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Bulls Beat: Selvie A Nagurski Award Finalist

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

TAMPA - Just three years ago, George Selvie supposedly wasn't good enough to play big-time college football, with his only Division I-A offer coming from the University of South Florida.

Today, though, Selvie is considered one of the nation's top defensive players after being named one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to college football's best defensive player.

"It feels great," Selvie said. "I was going to Division II out of high school before South Florida offered me. Now I'm being mentioned for awards with some of the greatest college football players. It's a big honor for me and USF, to be starting a tradition here at USF."

The Nagurski Award winner will be announced Dec. 3. Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis, one of this year's five finalists, won the Nagurski Award last season.

Selvie also was named among 15 semifinalists Wednesday for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Five finalists will be named Nov. 27.

WOW'S THE WORD: USF softball coach Ken Eriksen summed up his early signing class in one word.

"The word is 'wow.' This is probably one of the best recruiting classes to come to USF," Eriksen said. "Five players that will come in and make a difference. They're all quality players from the get-go and will compete right away."

Chamberlain OF Gina Kafalas is among three locals who signed, along with Winter Haven OF Janine Richardson and Bartow P Candace Howell.

"Gina adds a dimension that you cannot teach - speed," Eriksen said. "To have the natural ability to go get the ball in the outfield and wreak havoc on opposing defenses is a nice dimension for us."

The Bulls also signed INF Alexis Nowell of Wilmington, Del., and Cooper City OF Laura Fountain.

BASEBULLS ADD LOCAL DUO: King INF Sean Buckley and Riverview LHP Anthony Ferrera signed with USF on Wednesday. The Bulls are expected to add more top recruits in the next few days.

Ferrera is rated as the 106th-best senior prospect by Baseball America. USF has commitments from six other top-275 recruits: Plantation American Heritage C Adrian Nieto (rated No. 14), Middleton SS Corey Thomas (123), Fort Lauderdale Northwest P Greg Conver (129), Newsome LHP Kyle Parker (133), Clearwater Central Catholic SS Sam Mende (220) and Orlando Bishop Moore LHP/OF Alex Mendez (274). USF also has commitments from Seminole OF Jay Taylor and Daytona Beach Community College 2B Peter Brotons.

A NON BULLIEVER: ESPN's Chris Fowler said when this crazy football season ends, USF over West Virginia will rank as one of the biggest shockers.

"In retrospect, was USF deserving of a No. 2 ranking?" Fowler said. "Of course not.

"I think USF beating West Virginia, if you look back at the end of the year, that will be a shocker. That was fueled by six WVU turnovers. USF played a great game, but that's one of the games, if you look back, that still stands as a surprise."

ODDS AND ENDS: USF has moved its home men's basketball game against West Virginia on Jan. 20 from the Sun Dome to the Forum. Last year, the Bulls played Wake Forest in downtown Tampa. ... The team didn't sign anyone Wednesday, but have an earlier commitment from Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy F Eladio Espinosa. Miami Gulliver Prep C Gene Swindle, who initially committed to USF, has signed with Virginia Tech. ... The volleyball team signed Alli O'Conner of Louisville, Ky., and Kelsey Palmer, of Silverton, Ore. Conner played on the nation's No. 1 high school team, Louisville Mercy. ...The NCAA men's soccer tournament field will be announced Monday on ESPNews from 5:30-6 p.m. The Bulls (12-4-2) are expected to receive an NCAA bid, their second in the past three years under Coach George Kiefer.

USF Shorts

HONOR ROLL: In less than two seasons, QB Matt Grothe is already fifth on the Big East's career rushing list for quarterbacks.

SOUNDBITE CENTRAL: "Hold still, my friend wants a picture of that." - Freshman long snapper Mike Walsh, taking a cell-phone picture of QB Grant Gregory's nose with 11 stitches.

LOOK OUT FOR: The sixth-seeded volleyball team (17-9) meets No..3 seed Villanova (17-11) on Friday in the first round of the Big East Tournament in Milwaukee.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How will the football team finish in its final two games? To vote and monitor results, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Bulls.

BLOG BONUS: With 11 stitches, Grant Gregory's nose looks like something out of a Frankenstein movie. But he doesn't mind. In fact, he's used to it. Saturday's game at Syracuse was the third time Gregory cut the bridge of his nose. For the gory details, go to TBO.com, Keyword: Bulls.

Listen to reporter Brett McMurphy discuss the USF-Louisville game on "Hot Lunch with J.P. Peterson" on WHBO, 1470 AM, today between noon and 2 p.m.

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