Four Locals In Latest Rivals.com National Top 100

Posted Apr 22, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM

Four Hillsborough County football players made the latest Rivals.com National Top 100 for the Class of 2009, which was released Monday.

The biggest movers up the chart were Armwood defensive lineman Ryne Giddins, Plant tight end Orson Charles and Gaither running back Jarvis Giles. Meanwhile, Plant quarterback Aaron Murray also was listed, but the Panthers’ record-setting passer actually fell in the latest rankings, though not far.

Giddins’ roller coaster ride through the rankings continued. He was No. 98 in the National Top 100 when it was first released, then fell all the way to No. 204 when the National Top 250 was released. Now, the Hawks standout is back where many felt he belonged, appearing at No. 95 in the latest Top 250.

Charles also made a huge jump. He wasn’t on the initial Top 100 but appeared at No. 148 on the first Top 250 list. Now, the transfer from Riverview is rated the 64th best prospect in the nation.

Giles also made a significant jump. The Cowboys star tailback is at No. 99, up from his No. 153 ranking in the Top 250 list. Giles was not ranked among the Top 100 in the initial list.

And Murray, who was at No. 44 in the initial Top 100 and No. 43 in the Top 250, is now at No. 48.

None of the four players has given a verbal commitment to a college program, though Murray likely will be the first. He is scheduled to announce his decision Thursday during a ceremony at Plant.

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Illinois Latest To Offer Aycock

Posted Apr 22, 2008 by Nick Williams

Updated Apr 22, 2008 at 11:11 AM

Illinois became the sixth school and first from the Big Ten to officially offer Chamberlain junior quarterback Dontae Aycock, Chamberlain coach Brian Turner said on Tuesday. USF, Duke, Kansas, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech have also offered the 5-foot-10, 215 pound duel-threat QB. Like the other five schools, Turner said Illinois is recruiting Aycock as an athlete.

Former Chamberlain receiver Fred Sykes, who graduated early this past December, signed with the Fighting Illini. In addition, Turner said Aycock has relatives in Chicago.

Aycock rushed for 1,101 yards and 22 touchdowns this past season and passed for 941 yards with five touchdowns.

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The 2-deep heading into fall

Posted Apr 22, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Apr 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM

With the completion of spring football, here’s a look at USF’s two-deep entering the fall.

The biggest surprise from the spring was the emergence of sophomore Sampson Genus at nose tackle. Also, junior college transfer Kion Wilson, expected to earn one of the three starting linebacker spots, is listed as a back-up to senior Tyrone McKenzie.

Also, check out the video below for Exhibit 1A why it might be a while until USF fans ever see a live Bull roaming the sideline at a USF game. This video was taken at the University of Colorado’s spring game as the school was debuting a new “Ralphie the Buffalo.”

USF’s two-deep
Offense
X Carlton Mitchell (6-4, 210) So.; A.J. Love (6-3, 196) So.
H Jessie Hester Jr. (6-0, 174) Jr.; Patrick Richardson (6-0, 163) Fr.
LT Marc Dile (6-4, 309) Sr.; Jeremiah Warren (6-4, 326) Fr.
LG Ryan Schmidt (6-4, 327) Sr.; Matt Huners (6-3, 305) Sr.
C Jake Griffin (6-4, 307) Sr.; Joe Herzhauser (6-4, 263) So.
RG Zach Hermann (6-3, 313) So.; Mike McGowan (6-5, 260) Fr.
RT Jacob Sims (6-5, 290) So.; Danny Tolley (6-6, 302) Jr.
TE Cedric Hill (6-3, 230) Sr.; Ben Busbee (6-3, 242) Jr.
Y Taurus Johnson (6-1, 204) Sr.; Dontavia Bogan (6-1, 180) So.
Z Marcus Edwards (5-11, 164) Sr.; Colby Erskin (5-9, 185) Jr.
QB Matt Grothe (6-0, 213) Jr.; Grant Gregory (6-1, 205) Sr.
RB-A Benjamin Williams (5-7, 200) Sr.; Jamar Taylor (5-9, 205) So.
RB-B Mike Ford (6-2, 225) So.; Richard Kelly (6-0, 239) So.
Defense
LE Jarriett Buie (6-4, 249) Sr.; David Bedford (6-5, 240) Jr.
NT Sampson Genus (6-1, 308) So.; Keith McCaskill (5-11, 255) Fr.
DT Aaron Harris (6-4, 264) Jr.; Terrell McClain (6-3, 306) So.
RE George Selvie (6-4, 242) Jr.; Craig Marshall (6-5, 260) Jr.
SLB Chris Robinson (6-3, 233) Jr.; Alonzo McQueen (6-1, 255) So.
MLB Tyrone McKenzie (6-2, 235) Sr.; Kion Wilson (6-2, 235) Jr.
WLB Brouce Mompremier (6-1, 227) Sr.; Sabbath Joseph (6-0, 221) So.
CB Tyller Roberts (6-1, 185) Sr.; Quenton Washington (5-10, 172) Fr.
SS Carlton Williams (6-4, 214) Sr.; Danny Verpaele (5-11, 200) Sr.
FS Nate Allen (6-2, 200) Jr.; Louis Gachette (6-3, 215) Sr.
CB Jerome Murphy (6-1, 176) Jr.; Tyson Butler (5-11, 170) Fr.
Specialists
K Delbert Alvarado (6-0, 196) Jr.; Justin Teachey (5-11, 176) Sr.
KO Justin Teachey (5-11, 176) Sr.; Delbert Alvarado (6-0, 196) Jr.
P Delbert Alvarado (6-0, 196) Jr.; Justin Teachey (5-11, 176) Sr.
LS Eric Setser (6-1, 240) Sr.; Mike Walsh (5-10, 210) Fr.

