Former Bull released from Bucs

Thirty-two NFL teams made roster cuts prior to their July training camps. Tampa Bay was no exception, releasing seven players including former USF wide receiver Amarri Jackson.

The Buccaneers had maintained a 91-man roster that needed to be cut down to the league maximum of 80 players in preparation for training camp. Jackson was not the only rookie released by the Bucs. Three other rookies and three veterans were also released.

“We (had) some tough calls,” Gruden said on buccaneers.com. “When the rookies sign, they obviously have to have room on the roster to come to camp, so there’s some tough decisions.”

Despite losing seven players, the Bucs will continue to make cuts until their July 25 training camp.

“You haven’t seen these guys out here in April, May and June, but they’ve been out here working hard. You’d like to afford them an opportunity to benefit from the hard work,” Gruden said to buccaneers.com.

Jackson could not be reached for comment.

USF hires OlympianFormer USF track and field athlete Kemel Thompson was hired as director of the Bulls Varsity Club on June 16.

Members of the Bulls Varsity Club are former USF student athletes who earned a varsity letter in their sport.

The club’s purpose is to maintain a relationship with the athletic community of USF.

Thompson competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics in the 400-meter hurdles. Thompson was ranked No. 2 in the world in 2003.

Thompson, a Jamaican native, transferred to USF from Central Florida and graduated in 1996. He holds the school records in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Olympic trials for the Beijing Games start June 27.

Grothe: Athlete of the YearJunior quarterback Matt Grothe earned Polk County’s Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year.

A Lakeland native, Grothe will be recognized for his efforts in the 2007 football season Tuesday at the Polk County All Sports Awards.

Grothe led the team in rushing (872) for the season, helping lead the Bulls to a 9-4 record last season.