Strength in Unity.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 13:26

2022 USF Bulls football preview: A mixed bag are the options at quarterback, who will separate from the pack?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF has been able to stockpile some talent at the quarterback position, landing David Johnson as a four-star recruit and then landing Michael Harrell as a four-star recruit to replace him. Mike McFarland was supposed to be next in line, the clear cut winner in a sea of unheralded prospects in Jeremy Thomas, Eugene Shaw and James Pittman.

This does not appear to be the case as Thomas and Pittman appear to lead the quarterback race.

A look at USF’s quarterback situation:

Projected depth chart
#15 James Pittman, Rs So. | 6'6", 224lbs | 72 ovr, 81 spd, 79 thp, 75 tha OR
#10 Jeremy Thomas, Rs So. | 6'1", 246lbs | 76 ovr, 69 spd, 84 thp, 89 tha OR
#9 Mike McFarland, Rs Fr. | 6'4", 200lbs | 72 ovr, 72 spd, 87 thp, 76 tha
#16 Eugene Shaw, Rs So. | 6'2", 217lbs | 75 ovr, 57 spd, 85 thp, 81 tha

Expected starter: Outside of Shaw, who is just too unathletic for the offense, a solid case can be made for any of the quarterbacks. Pittman as a third-year player is what Harrell was as a freshman: a decent thrower of the football that is limited in the passing game but can make plays with his legs. Thomas is a poor man's, out of shape version of Grant Oliver while McFarland is what David Johnson was as a freshman.

Out of those three guys, it can be argued that Harrell was the best of the bunch so the slight edge goes to his clone in Pittman.

Major storyline: Thomas has had a taste for playing and so has Pittman while McFarland was the top ranked quarterback in his class. Whichever one finishes third -- or maybe even second -- could be on the way out as a transfer. How does USF manage the QB room to keep everyone or at least two of the top three guys happy?

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 13:39

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Can Henry handle the load in what could be his final season?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF has quietly put together a nice string of running backs, dating back to Staffon McCray and the likes. Junior Troy Henry is the most talented of the bunch and even in a sports debate culture, there's no push back.

Henry has rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons, becoming the first ever Bull to do that. He's now at 2185 career rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, needing just another 1,000 yard season to break the school record for career rushing yards and nine touchdowns to do for the career rushing touchdowns. He'll get plenty of cracks at it in what is a less-crowded RB room than in year's past.

Projected depth chart
#1 Troy Henry, Jr. | 5'10", 200lbs | 84 ovr, 95 spd, 98 acc, 79 btk, 75 car
#32 Greg Johnston, Rs Sr. | 6'0", 206lbs | 83 ovr, 96 spd, 94 acc, 78 btk, 75 car
#25 Gerald Mitchell, Fr. | 6'0", 200lbs | 78 ovr, 89 spd, 82 acc, 80 btk, 78 car
#29 Scott Kimbrough, Rs Sr. | 6'0", 208lbs | 87 ovr, 89 spd, 96 acc, 85 btk, 99 car
#12 John Dixon, Rs So. | 6'3", 217lbs | 75 ovr, 96 spd, 80 acc, 65 btk, 95 car
-------
FB #40 Terrance Holland, Jr. | 6'1", 257lbs | 82 ovr, 82 spd, 87 acc, 81 car, 74 rbk

Expected starter: Henry is the unquestioned leader of the offense, as shown by getting the honor of wearing the #1.

Major storyline: USF has traditionally split carries between, at minimum, two running backs and at their peak, three running backs. Who will emerge as RB2 and potentially RB3? Johnston has the experience and speed edge while Mitchell, a former five star, is almost guaranteed a few touches due to his recruiting ranking. Can Kimbrough and Dixon, two former receivers, crack the rotation?

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 13:49

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Will change at QB hinder Stone and Vincent's development?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

William Stone's career at USF got off to a slow start as Andrew Vincent seemed to be the favorite target but as the year went on, Stone became Michael Harrell's favorite target, going to him early and often, sometimes too much.

Harrell is gone and replacing him will likely be a lesser passer and certainly a lesser quarterback. The chemistry between the quarterback and his top two receivers will most likely take some time and given that USF projects to be a run-first team, will the production continue for Stone and Vincent?

