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Roberts, Murphy Will Get Their Shot

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By GREG BECNEL

Tribune Correspondent

Published: August 27, 2008

TAMPA - One of the University of South Florida's most scrutinized positions for Saturday's opener against Division I-AA Tennessee-Martin is cornerback, where the Bulls lost NFL draft picks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams.

The players under the microscope are senior Tyller Roberts and junior Jerome Murphy, who have combined for two starts and three interceptions.

USF coach Jim Leavitt is confident they will be up to the challenge."Jerome and Tyller played a lot of football. They have practiced for a number of years," Leavitt said. "They played a lot of snaps. Those guys have done well, and I expected them to."

Leavitt also wants to see how two promising redshirt freshmen perform.

"Tyson Butler and Quenton Washington, those two are the immediate backups," Leavitt said.

"Both run extremely well and are going to be counted on to play a lot of football this year."

TWO IN, TWO WAIT: Junior CB Theo Wilson and freshman TE Andreas Shields, of Wharton, cleared up their academic issues and are eligible. Freshmen CB George Baker and OL Sean Hirlinger are the last two awaiting clearance, Leavitt said.

CAPTAINS: RB Ben Williams, C Jake Griffin and LBs Brouce Mompremier and Tyrone McKenzie will serve as captains for Saturday's game.

ODDS AND ENDS: NT Sampson Genus, who injured his ankle earlier in camp, "has been going full-go the last few days," Leavitt said. ... Suspended freshman LB Quavon Taylor will be eligible to return to the team Monday.

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