Strength in Unity.

[Soapy]

Francois considered for Texas job, offered Utah job but ultimately stays put at USF
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

When USF got the invitation into the Big 12, fans might have thought their days of fighting for the services of their head coach Malcolm Francois was over.

It wasn't.

Francois was considered a top candidate for the opening at Texas following Mack Brown's retirement before Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury got the nod to spurn the Red Raiders for their rivals. The Utah Utes almost made a push for Francois but he turned it down, opting to stay at USF.

Defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis was interviewed for the head coaching job at Kent State but it went to Toledo defensive coordinator Mike Breske. Rekstis received an extension from the Bulls, extending him another four years as did offensive coordinator Marcel Smith who got a three-year extension.

Smith has been with the Bulls since 2015.

Notable Head Coaching Changes
Maryland :: John Papuchis replaces Tony Singletary (fired)
Purdue :: Kevin Sumlin replaces Jeff Quinn (fired)
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Iowa State :: Jay Nieman replaces Brian Lindgren (fired)
Texas :: Kliff Kingsbury replaces Mack Brown (retired)
Texas Tech :: Matt Campbell replaces Kliff Kinbsbury (left for new job)
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Oregon State :: Nick Holt replaces Shawn Watson (fired)
Utah :: Brent Pease replaces Derek Mason (fired)
Washington State :: Payaam Saadat replaces Mike Leach (fired)
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Arkansas :: Paul Haynes replaces Chris Tormey (fired)
Kentucky :: Mike Bobo replaces Mark Criner (fired)
Texas A&M :: Eddie Gran replaces Kevin Sumlin (fired)

[Soapy]

McKenzie transfers to Boston College while Bulls lose several top players to the draft
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Redshirt junior quarterback Steven McKenzie will transfer to Boston College as a graduate transfer to play out his final season of eligibility.

McKenzie, who has served as a backup for the past three seasons, is following former USF defensive coordinator Marty English who became the Eagles head coach last season. McKenzie will be eligible to play this season.

Another transfer is freshman safety Aaron Graham who announced that he will be transferring to Florida Atlantic University. Graham's departure leaves USF particularly thin at safety with the early departure to the draft of safety Dan Johnson and the graduation of Leonard Lilly.

2019 Players Leaving » Career Stats
#1 Zac White (WR, Junior): Declared Early » 226 receptions, 3065 yards, 26 touchdowns.
#4 Franklin Sapp (WR, Junior): Declared Early » 202 receptions, 3155 yards, 14 touchdowns.
#2 Dan Johnson (S, Junior): Declared Early » 210 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 6 interceptions, touchdown, 11 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles.
#9 Steven McKenzie (QB, Rs Junior): Transfer (Boston College) » 16 of 23, 138 yards, interception.
#30 Aaron Graham (S, Freshman): Transfer (Florida Atlantic) » 1 tackle.
#45 Matt Perkins (K, Senior): Graduation » 69 of 78, 54 FG Lng, 100 XP%
#53 Maurice Bell (C, Senior): Graduation » 45 pancakes, 11 sacks allowed.
#92 Brian Bradshaw (P, Senior): Graduation » 139 punts, 5631 yards, 34.5 Avg Net Yds
#77 Darren Charles (T, Senior): Graduation » 42 pancakes, 23 sacks allowed.
#26 Leonard Lilly (S, RS Senior): Graduation » 105 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 11 pass deflections.
#99 Ross Barron (DT, RS Senior): Graduation » 37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks.
#81 Buck Burns (TE, Senior): Graduation » 133 receptions, 1184 yards, 6 touchdowns.
#17 Brett Johnson (CB, Senior): Graduation » 57 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, 3 interceptions, touchdown, 6 pass deflections.
#88 Mike Henry (TE, RS Senior): Graduation » 39 receptions, 575 yards, 3 touchdowns.
#27 Brandon Simmons (CB, Senior): Graduation » 56 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, 6 interceptions, 13 pass deflections.
#91 Lance Carroll (DE, RS Senior): Graduation » 45 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, forced fumble.
#22 Gary Prince (DE, RS Senior): Graduation » 34 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks.
#25 Alex Strong (HB/WR, Senior): Graduation » 46 carries, 193 yards, touchdown.
#98 Anton Tate (DT, RS Senior): Graduation » 2 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack.
#63 Zac Thomas (G, RS Senior): Graduation » 2 pancakes, 1 sack allowed.

