USF Athletics

Practice has just begun and there has already been lots of news today. Here's a run down of the news prior to 4 p.m.:

• USF Announces Details on 2009 Fan Fest
• 2007 Finalist George Selvie Added to Hendricks Watch List
• 2009 Training Camp Central is Unveiling, Big Plans for Camp
• Join Rocky as Member of Nestle Nesquik Junior Bulls Club

Newcomers Reign The Day
Lots of new faces out on the practice fields both in uniform and in coaches gear. Great to see USF alums Marquel Blackwell, J.R. Reed and Ron Johnson in their new roles on the coaching staff. Blackwell is the Offensive Program Assistant, Reed is the Defensive Graduate Assistant and Ron Johnson is the Defensive Program Assistant. Most Bulls fans are familiar with Reed and Blackwell, Johnson is a little less known. He was a nose tackle for the Bulls and lettered from 1998-00.

Leavitt was out running sprints in warmups with the team, as was Reed. Reed can still turn on the jets. In short burst sprints, he was a full step or two ahead of the college kids.

As for the players, this is the class that many outlets considered the best in USF history. We tried to get pictures of every newcomer that was at practice on Thursday so fans could become familar with the new faces. Newcomer Photo Gallery

New Jerseys
USF debuted new practice jerseys on Thursday afternoon that featured piping down the shoulders and sides. You'll notice them in the upcoming Newcomer Photo Gallery. It's amazing how far USF has come in its deal with Under Armour and the amount of gear the Bulls receive each season. It's a sports fans dream to have that much apparel. Here is a Photo Gallery from the equipment room with pictures of the majority of the UA gear available to the team.

O-Line Update
There has been lots of talk about the offensive line this season. The first team on Thursday afternoon consisted of LT Jamar Bass, LG Sampson Genus, OC Jake Sims, RG Zach Hermann and RT Mark Popek.

On Tuesday at BIG EAST Media Days, Matt Grothe said the, "O-line is coming along well," and that he is,"not worried about them at all. They'll be good."

Hall Signs With Texans
Good news out of Houston, where USF alum Andre Hall has signed with the Texas. Still needs to make it through camp and into the regular season, but this is positive sign for the USF single season rushing record holder.

Speaking of NFL Bulls
Former Detroit Lion Frank Davis was in attendance at practice. Davis is planning on playing in the USFL and was around the athletics department all summer. He was among the numerous football counselors for the Youth Impact Program.

Lots of Media in Attendance
Two TV stations, three papers and a couple of online sites were all out at the first practice of the fall.The first 30 minutes are open to the media and the remaining time is closed. The media contingent generally comes back after practice to interview with coaches and players.

Stay tuned to the USF NewsWire on Friday morning for a sampling of the coverage from the opening of camp.