Two USF Football Players Test Positive for COVID-19

USF announced on Wednesday that two football players have tested positive for COVID-19, just one week after the team began on-campus voluntary workouts on June 10.

Here’s head coach Jeff Scott’s statement from the press release:

“We continue to monitor very closely our student-athletes that have returned to campus and maintain diligent protocols outlined by our Infection Response Team – including screening, testing and sanitization – with the first priority being student-athletes’ health and safety,” Scott said. “We will continue to follow the guidance of our sports medicine professionals and university, state and local authorities while allowing student-athletes who have been cleared to continue voluntary workouts in small groups with strict protocols.”

USF tested all returning athletes and staff prior to the start of workouts, and none came back positive. Measures of regular testing and contract tracing around positive tests have/will continue moving forward. For social distancing measures, workouts have been split into groups of 10 with weight equipment being moved to tents outside of the Lee Roy Selmon Center. The school has also indicated protocols of regular cleaning and sanitation to limit the spread of the virus.

Due to HIPPA, the school cannot say who the players are that tested positive for the virus. The players themselves can disclose that information to the public. The Daily Stampede will not disclose who the players are if we find out.

The news comes on the same day that Texas Rivals.com writer Anwar Richardson reported that six Longhorn players have tested positive for COVID-19 and roughly 15 have been quarantined. The Bulls are scheduled to open the 2020 season at UT on Sep. 5 and on the most recent episode of the Bulluminati Podcast, USF VP of Athletics Michael Kelly indicated that both him and Texas AD Chris Del Conte are intending to play that game as scheduled.