Colleges

Ford's appearance impresses USF staff

Mike Ford, a coveted recruit from Sarasota, makes a strong impression on his head coach.

By GREG AUMAN
Published March 21, 2007

TAMPA - Two hours before the start of spring practice, Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said freshman running back Mike Ford would miss Tuesday's workout - and likely all Tuesdays this spring - because "we've got him doing some things academically ... some extra things he needs to do."

But Ford, a coveted recruit from Sarasota, hurried out to catch the last hour of practice, making a strong impression on his head coach.

"I didn't expect him at all today," Leavitt said of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound back. "I was impressed with Ford today. I was kind of surprised. ... He's a good-looking back. He's not in shape, he's not strong enough, but he's a big ol' horse."

Academics will remain a concern until fall for Ford, who failed to qualify after signing with Alabama two years ago. Receiver Amarri Jackson, his cousin and former high school teammate, said Ford knows what he needs to do to play this fall.

"He knows and I'm going to push him," said Jackson, who attended two years of community college before landing at USF two years ago. "He's seen the other side of things, same way as me. ... Those running backs we have, they've got grades, and Coach (Carl) Franks is going to play the guys who are doing it on and off the field."

NOTES: Leavitt was "very impressed" that freshman receiver Carlton Mitchell, a Gaither grad who is running track this spring, went straight from the track to the last hour of practice. "It says a lot about him," Leavitt said. ... With starter Matt Grothe limited by a leg injury and No. 3 quarterback Anthony Severino out two weeks recovering from shoulder surgery, the Bulls added walk-on J.B. Bailey, a Leto graduate who once played at Tennessee Tech, for depth.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3346.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 00:02:11]