”

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St. Pete Bowl seeking a new date

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 10:29 PM

The St. Petersburg Bowl hasn’t even been officially approved yet - but by all accounts that should happen next week - and the new bowl game is already seeking a new date.

Owned and operated by ESPN, the St. Pete Bowl will pit schools from the Big East and Conference USA at Tropicana Field. The inaugural game was planned for Sunday night, Dec. 21. That was until the NFL released its schedule and scheduled San Diego at the Tampa Bay Bucs on Dec. 21 at 8:15 p.m.

Now atop Pete Derzis’ to do list: find a new date for the St. Pete Bowl.

“There’s no way we’re going to play against the Tampa Bay Bucs,” said Derzis, senior vice president and general manager for ESPN Regional. “I know that’s a losing deal to do this against a Bucs game.”

The bowl will go before the NCAA bowl licensing committee next week. If approved, the game would debut in December - on a date still to be determined.

Derzis said he’s hopeful the bowl will be approved. “We [ESPN] have a strong proposal, a strong track record [with ESPN’s other five bowl games],” he said.

The St. Pete Bowl will be one of three new bowls seeking approval along with the Congressional Bowl in Washington D.C. (Navy or Army against maybe the ACC’s 9th place team) and the Rocky Mountain Bowl in Salt Lake City (between Mountain West and WAC teams).

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Navarro wraps up rehab

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 09:41 PM

You know you’re hitting well when an 0-for-3 night drops your average to an even .400. That’s how it went for Dioner Navarro tonight as he got his three scheduled at-bats as the DH for Vero Beach against Brevard County to wrap up his rehab assignment.

Less than three weeks after suffering severe cuts on two fingers on his right hand in a freak accident at Yankee Stadium, Navarro is expected to be activated from the DL tomorrow. Mike DiFelice, who said his goodbyes in the clubhouse following Sunday’s game at Tropicana Field, likely will be designated for assignment to clear a spot for the Rays’ starting catcher.

Not only will that free up space on the active roster for Navarro, it also will open a 40-man spot that, unless Andrew Friedman has something else up his sleeve, could be used to reinstate Juan Salas from the restricted list sometime in the next couple of weeks. Of course, the way the Rays have been decimated by injuries already this season, who knows what might happen over that timeframe?

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Beverley’s mom says no to Bulls

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Arkansas G Patrick Beverley, the 2007 SEC Freshman of the Year, was ready to transfer to the University of South Florida and sit out the 2008-09 season. His mother, though, would not allow it, so Beverley will remain with the Hogs.

For the second consecutive year rumors have surfaced about Beverley leaving the Hogs for the Bulls. Last year when Stan Heath, who recruited Beverley to Fayetteville, was fired by Arkansas and then hired by USF, there were rumors about Beverley leaving. But he stayed at Arkansas.

In the past few days, there was more transfer talk coming out of Fayetteville. This time, though, the talk initiated from Beverley - or at least on his Facebook page - where he wrote “I’m leaving.”

WholeHogSports.com reported Beverley later updated his Facebook page about having to make a “tough decision.” On Friday, when given a chance by Brandon Marcello of the Northwest Arkansas Times to end the speculation, Beverley refused to comment.

Monday, though, I spoke with Lisa Beverley, Patrick’s mother. She laughed and said the rumors were false. Her son, who averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds as a sophomore, was not leaving Arkansas and would not be transferring to USF.

Sources who spoke with Patrick Beverley said he wanted to be a Bull, but his mother wanted him to remain at Arkansas. I guess, mother knows best.

