2019 USF Bulls football preview: Can Bulls replace the formidable trio of Charles, Drew & Bell on the left?
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer
For the past three seasons, USF Bulls fans and coaches have known that when the ball is kicked off and the offense takes the field, Darren Charles will be at left tackle, to the right of him will be Derrick Drew and at center will be Maurice Bell.
Bell and Charles graduated and now they must replace that stronghold. Drew kicks out to left tackle as a redshirt senior to help shore up an offensive line that has a lot of questions mark.
A look at USF’s offensive line situation:
Projected depth chart
LT - #68 Derrick Drew, Rs Sr. :: #72 Nic Haynes, Rs So.
LG - #79 Brian Brown, Rs Jr.
C - #74 Kenny Brantley, Rs Sr. :: #65 Jamie Babcock, Rs Fr.
RG - #69 Victor Tucker, So. :: #64 Maurice Williams, Rs Fr.
RT - #73 Isaac Gutierrez, RS Sr. :: #76 Quinton Payne, RS Jr.
Expected starters:
#68 Derrick Drew, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 318lbs | 90 ovr, 92 pbk, 90 rbk, 89 str
#79 Brian Brown, Rs Jr. | 6'0", 324lbs | 78 ovr, 85 pbk, 86 rbk, 79 str
#74 Kenny Brantley, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 304lbs | 83 ovr, 88 pbk, 85 rbk, 80 str
#69 Victor Tucker, So. | 6'4", 318lbs | 78 ovr, 85 pbk, 85 rbk, 81 str
#73 Isaac Gutierrez, Rs Sr. | 6'3", 331lbs | 82 ovr, 86 pbk, 88 rbk, 82 str
Major storyline: Moving Drew to left tackle gives the Bulls two seasoned players at tackle in Drew and Gutierrez, a senior who is now a two-year starter. Tucker was having a good freshman season before his injury and Brantley, while unproven, is a fifth year senior that's played behind a very talented player in Bell. The cupboard is not empty for the Bulls, just unproven as a unit.