Basketball freshman Gene Teague failed to meet NCAA academic standards and will not attend USF. BIG EAST regulations do not allow prospects that don’t meet the NCAA minimum standards to enroll at a member institution.
“We are disappointed that Gene will not be a part of our program,” USF coach Stan Heath said. “He was admitted conditionally this summer and would have been fully admitted had he been able to reach the NCAA’s standards. We will assist him in finding a situation that is best for him and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Teague is the third recruit in the past two months that did not qualify, joining Dwan McMillan and Teeng Akol.

In football news:

THE GRIND: The brutally hot and sticky conditions of two-a-day practices can test not only a player’s physical toughness, but his mental toughness as well.

And although they are a necessary evil in preparing for the rigors of the season, the University of South Florida players are ready for two-a-days to be over.

“To be honest, yeah,” WR Taurus Johnson said. “But two-a-days are part of football. You have to work hard and sweat, but it’s going to pay off because the season’s just around the corner and we’re going to be ready.”

The Bulls open the season two weeks from today against Tennessee-Martin.

BIG BROTHER: For all of Bulls coach Jim Leavitt’s quirks, no one can question his commitment and loyalty to USF and his players. And because of that, Leavitt’s players will run through a brick wall for him. 

“I love him to death,” TE Cedric Hill said. “Coach Leavitt is a great guy in spite of what people think of him. He loves this football team and he’ll go to bat for us any time. I’d never trade any coach for him. He recruited me coming here. I thought he was a little weird at first, but getting to know him and being here my senior year you grow and get to know what he’s all about. He’s like a big brother we never had.”

ODDS AND ENDS: USF will hold a closed scrimmage Saturday morning. ... The team practiced in shorts and shoulder pads during both of today’s practice sessions. ... Leavitt said the punt and kick return duties are still undecided.