grant Gregory received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, but is leaving USF to play for a Division I-AA school in his final season.

Gregory said he had made his decision not to return to USF several weeks before his father, Greg, was stripped of his offensive coordinator duties Jan. 17 by USF coach Jim Leavitt.

“I planned for the worse [not getting the hardship], but I figured I had a 50-50 chance,” Gregory said. “It was a pleasant surprise that I got it.”

Gregory said he wants to pursue a masters in kinesiology or sports management (neither is offered at USF) and also wanted the opportunity to be a starting quarterback. Gregory said Eastern Kentucky and Towson are two options.

At USF, Gregory played in 22 games mostly as the holder on extra points, but threw for 384 yards (27 of 50) with four TDs and three interceptions. He was USF’s most experienced back-up to starter Matt Grothe and leaves the Bulls with untested freshmen B.J. Daniels and Evan Landi behind Grothe.

If Gregory’s hardship was denied, he said he would have played overseas in Italy.

BULLS GET DE COMMIT: Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College DE Jason Pierre-Paul (6-6, 255) verbally committed to USF, USFBullseye.com reported. The former Deerfield Beach standout also considered Arizona, Kansas State and Nebraska.

He will have two years eligibility at USF.