Sometimes it seems the only news is bad news. Today, it’s a mixed bag.
Looking Back
The big, and very bad, news surrounding USF athletics this week is the sexual assault and kidnapping charges against defensive end, LaDarrius Jackson. As expected, USF has suspended him from all team activities. More details have also been released about the incident. The alleged assault took place on campus in the resident halls and was reported within a half hour of when it allegedly took place, around 2:30 on Monday afternoon. According to the police report, “he forced her into her room after she placed her hands on a wall in an attempt to stop him, pushed her onto the bed and straddled her.” NBC has a handy “police blotter” to keep track of college athletes who are arrested.
Jackson appeared before judge Margaret Taylor on Wednesday morning. The judge had serious words for USF football head coach, Charlie Strong.
Looking Forward
The #24 Bulls baseball team will host FGCU tonight at 6:30 PM. The Eagles ended USF’s 19 game winning streak in March, at a time when FGCU was ranked higher than the Bulls. Since that time, both teams dropped from the national rankings and only USF has been able to climb back in, after winning 2 out of three against Houston last weekend. FGCU leads the all-time series, 11-4.
The #22 ranked USF’s men’s tennis team is headed to the NCAA tournament. They will face #34 Duke in the first round.
While the negative buzz around the football program is the recent arrest and suspension of a defensive end, help is on the way. Former four star defensive end recruit, Jordan Woods, is transferring to USF from Georgia Tech. He spent just one year with the Yellow Jackets, but did not play due to injuries.
