USF's Hill Likely Out For Season

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Published: Aug 30, 2007

TAMPA - Unless University of South Florida junior Carlton Hill wins an appeal today involving his academic status, Hill will not play for the Bulls this season.

If Hill's appeal is denied, he then would be required to return to junior college to get his associate of arts degree, USF coach Jim Leavitt said Wednesday.

"It looks like he won't be a part of the team this year, but we'll find out [today]," added assistant athletic director Chris Freet.

If Hill is not eligible at USF this fall, as expected, Leavitt said he would hold a scholarship for Hill to return to the team in 2008 if he gets qualified academically.

ODDS AND ENDS: Since LB Chris Robinson was limited by his ankle injury at Wednesday's practice, he won't play Saturday. Leavitt had said Tuesday that Robinson needed "to go strong by Wednesday or we won't play him." Freshman Sabbath Joseph is listed as the backup behind Tyrone McKenzie at strongside linebacker. … QB Matt Grothe said it's nice to receive votes in the preseason polls, but he believes USF is underrated. "Honestly, I think we should be ranked and not just having votes," he said. "Especially in the coaches' poll, after beating some of those teams we played [last season]. I guess we'll just have to see what happens this year."

Brett McMurphy

TALLAHASSEE - Junior transfer Jonathan Hannah, expected to help fill the void at TE caused by Brandon Warren's departure, has been declared academically ineligible to play this season. Hannah remains enrolled in school, but after being held out of practice on Tuesday, FSU received word Wednesday that Hannah will not be able to rejoin the team until spring drills begin.

The loss of Hannah leaves the Noles thinner than they would like at TE, where Hannah was expected to push Charlie Graham for playing time.

"He is a player," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said Wednesday. "He is a little more mature than a lot of these guys."

Hannah played three games at South Carolina in 2005, but he spent the 2006 season at Louisburg (S.C.) College. He was the final member of FSU's 2007 recruiting class to sign.

SOUND CHECK: In its final two practices for Monday's season opener at Clemson, FSU will pump in crowd noise in an attempt to emulate the environment at Clemson Memorial Stadium, considered one of the nation's loudest stadiums.

NOLE NUGGETS: Freshman DL Jatavious Jackson remains sidelined because of academic issues.

Junior WR Greg Carr is one of 39 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top receiver … Senior K Gary Cismesia is one of 30 finalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top kicker.

Scott Carter

GAINESVILLE - It appears Emmanuel Moody is already adjusting to life as a Gators football player.

Moody left Wednesday's practice in civilian clothes - a white shirt and camouflage shorts - walking and talking with running backs coach Stan Drayton.

Coach Urban Meyer is unable to comment about Moody because technically the USC transfer is not fully enrolled in his classes.

BROWN UPDATE: The clock keeps ticking for DT John Brown. The freshman, who last practiced Aug. 20, is still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse regarding his academic eligibility and has not been cleared to play.

Meyer said the team is still hopeful, but at some point Brown is going to have to stop attending classes at Florida.

"We're not at that point yet," Meyer said.

In addition to academic issues, the Gators are dealing with some injuries.

Meyer said freshman RB Bo Williams is out for six weeks with a dislocated ankle.

Jenna Marina

CORAL GABLES - For the second straight day, Kyle Wright has declined to speak to the media after finding out he did not win the starting quarterback battle.

"That is up to his choice," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "It is a free country, so it is up to him if he wants to talk to the media. Everybody is going to get upset. You would get upset if they demoted you."

Wright has been the starting quarterback for the Hurricanes the past two seasons, but junior Kirby Freeman was named the starting quarterback on Tuesday.

"I know what he is going through because I have been through that twice," Freeman said. "I just have to stay away from him and let him be his own man. [Kyle] came up to me and said, 'Hey man, I'm not mad at you. I am just upset, just as you would be.'"

Wright has guided the Canes to a 14-7 record.

Christopher Stock

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