Bulls’ spring: Fine tuning for the tube

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, March 14, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

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(First in a series on Big East spring football previews.)

It's safe to say that South Florida is no longer a Big East afterthought.

There is, for example, the Tube Factor.

One of the things that blue-chip recruits always ask coaches is: "How often are you guys on TV?"

In South Florida's case, coach Jim Leavitt or whatever assistant happens to be sitting in the recruit's living room can answer: "More than anybody else in the league."

South Florida's games with Central Florida (Sept. 6, ESPN2), Kansas (Sept. 12, ESPN2), Pitt (Oct. 2, ESPN), Cincinnati (Oct. 30, ESPN) and West Virginia (Dec. 6, either ESPN or ESPN2) will all be broadcast nationwide. And between now and April 12, the Bulls will be auditioning for next season's pilot.

South Florida had its moment in the glare of the spotlight last season, surfing a wave of upsets up to No. 2 in the nation. The Bulls promptly lost their next three, but rallied to finish 9-4.

This spring, with 16 starters returning, Leavitt has the option of fine tuning.

It would be nice to get backup quarterback Grant Gregory as many reps as possible, for instance. Matt Grothe is entrenched as the starter (2,670 passing yards last season), but his freewheeling style (he was the team's leading rusher in 2007 and 2007) leaves him vulnerable to injury.

Leavitt can also sit back and watch a host of talented wide receivers compete for the go-to role surrendered by the graduating Amarri Jackson. The leaders going in are Jessie Hester, Carlton Mitchell, Marcus Edwards and Taurus Johnson, but Dontavia Bogan, A.J. Love, Colby Erskin and several others are pushing.

The biggest holes to plug will be on defense, with cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams and linebacker Ben Moffitt playing on Sundays this fall. Jenkins might be the first cornerback chosen by the NFL next month, Williams should also go high, and Moffitt will probably be a second-day choice.

Junior Jerome Murphy has the most experience of the prospective cornerback replacements, seeing a lot of playing time as a nickel back last season. Tyller Roberts is the favorite to join him in the starting lineup, with veteran safeties Carlton Williams and Nate Allen back to provide aid and comfort.

Moffitt's middle linebacker spot should be filled by either Alonzo McQueen or junior college transfer Kion Wilson (117 tackles last season at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi).

The battle for starting tailback should also be a spring highlight. Benja Williams, a fireplug at 5-foot-7, 200 pounds, is a strong inside runner with some breakaway speed and a big man in the weight room (a 620-pound squat). But Alabama transfer Mike Ford is bigger and faster.

One player to watch will be Bruce Mompremier, who had 83 tackles as an outside linebacker last season. Another is Tyrone McKenzie, an LB who is expected to step up and lead the defense.

It would be difficult for DE George Selvie to repeat his monster 2007 season (31 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks), but the presence of either Jarrett Buie or juco transfer David Bedford at the other end will keep teams from running away from him entirely.

The offensive line looks solid, and even kicker Delbert Alvardo returns.

As for the schedule, should the Bulls beat Kansas at Raymond James Stadium, they could well be unbeaten going into league play.

The Bulls' spring game will be held at 7 p.m. on April 12. Locally televised, of course.

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