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Linebacker Woods on early Butkus list
By SHARON GINN © St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 1998 Woods, a captain again this season, also had eight sacks and 14 total tackles for loss in 1997. "I'm kind of surprised that I'm on there," the 6-foot, 210-pound Woods said. "I'm happy, but I don't know if I deserve it. I don't know if I had the year I wanted to. ... I don't think I did anything spectacular at that position as a freshman." Woods said he gained about 10 pounds of muscle in the past year and hopes to play better now that he is "a little bigger and a lot stronger." Coach Jim Leavitt doesn't doubt it. "He plays with great enthusiasm," Leavitt said. "He is fine-tuning his game right now." The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists Oct. 15. ON TV: USF and ESPN regional television have partnered to broadcast six games this season, five live. The three games on Ch. 44 also will be broadcast by SportsChannel. A seventh game, against No. 15 Hofstra, will be aired by Fox Sports Net. BACKS TO FRONT OF CLASS: After the first day of practices with all 88 players, Leavitt praised the defensive backs and the four tailbacks -- Dyral McMillan, Rafael Williams, Jermaine Clemons and LaFann Williams -- competing for the starting job. Out-of-shape pay the priceGAINESVILLE -- Redshirt freshman QB Tim Olmstead and three offensive linemen, including two starters, missed Florida's first two-a-day session because they were working on their conditioning after failing to make the 12-minute run. Olmstead, RG Cheston Blackshear, C Corey Yarbrough and reserve G Pat Browning, from Jesuit, ran laps instead of taking snaps. Olmstead, dropped to fourth on the depth chart, was left answering questions about whether he would remain at UF. "I don't feel like I need to go anywhere," Olmstead said. "Anything can happen in Coach Spurrier's offense." NO PAIN, SOME GAIN: Junior QB Doug Johnson, who had surgery to repair a frayed rotator cuff in May, practiced in a green, non-contact jersey without shoulder pads. Johnson tossed 50 passes in each session and said he had no pain in his throwing shoulder. CATCHING ON: Sophomores Travis Taylor and Darrell Jackson made several big plays during one-on-one drills, including Jackson's long reception from Jesse Palmer on a post pattern.
Feaster back to tailbackTALLAHASSEE -- Senior Dee Feaster, moved from tailback to defensive back during spring drills, was moved back to tailback. Feaster was FSU's starter for the first five games in 1997 before being replaced by eventual ACC Rookie of the Year Travis Minor. He finished with 36 carries for 127 yards. "We just feel like (Feaster) isn't making enough progress at defensive back with only one year of eligibility remaining," coach Bobby Bowden said. FSU will scrimmage Saturday. OL Jeremy Brett (slight neck sprain) and LB Michael Hamilton (heat exhaustion) left the field.
Defense steals the show ORLANDO -- Central Florida coach Mike Kruczek was thrilled with his defense, which "got all sorts of blitzing in." ... Sophomore Tyson Hinshaw, moved from quarterback to receiver after spring drills, has caught Kruczek's eye. "He catches everything and knows where he's going."
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AMPA -- South Florida's Demetrius Woods, who led the Bulls with 80 tackles as a freshman, is one of 68 players -- and the only one in Division I-AA -- to make the "watch list" for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
