Strength in Unity.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: How will the receivers fare with Harrell at quarterback?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

USF receiver Mike Holmes had a strong end to to the season as did Marco Mason and it's no coincidence that it came as David Johnson also started to get it going. Johnson is gone now and so is receivers Corey Sharp and Jay Stevens, opening the door of opportunity for a plethora of receivers.

A look at USF’s receiver situation:

Projected depth chart
#4 Mike Holmes, Jr. | 6'0", 184lbs | 86 ovr, 95 spd, 95 acc, 80 cth
#8 Matt Hill, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 202lbs | 86 ovr, 90 spd, 88 acc, 89 cth
#12 Marco Mason, Jr. | 6'2", 211lbs | 81 ovr, 93 spd, 86 acc, 80 cth
#81 James Ellison, So. | 5'11", 189lbs | 67 ovr, 94 spd, 83 acc, 61 cth
#84 Joel Green, Rs So. | 6'1", 199lbs | 76 ovr, 88 spd, 86 acc, 81 cth
#80 Chad Hale, So. | 6'2", 188lbs | 68 ovr, 89 spd, 85 acc, 69 cth
#85 John Dixon, Fr. | 6'3", 213lbs | 67 ovr, 94 spd, 76 acc, 61 cth

Expected starter: Holmes is WR1 with Hill and Mason following up as the next two receivers in any order.

Major storyline: Hill had a decent freshman campaign with 14 catches but caught just 2 passes in 2018 and 12 in 2019. Mason projects to be WR2 but Hill will be an interesting case study as a fifth year senior whose probably got the best hands of the bunch.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: Can Bass live up to the offseason and preseason hype?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

You cannot get the coaching staff at USF to stop talking about freshman tight end Erik Bass. The former four-star recruit was a running back in high school and is making the switch to tight end at the next level and at 246 pounds, Bass is sure fun to watch running down the field.

Bass is part of a group that got some experience last season with Wayne primarily being used as a blocker.

A look at USF’s tight end situation:

Projected depth chart
#26 Erik Bass, Fr. | 6'0, 246lbs | 69 ovr, 88 spd, 88 acc, 70 cth, 65 rbk OR
#83 Joe Wayne, Jr. | 6'4", 256lbs | 79 ovr, 76 spd, 77 acc, 67 cth, 72 rbk
#86 Jonathan Lamb, So. | 6'6", 236lbs | 74 ovr, 75 spd, 74 acc, 68 cth, 74 rbk
#88 Brian Knox, So. | 6'4", 252lbs | 73 ovr, 76 spd, 74 acc, 70 cth, 72 rbk
#87 Martin Rushing, Fr. | 6'7", 260lbs | 65 ovr, 75 spd, 81 acc, 68 cth, 71 rbk

Expected starter: Bass will be the vertical threat while Wayne is the more traditional, inline tight end. Wayne started at fullback last season and got some valuable reps while backing up Robert Holland.

Major storyline: Bass has been compared to Aaron Hernandez by the coaching staff, citing his ability to play three positions as a receiver, tight end as well as carrying the football. His blocking needs work but he might be the best athlete they've had at the position in a while.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: Bulls go with a true freshmen combo on the right side, will it survive?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

The USF offensive line struggled in the first few games of the season and it wasn't until Malcolm Francois installed a power running offense out of the shotgun that the Bulls running attack got going. They ran almost exclusively behind the combo of Derrick Drew and Brian Brown. Drew is gone now and so is their center Kenny Brantley as well as right tackle Isaac Gutierrez.

A look at USF’s offensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
LT - #69 Victor Tucker, Jr. :: #76 Quinton Payne, Rs Sr. :: #75 Frank Lucas, Rs Fr.
LG - #79 Brian Brown, Rs Sr.
C - #65 Jamie Babcock, Rs So.
RG - #77 Brian Smith, Fr. :: #64 Maurice Williams, Rs So.
RT - #78 Derek Charles, Fr. :: #72 Nic Haynes, Rs Jr.

