Jumping Ship? UCF Starting RB Apparently Leaves Program
According to reports on local Orlando television WFTV.com’s site, slated starting running back Phillip Smith has left the UCF Football Program:
First Running Back Kevin Smith leaves school early to head to the NFL. Now, it looks like the man called upon to replace him in the backfield might not be around either. Sources close to the UCF football program tell Channel 9, Phillip Smith is no longer with the team, adding they were not sure if he quit or was kicked off. Phillip Smith was UCF’s 2nd leading rusher last season and was expected to be the starter in 2008, but a leg injury had kept him out of action since the 2nd week of spring practice. When asked if Smith was still on the team, a UCF spokesman told Channel 9 he has no information to confim or deny our report.
With information from UCF at a premium these days as the athletic administration continues a “lock-down” on the media, we may not know for several days, if ever, the reason for Smith’s departure. Smith’s departure makes it two Knights to leave the program after the death of Ereck Plancher and the subsequent media firestorm over UCF’s handling of the death itself.