With big aspirations on his mind, South Florida's Lee Roy Selmon Jr. appears ready for his final spring game.
By PETE YOUNG
Published April 10, 2004
TAMPA - If it has happened in South Florida football, Lee Roy Selmon Jr. probably could tell you about it.
This fall, Selmon begins his sixth season with the Bulls. He will wrap up his fifth spring practice today in the Green & Gold game at 1 p.m. in Raymond James Stadium.
Selmon was starting at defensive tackle for USF in the fall of 1999, the program's third season, when members of this fall's incoming freshman class were in eighth grade. He had collected his first college degree before most of them had taken the SAT.
He is USF's resident old man.
"Old man? (He laughs.) I just feel like I'm getting better," Selmon said. "I've got another shot to get back out there. This is what I love. I'm looking forward to getting after it. We've got one more shot at (the) Conference USA (title)."
Selmon had two major knee surgeries that led to two lost seasons, in 2001 and 2002. A medical waiver granted him another year of eligibility.
He is ready to take advantage of it. Despite missing all of the previous two seasons, Selmon generally was considered USF's top defensive lineman in 2003 and stepped up as a team leader.
"I've always tried to be somewhat of a leader," said Selmon, who has a degree in criminology and is finishing a second in communications. "I've never been a very vocal person, but through my actions on the field and in the classroom I try to lead through example.
"For me, it's a blessing from God to have this last year."
This fall, the 5-foot-11, 285-pounder expects to play at an All-Conference USA level in USF's final season in the league before joining the Big East. Coach Jim Leavitt said Selmon was having a strong spring until a hip flexor strain slowed him the past week.
Spring practice has yielded a few changes on the depth chart. Pat Julmiste is ahead of Ronnie Banks as the No. 1 quarterback entering the fall. Evan Kraky has returned after missing last season due to ankle surgery and occupies the No. 3 spot.
The top five receivers are Joe Bain, Bruce Gipson (who has moved back from cornerback), S.J. Green, Allynson Sheffield and J.B. Garris. The offensive line is intact from a year ago. Walkon Mike Ruegger was awarded a scholarship in January and is the No. 1 tight end, with Mark Feldman and Derek Carter close behind.
Brian Fisher missed several practices with legal issues stemming from suspicion of failing to pay child support, but he practiced Wednesday and is expected to play today. Leavitt said he and Trae Williams will be at running back pending the arrival of junior college star Andre Hall and several freshmen in the fall. Billy Henderson could miss the season after sustaining a torn knee ligament. Also, Clenton Crossley is expected to graduate in August and earn another season of eligibility.
A surprise at the moment is at defensive end, where Leavitt said 2003 starters Terrence Royal and Tim Jones are behind Jon Simmons and Tavarious Robinson. Craig Kobel has moved from tackle to end and also is in the mix. Cedric Battles and junior college transfer Antonio Searcy have joined Selmon as the top three at defensive tackle.
The starting linebackers are Pat St. Louis and Stephen Nicholas outside and Devon Davis in the middle. Josh Balloon, Ronnie McCullough and Ben Moffitt are the top backups and expected to push for starting spots in the fall.
In the secondary, Kenny Robinson has moved from cornerback to first-string strong safety in the absence of Johnnie Jones (gunshot wounds). Javan Camon is the free safety, Mike Jenkins and D'Juan Brown the cornerbacks and Sidney Simpson the nickelback.
The specialists are intact and unchallenged: kicker Santiago Gramatica, punter Brandon Baker and long snapper Justin Daniel.
