Former USF kicker fed up with broken promises

Former USF walk-on kicker Kyle Bronson transferred to Division I-AA Texas State University after being offered a scholarship.

Bronson, a Wharton High School graduate, began classes at Texas State on Wednesday and will not have to sit out a season, being immediately eligible because of the transfer to a I-AA school.

The redshirt freshman, who will have three years of eligibility, said his reason for departure was irreconcilable differences with coach Jim Leavitt. Bronson said the problem stemmed from promises of a scholarship he was never offered.

“I had everything I needed at USF (with education),” Bronson said. “It was stuff between me and Leavitt – it wasn’t anything bad, it was just that he told me a few times I would get a scholarship, then he told me I hadn’t lived up to his expectations.”

Bronson said he didn’t need the scholarship, but got tired of an unfulfilled promise.

“He told me three times I could get a scholarship,” Bronson said. “And all three times, he upped the ante, where I wouldn’t be able to reach (expectations).”

Bronson went on to say the expectations included becoming the No. 1 kicker during spring drills in 2005 and proving himself in a game.

In 2005, Bronson replaced the only scholarship kicker for the Bulls, freshman Mike Benzer, in the 37-3 win against FAMU on Sept. 10. Benzer missed three straight field goals and an extra point during the season’s first two games against the Rattlers and Penn State on Sept. 3, while Bronson made a 30-yard field goal and converted three extra points.

After the FAMU game, Bronson was moved primarily to field goals and extra points and freshman Justin Teachey was moved to kickoffs. At the postgame conference on Sept. 10, Leavitt said, “We may have found our kicker,” but he could not be reached for comment Saturday.Bronson hit 11 of 16 field goals and 29 of 30 extra points, the fifth-most made PATs in a season at USF.

Bronson said he had no hard feelings toward Leavitt or the team, but said he was just “frustrated” and “wanted to play.”

“I don’t know what more I could’ve done,” Bronson said. “Made more field goals, maybe, but I felt I should’ve gotten the scholarship. I like USF, but Texas is where my heart is.”Bulls land center: According to USFnation.com, the football team has a verbal commitment from center Kevin McKaskill, the 13th ranked center in the nation. However, 6-foot-3 defensive end Joseph Jackson will wait until National Signing Day on Feb. 1 to decide on USF or another school.Most valuable seniors: Running back Andre Hall and defensive end Terrence Royal were named the football team’s John & Cynthia Ruzic Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players for 2005 at the Bulls’ annual team award banquet at Busch Gardens on Saturday night.

Hall, who will participate in the Senior Bowl on Saturday, holds many offensive records, including single season rushing records (1,374 yards), single season rushing touchdowns (13), single game rushing touchdowns (3), career rushing touchdowns (24), career rushing yards (2,731), most rushing yards in a game (275), most points in a game (24) and most points in a season (156).

Royal, a Wharton High School graduate, holds the record for most sacks in a season (10) and in a career (19.5). In 2005, Royal had 46 tackles, an interception for a touchdown, three fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.