University of South Florida receivers coach Mike Canales isn’t one to buy into the old adage of “too much of a good thing can be bad.”

With the return of last season’s top three receivers and several other experienced players at the position, Canales has plenty of talented weapons at his disposal.

Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester and Taurus Johnson combined for 106 catches for 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

“The entire group had a great summer and carried over what they had done in the spring,” Canales said. “We trust these guys. They’re learning different positions so they can play different spots. I’m really pleased with the group and am excited about what we have going.”

With USF playing in so many four- and five-receiver sets, there’s plenty of opportunities for catches to go around.

“It’s whoever is on the field and the ball comes their way they have to catch it,” Canales said. “The big thing we push with our guys is everybody’s got to play and everybody’s got to be a viable target. And everybody works so hard, they deserve to play.

“We’re not a two-back system where we have only two receivers. Everybody’s going to get a chance to get the rock in their hands.”

With five days of camp complete, Canales offered his early impressions on some of his top guys.

“I think A.J. [Love] had a really great summer and he’s probably the receiver of the camp right now. He’s really turned it up. He’s pushing Carlton and I can see us playing both at one time,” Canales said. “Taurus is having a good camp. Jessie’s really playing well. Marcus [Edwards] is as steady and consistent as they go. And I’m really, really pleased with [Dontavia] Bogan. Bogan’s really stepped up his play. He wants to be more of a target and get on the field and be an impact player. I think he’s worked extremely hard for it.”

HENDRICK STILL HOPEFUL: New USF defensive line coach John Hendrick, who has not been able to return since suffering a heart attack July 1, said he will visit another specialist Tuesday to undergo another stress test.

Hendrick, 48, initially visited his cardiologist July 28 with hopes to be cleared to return to practice. However, after that visit he took a nuclear stress test Aug. 1 that discovered he had an irregular heartbeat.

While waiting for Hendrick’s return, new defensive ends coach Kevin Patrick is working with the Bulls’ defensive line.

BIG ENDORSEMENT: Coach Jim Leavitt had high praise for freshman DL Cory Grissom after Friday’s practice.

“There’s no question Grissom was our best d-lineman [Friday],” Leavitt said. “He’s a true freshman and if he’s that good he may start for us. He was absolutely one of the best freshman d-linemen I’ve seen here in a long time.”

SKY HIGH: During Friday’s position drills, the running backs simulated goal-line situations where they had to leap over the line of scrimmage into the end zone.

How it worked was two players would grasp each other’s hands and stretch their arms out about chest high. The ball carrier would then take the handoff from running backs coach Carl Franks and leap over the players arms onto cushioned mats.

Sophomores Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor got the highest during the drill—not Herschel Walker or Walter Payton high – but still impressive nonetheless.

ODDS AND ENDS: Junior Kion Wilson manned the first-team middle linebacker spot Friday. “We want to see what he can do. … We’re trying to put our best combination together,” Leavitt said. … DT Aaron Harris (back) was again limited in practice. … Freshman walk-on DE Josh Alston, of Armwood, has left the team, Leavitt said.

In some non-USF news, the NCAA said Friday it upheld the original decision to deny the extension of eligibility request for Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The judgment to uphold the NCAA’s original decision was based on case precedent, stating there was not sufficient medical documentation or any other objective supporting information to substantiate the claim that Mauk missed the 2003 season due to an incapacitating injury. Mauk did not have an appeals hearing, as promised, because the NCAA ruled it already had enough information to make their decision.