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Verpaele Eager To Get Back On Field

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 11, 2008

TAMPA - During his University of South Florida career, safety Kevin Verpaele was one of the Bulls' toughest players. Yet, he said there was no way he could have endured the pain his brother Danny did last season.

"I don't know how Danny did it," Kevin said. "It would have killed me not being able to play."

Danny missed last season for a violation of team rules. In what was supposed to be Danny's final year at USF, he was limited to practicing every day and then watching the games from the sideline. "It was not fun," Danny said.

Kevin told him he had two choices. "I said you can sit there and cry and pout or you can bust your butt and work to get bigger, stronger and better," Kevin said.

That's exactly what Danny Verpaele did. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound safety was a tireless worker in the offseason. USF returns both starting safeties in Nate Allen and Carlton Williams, but don't be surprised to see Verpaele in the starting lineup this fall, secondary coach Troy Douglas said.

Having to sit out last season was additionally hard on Verpaele, because he also missed the 2005 season with a broken foot.

"That's life," Douglas said. "It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how you react when you do get knocked down.

"I think that made him stronger. He wants it bad. He missed it and you can tell he missed it. He wants to get back and do well."

After missing the 2005 season, Verpaele started five games in 2006, saving his best performances for USF's final two games.

In USF's 24-19 upset at No. 7 West Virginia, Verpaele caused a goal-line fumble, which ultimately proved to be the difference. In the Papajohns.com Bowl victory on Dec. 23, 2006, Verpaele had five tackles and broke up three passes.

"I don't want to live in the past," said Verpaele, a third-team freshman All-American in 2004. "I want to make highlights this year."

Verpaele was pumped for his final season in 2007. It was supposed to be his best year at USF - instead it was his worst.

First, in a six-week span, there were the shocking deaths of USF freshman running back Keeley Dorsey and former USF safety Javan Camon. Then a few months later, Verpaele learned he was suspended for the entire season.

"We talked a lot," Kevin said. "The main thing he wondered was why did this happen to me? He lost two of his friends and a lot of stuff happened. I told him God has a plan for you."

Douglas and USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said Verpaele is like having a coach on the field. "He can make all the adjustments, all the checks," Burnham said. "He can come to the sideline and tell you what's happening, what's going on. That's better information than you can get from anyone in the press box and on the sidelines.

"He will have a tremendous impact for us."

Verpaele, who learned a great deal while playing youth leagues for his father, Tim, and then later from his coaches at Merritt Island High, wants to get into coaching one day. "If I ever get to be a head coach, he's one person I would hire," Douglas said.

Verpaele said he'll take Douglas up on that offer. Unless he's already coaching USF.

"I definitely want to be a coach at the college level," Verpaele said. "Someday I'll come take USF Coach Jim Leavitt's job at USF. I'll make him retire."

But first, Verpaele eagerly awaits the start of this season. "I've learned so much from him," safety Louis Gachette said.

Added quarterback Matt Grothe: "His work ethic, that's what makes him stand out. He's one of the toughest workers we have. I'm excited to see him play."

ODDS AND ENDS: Junior WR Colby Erskin, who is recovering from a second torn ACL, said he sprinted at full speed for the first time Saturday. "It felt good, there was no pain," said Erskin, who tentatively has targeted his return for the Sept. 12 Kansas game. ... Sunday's Fan Appreciation Day at Raymond James Stadium drew a record crowd of about 3,500, nearly double last year's crowd. ... USF has sold about 26,000 season tickets. Fewer than 2,800 lower-bowl season tickets remain, USF executive AD Bill McGillis said. Single-game lower-bowl tickets, if available, will not be sold until after the Kansas game.

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

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