Monday report

Posted Aug 31, 2009 by Gregg Becnel

Updated Aug 31, 2009 at 08:15 PM

Two University of South Florida true freshmen are slated to start Saturday’s opener against Division I-AA Wofford, according to the depth chart released by the school.

WR Sterling Griffin and CB Kayvon Webster could become the first true freshmen to start a season opener since former Brandon standout WR S.J. Green started for the Bulls against Alabama in 2003.

Other players set to make their first career starts for USF include: redshirt freshman RT Mark Popek, from Plant City; sophomore LT Jeremiah Warren and LG Chaz Hine, from Newsome; junior DE David Bedford and LB Sabbath Joseph and senior WR Theo Wilson.

There is a likelihood, however, things could change before kickoff.

“There are probably four or five positions that are still a little bit up in the air,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “There is some real competition going on. … Do I think that’ll be exactly the starting lineup? No I don’t. But I don’t know where the difference will be.”

SPIRES GONE: Senior LB Donte Spires, a walk-on from Plant, has left the program due to financial and academic issues, Leavitt said. Spires, who has a redshirt year still available, is not enrolled at school for the fall semester but plans on enrolling in January.

ODDS AND ENDS: WRs Jessie Hester (ankle) and A.J. Love (knee) aren’t practicing 100 percent and their status for Wofford is questionable. … Leavitt said two or three players were stricken with the flu last week and currently three guys are down because of it, including Popek and DE Rony Delisca, of Wharton.