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Helmets feature new logo

PETE YOUNG and ROB BRANNON
Published August 7, 2003

South Florida unveiled its new uniforms Wednesday at media day, and they are relatively unchanged in style and colors. Each sleeve has "USF" on it, and "Bulls" is in small lettering above the number on the front.

The biggest difference is the helmet. It features the school's new primary logo, the iconic "U," on both sides, replacing a bull's head.

"If we win a lot of games, I'll like it," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "If we don't, I probably won't.

"Hopefully, we sell a lot of products. Everybody is excited about it, so I'm excited about it."

TALL ... : The players lined up by height for the team photo, and it was no contest who the tallest is: 6-foot-8 freshman offensive tackle Jerome Springfield. The 330-pounder had a couple of inches on offensive tackle Derrick Sarosi.

... AND SHORT: On the other end of the spectrum, receiver/running back Brian Fisher came up short of receiver Colby Hearn.

"It (stinks) being the smallest guy on the team," said Fisher, generously listed at 5-9.

GETTING THERE: Freshman linebacker Ronnie McCullough ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee last season at Hillsborough High. He said it is about 85 percent healed, and he expects to redshirt this season.

"It's getting better, but I don't want to play (in a game) unless I can go all out," McCullough said.

TWO SENIOR YEARS: Defensive tackle Cedric Battles was among the 17 seniors grouped for photo purposes, but he could play in 2004. He will earn another year of eligibility if he graduates in four years, by the end of next summer.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Redshirt freshman Craig Lloyd played linebacker last season but is listed as a fullback. He said he will practice at both positions for the time being.

QUINTUPLE TROUBLE?: Lloyd, redshirt freshman defensive tackle Ramon McCollough and freshman cornerback A.J. Brant are graduates of Daytona Beach Mainland. And Lloyd said two of Mainland's top prospects, running back Vince Wilson and safety Kelin Johnson, could be on the way.

Lloyd said both enjoyed visits to USF this summer.

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