Daniels axes basketball, will focus on football

USF sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels  announced Wednesday that he’ll no longer play basketball, focusing solely on his football career.

Daniels, who played 19 games during the 2008-09 basketball season while redshirting in football, informed his teammates of his decision following Monday’s team meeting, which featured former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy.

“I’m just a sophomore, but I feel like it is my responsibility to be a leader and help set the tone for the team,” Daniels said in statement. “I just felt like this was the right time to make my full commitment to football.  We have championship goals, and we can’t waste any time.”

Daniels, who averaged 0.5 points and 0.4 rebounds as a reserve last basketball season, was thrust into the starting quarterback position after senior Matt Grothe tore his ACL.He has since led the USF football team to an 8-5 record and a 27-3 win over Northern Illinois in the International Bowl on Jan. 2.

USF men’s basketball coach Stan Heath said he and Daniels discussed the decision.

“We had a good conversation,” Heath said in statement. “I totally support his decision, especially during this time, to show leadership and be a part of the football program, and we will keep that window open for the future and see how things go.”