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Will This Bull Stay Or Go?

Tribune File Photo (2007)

In one of his favorite moments of his collegiate career, Selvie sacks UCF QB Kyle Israel during last year's matchup.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Kyle Israel only took three steps, but he never had a chance. He never saw it coming.

Playing against the University of South Florida last year, Israel, UCF's quarterback, turned to hand the football to running back Kevin Smith. As Israel extended his right arm to Smith, Israel was engulfed by a mass of green.

"That," said USF defensive coordinator Wally Burnham, "will always be my favorite George Selvie memory."

The question is how many more memories will Selvie provide for USF coaches and fans? When the Bulls (7-5) play Memphis (6-6) in today's St. Petersburg Bowl, it could be the final time Selvie wears his green No. 95 jersey.

The junior defensive end is projected as a first-round pick in April's NFL draft by multiple draft experts. Selvie has said he's "leaning" toward returning to USF for his senior year, but then quickly added the decision "is complicated."

Selvie said he won't make a decision until the holiday break, when he and his family receive feedback from the NFL draft's Advisory Committee, which projects how high a player will be selected.

"I just want to play," said Selvie, who is scheduled to graduate in May. "I know up there in the NFL, it's all business. I like it here now. I just want to see what they say."

What the NFL scouts have seen the past two years is a relentless pass rusher. Selvie, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, has 251/2 sacks the past three seasons, including 141/2 during last year's record-breaking sophomore season.

Selvie has accomplished numerous firsts at USF - consensus All-American, two-time All-American. Even with the plethora of national and Big East accolades, Selvie said his tackle of Israel last year is at the top.

"I couldn't believe I did it," he said. "I got back there as he's about to hand off the ball and I knock the ball down. I'm like, 'I know I came free, but before he handed off the ball? Are you serious?'"

Are you serious? That's exactly what USF defensive ends coach Kevin Patrick thought during this year's Pittsburgh game. Less than two weeks earlier, Selvie had sustained a severe high right ankle sprain and was not supposed to play that night. Yet during the game, a USF defensive end tapped his helmet, signaling he needed to come out. As Patrick turned around, Selvie got past him and limped onto the field.

"I told him to come out, but he wouldn't," Patrick said. "He is one of the most complete team players I've ever been around."

Selvie said he wanted to help however he could and admits he probably shouldn't have played. "He was playing on one leg," Patrick said.

Selvie's injury occurred Sept. 20, but it has bothered him all year. He said Tuesday's practice was the first time he didn't need his ankle brace. Selvie's injury and the fact he has been either double-, triple- or even quadruple-teamed on nearly every play - "I have a picture with four Kansas guys blocking him and he's splitting them," Patrick said - has made for a frustrating season.

"He's a wanted man," Patrick said. "A lot of guys would have folded up. He didn't."

USF quarterback Matt Grothe said Selvie is a "program maker." Grothe and several teammates said Selvie playing injured typified his leadership and character.

"When you see one of your leaders out there fighting and he's not 100 percent, but he's giving it all, that makes you want to do even more for him," USF junior wide receiver Jessie Hester Jr. said. "To show him you have his back."

Added senior safety Carlton Williams: "You can't describe a guy like Selvie. He's a true All-American, not just on the field, but off the field. He's an icon for this program."

Burnham said he has been most impressed by how Selvie has handled the injury and offensive coordinators game-planning to stop him.

"He leads by example with his work ethic, his quiet leadership," Burnham said. "He doesn't say a whole lot, but when he does, he's like E.F. Hutton," Burnham said. "Everyone listens."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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