QB Gunsby leaves team to focus on academics

Posted Mar 30, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Mar 30, 2011 at 06:28 PM

USF redshirt freshman quarterback Jamius Gunsby has left the team to focus on his academics and won’t return this spring, Bulls coach Skip Holtz said following Wednesday’s practice.

Holtz said Gunsby approached the coaching staff Monday to ask for permission to put his focus on his academics, realizing more attention needed to be put there.

“You certainly have a hard time going, ‘No, you have to be out here,’” Holtz said. “I hope he turns and gets some things done with that. We’ve upgraded his study hall hours. It’s not like he’s being disciplined in any way, shape or form, but he just really feels like he needs to make an emphasis and he’s put himself in some holes.”

Holtz will continue to monitor Gunsby’s academics and progress but was uncertain of a timeline on when Gunsby would be able to return.

“Jamius just feels like he’s really swimming mentally in some of his classes. He’s got a much better idea where he is than we do and what kind of chance he has of pulling those grades out and everything,” Holtz said. “All of the sudden the reality of NCAA eligibility and what you’ve got to do with staying in school, he wants to turn and make the commitment to it. In order to get him back, at this point for him to come back, I can’t see him coming back this spring with where we are. I don’t see him making a return this spring. We’ll kind of see how the grades play out and where they are right now and we’ll turn and go from there.”