[Soapy]

Bulls get their quarterback, land a top five-class to reload following loss of several key players
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

USF owns National Signing Day. In years past, Bulls head coach Malcolm Francois has been able to land several top recruits in the form of Dan Johnson, Zac White and even Darren Charles a few years ago.

This time around it was four-star quarterback Michael Harrell, the second ranked quarterback in the country. Harrell's brother, Nick, plays on the FIU track team while their father is an assistant strength coach for the Panthers. Harrell committed to the Panthers before re-opening his recruitment as a rising junior.

With David Johnson locking up the position for the next few seasons, many expected Harrell to stay home and play for the Panthers where he had a shot as a true freshman to start. Instead, USF was able to get him to head north and finished this cycle with the fifth ranked recruiting class in the country.

The Bulls landed four of the top 15 players in the state of Florida with the addition of Harrell and landed two of the top three.

2019 Recruiting Class
HB James Thomas [ATH #2]: 5'10", 195lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 285 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
CB Marcus Hines [ATH #3]: 6'2", 179lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | 4.34 40-yd dash, 310 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
DE Chuck Sanders [ATH #20]: 6'2", 237lbs | Crystal Lake, IL | 4-star | 4.68 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 645 Squat Max
QB Michael Harrell [QB #2]: 6'2", 213lbs | Oviedo, FL | 4-star | 4.64 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
LB Scott Stewart [LB #6]: 6'3", 246lbs | Key Largo, FL | 4-star | 4.84 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 640 Squat Max
CB Ben Lewis [ATH #39]: 6'0", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 220 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
WR Chad Hale [WR #27]: 6'2", 188lbs | Burkburnett, TX | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 195 Bench Press Max, 195 Squat Max
C Bryan McBride [C #4]: 6'5", 266lbs | Toledo, OH | 4-star | 5.14 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 525 Squat Max
LB Stephen Hill [LB #17]: 6'4", 249lbs | Weslaco, TX | 4-star | 4.54 yd-dash, 440 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max
DE Derrick Farris [ATH #55]: 6'3", 245lbs | Renton, WA | 4-star | 4.62 yd-dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max
T Frank Lucas [T #10]: 6'4", 310lbs | Ensley, FL | 4-star | 4.88 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 640 Squat Max
DE John Mansfield [DE #28]: 6'0", 240lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.78 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 545 Squat Max
TE Jonathan Lamb [TE #31]: 6'6", 236lbs | Laguna Hills, CA | 3-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 410 Bench Press Max, 240 Squat Max
WR James Ellison [WR #113]: 5'11", 189lbs | Monterey, CA | 3-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 235 Bench Press Max, 195 Squat Max
LB Nate Clark [LB #55]: 6'3", 240lbs | Wenatchee, WA | 3-star | 4.56 40-yd dash, 395 Bench Press Max, 545 Squat Max
TE Brian Knox [TE #51]: 6'4", 252lbs | Lauderdale Lakes, FL | 3-star | 4.78 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press Max, 240 Squat Max
P Allen Carrington [P #6]: 5'11", 216lbs | Port Orange, FL | 3-star | 5.38 40-yd dash, 205 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
QB Eric Whitworth [QB #88]: 6'5", 204lbs | Coral Gables, FL | 3-star | 5.22 40-yd dash, 255 Bench Press Max, 225 Squat Max
K Ricky Turner [K #26]: 5'11", 180lbs | Florence, KY | 2-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 225 Bench Press Max, 360 Squat Max

Top 25 Recruiting Classes
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Michigan
5. USF
6. Georgia
7. Notre Dame
8. Stanford
9. Missouri
10. USC
11. Oregon
12. Tennessee
13. Clemson
14. Arizona State
15. Georgia Tech
16. Wisconsin
17. Michigan State
18. Nebraska
19. Mississippi State
20. Florida
21. Penn State
22. Syracuse
23. Texas A&M
24. Oklahoma
25. Florida State

Top 10 247Sports Recruits
1. Jason Wallace [TE #1]: Rutgers
2. Bryan Ellis [ATH #1]: UConn
3. Jonathan Wright [WR #1]: Arizona State
4. James Thomas [ATH #2]: USF
5. Kurt Marshall [WR #2]: Missouri
6. Marcus Hines [ATH #3]: USF
7. Andy Williams [ATH #4]: Georgia
8. Brad Austin [WR #3]: Stanford
9. Michael Lewis [ATH #5]: Michigan
10. Alex Green [ATH #6]: Colorado State

[Soapy]

Fuente officially added to staff as passing game coordinator
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

USF formally announced Monday morning the hiring of passing game coordinator Justin Fuente, who was most recently at Iowa State as an offensive coordinator before he was fired earlier this year.

