Notes: Miller on scholarship; Garvin leaves program

Posted Aug 22, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 22, 2010 at 06:09 PM

Hey folks, I’m writing a story for Monday’s edition of The Tampa Tribune off Fan Fest today at Raymond James Stadium. I’ll post the story on the blog later.

Prior to Fan Fest, USF coach Skip Holtz, offensive coordinator Todd Fitch and defensive coordinator Mark Snyder met with members of the media.

Here are some nuggets from their press conferences:

—Holtz said he placed RB/WR Joel Miller, who was at the center of the Jim Leavitt controversy, on scholarship Sunday morning. Miller has steadily carved out a role since fall camp opened and is expected to see some time at slot receiver. Miller, Lindsey Lamar and Victor Marc are the three primary inside receivers according to Holtz.

—As for outside receivers, Holtz said the five who have locked down spots in the rotation are Dontavia Bogan, Evan Landi, Faron Hornes, T.J. Knowles, walk-on Stephen Bravo-Brown. He said Derrick Hopkins and Daniel Bryant are in a battle for the sixth spot.

—Sophomore OL Josh Garvin has left the program to focus on dealing with some personal issues that have kept him out of camp, Holtz said.

—Snyder said LB Sam Barrington participated in Saturday’s scrimmage and played well after missing three practices last week to take care of legal issues related to a pair of recent arrests for driving without a valid license.

—Snyder was very impressed with the way QB B.J. Daniels ran the ball during Saturday’s scrimmage. While Fitch and Holtz want Daniels to run less than he did last season, Snyder said he hasn’t seen an opposing quarterback run like Daniels since facing former Indiana QB Antwaan Randle El when he was defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

—Holtz said the place-kicking battle remains tight but that Maikon Bonani has a slight edge right now due to Eric Schwartz battling a hip flexor.

—Senior LB Sabbath Joseph missed Saturday’s scrimmage and sat out Sunday’s practice due to concussion-like symptoms according to Holtz.

—Fitch said starting RB Mo Plancher remains slowed by a shoulder injury and that Bradley Battles had the best performance among the running backs at Saturday’s scrimmage.