A look at USF’s receiver situation:

Projected depth chart
X
#4 William Stone, So. | 6'0", 209lbs | 86 ovr, 96 spd, 93 acc, 75 cth
#81 James Ellison, Sr. | 5'11", 192lbs | 76 ovr, 96 spd, 87 acc, 69 cth
#80 Chad Hale, Sr. | 6'2", 190lbs | 78 ovr, 91 spd, 90 acc, 78 cth

Y
#3 Andrew Vincent, So. | 6'0", 178lbs | 84 ovr, 94 spd, 94 acc, 83 cth
#28 Brandon Burns, Jr. | 6'1", 199lbs | 81 ovr, 86 spd, 98 acc, 75 cth

Z
#85 Joel Bass, Fr. | 6'3", 220lbs | 77 ovr, 90 spd, 91 acc, 78 cth OR
#8 Benjamin Bright, So. | 6'6", 226lbs | 75 ovr, 90 spd, 81 acc, 77 cth

Expected starter: Stone and Vincent are the established starters with Vincent expected to move inside in the slot while Bass and/or Bright will battle for that second outside receiver role.

Major storyline: The staff was high on Bright coming out of camp last season and he showed promises with 29 catches for 348 yards and four touchdowns. He did have some drops, however, and they are even higher on Bass this off-season. He's not as tall but more athletic and a more natural receiver than Bright. Expect a heavy rotation at the outside receiver position.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 15:11

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Following sophomore slump, can Erik Bass bounce back?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

It's hard to call a season where all of Erik Bass' carries were for touchdowns and caught 23 passes a let down but that's just what his sophomore season was. After averaging 12.9 yards per reception as a true freshman, many expected Bass to make another leap as this uber athletic tight end that moonlights as a goal-line running back at 250 pounds.

Instead, Bass was an after thought in the passing attack and was relegated as a check down option in an offense that got vertical. With senior Joe Wayne gone, Bass' snap count should increase....unless a pair of senior tight ends themselves have sometime to say about it.

A look at USF’s tight end situation:

Projected depth chart
#26 Erik Bass, Jr. | 6'0", 250lbs | 80 ovr, 90 spd, 88 acc, 77 cth, 70 rbk
#86 Jonathan Lamb, Sr. | 6'6", 244lbs | 85 ovr, 77 spd, 76 acc, 73 cth, 81 rbk
#88 Brian Knox, Sr. | 6'4", 261lbs | 84 ovr, 78 spd, 76 acc, 75 cth, 79 rbk
#87 Martin Rushing, RS So. | 6'7", 269lbs | 75 ovr, 77 spd, 84 acc, 75 cth, 77 rbk
#83 Jacob Dickson, Fr. | 6'4", 244lbs | 70 ovr, 75 spd, 75 acc, 69 cth, 73 rbk
FB #40 Terrance Holland, Jr. | 6'1", 257lbs | 82 ovr, 82 spd, 87 acc, 71 cth, 74 rbk

Expected starter: Bass has come a long way as a run blocker, perhaps enough to be the unquestioned starter at tight end.

Major storyline: Similar to his older brother during his last two seasons, Holland has started taking snaps at tight end as well. He's not as athletic as Bass and he's not as stout in the run blocking department as his brother or any of the other tight ends but he's somewhere in the middle. He could be an interesting player to throw in the mix at tight end.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 15:21

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Right side? Strong side. Can USF patch up the left side of it's offensive line?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF will field arguably the best right guard-right tackle combination in the conference in third-year starters Brian Smith and Derek Charles. While both players got thrown into the fire as true freshman, the left side of the offensive line and it's center has had the opportunity to stew and learn the position. Are they now ready?

A look at USF’s offensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
LT - #75 Frank Lucas, Rs Jr. :: #73 Charles Joseph, Rs Fr. :: #71 Tanner Patton, Fr.
LG - #64 Maurice Williams, Rs Sr. :: #79 Brad Jones, So.
C - #61 Brian McBride, Sr. :: #60 Joel Dixon, Rs Fr. :: #62 Clay Smith, Rs Fr.
RG - #77 Brian Smith, Jr. :: #72 Bernard Livingston, Rs Fr.
RT - #78 Derek Charles, Jr. :: #66 Jimmie Hurd, Rs Fr. :: #74 Joe Payne, So.

Expected starters:
#75 Frank Lucas, Rs Jr. | 6'4", 331lbs | 80 ovr, 88 str, 75 pbk, 93 rbk
#64 Maurice Williams, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 304lbs | 82 ovr, 82 str, 89 pbk, 88 rbk
#61 Bryan McBride, Sr. | 6'5", 275lbs | 78 ovr, 81 str, 85 pbk, 81 rbk
#77 Brian Smith, Jr. | 6'4", 319lbs | 88 ovr, 92 str, 85 pbk, 94 rbk
#78 Derek Charles, Jr. | 6'6", 310lbs | 82 ovr, 89 str, 80 pbk, 90 rbk

Major storyline: Williams isn't the kind of athletic guard that USF typically wants for their offense as they love running counters and traps and screens and powers which get their athletic offensive line on the move but he might actually be an upgrade over Nic Haynes last season who graded out decently.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 15:33

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Can anyone replace Sanders' production? Probably not
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Chuck Sanders ended his USF career with a bang, breaking school records left and right before heading to the NFL. Sanders, a prototypical edge rusher, likely doesn't put those numbers up in the Bulls new 3-4 scheme. With less pass rushing responsibilities on the ends, can anyone remotely reach ten sacks on this defensive line?

