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New Committee Denies Approval For USF Football Recruit

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

TAMPA - At 9:30 this morning, Palm Beach Gardens offensive lineman Justin Green planned to sign with the University of South Florida in a ceremony at his high school.

However, Green said he was told Tuesday - less than 24 hours before today's National Signing Day - that he could not sign with USF because he was not approved by the school's newly formed academic committee.

"It was a surprise," said Green, a first-team Palm Beach Post all-area selection. "I might now open it up a little bit. I might look around at some other schools."

This is the first year of USF's academic committee, which must grant USF's coaches approval to sign a recruit. In the past, Green could have signed with USF on signing day and then tried to improve his academics to get eligible.

Green said USF assistant Dan McCarney called him Tuesday to tell him he couldn't sign. "I could tell McCarney was frustrated," Green said.

On Thursday, the committee summoned USF coach Jim Leavitt to discuss the status of some of his recruits and shared whether the committee would deny admission of some prospects or accept them with conditions.

USF provost Ralph Wilcox said the committee does not have the power to prohibit a coach from signing a recruit. However, a coach would be "ill-advised to do so" if the committee had denied approval.

Leavitt declined comment Monday about the committee, while several other USF coaches in other sports said they are in favor of the committee because it proactively recognizes recruits that may have trouble academically at USF.

The 6-foot-4, 365-pound Green, meanwhile, said he will reconsider offers from South Carolina and Ole Miss along with North Carolina.

"Tuesday was the first I heard about the USF's academic committee," Green said.

Green said McCarney told him if he improves his academics, he would be approved by the committee.

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

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