USF FOOTBALL NEWS
SPRING FOOTBALL SERIES
While the spotlight this spring has naturally gravitated toward USF’s offense and a rapidly evolving defense, special teams have quietly delivered one of the more encouraging storylines of camp. After losing longtime kicker Nico Gramatica, the Bulls entered spring with plenty of questions in the third phase. Two weeks in, those questions haven’t fully disappeared, but the picture is becoming clearer.
True freshman Dom Bragg has been thrust into the spotlight at kicker, and by most accounts, he has handled the moment well. Bragg has shown legitimate power on his kicks and, more importantly, has been consistent enough to earn the staff’s trust. His accuracy has been solid overall, and one moment in particular stood out: a pressure kick during a live competition period that split the uprights and sent the rest of the roster into a full celebration. For a young kicker trying to establish himself, that moment mattered. It spoke not only to Bragg’s leg but to his composure.
Behind him, Dorian McSurdy has added another layer of flexibility. Known primarily as a punter, McSurdy has spent time working on field goals as well. His motion looked a bit stiff early on, with some understandable rust, but each session has brought noticeable improvement. While he may not be as smooth mechanically as Bragg, McSurdy appears to have a bit more raw range and could become a situational option for longer attempts if consistency becomes an issue.
In the punting game, McSurdy continues to look like a weapon. His touch has been especially impressive this spring, with better hang time and improved placement inside the twenty. Luke Goater, meanwhile, has taken a step forward of his own, showing increased distance and more reliable directional control. The staff now has two viable options, each capable of flipping field position, and that competition has pushed both players to improve.
The return game has largely belonged to Elton York, who has logged the majority of reps at both kick and punt returner. His reliability and decisiveness stand out, though the staff has also experimented with other options. Richard Boireau, Lyle Dragos, and George Foucha have all seen work in return drills, giving the Bulls some flexibility depending on game situation. Notably absent from those reps has been David Igbinoghene, who returned 22 kicks and scored a touchdown last season. Given his growing importance on defense, it appears the staff is prioritizing his health and workload rather than exposing him on special teams.
Overall, USF’s special teams are still a work in progress, but the foundation is encouraging. The kicking situation is competitive, the punting unit looks strong, and the return game has depth. If Bragg continues to grow into the role and the specialists maintain their upward trajectory, the Bulls may find themselves quietly winning field position battles, an often overlooked but critical component for a team with championship aspirations.
