Published Aug. 14|Updated Aug. 15
TAMPA — USF fans can smell the looming season opener, and the aroma this time around is more favorable than foul.
Upon concluding their 2½-week training camp Friday and Saturday, the Bulls — who host Bethune-Cookman in that Aug. 31 opener — embark on a simulated game week with seemingly more depth, girth and confidence than they have possessed in some time.
“We got competitive on all sides,” senior defensive tackle Bernard Gooden said Wednesday. “Every angle on the ball, from the (offensive) line to the (defensive) line to the wide receivers to the cornerbacks. It’s literally like, guys competing every day, battling their butt off.”
Some of those battles will continue to ensue at key positions, while other spots appear established. Meantime, brawn has increased with the competition; just wait ‘til you see the starting quarterback up close.
Here are five things we’ve learned during our camp Q&A’s with coach Alex Golesh and his players, starting with the beefed-up guy behind center.
Byrum Brown has flourished, and filled out
According to Golesh, the Bulls’ returning 3,000-yard passer — only 19 — has been “really impressive.” Not to mention really imposing.
Brown, who played at roughly 207 pounds last season, said Wednesday he now weighs 227, and feels great with his added bulk. In a sense, he’s a microcosm of his team, which has taken its emphasis on conditioning and nutrition to another stratosphere under Golesh.
Linebacker Mac Harris, listed at 234 two seasons ago, now is well over 240. Receiver Sean Atkins is at 183 after playing at 170 in 2022. Offensive lineman Andrew Kilfoyl has moved from 317 to nearly 330 in that same span.
“It’s been great to see,” Brown said. “And just like me, the whole team has gone through that same transformation, so I’m eager to get out on the field in Week 1 and play against Bethune-Cookman.”
Golesh loves his ground attack
Golesh has seemingly made it a point every news conference to laud his running back room which, with the help of Brown’s mobility (team-best 809 yards), ranked 32nd nationally with 182.8 rushing yards per game last season.
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Explore all your optionsGrad student Nay’Quan Wright (797 yards, 4.4 yards per carry) is back, and Golesh brought in Bowling Green transfer Ta’Ron Keith, who totaled 847 yards for the Falcons last season. Meantime, sixth-year back Kelley Joiner, who has either been hurt or haphazardly utilized during his checkered career, appears poised to break out.
“Kelley Joiner right now is the best version of him,” Golesh said. “He’s been so fun to watch. He had another phenomenal day (Wednesday). He’s put weight on, he’s strong, he looks like what we were hoping we were going to get a year ago before we started moving positions with him.”
There’s a kicker derby
Golesh said Wednesday he still couldn’t say who will handle place-kicking or kickoff duties. The competition ensues with senior incumbent John Cannon (who nailed all 52 of his point-after tries in 2023), sophom*ore Ty Ippolito and freshman Nico Gramatica, whose dad Martin booted a few field goals for the Bucs.
“The field goal competition’s been fascinating to watch,” Golesh said, “because they’ve all stepped up with John Cannon, who’s had a bunch of game experience; with Gramatica, who had a spring under his belt but has got a really cool confidence and swag about him. Then Ty Ippolito’s been super, super consistent.”
Depth abounds at receiver
Arguably no offensive position group was replenished as extensively as the receiver room. As a result, look for some new faces to complement Atkins (USF season-record 92 catches in 2023), or even compete with him for the 2024 receptions crown.
The Power Four transfers include Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (Purdue) and Josh Hardeman (Wyoming, Houston). Meantime, Minnesota transfer Michael Brown-Stephens is back at full strength after an injury-besieged 2023 season. Naiem Simmons (39 catches in 2023) also returns, and Golesh reeled off a roll-call of youngsters Wednesday that have impressed him.
“We have attacked that room that we’re gonna go as they go in terms of explosive plays,” Golesh said. “(That’s) the one thing that we kept harping on a year ago.”
Backup QB still in question
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; Golesh spoke highly of the collective progress of his quarterbacks Wednesday. At this point, it appears junior Bryce Archie (7 of 15, 53 yards in 2023) is battling sophom*ore Izzy Carter for the No. 2 spot, though Golesh said he’s impressed with the progress of freshman Marcelis Tate.
“Bryce has had a really, really solid week,” Golesh said. “I think that whole room, we’re still feeling it out. Again, there’s all these wideouts that you’re mixing and matching, this (offensive) line that you’re mixing and matching, but Bryce has been really impressive. Izzy has brought his game up. That’s what happens when you’ve got guys that know the offense and just continue to push each other.”
Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.
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