Strength in Unity.

[Soapy]

2017 USF Bulls football preview: With White and Sapp leading the pack, sky is the limit for USF receiver group
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Coming into the 2016 season, there was a lot of hype around true freshman Zac White and Franklin Sapp, with White being one of the first five-stars that the school has ever brought in and Sapp arguably being the fastest freshman ever on USF's roster.

The anticipation turned into production with White breaking a school record for most touchdowns in a season despite missing a few games as did Sapp who still led the team with 867 yards.

With veterans Zach Benjamin and Alex Mut gone, the receiver room becomes somehow even younger.

A look at USF’s receiver situation:

Projected depth chart
#1 Zac White, So. | 5'10", 218lbs | 86 ovr, 89 spd, 85 acc, 92 cth
#4 Franklin Sapp, So. | 6'3", 186lbs | 83 ovr, 95 spd, 95 acc, 84 cth
#80 Corey Sharp, So. | 6'1", 192lbs | 78 ovr, 88 spd, 90 acc, 79 cth
#87 Jay Stevens, So. | 6'0", 193lbs | 74 ovr, 85 spd, 82 acc, 77 cth
#86 Scott Diggs, So. | 6'2", 191lbs | 72 ovr, 77 spd, 84 acc, 76 cth
#89 Matt Hill, Rs Fr. | 6'1", 198lbs | 68 ovr, 87 spd, 79 acc, 74 cth

Expected starter: Sapp started to find his groove as an outside receiver towards the end of the season and figures to be opposite of White. Sharp and Steven figure to battle it out for the slot receiver with the quicker Sharp having the edge.

Major storyline: Who's the #3? Last season, Benjamin filled that role and was able to be a solid #2 at times when White and Sapp were injured. Should that happen again, who can step up?

[Soapy]

2017 USF Bulls football preview: Mash unit at tight end proved productive in 2016 but will someone separate from the pack?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

If you combined Chris Golden, Mike Henry and Buck Burns' production in 2016, you would have had a tight end with 72 receptions for 705 yards and three touchdowns, numbers good enough to have you in New York City. If you could find a way to take Henry's hands, Golden's size and Burns' athleticism and run blocking ability, you'd have an NFL player.

Burns led the bunch with 34 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown but it figures to be yet another season of all three tight ends being heavily involved. Golden's size at six-foot-seven continues to make him an interesting prospect and as a senior, he might be the one best suited to break away from the pack.

A look at USF’s tight end situation:

Projected depth chart
#13 Chris Golden, Sr. | 6'7", 264lbs | 80 ovr, 81 spd, 76 acc, 74 cth, 76 rbk OR
#81 Buck Burns, Jr. | 6'1", 241lbs | 79 ovr, 80 spd, 80 acc, 73 cth, 78 rbk OR
#88 Mike Henry, Rs Jr. | 6'2", 240lbs | 79 ovr, 80 spd, 79 acc, 81 cth, 76 rbk

Expected starter: Expect all three to get significant snaps although in a more spread out offense, Henry could have a bigger role than expected.

Major storyline: Who breaks away from the pack, if anyone? Burns has got the all-around game for it, Golden has the size and Henry's hands are more reliable than some of the receivers.

[Soapy]

2017 USF Bulls football preview: Can the offensive line take that next step after struggling last season?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

There were plenty of mistakes and poor play last season along the offensive line, particularly on the right side of the ball and when it came to running the football. This caused the Bulls to turn into an all-out passing attack and this was despite having a very good running back in Stafon McCray.

A look at USF’s offensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
LT - #77 Daren Charles, Jr. :: #62 Michael Lee, Rs Sr. :: #72 Nic Haynes, Fr.
LG - #68 Derrick Drew, Rs So. :: #63 Zac Thomas, Rs Jr.
C - #53 Maurice Bell, Jr. :: #74 Kenny Brantley, Rs So.
RG - #60 Cameron Ruff, RS Sr. :: #79 Brian Brown, Rs Fr.
RT - #61 Jeremi Hall, Rs Sr. :: #71 David Mitchell, Rs Sr. :: #73 Isaac Gutierrez, RS So. :: #76 Quinton Payne, RS Fr.

Expected starters:
#77 Daren Charles, Jr. | 6'8", 306lbs | 83 ovr, 85 str, 87 pbk, 86 rbk
#68 Derrick Drew, Rs So. | 6'2", 307lbs | 83 ovr, 85 str, 87 pbk, 85 rbk
#53 Maurice Bell, Jr. | 6'4", 267lbs | 89 ovr, 87 str, 87 pbk, 91 rbk
#60 Cameron Ruff, RS Sr. | 6'4", 315lbs | 86 ovr, 94 str, 93 pbk, 80 rbk
#61 Jeremi Hall, Rs Sr. | 6'4", 354lbs | 80 ovr, 91 str, 87 pbk, 78 rbk

Major storyline: Hall struggled a lot last season, surrendering thirteen sacks but he is heading into his second season as a starter as the Bulls return all of their starters from last season. Charles and Bell are third year starters that are starting to look like potential NFL guys and the potential in Drew is also high.

