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Tight End Pupello Climbs To Second Team

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

TAMPA - Sophomore Trent Pupello, who transferred to the University of South Florida from Florida in January, already has climbed from fifth-team to second-team tight end.

"We're trying to get strong at the tight end position and he's really done a great job," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "He blocks extremely well. When he left Florida, I didn't know what he was all about, I knew he was a great high school player."

A Jefferson High graduate, Pupello (6-foot-2, 276 pounds) has spent time at defensive tackle, offensive guard and center before settling at tight end, where he's now moved behind starter Cedric Hill.

WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR: Leavitt said all of USF's freshmen offensive linemen will be redshirted this season.

"Some guys are real good athletically but don't understand the effort it takes," he said. "Some guys, it will take a while. It doesn't mean they're not great players, it just means it's not their time yet."

Freshman WR Daniel Bryant's time might be here. Leavitt said Bryant is working with the Bulls' starters.

"I think WR coach Mike Canales has him running with the 1's right now," Leavitt said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Freshman DL Damous Estenor has moved to the offensive line. ... Freshman OL Jeremiah Warren (right foot) missed his second day of practice Wednesday and is expected to miss four to five more days, Leavitt said. Also not practicing Wednesday: sophomore DE David Bedford (left shoulder) and sophomore Quincy Okolie (shoulder, stinger). When Okolie returns, he'll move from defensive end to tight end. ... After Wednesday's practice, All-American DE George Selvie, who was a center in high school, practiced a few snaps in the shotgun formation.

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