Fuente was the head coach at Memphis from 2012 until 2017 when he was fired and replaced by Cam Cameron. Fuente then spent the next two seasons with the Cyclones as their play-caller before Fuente and the entire staff was relieved of their duties when new head coach Jay Nieman took over.

The hire doesn't come without some potential ruffling of some feathers. According to a source within the program, head coach Malcolm Francois "came pretty close" to taking over play-calling duties from current offensive coordinator Marcel Smith. Francois, who called plays early in his tenure before the hiring of Smith, has felt that the Bulls offense has become too reliant on big plays from their passing attack. The Bulls failed to have a 1,000-yard rusher this past season for the first time in Francois' tenure while the passing numbers continue to increase in terms of volume but not necessarily efficiency.

Francois was set on hiring Calvin Magee to a similar position last season but Magee ended up landing an offensive coordinator gig elsewhere. The team hired Fuente this time around as an offensive analyst back in January but according to several players, the offense is "completely different this year" and it comes to no surprise that Fuente was formally announced as a coordinator, allowing him to interact with players on the field at practice.

Francois has a lot of respect for Fuente who he coached against multiple times when Fuente was a head coach at Memphis. It is believed that Smith and Fuente will share a role as offensive play-caller but that the wheels are set in motion for Fuente to eventually take over.

[Captain Canada]

Hopefully such a strong class will help the team rebound quickly.

[Soapy]

Hopefully such a strong class will help the team rebound quickly.

getting 2016 vibes from this bunch.

[Soapy]

2019 USF Bulls football preview: Can Johnson minimize the mistakes and turnovers in year two?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

With strong performances against UCF and Iowa in the bowl game to finish off the season, David Johnson was able to set records as a redshirt freshman for the USF Bulls. He did all that after splitting first team reps in the spring and fall camp with Steven McKenzie. McKenzie is now at Boston College, a projected starter, and the stage is set for Johnson to be the unquestioned leader of the offense.

A look at USF’s quarterback situation:

Projected depth chart
#1 David Johnson, Rs So. | 6'3", 215lbs | 91 ovr, 74 spd, 87 thp, 92 tha
#15 Mario Greer, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 196lbs | 86 ovr, 70 spd, 83 thp, 90 tha
#11 Brandon Tidwell, Rs Jr. | 6'3", 200lbs | 80 ovr, 72 spd, 81 thp, 91 tha
#17 Michael Harrell, Fr. | 6'2", 213lbs | 74 ovr, 79 spd, 84 thp, 74 tha
#18 Eric Whitworth, Fr. | 6'5", 204lbs | 50 ovr, 51 spd, 72 thp, 64 tha

Expected starter: Easy decision here as Johnson enters the season as the unquestioned starter.

Major storyline: Johnson's numbers, volume wise, were very good as he threw for 4,362 yards and 27 touchdowns. But he was intercepted 18 times and the efficiency wasn't always there as there was a reliance on the big plays. With Franklin Sapp gone, 3rd and 14 isn't going to be a simple go-route for one of the fastest players in college football. How will Johnson adapt?

[Soapy]

2019 USF Bulls football preview: Can former four-star Ross put it all together or will the committee continue?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

After having several seasons with at least one 1,000-yard rusher, USF failed to complete that feet. The closest player to come to reaching that mark was junior running back David Ross with 711 yards on 140 carries.

Brian Reynolds figures to continue to be the spell back -- 421 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns in 2018 -- but at times, he looked like the more explosive running back of the two as he could guarantee gains while Ross instead relied on big plays with his five rushes of over 20 yards. USF also has a five-star incoming true freshman in James Thomas who could also make things interesting.

