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Selvie Focused On Big East, Not NFL

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

TAMPA - Ever since University of South Florida defensive end George Selvie had four sacks in the season opener against Elon, NFL scouts have been curious about George's future plans.

Would Selvie, a third-year sophomore projected by scouts as a certain first-round draft pick, declare early for the NFL Draft?

"I'm coming back to USF next season, I've only had one good year," said Selvie, named one of five finalists Thursday for the Bronko Nagurski Award given to college football's top defensive player.

That's bad news for next year's USF opponents. And bad news for NFL defensive coordinators in need of a pass rusher.

As he has all season, Selvie continues to lead the nation in sacks (14 1/2 ) and tackles for loss (30 1/2 ).

He has more sacks than 19 teams this season and he needs two tackles for loss to break the NCAA record of 32, set by Western Michigan's Jason Babin in 2003.

"Selvie's numbers are insane," said Louisville center Eric Wood, whose Cardinals visit USF Saturday. "He plays hard every play. It seems like he doesn't always get you with his first pass rush move, but it's the second and third effort he gives is when he gets his sacks."

USF defensive line coach Dan McCarney said he's never coached anyone that's put up the kind of numbers Selvie has.

"He doesn't have five or six patented pass rush moves," McCarney said. "It's just amazing. He's relentless because he believes he can make every play.

"He can't, but he thinks he can. He's just going 100 miles an hour - and it's not like they don't know he's coming."

McCarney said the key to Selvie's success is his consistency.

"The same George Selvie that shows up every day at practice shows up Saturday," McCarney said. "Under defensive coordinator Wally Burnham's system, you attack and react. You can't sit there and play read technique.

"It has to be an attacking defense. You have to have a guy that has a knack and doesn't stay blocked. He's a good athlete. He can play physical and he can make guys miss. He's slippery sometimes."

Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, who spent 14 seasons as an NFL assistant including 10 as a defensive coordinator, saw first-hand Selvie's blend of strength and quickness Saturday. On Syracuse's first series, Selvie dropped quarterback Cameron Dantley for a 5-yard loss.

"When Selvie came around that corner, we weren't ready for it, for what he had," Robinson said. "Can I tell you this? I'm not sure if former NFL Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf was over there on that play what he would have done on that.

"Selvie got off perfect and turned that corner and looked like a big-time guy to me. And I've seen some of the big-time guys. So I give him credit. He did it."

Robinson said Selvie is "an All-American football player," and Selvie appears a lock to become USF's first Division I-A All-American next month.

"I don't know what else you can do to stop him," McCarney said. "You can't double team him all day.

"The most important thing to him is this team. It's easy to get his attention when you mention the team, because that's what's the most important."

Despite this year's record season, Selvie said he has some unfinished business, such as getting his degree and leading USF to a Big East title.

"I want to win the Big East," Selvie said.

Selvie is on pace to graduate in May 2009 with a communications degree. With his degree, would he still return for his senior season?

"I'll wait to see what happens," Selvie said. "A lot can change in a year. I'll see where it goes. Coach McCarney says I have a chance to be the best. I just have to keep working."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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