On a final note, my apologies for not alerting the masses - or thousands, or hundreds, or dozens, or the two people who noticed - that I was on vacation the past two weeks.

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Smith’s Hitting Streak Ends At 38

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 09:35 PM

Mike Smith’s hitting streak is over.

The Brandon junior catcher/first baseman went hitless in the Eagles’ 5-3 Class 5A-District 8 quarterfinal victory over Tampa Bay Tech on Monday night. He ended up 0-for-1 with an RBI.

“It was a good run. I guess I set the bar high for everybody else,” Smith said. “That’s an 11-game winning streak, though.”

Smith thought he’d extended the streak in his second at-bat of the game. He said he hit a rocket to center “that would have been a grand slam to center, no doubt about it” but the ball was caught on a nice defensive play. It ended up as a sacrifice fly.

Smith grounded out in his first at-bat and was intentionally walked in his third at-bat. He was left standing in the on-deck circle when the final out in the bottom of the sixth was recorded, he said.

“As long as we keep winning, that’s all that matters,” Smith said.

 

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Moves Made, Others Coming

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 08:38 PM

Tampa Bay Storm coach Tim Marcum said some moves were coming this week in order to try and help his team get out of a franchise-worst five-game skid. The first few came late Monday, but there’s certain to be more.

Defensive back Khalid Naziruddin was waived from the active roster and defensive back Bryant Tisdale was waived from the practice squad, and the team also made a trade, getting linebacker Phil Glover from San Jose for offensive lineman Jonathan Dunn, who is with NFL’s Detroit Lions and was on Tampa Bay’s other league exempt list.

Glover is expected to compete for immediate playing time. He played the first three games with the SaberCats but has been inactive since.

Tampa Bay is expected to make some more roster moves Tuesday. At least one move that should take place is receiver/kick returner Sedrick Robinson being activated off injured reserve. Marcum said Monday he would like the roster to be set by Wednesday, giving the group a chance to establish some sort of continuity prior to Saturday’s Southern Division game at rival Orlando.

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Top 10 WRs

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Luke Easterling

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 08:28 PM

1. Devin Thomas, Michigan State - A great combination of size and speed has kept Thomas’ draft stock rising steadily over the past month.
2. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma - Despite a sub-par pro day workout, remains one of the best all-around receivers in this class.
3. Limas Sweed, Texas - A wrist injury is causing concern, but when healthy, is a nightmare for smaller defensive backs, especially in the red zone.
4. Early Doucet, LSU - Nothing spectacular here, but a tough, consistent player who is fearless over the middle and has exceptional hands and route-running ability.
5. DeSean Jackson, California - Great speed and return skills, but his lack of size will hurt him at the next level.
6. James Hardy, Indiana - Great size and speed, but has some character issues.
7. Mario Manningham, Michigan - Runs smooth routes and can stretch the field.  Enjoyed great success in the red zone and can win jump balls.
8. Andre Caldwell, Florida - Great speed and agility, but carries some durability concerns.  Will be a threat in the return game, as well.
9. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt - Exceptional hands and dangerous after the catch.  As tough as they come over the middle.
10. Donnie Avery, Houston - Blazing speed, but needs to spend more time on the other aspects of his game.

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Allen-To-Vikings Trade Would Benefit Both Parties

Posted Apr 21, 2008 by Luke Easterling

Updated Apr 21, 2008 at 07:22 PM

Disgruntled franchise-DE Jared Allen is on his way out of Kansas City, and the only question remaining is, where will he end up?  While The Bucs have been talked about as a possible destination, the reported price-tag (1st & 2nd round picks) would be way too rich for the Bucs to afford, considering the Bucs only have 5 picks in this year’s draft.  Allen’s more likely destination is Minnesota, where the deal would be a great fit for both sides.

Kansas City knows Allen isn’t happy with his franchise tag and that it’s in their best interests to move him.  Minnesota is in the market for a pass rusher, and is targeting Florida’s Derrick Harvey and Clemson’s Phillip Merling in the draft.  If K.C. ends up with Minnesota’s 1 & 2, that gives them two of the first 17 picks in each of those rounds, giving them 4 top-quality players at need positions (OL and QB are likely targets in the first round).  Minnesota could match Allen with their already-imposing interior tandem of Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. 

The Vikings most recent attempts to solve the pass-rushing issue in the first round of the draft have fallen short with picks such as Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James.  Acquiring a proven player such as Allen would be a much better option that simply hoping that the third time is a charm by standing pat and selecting Harvey or Merling.

Also, Kansas City might find themselves in an even better position regarding their #5 overall pick, as many teams are looking to trade up for either Boston College QB Matt Ryan or USC DT Sedrick Ellis.

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