USF linebackers Whitehurst, Harris suspended 2 games for violating team rules
USF will be without two veteran linebackers for its first two games this season.
Senior Tashon Whitehurst and junior Nigel Harris will be forced to sit out the opener against Florida A&M on Sept. 5 and the first road game at Florida State on Sept. 12 after both were suspended Tuesday for violating unspecified team rules during the spring semester.
Harris, a former Hillsborough High standout, set a school record and led the nation with six forced fumbles last season. He was expected to challenge Whitehurst (49 tackles in 2014) for the starting spot at inside linebacker.
Coach Willie Taggart expressed disappointment in Harris and Whitehurst’s actions, but said he is confident the team has enough depth to fill their void.
Redshirt freshman Jimmy Bayes — rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com — senior C.J. Garye and freshman Danny Thomas are candidates to replace them, Taggart said.
“Those guys are going to have to work their butt off to get back and come back and play and earn the job back,” Taggart said. “I think that’s the beauty of going out and recruiting and having some depth to where you can go play.
“Our guys also understand there’s a standard that we’re going to have around here. It’s a culture that we’re creating and you’ve got to live up to it, or there will be consequences when you don’t.”
More Stories
COLUMN: Cherish the press box moments
I still remember standing at mid-field as USF Football celebrated its Boca Raton Bowl win over Syracuse. Picture this scene: The crowd rushes to the field to surround the team and catch a glimpse of the Boca Raton Bowl trophy. “Go Bulls” echoed throughout the stadium, and green and gold confetti was everywhere. I soaked […]
Here’s how these undrafted USF football players’ careers turned out
Ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, many players wait in anticipation to hear their names called in the first round. For some, it’s an instant ticket to stardom. But being selected on the first day of the draft isn’t the only route to a successful career. Fifteen former undrafted NFL players are enshrined in the NFL […]
Column: USF men’s basketball, thanks for the fun season
This is a personal column about assistant sports editor Noah Vinsky’s first-hand experience covering men’s basketball. Sports have always run in my blood. Growing up, ESPN was nearly on a constant loop on my living room television. I came to USF knowing I wanted to be a writer. The Oracle seemed like a great place […]
USF’s Mindy McCord builds culture of “family and love” into lacrosse
At 23 years old, a career in coaching was not what Mindy McCord had envisioned. After a stint playing for one of the top field hockey teams in Australia following a successful college playing career, she returned to America. McCord was on track to earn a master’s degree in counseling at Virginia Tech while coaching […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]