While the University of South Florida has made a rapid rise into the national consciousness, even reaching No. 2 in the polls last year, many people still don’t know much about the school (for example, it’s not in South Florida, it’s in Tampa).
But perhaps the biggest secret about the Bulls to those fans who don’t reside in Florida or follow the Big East is that they may have the best defensive player in the country in George Selvie, the 2007 Big East defensive player of the year and a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
OK, Selvie was an All-American last year at defensive end with his 14.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, but he was sometimes overlooked by 2008 NFL first-round pick Mike Jenkins as well as senior standout linebacker Ben Moffitt. And opposing offenses tended to focus on Selvie as the year went on. He was double-teamed relentlessly in the final month of last season, finishing with only one sack in that stretch. Yet he still finished the year second in the NCAA in sacks and first in tackles for loss. He also forced three fumbles and blocked a kick.
If you really want to know how good he is, ask West Virginia Heisman candidate Pat White. USF has upset the Mountaineers in the past two seasons, thanks mainly to Selvie, who combined for 16 tackles vs. WVU in the two games, 6 for loss. Against Auburn last year, he had 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. And this guy began his career as a center! Now he’s the new Dwight Freeney of the Big East.
“George Selvie’s numbers are insane. He just plays hard every play. It seems like he doesn’t always get you with his first pass-rush move, but the second and third effort he gives is when he get his sacks,” Louisville center Eric Wood said.
It’s USF’s defense that will again determine how far this team goes, despite a high-powered offense led by QB Matt Grothe. Want proof? When the team allowed 30 or more points a year ago, it went 1-3. And this year the defense won’t have Moffitt and Jenkins. If Selvie can have a junior season similar to his stellar sophomore campaign, the Bulls should stay in the rankings all year.
