Mike Ford finally uses up his chances at USF

Running back Mike Ford looked set to have a breakout senior season for USF in 2010, but now he’s off the team for an unspecified violation.  Ford commented on his “mistake” in the Tampa Tribune:

“To all of my family, friends and fans, I made a mistake that I really, really regret and I apologize for that,” Ford said. “I am responsible for my own actions. Please forgive me for I am only human. This will not be the last of Mike Ford. I will continue my dream, and I will graduate.”

He showed some flashes of brilliance for the Bulls in his freshman season back in 2007.  In the team’s final three regular season contests that year (wins over Syracuse, Louisville and Pittsburgh) he ran for a combined 337 yards.  His 12 rushing touchdowns on the season led the team.

Then came the suspensions and various injuries.  Ford was becoming an afterthought before his 207-yard outburst against Northern Illinois in the International Bowl less than three months ago.  Now he’s Audi A-6.

Not that they’ve needed him, but Alabama dodged a bullet on this one.  If you recall, Ford was originally going to join the Tide’s ‘05 recruiting class along with fellow running backs Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch.  However, he failed to meet academic requirements and spent one year at Hargrave Military Academy before heading to USF.