A look at USF’s defensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
END - #94 Justin Barry, Rs Sr. :: #98 John Mansfield, Rs Jr. :: #90 Travis Scott, Fr.
NT - #99 Jeremy Daniels, So. :: #93 Daniel Elliott, So. :: #92 Josh Brown, Rs Fr.
END - #55 Mark Hawkins, Rs Sr. :: #95 Dale Bolden, Rs Fr. :: #91 Kelvin Davis, Fr.

Expected starters:
#94 Justin Barry, Rs Sr. | 6'4", 275lbs | 83 ovr, 68 spd, 83 acc, 87 str, 81 bsh
#99 Jeremy Daniels, So. | 6'2", 294lbs | 81 ovr, 83 str, 80 bsh
#55 Mark Hawkins, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 260lbs | 86 ovr, 77 spd, 96 acc, 80 str, 89 bsh

Major storyline: Technically, just one new starter on the defensive line in Justin Barry who made the switch from defensive tackle to defensive end in this 3-4 scheme. Daniels moves inside to nose from a three-technique while Hawkins goes from a pass rushing defensive end on the outside to playing inside at the five-technique. This is an athletic bunch that should be able to get after the quarterback as opposed to just eating up blocks.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 15:44

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Can the outside linebackers generate a similar pass rush as Hawkins and Sanders from last season?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

No position group looks more different this season than last season than the linebackers. The Jimmy's and Joes' have changed as well as what they're being asked to do. Losing someone like Scott Stewart was always going to have an impact but losing him just when there is going to be a major switch defensively and playing some green guys? That's a tough situation.

A look at USF’s linebacker situation:

Projected depth chart
SAM - #13 Ryan Fletcher, Rs Sr. :: #57 Matt Stewart, Rs Sr. :: #44 Matt Collins, Fr.
MIKE - #51 Nate Clark, Rs Jr. :: #52 Montrell Jennings, Rs So. :: #58 Calvin Franz, Fr.
WILL - #54 John Reed, Fr. :: #53 Skyler Wilson, Fr.
JACK - #11 Stephen Hill, Rs Jr. :: #56 Derrick Farris, Rs Jr. :: #50 Alex Miller, Fr.

Expected starters:
#13 Ryan Fletcher, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 240lbs | 85 ovr, 80 spd, 91 acc, 86 bsh, 90 zcv
#51 Nate Clark, Rs Jr. | 6'3", 249lbs | 76 ovr, 87 spd, 90 acc, 78 tkl, 75 bsh
#54 John Reed, Fr. | 6'3", 215lbs | 74 ovr, 80 spd, 77 acc, 84 tkl, 79 bsh
#11 Stephen Hill, Rs Jr. | 6'2", 258lbs | 84 ovr, 87 spd, 92 acc, 87 bsh, 78 zcv

Major storyline: Reed is handed the baton as the next great USF middle linebacker. He sports the same number as Stewart did, can he be as productive and reliable?

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 16:02

2022 USF Bulls football preview: Thompson and Garcia somehow lived up to the hype in 2021, can they do so again in 2022?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Five-star corner Jason Garcia and four-star safety Edgar Thompson began their USF careers with plenty of hype and they both somehow not only matched it but exceeded it. They were surrounded by NFL talent as true freshman but with the team's top two corners gone, USF must now ask even more from their talented sophomore duo.

A look at USF’s defensive back situation:

Projected depth chart
CB - #2 Jason Garcia, So. :: #23 Ronnie Gay, So. :: #30 Cody Johnson, Fr.
CB - #5 Ray Hill, Fr. :: #27 Dan Ross, So. :: #22 Cedric Whaley, Fr.
S - #17 Sam Peterson, Jr. :: #35 Chris Wade, Rs So. :: #21 Malcolm Francois Jr., Fr.
S - #7 Edgar Thompson, So. :: #6 Ray Thompson, Fr. :: #20 Pierre Hodge, Rs So.