Expected starters:
#69 Victor Tucker, So. | 6'4", 318lbs | 83 ovr, 83 str, 88 pbk, 88 rbk
#79 Brian Brown, Rs Sr. | 6'0", 325lbs | 84 ovr, 81 str, 89 pbk, 90 rbk
#65 Jamie Babcock, Rs So. | 6'4", 339lbs | 85 ovr, 79 str, 86 pbk, 87 rbk
#77 Brian Smith, Fr. | 6'4", 309lbs | 77 ovr, 88 str, 80 pbk, 85 rbk
#78 Derek Charles, Fr. | 6'6", 302lbs | 72 ovr, 85 str, 76 pbk, 83 rbk

Major storyline: USF once again is very loaded on the left side as they moved Victor Tucker, the only other returner starter besides Brian Brown, to tackle alongside Brown. The Bulls are going to start with two true freshman Brian Smith and Derek Charles on the right side and in a few years, they could be NFL guys but can they get it done in year one?

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: Bennett makes the switch to give USF an experience defensive line
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

It seemed that every season, USF was force to find a new combo at defensive end, moving guys around. This year, the Bulls have a loaded defensive line with plenty of experience.

Chuck Sanders returns after a Freshman All-American season and a few outside linebackers made the official move to put their hand in the dirt in Mark Bennett, a starter last year at outside linebacker, and his backup James Tucker while reserve defensive end Chris Allen kicks out to his more natural defensive tackle position to form a very good front four.

A look at USF’s defensive line situation:

Projected depth chart
DE - #9 Chuck Sanders, So. :: #98 John Mansfield, So. :: #91 Derrick Farris, Rs Fr.
DT - #14 E.J. Newsome, Jr. :: #96 Ben Woodard, Rs. Jr :: #94 Justin Barry, Rs So.
DT - #41 Chris Allen, Sr. :: #90 Ben Jennings, Rs Jr.
DE - #11 Mark Bennett, Rs Sr. :: #97 Mark Hawkins, Rs So. :: #57 Matt Stewart, Rs So.

Expected starters:
#9 Chuck Sanders, So. | 6'3", 246lbs | 80 ovr, 76 spd, 74 acc, 82 str, 88 fmv, 76 bsh
#14 E.J. Newsome, Jr. | 6'3", 271lbs | 83 ovr, 69 spd, 82 acc, 83 str, 78 pmv, 82 fmv, 77 bsh
#41 Chris Allen, Sr. | 6'4", 284lbs | 80 ovr, 71 spd, 80 acc, 85 str, 85 pmv, 84 fmv, 83 bsh
#11 Mark Bennett, Rs Sr. | 6'1", 244lbs | 87 ovr, 84 spd, 99 acc, 86 fmv, 90 bsh

Major storyline: A very natural switch for Bennett who played on the line a lot last season as a stand up linebacker. He figures to have a similar role as Shelton Richardson last season so he could be due for a very big season.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: Stewart ready to be the next great linebacker for the Bulls
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

With All-American honors as a true freshman, it's hard to imagine a better start for linebacker Scott Stewart. His running mate Shelton Richardson is off to the NFL and Mark Bennett is putting his hands in the dirt as a defensive end, giving Stewart two new book end linebackers in Albert Young and Derek O'Neill.

A look at USF’s linebacker situation:

Projected depth chart
WILL - #50 Derek O'Neill, Rs Sr. :: #59 Ryan Fletcher, Rs So. :: #51 Nate Clark, Rs Fr.
MIKE - #54 Scott Stewart, So. :: #55 Rob Matthews, Rs Sr.:: #56 John Jacobs, Rs Jr. :: #52 Montrell Jennings, Fr.
SAM - #42 Albert Young, Rs So. :: #53 Stephen Hill, Fr.

Expected starters:
#50 Derek O'Neill, Rs Sr. | 6'3", 230lbs | 81 ovr, 87 spd, 94 acc, 80 tkl, 78 bsh, 88 hit power
#54 Scott Stewart, Fr. | 6'3", 246lbs | 78 ovr, 79 spd, 87 acc, 82 tkl, 80 bsh, 85 hit power
#42 Albert Young, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 237lbs | 85 ovr, 83 spd, 96 acc, 75 tkl, 99 bsh, 94 hit power

Major storyline: We know what USF has in Stewart but the wild card is Young who is the transfer from Northwestern. He got onto the field last season due to his prowess against the run and figures to have a big season.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Bulls football preview: Good luck to opposing offenses against this secondary
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

In terms of production last season, a solid argument could be made that no other unit in America was as productive as the cornerback room for USF. All four corners that played last season received preseason all-conference honors, quite a feat when you consider that the safeties, Trey Davis and Chip Bryant, might be the most talented ones in what is a loaded, loaded secondary.

