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USF Notebook: Leavitt Earns Player Loyalty

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 15, 2008

TAMPA For all of University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt's quirks, no one can question his commitment and loyalty to USF and his players. And because of that, Leavitt's players will run through a brick wall for him.

"I love him to death," TE Cedric Hill said. "Coach Leavitt is a great guy in spite of what people think of him. He loves this football team and he'll go to bat for us any time. I'd never trade any coach for him.

"He recruited me coming here. I thought he was a little weird at first, but getting to know him and being here my senior year you grow and get to know what he's all about. He's like a big brother we never had."

THE GRIND: The brutally hot and sticky conditions of two-a-day practices can test not only a player's physical toughness, but also his mental toughness as well.

And although they are a necessary evil in preparing for the rigors of the season, the players are ready for two-a-days to be done.

"To be honest, yeah," WR Taurus Johnson said. "But two-a-days are part of football. You have to work hard and sweat, but it's going to pay off because the season's just around the corner and we're going to be ready."

The Bulls open the season two weeks from today against Tennessee-Martin.

O-LINE GETTING READY: Offensive line coach Mike Simmonds has plenty of versatile talent to mix and match while trying to find his best starting combination.

"We're just trying to get eight guys ready to play football," Simmonds said. "We have five guys that have started, but some guys are banged up right now."

Finding dependable backups at all positions is a priority.

"Those 2's have to become 1's on the playing field, so we have to shore that up," Simmonds said.

Earlier this week, the starting five consisted of LT Ryan Schmidt, LG Matt Huners, C Jacob Sims, RG Zach Hermann and RT Marc Dile.

Huners, who tore his ACL in the spring of 2007 but recovered in time to play in three games toward the end of last season, has continued to impress.

"Huners is doing great," Simmonds said. "He's one of the best we have."

ODDS AND ENDS: USF will hold a closed scrimmage this morning. ... The team had a partly light day Friday, practicing in shorts and shoulder pads during both workout sessions. ... Leavitt said the punt and kick return duties are still undecided.

Gregg Becnel

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