Expected starters:
CB - #2 Jason Garcia, So. | 6'1", 189lbs | 85 ovr, 99 spd, 95 acc, 89 mcv, 89 zcv
CB - #5 Ray Hill, Fr. | 6'0", 180lbs | 72 ovr, 89 spd, 89 acc, 83 mcv, 78 zcv OR Ronnie Gay, So. | 6'3", 176lbs | 71 ovr, 94 spd, 84 acc, 80 mcv, 84 zcv
S - #17 Sam Peterson, Jr. | 6'1", 181lbs | 86 ovr, 96 spd, 93 acc, 79 tkl, 81 zcv, 75 hit power OR #6 Ray Thompson, Fr. | 6'1", 187lbs | 79 ovr, 88 spd, 88 acc, 87 tkl, 75 zcv, 82 hit power
S - #7 Edgar Thompson, So. | 6'0", 203lbs | 85 ovr, 89 spd, 90 acc, 90 tkl, 79 zcv, 84 hit power

Major storyline: Garcia moves from a nickel corner to the top corner while either a true freshman in Ray Hill or a special teams guy in Ronnie Gay will move into that CB2 role. Expect the Bulls to use less nickel looks than they did last season when they had Marcus Hines, Ben Lewis and Garcia as well as a reliable guy in Michael Walker.

Another thing to look out for is true freshman Ray Thompson, no relation to Edgar. Thompson is a physical safety that could get some snaps on short yardage situations as Peterson is more of a pure cover safety.

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 17:02

2022 USF Football Preview
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF rode it's defense to a national championship in 2021 and coupled with an offense capable of scoring over 40 points on any given Saturday, it was the perfect recipe for an exciting campaign.

The Bulls then sustained losses all over their roster, which is the norm when you're a program at the level of which Malcolm Francois has elevated the former AAC cellar dweller. They lost their starting quarterback, one of their top two running backs, their starting tight end, the left side of their offensive line including their center, their leading pass rusher, their top defensive tackle, their top linebacker and their two top corners. Oh and their superstar defensive coordinator for good measure.

Nevertheless, the Bulls field a talented team in 2022 that will certainly have all the opportunities in the world to recapture the nation's imagination.

Ten Best USF Players
1. HB Troy Henry, Junior [AL]
2. G Brian Smith, Junior [FL]
3. WR William Stone, Sophomore [FL]
4. DE Mark Hawkins, RS Senior [FL]
5. S Sam Peterson, Junior [WY]
6. S Edgar Thompson, Sophomore [FL]
7. CB Jason Garcia, Sophomore [GA]
8. T Derek Charles, Junior [CA]
9. WR Andrew Vincent, Sophomore [FL]
10. OLB Stephen Hill, RS Junior [TX]

Specialists
#39 K Ricky Turner, Senior :: 91 ovr, 92 kp, 91 ka
#43 P Allen Carrington, Senior :: 85 ovr, 84 kp, 88 ka

Schedule
OPEN
at #25 Florida :: A Overall, A+ Offense, A- Defense
vs. Louisville :: B- Overall, B Offense, B- Defense
at #12 Oklahoma :: B+ Overall, B+ Offense, B Defense
at #6 Ohio State :: A+ Overall, A+ Offense, A+ Defense
OPEN
vs. UCLA :: B+ Overall, A- Offense, B+ Defense
vs. Iowa State :: C+ Overall, B- Offense, B- Defense
vs. Texas Tech :: B Overall, B Offense, B Defense
vs. Baylor :: B Overall, B Offense, B- Defense
at Texas Christian :: B Overall, B- Offense, B Defense
vs. West Virginia :: B Overall, B- Offense, B Defense
at #11 Texas :: A Overall, A+ Offense, A- Defense
at Central Florida :: B Overall, B+ Offense, B- Defense

Preseason All-American
WR William Stone, Sophomore (first team)
DE Mark Hawkins, Rs Senior (first team)
OLB Stephen Hill, Rs Junior (first team)
CB Jason Garcia, Sophomore (first team)
S Edgar Thompson, Sophomore (first team)

Preseason All-Big 12
HB Troy Henry, Junior (first team)
WR William Stone, Sophomore (first team)
DE Mark Hawkins, Rs Senior (first team)
DT Jeremy Daniels, Sophomore (first team)
OLB Stephen Hill, Rs Junior (first team)
CB Jason Garcia, Sophomore (first team)
S Edgar Thompson, Sophomore (first team)
K Ricky Turner, Senior (first team)
KR Greg Johnston, Rs Senior (first team)
S Sam Peterson, Sophomore (second team)

Big 12 Conference Outlook
1. USF
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Oklahoma State
5. Kansas State
6. West Virginia
7. TCU
8. Texas Tech
9. UCF
10. Baylor
11. Iowa State
12. Kansas

What to watch for on offense: Who will be the starter at quarterback? Whichever way it goes, USF figures to be a run heavy team, setting the stage for a prolific junior season for running back Troy Henry.