A look at USF’s defensive back situation:

Projected depth chart
CB - #2 Bradley Bentley, Sr. :: #24 Ben Lewis, So.
CB - #22 Marcus Hines, So. :: #19 Michael Walker, Jr.
NICKEL - #21 Michael Bush, Sr.
S - #3 Trey Davis, Jr. :: #23 Carl Rodriguez, Sr. :: #28 Brandon Burns, Fr. :: #35 Chris Wade, Fr.
S - #5 Chip Bryant, Jr. :: #17 Sam Peterson, Fr. :: #20 Pierre Hodge, Fr.

Expected starters:
CB #2 Bradley Bentley, Sr. | 6'2", 173lbs | 85 ovr, 93 spd, 92 acc, 90 mcv, 91 zcv
CB #22 Marcus Hines, So. | 6'2", 175lbs | 85 ovr, 97 spd, 91 acc, 91 mcv, 89 zcv
NICKEL #21 Michael Bush, Sr. | 6'1", 173lbs | 83 ovr, 95 spd, 86 acc, 89 mcv, 93 zcv
S #3 Trey Davis, Jr. | 6'1", 188lbs | 90 ovr, 91 spd, 91 acc, 72 tkl, 94 mcv, 93 zcv
S #5 Chip Bryant, Jr. | 5'11", 181lbs | 89 ovr, 91 spd, 91 acc, 84 tkl, 79 mcv, 84 zcv

Major storyline: The only unit on the team to bring back literally every single player that played last season, the new addition to keep an eye on is freshman Sam Peterson due to his athleticism.

[Soapy]

2020 USF Football Preview
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Ten Best USF Players
1. S Trey Davis, Junior
2. S Chip Bryant, Junior
3. ILB Scott Stewart, Sophomore
4. WR Mike Holmes, Junior
5. DE Mark Bennett, RS Senior
6. CB Marcus Hines, Sophomore
7. CB Bradley Bentley, Senior
8. G Brian Brown, RS Senior
9. DT E.J. Newsome, Junior
10. CB Michael Bush, Senior

Specialists
#39 K Ricky Turner, Sophomore :: 81 overall, 83 kick power, 80 kick accuracy
#43 P Allen Carrington, Sophomore :: 84 overall, 72 kick power, 78 kick accuracy

Schedule
OPEN
at #2 Florida State :: B+ Overall, A- Offense, B+ Defense
at #22 Rutgers :: B- Overall, B Offense, B- Defense
vs. Western Michigan :: B- Overall, B- Offense, B- Defense
OPEN
vs. Oklahoma State :: B Overall, B- Offense, B Defense
at Kansas :: B- Overall, B- Offense, B- Defense
vs. Ball State :: C+ Overall, B- Offense, C+ Defense
at Iowa State :: B- Overall, B Offense, B- Defense
vs. TCU :: B+ Overall, B+ Offense, B Defense
at Texas :: A Overall, A Offense, A- Defense
vs. Texas Tech :: B+ Overall, B+ Defense, B Defense
vs. Baylor :: B + Overall, B Offense, B+ Defense
at UCF :: B Overall, B+ Offense, B- Defense

Preseason All-American
LB Scott Stewart, sophomore (first team)
CB Bradley Bentley, senior (first team)
CB Michael Bush, senior (second team)
S Chip Bryant, junior (second team)

Preseason All-Big 12
WR Mike Holmes, Junior (first team)
DE Chuck Sanders, Sophomore (first team)
DE Mark Bennett, Rs Senior (first team)
DT E.J. Newsome, Junior (first team)
LB Scott Stewart, Sophomore (first team)
CB Bradley Bentley, Senior (first team)
CB Michael Bush, Senior (first team)
K Ricky Turner, Sophomore (first team)
CB Marcus Hines, Sophomore (second team)
CB Ben Lewis, Sophomore (second team)
S Chip Bryant, Junior (second team)

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

[Soapy]

Bulls finally get their big body receiver as Ohio's Bright commit to the Bulls
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

There is no shortage of shifty, speedy receivers in the state of Florida. When it comes to a big body outside receiver though, it may be best to go out of the state and the Bulls did just that.

