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18 Players Ready in the Fall
The USF staff believes that as many as 18 incoming players will be able to contribute this fall. Coach Leavitt didn't list off the entire group but offered some insight:

"It depends on work ethic, focus, how much their understand [of the schemes]," said Leavitt. "Normally we only had two or three guys [come and contribute their first semester]."

Watch Leavitt's Comments on BullsVision

"We have recruited some really special players. We are going to look at Lindsay Lamar right away. Sterling Griffin will get a look right away. The big quarterback, Isaac Virgin, will get a look right away at quarterback or tight end. He's too good of an athlete to not play right away. There will be an influx of players this summer like this program has never seen."

Aaron Harris at Defensive End?
Coach Leavitt said that defensive lineman Aaron Harris has been working at defensive end this spring. The depth and competition at defensive tackle has allowed Harris to add to his repetoire. USF returns Terrell McClain, Cory Grissom and Keith McCaskill at the interior defensive line positions, plus Harris.

Leavitt admitted that whether it is on the interior or at end, Harris will be starting. He also noted that he is really pushing Craig Marshall for the top spot at defensive end opposite George Selvie.

Focus
Coach Leavitt was vocally reminding his team of the how important focus and effort were throughout the Thursday practice. The players were enduring their fourth consecutive day of practice and when their attention to detail strayed, Leavitt and the staff reeled the players back in.

Afterwards, Leavitt said it was the first time since 1997 that USF has practiced four days in-a-row during the spring.

The Bulls will be off on Friday and will hold a closed scrimmage on Saturday.  USF will be back on the practice field on Tuesday afternoon and we'll be back with another practice report the same day. 

We will have Coach Leavitt's post-scrimmage comments on BullsVision on Saturday afternoon, but no report since the session is closed to the public.

Lejiste In A Starting Role?
Redshirt-freshman defensive back Jon Lejiste (Delray Beach, Fla.) has been penciled into the starting position as the Bulls nickel back according to coach Leavitt. USF opened up in nickel defense at least half the time in 2008 and that will probably hold true in 2009 despite the change in defensive coordinators.

The BIG EAST has plenty of teams