Tuesday, Aug. 5 @ 11:41 a.m. 

Video Interviews: Jim Leavitt | Sabbath Joseph | Tyller Roberts
Feature: Interview with Strength Coach Ronnie McKeefery

A strong showing in individual drills, followed by some poor team work had USF head coach Jim Leavitt disappointed in the second practice of the fall.

“We just went out there and did a lot of conditioning because our team stuff wasn't very good,” said Leavitt.  “We have a lot of guys and they get it. We have a lot of talent and they understood we were not good today and they understood why we did conditioning.”

Miami Herald reporter Jeff Shain was at practice again on Tuesday.  Shain was interviewing Brouce Mompremier and Sabbath Joseph, who hail from Miami Edison High School and Central HS, respectively.

Mompremier talked extensively last week at BIG EAST Media Days about mentoring Joseph into a starting role.  And that appears to be within reason, as Joseph is at the top spot on the depth chart at strongside linebacker.

“I have always been a really physical player,” said Joseph.  “Brouce has just stressed to me the importance of discipline and playing under control. I'm watching a lot of tape too.  Not just of last season, but of guys like Snake (Stephen Nicholas) and Pat St. Louis.”

The defensive staff openly admits that Joseph may have the most natural ability of any USF linebacker, the biggest hurdle has been learning the system and defense.

“I always say, ?I'm an athlete, not a linebacker,'” said Joseph.

Joseph and Mompremier both are of Haitian descent, as is strength and conditioning GA Pat St. Louis.  St. Louis was a starter alongside Ben Moffitt and Nicholas, two current NFL players, in 2006.

“Pat's helped me a ton,” said Joseph.  “He's a Miami boy too. He's always available, 24/7, I can call him anytime I have question.”

 The Haitian boys, including defensive back Quenton Washington, always bring some authentic, home-cooked meals back to USF after trips home.

When asked which family had the best cooks, Joseph actually didn't have an answer, “That's a tough call, it's a real competition between Brouce, Quenton and I.”


Tuesday, Aug. 5 @ 9:04 a.m. 

The Bulls began practice number two of training camp under typically muggy conditions.  The early morning practice sessions conflict with the summer class schedules of many players, most notably this morning when freshman QB B.J. Daniels was absent due to academic responsibilities. The Bulls will practice from 8:30-10:30 a.m. the next three days, before beginning two-a-days on Saturday.

A few notes:

? The team again was without pads of any sort, working in practice jerseys and shorts. 

? Fans of Tyller Roberts would have been happy to hear head coach Jim Leavitt and defensive coordinator Wally Burnham praise his work yesterday. They both said that he already has a strong hold on one of the starting corner spots, opposite junior Jerome Murphy.  Roberts is donning a mohawk again and we will try to get a picture of it later today.  The mohawk was popular with the 2007 team, especially prior to the West Virginia game when approximately 30 players shaved it into their head as a way of bonding.

? Two new faces were back on punt returns this morning, Theo Wilson and Patrick Richardson.  The duo joined Marcus Edwards, who returns as the top option after a solid year returning punts last season.  Coach Leavitt has not been shy about promoting Wilson as a potential option on return teams.  Wilson played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at Pearl River Community College last season and has a ton of athleticism.  It's so early in camp that it is tough to judge the long term return ability of Richardson, but his teammates are high on him.  During BIG EAST Media Days last week, fellow wide reciever and senior leader Taurus Johnson said that Richardson, "Made the most improvement of any wideout this offseason."

? Speaking of special teams, USF has changed up the coaching responsibilities.  Troy Douglas will handle kickoff coverage, Larry Scott will work with kickoff returns, Wally Burnham will do punt coverage and Coach Leavitt will handle punt returns.

? The defensive backs were joined by a new walk-on yesterday, Mistral Raymond.  St. Pete Times beat writer Greg Auman has the scoop on the former junior college player. 

? Redshirt-freshman Jeremiah Warren is working with the No. 2 line at left tackle. That means Warren is backing up Marc Dile at the moment.  Warren was not among the top two players at any position on the offensive line at the end of the summer, but clearly earned time in during off-season workouts.

Daily Links

? Tom Zebold of the Lakeland Ledger writes, "Some key Bulls are leaner and more explosive coming out of the gates at the start of training camp. South Florida dual-threat quarterback Matt Grothe might be extra dangerous scrambling around this year after losing some extra baggage in the offseason."

? Brett McMurphy of the Tampa Tribune writes, "When the University of South Florida went through Monday's first practice, it was like no other season-opening workout in program history. For the first time the Bulls began fall drills with a number before their name - No. 21-ranked USF."

? David Dorsey of the Fort Myers News Press writes, "If the Bulls have a successful season in 2008, they will no longer be shocking the college football world. Last season, the Bulls ascended from being unranked during the preseason to No. 2 in the nation by Oct. 14. South Florida faltered down the stretch, but the Bulls still finished with a 9-4 record, including a spot in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas."

? Jeff Shain of the Miami Herald wrote, "As initial practices go, Monday didn't appear all that different from any first day in South Florida's first 12 seasons as a football program. Nose around long enough, though, and there's an unmistakable air that didn't accompany the Bulls in any previous August."

? The boys over at USFNation.com have a ton of coverage but it's all premium, so we can't link to it here.


Need To Know

? Be a part of the most anticipated football season in USF history.  Single game tickets are on sale for the 2008 season and can be purchased on GoUSFBulls.com by clicking here or at Ticketmaster.com. You can also purchase single game tickets at the USF Box Office or at any local Ticketmaster location.

? Season tickets are still on sale and are the only way to get seats in the lower bowl at Raymond James Stadium.  The only way to secure season tickets for the 2008 season is by calling 1-800-GoBulls.  For more information, including prices and a seating map visit the USF season ticket zone.