USF opened the 2021 class with commitments from 4-star out of state prospects in six-foot-six Ben Bright out of Portage Lakes, Ohio and Alabama defensive tackle Daniel Elliott along with three-star DT Josh Brown out of Pennsylvania.

Bright has all the physical tools you want in a receiver and brings a different aspect to the WR room that the Bulls simply do not have right now. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to make an impact early on but should be able to get on the field in redzone, jump ball situations.

Elliott is the more athletic of the two defensive tackles while both of them project to be good scheme fits for USF's defense which puts a premium on defensive tackles that are able to get upfield and assist in pass rushing situations.

2021 USF Recruiting Class
WR Ben Bright [WR #39]: 6'6", 223lbs | Portage Lakes, OH | 4-star | 4.44 yd-dash, 235 Bench Press Max, 230 Squat Max
DT Daniel Elliott [DT #17]: 6'2", 277lbs | Fayette, AL | 4-star | 4.98 40-yd dash, 450 Bench Press Max, 535 Squat Max
DT Josh Brown [DT #52]: 6'5", 283lbs | Dunmore, PA | 3-star | 5.22 40-yd dash, 450 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max

2021 USF Recruiting Board
HB/WR William Stone [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Miami, USF, Kentucky, Florida State, Northern Illinois
CB Jason Garcia [CB #1]: 6'1", 189lbs | South Augusta, GA | 5-star | Georgia, Georgia Tech, USF, South Carolina, Florida
WR Andrew Vincent [WR #1]: 6'0", 178lbs | Bradenton, FL | 5-star | USF, Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Central Michigan
DT Jeremy Daniels [DT #2]: 6'2", 287lbs | Flat Rock, MI | 5-star | USF, Ohio State, Akron, Wisconsin, Eastern Michigan
S Edgar Thompson [S #5]: 6'0", 202lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Clemson, USF, Wake Forest, FAU, Alabama
C Joel Dixon [C #3]: 6'1", 277lbs | Zachary, LA | 4-star | USF, Wisconsin, North Texas, Louisville, Arizona
DL Brad Jones [ATH #32]: 6'4", 299lbs | Bristow, OK | 4-star | USF, Ole Miss, Miami, Georgia Tech, Florida State
DE Dale Bolen [DE #57]: 6'3", 248lbs | Wauwatosa, WI [IMG] | 3-star | USF, Boise State, Arizona, Tulsa
T Charles Joseph [T #47]: 6'7", 302lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | Ole Miss, USF, South Carolina, Central Michigan, UCF, Florida
CB Dan Ross [CB #44]: 6'0", 172lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | FIU, USF, FAU
T Jimmie Hurd [T #96]: 6'8", 295lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 3-star | USF, FSU, Miami, Florida, UCF

[Soapy]

Week 1 Top Stories
1. Penn State suffers upset at the hands of Syracuse.
2. Gamecocks win their SEC opener 41-35 against Mississippi State.
3. Bulldogs would not be denied in season opener, win 35-30 over Ole Miss.
4. The Utes rub it in against hated Utah State.

Week 2 Notable Games
#23 USF (0-0, 0-0) at #2 Florida State (0-0, 0-0)
Oklahoma State (0-0, 0-0) at #8 Miami (0-0, 0-0)
Texas (1-1, 0-0) at #25 Notre Dame (0-0, 0-0)

NCAA Players of the Week
Nate Huff (QB, Colorado) :: W vs. Colorado State :: 25 of 37, 349 yards, 5 touchdowns, 11 carries, 51 yards.
Nick Fine (CB, UTEP) :: L vs. Vanderbilt :: 2 interceptions.

Big 12 Players of the Week
Robin Moore (QB, West Virginia) :: W vs. Western Michigan :: 23 of 31, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Charlie Walker (CB, Texas) :: W at Auburn :: 5 tackles, interception.

Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
Ed Marshall [HB #7]: 5'9", 176lbs | Dalton, GA | 5-star | Georgia

[Captain Canada]

Need Trey Davis to have an elite season.