Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Blakely visted USF on Monday

Former Manatee High running back Mike Blakely, who recently announced he was leaving Florida, visited the University of South Florida on Monday.

It is one of several schools Blakely is said to be considering. His release from Florida prevented him from signing with another SEC school and FSU or Miami.

The running back situation at USF right now seems to be uncertain or flexible. The leading candidates for next season figure to be transfer Darrell Scott and returnee Demetris Murray, both juniors.

Blakely would have to sit out the 2011 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. One attraction for him at USF might be the relationship USF head coach Skip Holtz had with Chris Johnson when both were at East Carolina.

Johnson was a little recruited running back out of Orlando Olympia who flourished under Holtz and went on to break the NFL single rushing record in 2009 with Tennessee.

Johnson was one of the top all purpose backs in college football and that is a role Blakely seems suited to handle. Besides being an electrifying runner he is a very good pass catcher out of the backfield and even played some quarterback in high school.

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