A few links
What The Sun‘s Don Markus wrote last week became official yesterday -- Gus Gilchrist is headed to South Florida.
Had Gilchrist stayed at Maryland, he would’ve been eligible to suit up for the Terps after the conclusion of the first semester. At USF, his eligibility status will be in the hands of the NCAA.
From South Florida’s official news release:
"Current NCAA rules will require Gus to sit a year in residency before he can compete,” said Steve Horton, Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance. “However, Compliance will begin working on a waiver request to the NCAA asking that Gus, due to a number of extenuating circumstances, be permitted to play immediately this upcoming academic year. We hope to have this request to the NCAA for their review by next week."
• TurtleSportsReport.com‘s Jeff Ermann caught up with recent Terps football commitment Ricky Hart.
Hart, an offensive guard from Folkston, Ga., told Ermann he chose Maryland for the opportunity to play early and for his connection with the coaching staff.
Of head coach Ralph Friedgen, he said, “Coach Friedgen is a big-time academic man. I was talking to Bruce Campbell about him, and he said if you come in and do what you’ve gotta do, you’ll be all right. You’ve got to study. They saw he was not trying to improve, so his relationship with coach Friedgen wasn’t getting nowhere. Now he’s working hard, and coach Friedgen is his best friend.”
• Scout.com updated its Scout 300 ranking yesterday. The list, which ranks the top 300 football prospects for the class of 2009, features several UM targets, including Dunbar running back Tavon Austin at No. 44.
Comments
Matt,
I thought Gilchrist wouldn't have been eligible until 2009-2010 season, which is why he transferred. Wasn't that the ACC ruling last month?
Posted by: Eric | June 17, 2008 12:57 PM
Eric -- The ACC ruling (which was several months ago, I believe) said Gilchrist would have to sit out until after the fall semester, and he'd lose an additional year of eligibility. Essentially, had he stayed at UM, he could've played 2.5 years, starting this December.
Posted by: Matt Bracken | June 17, 2008 3:37 PM
Here is a chance for NCAA to discourage school-hopping, and make Gilchrist wait yet another year before playing for USF. If they take this stance (as a kind of reward for the Terps backing off some guys with questionable academics), maybe Gilchrist will rejoin the Terps?
Seems like the door is still open. Gilchrist would still get nearly three full seasons if he stays, at a better school than USF. At some point, Gilchrist may want a little stability somewhere. Supposedly, he had bonded with the Terps!
Posted by: EdDC | June 17, 2008 4:26 PM
Can Gilchrist even come back if he wanted to if the NCAA denied the extra year at USF? I was under the impression he was gone. According to his HS coach he and Latay Darden would win an NCAA championship if they played together here at UM. What is the answer to if Gilchrist is even enrolled at USF and could he come back if he wanted to? What is the status of Darden? Is Darden worth any hype or is his coach just blowing hot air? Does Gary think that Milbourne, Burney, Dupree and Bowie are ready to shoulder the extra burden? I know the season is a little far off but I was wondering what the vibe was on the basketball front for next year from the coach in light of the recent activity.I still think back to last year and wonder what would have been if they had just held that lead over Clemson. Is this team that far off from the pack in the ACC and where do you predict they will finish next year? Can Gary work some magic with this bunch and really pull in some good recruits next year?
Posted by: EC - Clemmons NC | June 18, 2008 1:29 PM
"However, Compliance will begin working on a waiver request to the NCAA asking that Gus, due to a number of extenuating circumstances, be permitted to play immediately this upcoming academic year."
I have one question: what extenuating circumstances-- the VA Tech incident didn't work at MD, and nothing bad happened at MD. I don't get it?!?!? What is Gus thinking??
Posted by: c-square | June 19, 2008 8:05 AM
The last time I checked, Maryland was still in play for some legit recruits from next year's class. I wonder if this offseason fiasco would lessen the chance that a top recruit would come here, or if it might be seen as a chance to step in and contribute right away?
Posted by: GPT | June 19, 2008 8:30 AM
His long time handler Terrelle Woody was "coincidentally" just hired as USF's strength and conditioning coach.
Posted by: DH | June 21, 2008 12:22 PM