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Monday, Aug. 4 at 7:06 p.m.
Video of Leavitt | Mike Ford | George Selvie | Quotes
Coach Leavitt and company were happy with the first practice of the fall and they probably enjoyed the fact that things were pretty typical.
Leavitt praised the entire team and was happy with the effort and willingness to learn early. One quote to the media will surely be a mantra for his team this fall.
"If the seniors stay on edge and get better every day, it will help everyone in camp."
Leavitt singled out true-freshman QB Evan Landi, saying, "I'm really happy we brought him in. He's is going to be great player here."
Coach also talked publicly for the first time about assistant coach John Hendrick,who has been sidelined after suffering a heart attack.
"John's a special guy and a good friend," said Leavitt. "I have known him forever. He will be back when he is good and ready. I know not being out here is killing him and we need him, but we can't rush it."
The editor from the USF student paper, The Oracle, asked returning All-American George Selvie after practice about the first time he saw his face on a billboard this offseason. Selvie quipped, "I was just driving down the street one day and I saw it, and I was like, 'oh, that's a good lookin' dude.'"
Approximately 15 media members were out at campus from all over the state, including the Miami Herald and Fort Myers News Press. In addition to coach Leavitt and the regular requests for Matt Grothe and George Selvie, 13 other players were pulled over by the media for interviews.
The local beat writers Brett McMurphy and Greg Auman already have blog updates posted.
McMurphy posted about two junior college players showing up. Auman also wrote about the entire roster being present, newcomer David Bedford working with the third team and the early leaders to return punts.
Monday, Aug. 4 at 5:06 p.m.
Some early notes from the first practice
? The team is only allowed to wear practice jerseys and shorts today. The NCAA has specific rules on when they can wear upper pads and the complete set of pads. We'll keep you updated as they add gear in the coming days. Saturday is the first two-a-day and should also be the first day they are allowed to hit.
? The Bulls are sporting all kinds of new Under Armour gear, including newly designed practice jerseys (pictured to the right). The defense is in the customary white uniform with green numbers, offense is in green and with gold numbers and the quarterbacks have gold jerseys with green numbers. The numbers are in the USF font this season and are much more form fitting that previous years.
The players were also issued the following on Sunday when they reported:
? Two t-shirts
? One pair of black practice shorts
? One pair of workout shoes
? One pair of cleats
? One practice jersey
? One custom fitted Schutt helmet
? One pair of custom fitted or refurbished shoulder pads
? One pair of gloves (optional)
? Wristbands
? One set of custom designed green and gold tight fit long and short sleeve tight fit shirt
? One custom mouthguard
? Defensive ends coach Kevin Patrick is working with the entire defensive line with fellow assistant coach John Hendrick sidelined after suffering a heart attack in the last month. There is no timetable for coach Hendrick's return, but the entire athletics department wishes him a speedy recovery.
? Defensive graduate assistant Jared Davis is working with defensive backs coach Troy Douglas this fall. Last year, Davis worked with Rich Rachel and the cornerbacks. Rachel is now the director of high school relations for USF.
? Tight ends coach Larry Scott and offensive line coach Mike Simmonds split up the group this afternoon for the first workout. They divided the group in half and worked on the same drills with each group during the opening minutes of camp. This isn't anything out of the ordinary, but it is a welcome sight to see the large numbers of offensive linemen. Last year, the offensive line was hard hit with injury and depleted. Here's to a healthy camp for the big boys.
? Team doctors and representatives from USF Health are back at camp again this year. The group of medics is monitoring the internal temperature of approximately 50 players. The players swallow a pill that transmits a readout to handheld devises that are manned by the USF Health team. The technology allows the staff to preempt a myriad of heat related ailments that can stop a player in his tracks during these hot summer days.
Monday, Aug. 4 at 3:45 p.m.
It is raining, which is nothing new for Florida this time of year. Coach Leavitt has moved the start time of practice back to 4:30 p.m. and was anxiously awaiting the first session of the fall. Original plans were to reschedule for 8 p.m., but Leavitt's urgency pushed for the early kickoff of the first practice of 2008.
Monday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.
The entire roster of 105 players reported to camp on Sunday afternoon and was on hand for their first official meeting of the fall, which began at 4 p.m.
Players spent the first half of the day checking into the dorms and preparing for three straight weeks of football. The Bulls were treated to a steak dinner on Sunday night and were ordered to have lights out at 11 p.m.
Meetings started up again on Monday morning at 8 a.m. and will continue throughout the day until the team gathers for the first practice of the fall at 4 p.m.
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