Running back Moise Plancher will be back for the Bulls.
The NCAA granted Plancher, who led all USF running backs with 581 yards and five touchdowns last season, a sixth year of college eligibility, USF announced Wednesday afternoon.
USF applied for a medical hardship waiver for Plancher, who entered college with a shoulder injury that caused him to take a redshirt in 2005. He then tore his ACL in the first game of the 2006 season and was granted a medical redshirt.
“I have a list of people I want to thank, but at the top of the list has to be (USF Assistant AD for Compliance) Rick Stumpf and (head trainer) Steve Walz for working so hard to get all of my paperwork submitted,” Plancher said Wednesday. “I have to thank the NCAA for granting me another year and the whole USF family for showing support and believing in me.
“I am very excited about this upcoming year, and I am going to do my best to help this team achieve its goal of a BIG EAST championship.”
Plancher, who has rushed for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career, was the featured back for most of last season.
With Mike Ford’s dismissal for violating team rules, USF is left with six scholarship backs on the roster: redshirt freshman Bradley Battles, senior Richard Kelly, sophomore Lindsey Lamar, sophomore Demetris Murray, senior Aston Samuels and senior Jamar Taylor.
USF also signed three running backs for the 2010 recruiting class: Marcus Shaw, Michael Hayes and Tiger Powell.
The Bulls begin spring practice March 16.