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2017 USF Bulls football preview: Calloway moves inside as talented group looks to make up loss of Senat
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Deadrin Senat leaving a year early is going to hurt USF's already depleted defense, causing defensive end Derrick Calloway to be the team's starting nose tackle. Calloway, the team's best linemen on either side of the football by a wide gap, is a strong season away from making real headway in moving up draft boards.

A look at USF’s defensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
DE - #91 Lance Carroll, Rs Jr. :: #94 Auggie Sanchez, Rs Sr. :: #95 Bryan Walker, Rs So.
NT - #59 Derrick Calloway, Rs Jr. :: #99 Ross Barron, Rs Jr. :: #93 Jamey Little, So. :: #98 Anton Tate, Rs Jr. :: #41 Chris Allen, Fr. :: #96 Ben Woodard, Fr. :: #90 Ben Jennings, Fr.
DE - #57 Eric Mayes, Rs Sr. :: #12 Fred Hooper, So.

Expected starters:
#91 Lance Carroll, Rs Jr. | 6'4", 259lbs | 77 ovr, 74 spd, 88 acc, 88 str, 79 bsh
#59 Derrick Calloway, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 327lbs | 89 ovr, 72 spd, 87 acc, 91 str, 81 bsh
#57 Eric Mayes, Rs Sr. | 6'4", 255lbs | 82 ovr, 67 spd, 72 acc, 85 str, 81 bsh

Major storyline: USF landed Carroll as a transfer a year ago and he is hoping to have a similar arch as Reggie Wilkerson who transferred from Georgia, started for two seasons and then became NFL bound.


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[mvp]

Got some good length and speed on the ends. Carroll seems a little raw still, but looks like he could become a beast with that 88 acc and str rating. Who do you typically control on defense?

[Soapy]

2017 USF Bulls football preview: Bulls return talented foursome at linebacker, including All-American Harris
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Coming into last season, USF was returning just one starter in Jeffrey Reese and having to replace two All-Conference players at inside linebacker and starting a true freshman opposite of Reese at Sam linebacker. Fast forward to today and they now have a four-year contributor/starter in Reese at Buck, a freshman all-american at Sam, an all-conference player and an all-american at inside linebacker.

A look at USF’s linebacker situation:

Projected depth chart
SAM - #7 Shelton Richardson, So. :: #55 Rob Matthews, Rs Fr.
MIKE - #51 Nigel Harris, Rs Sr. :: #22 Gary Prince, Rs So. :: #50 Derek O'Neill, RS Fr.
WILL - #49 Mitchell Wright, Rs Sr. :: #58 Mark Bennett, So. :: #56 John Jacobs, Fr.
BUCK - #54 Jeffrey Reese, Jr. :: #44 James Tucker, Fr. :: #52 Matt Thompson, So.

Expected starters:
#7 Shelton Richardson, Fr. | 6'1", 220lbs | 81 ovr, 85 spd, 94 acc, 80 tkl, 81 bsh, 77 zcv
#51 Nigel Harris, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 206lbs | 85 ovr, 87 spd, 89 acc, 81 tkl, 83 bsh, 80 zcv
#49 Mitchell Wright, Rs Jr. | 6'3", 217lbs | 87 ovr, 82 spd, 87 acc, 86 tkl, 74 bsh, 83 zcv
#54 Jeffrey Reese, Jr. | 6'2", 244lbs | 80 ovr, 89 spd, 86 acc, 80 tkl, 87 bsh, 73 zcv

Major storyline: A lot of speed and athleticism at the position, especially in Harris and Richardson. Reese has yet to put together the double digit sack season that many think he can and if he can stay consistent and on the field, this is the year to do it.

[Soapy]

Got some good length and speed on the ends. Carroll seems a little raw still, but looks like he could become a beast with that 88 acc and str rating. Who do you typically control on defense?

Before my starting safety Dan Johnson got hurt, it was him. I try to mix it up and use everyone a little bit but mainly safeties and nickel corners to provide run support. I'll user an OLB every once in a while as well.

[Soapy]

2017 USF Bulls football preview: Can USF avoid the apparent disaster waiting to happen at corner?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF lost it's top three corners and starting strong safety and not only that, outside of Antwan Shaw at corner, none of the other corners have legitimate experience. Should either juniors Brett Johnson and Brandon Simmons get hurt, next in line are true freshman Michael Bush and Bradley Bentley.

USF also moved starting free safety Dan Johnson to strong safety and have been rotating Leonard Lilly and Tavarious Bailey at free. This unit is littered with holes and could be a big problem for USF.

A look at USF’s defensive back situation:

Projected depth chart
CB - #3 Antwan Shaw, Sr. :: #20 Bradley Bentley, Fr.
CB - #27 Brandon Simmons, So. :: #21 Michael Bush, Fr.
NICKEL - #17 Brett Johnson, So. :: #26 Leonard Lilly, Rs Jr.
S - #2 Dan Johnson, So. :: #23 Carl Rodriguez, Fr.
S - #26 Leonard Lilly, Rs Jr. :: #8 Tavarious Bailey, Sr. :: #37 Mike Clark, So.

