USF recruiting up in the air, but Leavitt's optimistic

The University of South Florida had 11 verbal commitments for the Class of 2010 a week ago. However, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt has received five oral commitments since last weekend.

Three Miami-area players verbally committed Tuesday, a day after an online report surfaced that detailed an alleged incident between Leavitt and sophomore walk-on Joel Miller during halftime of the Louisville game Nov. 21.

What impact the alleged incident and ongoing investigation have on USF's recruiting efforts remain to be seen, especially since the alleged incident will certainly be used against USF by opposing coaches on the recruiting trail. There's also the uncertainty of Leavitt's future as the investigation unfolds.

Leavitt remained optimistic about the Bulls' recruiting efforts Monday, only hours after the report first surfaced.

"Recruiting is going fine," he said. "The coaches are on the road and hearing good things."

After OL Quinterrius Eatmon (Prichard, Ala.) and OL Austin Reiter (Bradenton Lakewood Ranch) committed during the weekend, Miami Central teammates Jeffrey Godfrey (QB) and Jose Jose (OL) committed Tuesday, as did Miami Northwestern DT Todd Chandler.

Jose originally committed to Tennessee, and Chandler to Miami. On the surface, both appear strong pick-ups by the Bulls. Chandler's commitment appears shaky at the moment, though.

"I don't know. I'm confused. I'm still thinking about UCF, Colorado State and Louisville," he told the Miami Herald. "I still have to talk to my dad and uncle about things, see what they think."

WEATHERING THE STORM: The first game without injured F Gus Gilchrist didn't go so well for the Bulls, who lost to Central Michigan on Sunday. USF bounced back with a victory vs. UCF on Wednesday, but Bulls coach Stan Heath knows his team is going to be undermanned entering the Big East opener Dec. 30 at Louisville.

"We want to weather the storm until we get all our healthy bodies back," Heath said. "Sometime in mid- to late January we could have three really great bodies out there helping us out."

Gilchrist took his first steps without the protective boot on his injured right ankle Tuesday since suffering the injury Dec. 7. Heath is hopeful injured C Alex Rivas (leg surgery) and suspended G Anthony Crater will be available at some point next month.

BULL BITS: The Sporting News named OL Mark Popek and DB Kayvon Webster to its All-Big East Freshman Team. ... Soccer player Zak Boggs is one of five finalists for the Wooden Cup Award, given to the student-athlete who has the greatest positive impact on others. ... Senior C Jessica Lawson was named Big East women's player of the week after scoring 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds Sunday against Jacksonville.