Will Gus get on the USF bus?

Posted Jun 9, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Jun 9, 2008 at 11:08 PM

For those younger than 30 (40?), you probably won’t appreciate the “get on the bus, Gus” reference. Then again, even if you’re aware of Paul Simon, you still may not care about it. So on to all the fuss about Gus - Gus Gilchrist.

Gus Gilchrist, ranked the nation’s ninth-best center by Scout.com out of high school, has left the University of Maryland and may transfer to USF.

Gilchrist’s release has been sent to USF, West Virginia and Kentucky. Terrelle Woody, Gilchrist’s trainer, told me last week there is no timetable when the 6-foot-9 Gilchrist will make a decision.

Gilchrist originally signed with Virginia Tech last year out of Progressive Christian Academy in Maryland, but backed out of his commitment because of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007.

He then signed with Maryland in November 2007 and enrolled in January 2008, choosing the Terps over Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. However, the ACC and NCAA ruled Gilchrist would have to sit out until December 2008 at Maryland, prompting his transfer from Maryland to a non-ACC school so he might receive four years eligibility. His new school would have to appeal to the NCAA.

While Gilchrist - who would be the unquestioned crown jewel of USF’s recruiting class if he comes to Tampa - is a possibility, former Michigan sophomore C/F Ekpe Udoh is no longer considering USF. Udoh, the Big Ten’s leading shot blocker who said last week USF was among the schools he would transfer to, has eliminated the Bulls from consideration. Udoh, from Edmond, Okla., appears headed to either Baylor, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma or Arkansas.

Maruszak, Thomas sign pro deals: USF junior SS Addison Maruszak, a 17th round pick of the Yankees, and Middleton High RHP/SS Corey Thomas, a USF signee and 13th round pick of the Orioles, have both signed professional baseball contracts and will not be attending USF this fall.

“It’s a dream to be a Yankee,” said Maruszak, who will be assigned to the Yanks’ Class A team in Staten Island. “It’s a dream come true. They’re giving me a great opportunity. I was just looking for certain things and they came up for it. It was a plus they were the Yankees.”

An infielder at USF, Maruszak also has been projected as a catcher. “I’ll leave it to them where I play. It doesn’t matter, as long as I get an opportunity.”

Thomas had made clear his desire to play professionally over USF’s scholarship offer and signed with Orioles, his adviser Rich Arena said.

If there was any question, what kind of job USF coach Lelo Prado and his staff do on the recruiting trail, consider this: seven of the Bulls’ 11 recruits were selected in the MLB draft.

USF No. 8 in nation – and Big East: As mentioned last week, Phil Steele’s College Football Preview magazine ranked USF No. 8 in the nation. Perhaps a little high, but you never know. However, Steele clearly wasn’t as high on the Bulls’ recruiting class – ranking it eighth in the Big East and 65th in the country.

Among BCS schools, only Baylor, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Washington State and Purdue had worse 2008 recruiting classes than USF, according to Steele.

Steele’s magazine also ranked QB Matt Grothe 18th on his list of Heisman Trophy contenders and has DE George Selvie a first-team preseason All-American and LB Tyrone McKenzie a fourth-team preseason All-American.

Around the Big East: Former USF DL Richard Clebert signed with the Winnipeg Bombers of the Canadian Football League, the Winnipeg Sun reported. … Syracuse WR Mike Williams, who scored 10 of the Orange’s 24 TDs last season, was suspended for academics and likely won’t play this season, the Syracuse Post-Standard reported. That’s not very good news for Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, who could be gone after this season if the Orange doesn’t show a great deal of improvement. ... West Virginia will soon be launching a website to help promote QB Pat White for the 2008 Heisman Trophy. Rumor has it, USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham knows the secret how to shut that down also.