Colleges

Two USF football players suspended after arrests in fight

Starting defensive backs Mike Jenkins and Carlton Williams were arrested early Friday.

By GREG AUMAN
Published March 24, 2007

TAMPA - USF starting defensive backs Mike Jenkins and Carlton Williams, two of the most experienced returning players, were arrested early Friday after a large fight outside a bar.

The players, arrested about 3 a.m., were charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and obstructing or opposing an officer without violence.

USF coach Jim Leavitt suspended both players indefinitely until he can learn more about the circumstances of their arrests.

"I'm very disappointed," Leavitt said in a statement. "I'm continuing to gather information on the matter, but I am very disappointed in the hour that this took place. Mike and Carlton will be suspended and will not practice while we gather further information."

Williams, 21, and Jenkins, who turned 22 Thursday, were arrested by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies responding to a large crowd outside Bobalouie's Pub on Bearss Avenue, not far from USF's campus. Both were booked and released on $750 bond Friday morning.

USF started spring practice Tuesday, and Friday was the team's first day off.

Jenkins of Bradenton will be a senior with 27 career starts at cornerback. He briefly considered leaving early for the NFL draft before opting to return for his final season.

Williamsof Valdosta, Ga., had 43 tackles as a sophomore, starting eight games at free safety after starting 12 as a freshman. He's the starting strong safety on the spring depth chart.

According to arrest reports from police responding to a "large fight," Williams had been asked to leave the property multiple times by officers on the scene. When an officer attempted to take him into custody, he "pulled his arm away and tensed his body in order not to be taken into custody."

When an officer told Jenkins to back away from the fight, Jenkins "turned around towards the officer and appeared to take an aggressive stance," the arrest report said.

Williams and Jenkins did not return calls seeking comment Friday. It's the first known arrest for both players.

The only players on USF's roster with more career starts are cornerback Trae Williams (32) and linebacker Ben Moffitt (30).

Florida: QB Waggener out with broken foot

GAINESVILLE - Junior college transfer Bryan Waggener was diagnosed with a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot that he sustained Wednesday in his first and only practice with the Gators. Cameron Newton, a true freshman, is the only backup quarterback for the spring.

Waggener, who played for two years at Citrus College in California, appeared to be more comfortable than Newton when both practiced Wednesday.

In other news, Riley Cooper, a receiver out of Clearwater Central Catholic, has not practiced because of a foot injury.

BASEBALL: FSU (24-1, 4-0 ACC), ranked No. 3 by Baseball America, earned a 5-1 win over visiting Boston College. ... Dexter Butler extended his hitting streak to seven as USF (16-8) lost 1-0 to host Notre Dame. ... With a 5-3 victory, Saint Leo (18-12, 3-4 Sunshine State Conference) snapped a three-game winning streak by host Eckerd (10-12, 1-6). ... Tampa (23-6), ranked No. 2 by Collegiate Baseball, committed five errors in a 10-4 loss to visiting No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast.

Times correspondent Ian Fisher and Times wires contributed to this report. Greg Auman can be reached at (813) 226-3346 or auman@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 24, 2007, 00:32:52]