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College football notebook

Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 7, 2002

WR rethinks 'Noles, Bulls

DiShon Platt jilted South Florida in December, committing to Florida State instead of the Bulls.

He might be looking to kiss and make up.

Platt, a touted wide receiver from Punta Gorda Charlotte, is considering attending Hillsborough Community College this fall while attempting to earn a requisite standardized test score. He then would enroll at USF in the spring, said his high school coach, Binky Waldrop.

Platt also is mulling a second option, Waldrop said. Jones (Miss.) County Junior College coach Parker Dykes will make a recruiting visit Friday to Punta Gorda. Platt would play one or two years at Jones (HCC does not have a football team) and then transfer to FSU.

Platt signed with the Seminoles in February but did not qualify academically and was not admitted.

"He's a little confused, like any young kid," Waldrop said. "He doesn't know what to do right now."

Platt, 6 feet, 175 pounds, was rated the No. 2 receiver and No. 16 prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. He had 69 receptions for 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, and as a junior he led the state with 1,470 receiving yards.

He also plays basketball and has said he would like to play both sports in college. If he winds up at USF, Platt will join a receiving corps that includes former Charlotte High teammates Elgin Hicks and Bruce Gipson.

GETTING CLOSE: South Florida had two more workouts for newcomers Tuesday as coach Jim Leavitt looks forward to Thursday's first full-squad practice.

"Thursday is when it gets exciting," Leavitt said. "(The newcomers) won't have any idea what it's like."

Veterans reported after Tuesday's second workout, and Leavitt said almost 150 players were expected at the initial team meeting. The Bulls have media day today at Raymond James Stadium and return to practice Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

-- PETE YOUNG, ANTHONY GAGLIANO

TALLAHASSEE -- Coach Bobby Bowden was stung by criticism that his team motto, "Let's roll," is insulting to the memory of those who died on United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11.

"Anything you do, somebody's going to find the other side to it," he said. "That's just part of it. We're proud of what we're doing."

Passenger Todd Beamer reportedly uttered those words before he and others stormed the cockpit of their hijacked plane, which crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside.

Bowden said didn't intend to equate their heroism to anything done on a playing field. He wanted to honor that act as well as hope that his players might be inspired.

LINEMAN QUITS: Freshman offensive lineman Blake Williams, younger brother of tackle Brett Williams, ended his career after doctors did not clear him to play. Blake Williams has had numerous surgeries to his knees, back and shoulder. He will stay in school and keep his scholarship, the school said.

THE HITTING STARTS: Players will put on pads today for the first time this preseason.

"Once you get into pads there is another dimension," Bowden said. "Some of the guys that have not stood out, will stand out and some of the guys that have been standing out will slide back. We've got to get into the pads before we find out the answer to the whole equation."

-- BRIAN LANDMAN, JASONS CHNEIDER

Top UM recruit a no-show

CORAL GABLES -- Top recruit Devin Hester was one of four newcomers not in camp on the first official day for freshmen to report, due to unspecified academic problems.

Coach Larry Coker said Hester, a running back, wide receiver Darnell Jenkins, defensive back Terrell Walden and defensive lineman Alton Wright did not report. They could be in camp in the next few days, pending administrative issues.

"We hope so but we can't say that now until all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed, and they're all actually here," Coker said. "Hopefully everything will be worked out academically."

-- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Around the nation

ARKANSAS: Running back Cedric Cobbs was fined $700, ordered to perform 20 hours of community service and given six months probation for convictions for driving while intoxicated and marijuana possession. He remains on the team, coach Houston Nutt said.

GEORGIA TECH: Offensive tackle John Bennett, an ACC all-freshman selection in 2000, will not play again because of a chronic knee injury. Also, freshman running back Eddie Lee Ivery is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in offseason workouts.

S.C. STATE: Running back Derek Watson, who was dismissed from South Carolina in January after his arrest on drug charges, apparently will finish his career with the Bulldogs. Coach Buddy Pough welcomes returners today and will address Watson's situation at a news conference.

TCU: Linebacker Josh Goolsby, a projected starter, will not play this season after tearing a pectoral muscle while weightlifting.

TELEVISION: The San Francisco Bowl has signed a seven-year television agreement ESPN. The inaugural game will be played Dec. 31 at Pac Bell Park and televised on ESPN2. ... Also, former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie is joining ESPN as an analyst.

-- TIMES WIRES

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