What to watch for on defense: USF had to reshape it's entire defense and will rely heavily on it's safeties and edge rushers.

The team will be far better if... the quarterback position is stabilized. The defense (should) will eventually return to form once the new guys get some reps and they're talented enough offensively to make some big plays IF the quarterback isn't a liability.

The Schedule: The start to the season is brutal, with three road games in the first four games, all against ranked opponents. If USF can come out above .500 after the Ohio State game, it should be smooth sailing with a bunch of home games against less than stellar competition.

It ramps up a little bit with a road trip to Texas but outside of that, USF should be able to survive even if they stumble out the gates.

Best offensive player: It's either Troy Henry or William Stone. Given the questions at QB, it will most likely be Henry.

Best defensive player: From a numbers perspective, Jason Garcia or Edgar Thompson is the common choice but from a performance standpoint, Mark Hawkins was absolutely USF's fourth best defensive player behind Ben Lewis, Scott Stewart and Chuck Sanders.

Key players to a successful season: Whoever is named quarterback.

Defensively, it's true freshman Ray Hill who wasn't some highly touted recruit and is now their starting corner opposite of Garcia.

The season will be a success if...the Bulls can compete for the Big 12 championship and don't get embarrassed in any of their big road games.

Key game: at Ohio State. Many questioned USF's campaign last season due to a weakened Big 12 slate and then an easy national championship against SMU. If they march into Ohio State and win, huge statement for the Bulls.

Game by Game Predictions
at #25 Florida :: W
vs. Louisville :: W
at #12 Oklahoma :: L
at #6 Ohio State :: L
vs. UCLA :: W
vs. Iowa State :: W
vs. Texas Tech :: W
vs. Baylor :: W
at Texas Christian :: W
vs. West Virginia :: W
at #11 Texas :: L
at Central Florida :: W

Post by **Soapy** » 14 Oct 2020, 21:00

Run of the Bulls ‣ USF Football News
Andrew Lake -- 247 Sports Staff Writer

‣ Could Thomas' lack of weight-loss hamper his prospects as starting QB?

As a three-star prospect out of Calhoun, Georgia, Thomas' weighed in at a whopping 242 pounds during his true freshman season. The coaching has always wanted Thomas, who is only six-foot-one, to get his weight under control. Six semesters and three summers later, Thomas weighed in at officially 246 pounds on the team's 2022 roster.

"The coaching staff wasn't excited about that," said 247 Sports Run of the Bulls Insider David Ivins, "They've always wanted Jeremy [Thomas] to take better care of his body, get his weight under control and probably come in more closer to 225 so for him to not just not lose weight but gain weight, I don't think it's a good sign for him."

While it's hard pressed to imagine that the scale is where the decision on who the starter is going to be will be decided, it certainly doesn't help Thomas' case.

‣ Speaking of QBs.....Pittman's cryptic social media post potentially provides insight into QB race

Quarterback James Pittman isn't your typical South Florida player. Pittman, a country boy at heart from the state of Texas, barely has any football related posts on his Instagram page. Instead, it's typically him and his family at a church gathering or hunting pictures with his brother.

On Monday, Pittman posted a rare picture of him on the practice field with the caption: "let's ride boys". While the tweet in of itself might seem innocuous, the timing is certainly noteworthy. The team had a scrimmage on Sunday which was closed to the media and no stats were released. With the season right around the corner, it stands to reason that the coaching staff has to be near naming a starter.

Pittman rushed for 62 yards last season and out of the quarterbacks, he's the more athletic one and most adept at running the offense in a similar fashion that Michael Harrell did. With that being said and coupled with Pittman's rare football social media post and it's timing, could this be that behind closed doors, he's been named the starter?

‣ Starting CB Ray Hill to miss season opener due to suspension

USF will be without starting cornerback Ray Hill for the opener against Florida as he's been suspended for one game due to breaking team rules.

Head coach Malcolm Francois declined to go into details of the suspension, simply stating that Hill broke team rules and did not live up the code of conduct that he expects from his player. He did not share when the infraction occurred as well but if you choose to read between the tea leaves and social media posts -- sorry -- Hill can be seen as not being on campus for the last week and instead appears to be back home.

This will thrust sophomore cornerback Ronnie Gay into the starting lineup and put sophomore CB Dan Ross as the team's nickel corner.

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