USF starters, second-teamers to get tested at Saturday’s scrimmage

Posted Aug 20, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 20, 2010 at 09:51 PM

By Phil Neary
Tribune correspondent

TAMPA – With just two weeks until the opener, first-year USF coach Skip Holtz said the Bulls’ second scrimmage will serve as a measuring stick for the first- and second-teamers. USF scrimmages today at 1:25 p.m.

“The key is how much progress can we make until the first game and we can’t afford setbacks,’’ Holtz said Friday’s practice in shorts. “I’m looking for the ones and twos to get the bulk of the reps, where last scrimmage the threes got an awful lot of reps. This game is more about the ones and twos and trying to get game ready.’’

The offense, especially the receiving corps, is still looking for consistency, and quarterback B.J. Daniels hopes to improve from a rough first scrimmage.

“I see progress and improvement from last week,’’ Holtz said. “The thing you worry about when you watch the scrimmage is, ‘did the defense stop it or did the offense stop themselves?’ Is the guy wide and the quarterback didn’t read it? Is the guy wide open and the quarterback overthrows it? Is the guy wide open and he drops it?’

“The main thing I’m looking at is just how we’re executing the offense. We didn’t execute well in the first scrimmage.’’

BARRINGTON BACK: Sophomore LB Sam Barrington, who spent three nights in jail for failing to take care of legal matters related to multiple charges of driving without a valid driver’s license, returned to practice Friday. Barrington was released from jail early Thursday morning.

“It was nice to see him out here,’’ Holtz said. “Sam is in compliance with everything that he needs to be doing. I hate what he’s going through, but at the same time he understands he brought this upon himself.’’

PRAISE FOR WALK-ON QB: Holtz said freshman walk-on quarterback and former Jesuit star Bobby Eveld has been a very pleasant surprise in camp thus far.

“He is a mature young man; very committed young man,’’ Holtz said, noting Eveld is usually one of the last ones off the practice field. “He’s got an awful lot of talent. He’s doing a great job right now picking up everything we’re throwing at him.’’

Eveld, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, has a strong arm and could potentially earn a scholarship if he continues to improve the way he has in camp.

“You look at all the intangibles he brings to the table, he’s off the charts,’’ Holtz said.

Holtz said Daniels’ back-up position is still wide open despite freshman Jamius Gunsby outplaying Eveld in the first scrimmage.

“This scrimmage will go a long way in determining that,’’ Holtz said. “Bobby’s ahead mentally and Jamius Gunsby is farther ahead with his feet and being able to make some athletic plays,’’ Holtz said.

BULL BITS: Sophomore DT Cory Grissom returned to practice on Friday. “He looked good,’’ defensive tackles coach Kevin Patrick said. … RB Darrell Scott, who was limited in practice with a calf injury, also practice on Friday … USF is holding tryouts for walk-ons on Monday afternoon.