Expected starters:
CB #3 Antwan Shaw, Fr. | 6'1", 175lbs | 84 ovr, 95 spd, 86 acc, 91 mcv, 95 zcv
CB #27 Brandon Simmons, Jr. | 5'10", 178lbs | 77 ovr, 91 spd, 90 acc, 83 mcv, 82 zcv
NICKEL #17 Brett Johnson, Jr. | 6'0", 186lbs | 77 ovr, 89 spd, 87 acc, 86 mcv, 85 zcv
S #26 Leonard Lilly, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 192lbs | 81 ovr, 91 spd, 93 acc, 84 mcv, 88 zcv, 55 tkl OR #8 Tavarious Bailey, Sr. | 6'2", 200lbs | 80 ovr, 88 spd, 91 acc, 63 mcv, 81 zcv, 77 tkl
S #2 Dan Johnson, So. | 6'0", 206lbs | 79 ovr, 94 spd, 93 acc, 69 mcv, 70 zcv, 86 tkl

Major storyline: Shaw is proven, Lilly has experience, so does Bailey and Johnson started some games last season before his injury. Can Simmons and Johnson stay healthy to keep the true freshman at bay?

[Soapy]

2017 USF Football Preview
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Ten Best USF Players
1. C Maurice Bell, Jr.
2. DT Derrick Calloway, Rs Sr.
3. WR Zac White, So.
4. LB Mitchell Wright, Rs Sr.
5. WR Franklin Sapp, So.
6. QB Grant Oliver, Rs Jr.
7. LB Nigel Harris, Rs Sr.
8. HB Leon Ward, Sr.
9. CB Antwan Shaw, Sr.
10. T Darren Charles, Jr.

Specialists
K Matt Perkins, Junior :: 90 overall, 87 kick power, 94 kick accuracy
P Brian Bradshaw, Sophomore :: 88 overall, 97 kick power, 80 kick accuracy

Schedule
OPEN
at #8 Stanford :: A Overall, A+ Offense, A Defense
at Syracuse :: B- Overall, B- Offense, B- Defense
vs. Illinois :: B Overall, B+ Offense, B- Defense
at #6 Oklahoma :: A Overall, A+ Offense, B+ Defense
vs. Tulsa :: B- Overall, B Offense, C+ Defense
OPEN
at Memphis :: C+ Offense, B Offense, C- Defense
vs. #16 Houston :: B+ Overall, B+ Offense, B Defense
vs. East Carolina :: B Overall, B+ Offense, B- Defense
at Temple :: B- Overall, B- Offense, B Defense
vs. #19 Cincinnati :: C+ Overall, C+ Offense, C+ Defense
at Connecticut :: C+ Overall, B- Offense, C+ Defense
at #23 Central Florida :: B Overall, B Offense, B Defense

Preseason All-American
DT Derrick Calloway, Rs Senior (first team)
LB Nigel Harris, Rs Senior (first team)
CB Antwan Shaw, Senior (second team)
K Matt Perkins, Junior (second team)

Preseason All-AAC
WR Zac White, Sophomore (first team)
DT Derrick Calloway, Rs Senior (first team)
LB Nigel Harris, Rs Senior (first team)
LB Shelton Richardson, Sophomore (first team)
CB Antwan Shaw, Senior (first team)
K Matt Perkins, Junior (first team)
QB Grant Oliver, Rs Junior (second team)
G Cameron Ruff, Rs Senior (second team)
LB Mitchell Wright, Rs Senior (second team)
LB Jeffrey Reese, Senior (second team)

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Week 1 Top Stories
1. Stanford high hopes are dismantled on opening weekend with loss to Rice.
2. Franklin is acknowledged following Florida State's upset of South Carolina.
3. Alabama starts off the 2017 season with a close win over Michigan State.

Week 2 Notable Games
#19 Cincinnati (0-0, 0-0) at #6 Michigan (1-0, 0-0)
#4 Nebraska (1-0, 0-0) at Tennessee (1-0, 0-0)
Texas A&M (1-0, 0-0) at #3 Florida (0-0, 0-0)
#14 South Carolina (0-1, 0-0) at #11 Georgia (1-0, 1-0)
#5 Oklahoma (0-0, 0-0) at #1 Ohio State (1-0, 0-0)

NCAA Players of the Week
Robin Moore (QB, West Virginia) :: W vs. East Carolina :: 21 of 35, 346 yards, 13 carries, 84 yards, 6 total touchdowns.
Kyle Harrell (OLB, Ohio State) :: W vs. Ohio State :: 12 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, forced fumble, interception.

AAC Players of the Week
Marquis Warford (HB, Memphis) :: L vs. Vanderbilt :: 19 carries, 99 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Jarred Alwan (LB, Temple) :: L vs. Notre Dame :: 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, forced fumble.