GoUSFBulls.com Zebold: Young Bulls Impress as Saturday's Opener Nears

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YOUNG BULLS IMPRESS AS SATURDAY'S OPENER NEARS

August 26, 2018

PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 26, 2018 – One day after USF's productive 21-practice fall camp run came to an end, the Bulls geared up for game week at a fitting place - Raymond James Stadium.

Head coach Charlie Strong's Bulls covered all their game day routines, from entering the personalized USF locker room to hitting the perfect turf for a team walkthrough below the massive digital videoboards.

For several Bulls, it was the first time suited up on the turf at Raymond James Stadium and many young players will likely see action in the season-opening test against Elon on Saturday, Sept. 1.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some breakout, underclassman Bulls who made a great impression on coaches during USF's fall camp action.

Bulls' Lines Have Depth
USF lost two defensive line anchors from 2017 with tackles Deadrin Senat and Bruce Hector now playing for the Falcons and Eagles in the NFL.

This fall, senior Kevin Bronson (Delray Beach, Fla.) and sophomore Kevin Kegler(Madison, Fla.) made a major impact as tackles in camp while freshmen Tyrone Barber (Venice, Fla.), Stacy Kirby Jr.(Orlando) and Rashawn Yates (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) provided solid depth inside.

Talented youth adds more physicality to the defensive line that returns Kirk Livingstone (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Greg Reaves (Bradenton, Fla.), Vincent Jackson (Tampa), Josh Black (Tampa), Juwuan Brown (Tampa) and Kelvin Pinkney Jr. (Sarasota). All those seasoned Bulls helped the 2017 USF defense rank in the top 25 nationally in six different stat categories, including tackles for loss (8.4 per game, fifth nationally) and sacks (3.0 per game, 11^thnationally).

"We have a lot of numbers there, so we'll be able to rotate guys and keep them fresh as we rotate them in and out," said Strong of his defensive line.

On the offensive line, freshman Ethan Watson (Pensacola, Fla.) may have worked himself into the two-deep with his consistent production at right tackle. Other impressive performances by freshmen during camp included showings from center Brad Cecil(Jacksonville, Fla.), guard Sebastian Sainterling (Hollywood, Fla.) and left tackle Donovan Jennings (Tampa).

All of those young offensive linemen were a part of USF's 26-player signing class in 2018 (11 offense, 14 defense, 1 special teams) that was ranked No. 2 in The American by Rivals and 247Sports.

"When we went out and we recruited, we wanted to find O-linemen that were hard-nosed O-line junkies, trench life guys that want to get in and battle, and love everything about it," offensive line coach Matt Mattox said.

Tons of Talent at Tight End
Heading into camp, Bulls fans knew Mackey Award candidate Mitchell Wilcox (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) could do damage at tight end, but the mystery was what USF had behind him.

The question was answered in a big way by the emergence of redshirt freshman Frederick Lloyd Jr. (Tifton, Ga.), freshman Chris Carter (Homestead, Fla.) and the big addition of Ole Miss transfer Jacob Mathis, a sophomore from Tampa who is eligible to play this season.

Young Bulls in Ball-Hawking Secondary
USF ranked second nationally with 20 interceptions in 2017 and the Bulls found more young players with takeaway skills to help replenish secondary depth this fall.

Playing both safety and corner, redshirt freshman Bentlee Sanders (Tampa) shined all over the field and used his ball skills to make numerous acrobatic interceptions.

"I just love how he comes out here each and every day, he goes to work," said Strong of Sanders. "He's been fun to watch."

Another redshirt freshman who caught the attention of coaches at camp was cornerback Nick Roberts (Jacksonville, Fla.) who broke up a pass in the red zone during USF's final scrimmage of the fall.

Fans also should keep an eye on redshirt freshman Mekhi LaPointe (Seffner, Fla.) who got a boatload of snaps as a first-team safety in camp. Freshman Vincent Davis (Jacksonville, Fla.) certainly looked smooth in the nickel corner spot behind senior Ronnie Hoggins (Coconut Creek, Fla) after picking off seven passes in the previous three seasons at Robert E. Lee High School.

 

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