A look at USF’s running back situation:

Projected depth chart
#8 David Ross, Jr. | 6'1", 226lbs | 87 ovr, 86 spd, 89 acc, 90 btk, 86 car
#29 Brian Reynolds, Rs Jr. | 6'0", 233lbs | 83 ovr, 87 spd, 95 acc, 82 btk, 73 car
#25 James Thomas, Fr. | 5'10", 195lbs | 76 ovr, 87 spd, 82 acc, 79 btk, 77 car
#13 Scott Kimbrough, Rs Fr. | 6'0", 204lbs | 69 ovr, 86 spd, 85 acc, 64 btk, 95 car
#32 Greg Johnston, Rs Fr. | 6'0", 202lbs | 66 ovr, 93 spd, 85 acc, 62 btk, 60 car

Expected starter: Ross will lead the charge with Reynolds and Thomas close behind him as the Bulls haven't had a true feature back since the departure of Leon Ward.

Major storyline: Trey Davis was the wild-card last season but he's back on defense exclusively. Thomas is an interesting one to watch but the guy that fans should be on the look out for is speedster Greg Johnston. Johnston brings a different dynamic to the table and if the Bulls can get him five touches a game, he might be able to make some noise.

[Soapy]

2019 USF Bulls football preview: Can deep group at receiver help replace the production of Sapp and White?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

How do you replace arguably the two best receivers in school history? The simple answer is you don't.

With Zac White and Franklin Sapp in the NFL, USF lost it's best route runner and pass catcher in White and it's most explosive and fastest player in Sapp. They accounted for nearly half of the passing offense last season and tight end Buck Burns accounted for nearly a quarter of it as well and all three are gone.

A look at USF’s receiver situation:

Projected depth chart
#6 Corey Sharp, Sr. | 6'1", 195lbs | 90 ovr, 89 spd, 94 acc, 97 cth
#4 Mike Holmes, So. | 6'0", 184lbs | 81 ovr, 94 spd, 93 acc, 75 cth
#10 Jay Stevens, Sr. | 6'0", 195lbs | 86 ovr, 85 spd, 86 acc, 92 cth
#89 Matt Hill, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 202lbs | 81 ovr, 89 spd, 85 acc, 84 cth
#82 Marco Mason, So. | 6'2", 211lbs | 76 ovr, 92 spd, 84 acc, 76 cth
#84 Joel Green, Rs Fr. | 6'1", 199lbs | 72 ovr, 87 spd, 83 acc, 78 cth
#80 Chad Hale, Fr. | 6'2", 188lbs | 63 ovr, 88 spd, 83 acc, 65 cth
#81 James Ellison, Fr. | 5'11", 189lbs | 63 ovr, 93 spd, 81 acc, 58 cth

Expected starter: Sharp is often a forgotten member of the 2016 recruiting class and so is Stevens, both coming in with White and Sapp. Both of them are the expected starters along with Holmes, who many are projecting to have a very big year.

Major storyline: Who emerges as WR1? Sharp has the tools and the proven pedigree with him catching almost 100 passes in his three seasons with the Bulls. Stevens splashed onto the scene as a freshman and sophomore but caught just six passes last season and is probably the more natural receiver of the bunch. But the wildcard is Holmes who had 334 yards as a true freshman and has shown flashes of similarities to Sapp due to his speed. Probably not a coincidence he is wearing the #4 this season.

[Soapy]

2019 USF Bulls football preview: Holland makes the switch, will the production continue to increase?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF coaches have been raving about fullback Robert Holland since he was a freshman stuck on the scout team. Holland remained there for two more seasons before starting as a redshirt junior at fullback. With Buck Burns and Mike Henry graduating, the Bulls moved their only senior at either position from fullback to tight end to help groom the young pups.

A look at USF’s tight end situation:

Projected depth chart
#40 Robert Holland, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 254lbs | 78 ovr, 83 spd, 92 acc, 77 cth, 70 rbk
#83 Joe Wayne, So. | 6'4", 256lbs | 72 ovr, 75 spd, 76 acc, 64 cth, 68 rbk
#86 Jonathan Lamb, Fr. | 6'6", 236lbs | 68 ovr, 74 spd, 73 acc, 66 cth, 71 rbk
#88 Brian Knox, Fr. | 6'4", 252lbs | 67 ovr, 75 spd, 73 acc, 67 cth, 69 rbk

Expected starter: The staff moved Holland there for a reason and it's to serve as a "bridge" between the Brian Burns/Chris Golden/Mike Henry era into what they are hoping will be the Wayne/Lamb/Knox era at tight end.

Major storyline: Holland is a better athlete than what the Bulls have had at tight end in recent year. Holland can be more than just a placeholder and if he finds his footing, just how good can he be?