Smith notices change in Webster

Posted Aug 6, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 6, 2011 at 08:10 PM

Here is Saturday’s practice report from correspondent Michael Manganello:

Following the departure of Mistral Raymond to the NFL, USF will have a new starting cornerback this year opposite Quenton Washington. Junior Kayvon Webster is the presumed starter in defensive backs coach Rick Smith’s secondary.

“I’ve noticed a change in Kayvon since the middle of last season,” Smith said. “He was a great special teams player for us last year, he was my third best corner last year. He understands that he’s got to be very productive. He’s got to take over (Raymond’s) place and (Raymond) made a lot of plays for us last year. Kayvon has just had a great spring, he had a wonderful summer. He’s gotten bigger, stronger, quicker and faster and he’s a very intelligent young man. You can’t say enough wonderful things about Kayvon.”

Webster says that as a veteran and potential starter, he has to set a strong example for the younger players on the team.

“We just had freshmen that just came in and they’re looking up to me, so I have to create a good example for them and do everything the coaches ask me to do,” Webster said.

Beyond Washington and Webster depth at cornerback is a potential issue. The second string of cornerbacks includes George Baker and walk-on Ernie Tabuteau.

“Ernie is a very good athlete, but right now he has no idea what to do, and it’s my job to teach him what to do,” Smith said. “When Ernie learns what to do in each coverage, he’ll be a factor.”

Freshman Kenneth Durden has caught Smith’s eye, but Smith says he has a lot to learn and is probably feeling overwhelmed. On the opening day of camp, head coach Skip Holtz praised Durden for his ability as a punt returner.

BULLS DEPART FOR VERO: Four charter buses departed from the USF Athletics building Saturday afternoon, carrying the team and staff to Vero Beach for a twelve day stretch of training camp.

USF will hold its first of 11 practice sessions at the Vero Beach Sports Village on Sunday at 3:40 p.m. All practice sessions are free and open to the public. The Bulls will hold their first fall scrimmage, which will also be open to the public, Saturday, August 13 at 1:10 p.m.

Holtz was happy with the work the Bulls got in Saturday prior to departing.

“This team is really focused right now. I thought we came out here and had a really focused practice. They were intense, there was some hitting going on out there. Really pleased with the attitude and work habits of this team,” Holtz said.

“Now that we’ve had three practices here, we’ll get on the buses this afternoon and go over to Vero Beach. We’ll have the opportunity to have a dinner tonight and then we’ll have a good team meeting where we’ll really start talking about camp and putting this thing together and everything that we’re turning and trying to get done over at Vero Beach. I think the players are really excited about it, but we got a good days work out of them today. I think a lot of guys will sleep on that two hour bus ride.”

BULLS BITS: Fullback Armando Sanchez was not at practice Saturday, though he did have a good reason for missing out. Sanchez, originally from St. Petersburg, graduated from USF, receiving his degree in communications…Among the visitors at Saturday’s practice was USF’s newest commit, quarterback Tyler Cameron from Jupiter.