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TAMPA - USF senior running back Brian Fisher conceded Monday that he'll redshirt this season, apologizing for his actions off the field and hoping he can return to the Bulls in 2005.
"I apologize to the coaches and to my teammates for causing so much of a disturbance with all this," said Fisher, who has been arrested four times since March, all relating to delinquent payment of child support to two Pensacola women. "I'm going to support the team as much as I can, however I can. I love this team, but right now I have to take care of my business."
Fisher, last year's offensive MVP for the Bulls, was expected to be the starting running back out of spring practice, but coach Jim Leavitt has said he cannot return to the team until he resolves his legal issues. The 21-year-old owes more than $18,500 in child support payments to the women, both students at the University of West Florida.
Fisher said he had to drop out of summer classes at USF because of his legal problems, and that has caused academic issues he will work to correct this fall. He hopes to talk with his professors about finishing his work but concedes that "they're just kind of F's right now."
He has a job at a Foot Locker in Tampa and will use that income to help pay the child support he owes. He said most of the money he has earned has gone to pay his lawyer, but he hopes his progress toward paying his outstanding obligations can help get some of the charges against him lessened or dropped.
Three times, Fisher has been arrested for driving with a license suspended due to nonpayment of child support and failure to pay a traffic fine. His off-field troubles have spoiled a strong spring from which he emerged as the starting running back after splitting time as a back, receiver and quarterback last season. He rushed for 134 yards and four touchdowns, caught 28 passes for 246 yards and added 107 yards passing.
Fisher's status has not changed with Leavitt, who said he won't allow the senior back with the team until he has resolved all of his legal issues. That could mean a return next spring, next fall or not at all.
Senior Clenton Crossley and junior Andre Hall are listed as the starter and top backup at running back on the team's preseason depth chart, and Fisher said he expects big things from the Bulls this season, even though he won't be part of that effort.
"I'm not the only playmaker on this team, and there will be others to step up and show what they can do," he said. "I have full confidence in this team."