|
DE
George Selvie |
2009
Schedule |
9-5-09 |
WOFFORD |
9-12-09 |
at
Western Kentucky |
9-19-09 |
CHARLESTON
SOUTHERN |
9-26-09 |
at
Florida State |
10-3-09 |
at
Syracuse |
10-15-09 |
CINCINNATI
(Thur.) |
10-24-09 |
at
Pittsburgh |
10-30-09 |
WEST
VIRGINIA (Fri.) |
11-12-09 |
at
Rutgers (Thur.) |
11-21-09 |
LOUISVILLE |
11-28-09 |
MIAMI
FL |
12-5-09 |
at
Connecticut |
|
Coach:
Jim Leavitt
87-52,
12 years |
|
2008
Results: 8-5 |
UT-MARTIN |
WON
56-7 |
at
UCF |
WON
31-24 (OT) |
KANSAS
|
WON
37-34 |
at
FIU |
WON
17-9 |
at
NC State |
WON
41-10 |
PITTSBURGH |
LOST
21-26 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
45-13 |
at
Louisville |
LOST
20-24 |
at
Cincinnati |
LOST
10-24 |
RUTGERS |
LOST
16-49 |
CONNECTICUT |
WON
17-13 |
at
West Virginia |
LOST
7-13 |
ST.
PETERSBURG BOWL |
Memphis |
WON
41-14 |
|
|
2008
Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2009
Outlook |
USF
will be the only team
in the Big East with a
new offensive and defensive
coordinator. Mike Canales
takes over on offense
(spent last two years
as the Bulls passing game
coordinator / receivers
coach) while Joe Tresey
(Cincinnati Defensive
Coordinator last season)
takes the reigns on defense.
Tresey became a part of
this staff less than a
week before spring ball
started.
Offensively,
the Bulls will incorporate
new schematics, but the
changes will not be that
drastic. Canales promises
to spread the offense
out more while moving
away from the two-back
power running attack.
Under this premise, the
coaches would love to
have one of their promising
ball carriers emerge as
that every-down back.
In reality, Ford, Plancher
and Taylor is each far
too qualified to remain
off the field.
Still,
for three straight seasons,
QB Matt Grothe has been
the team's leading rusher.
He has been the staple
of this offense ever since
taking over as a freshman.
He continues to hurt opponents
with his knack for making
spur-of-the-moment plays,
but in order to take the
next step, which includes
finally getting press
in the Heisman Race, Grothe
will have to avoid those
crucial turnovers. He
really has enough talent
surrounding him now, so
for the team’s benefit,
it's important for Grothe
to realize how he does
not have to win games
on his own.
Grothe
has a deep well of receivers.
Whether it is Hester,
Love or Bogan...they all
are dangerous and will
make life extremely tough
on opposing coverage units.
In fact, the offensive
skill positions are about
as good as any under the
longtime direction of
head coach Jim Leavitt
(only football head coach
ever here).
However,
USF has a major concern.
The offensive line is
currently in shambles.
Gone are four full-time
starters, and injuries
have wreaked major havoc
all spring. The top seven
blockers from a year ago
are all missing. Newcomers
are expected to play a
major role, but the Bulls
are a few injuries away
from guaranteed struggles
up front. This by far
is the biggest question
mark heading into September.
For
the first time since 2000,
Wally Burnham will not
be calling the Bulls defense.
His group ranked in the
top 30 nationally in five
of the last six seasons.
Leavitt made a huge move
by wooing Tresey here
from Cincinnati. He will
keep in order much of
what has been run under
Burnham while mixing in
some of the schemes that
won Cincinnati a Big East
title in '08. With All-American
George Selvie lining up
at end for his last season,
this defensive front is
primed to be one of the
leagues best. A few key
replacements will be needed
in the back seven. What
has made the Bulls so
successful defensively
over the years has been
that Florida speed and
this bunch continues to
field much the same.
When
people wonder how USF
could climb so fast (after
all they just started
playing FBS/Division 1
football back in 2000)
the answer can easily
be found by looking at
the roster. So many of
their top athletes are
from the surrounding Tampa
area, a well known hot
bed of high school talent.
Offensive stars Grothe
(Lakeland), Ford (Sarasota)
and Love (Bradenton) all
hail from somewhere near
the Bay. Last year 95
of the 107 players hailed
from the Sunshine State.
This coaching staff, past
and present, deserves
much praise for being
able to keep some of the
best talent inside the
local fence. Recruiting
classes continue to be
successful. Of the future
stars, most every one
will be redshirt freshman
this fall.
On
the other hand, preventing
the same mid-season backslide
that has haunted the program
the past two seasons has
to be fresh in the minds
of the incumbent coaches
and players. In 2007,
they climbed to a No.
2 national ranking. In
2008, it was No. 10 in
the polls before tumbling
into a late season losing
spell.
The
Bulls should easily find
themselves again undefeated
(and ranked) headed into
Tallahassee. September
26 will be the first time
the Bulls have met their
northern in-state counterpart.
They won't hit the meat
of conference play until
mid-October, and unpredictable
Miami makes the late season
list (only the second
meeting between the two).
South Florida has a great
chance to show the world
how much they have evolved.
The fact that USF has
caught up with these two
programs in the race for
Sunshine State bragging
rights has been nothing
more than talk, until
this year. However, it
should be no surprise
when they either beat
or at least come close
to winning these games,
for Miami and FSU are
far cries from the programs
they were but less than
a decade ago.
For
the Bulls to take another
step forward, two costly
loose ends need tightening...penalties
and turnovers. Among the
2008 national leaders
in both (115th in penalties
committed / 97th in turnover
margin), neither aspect
will help them overcome
their usual late season
plunge. Moreover, relying
on so many newcomers,
can USF even compete for
a Big Eat crown and a
first ever bowl trip played
in the month of January?
Projected
2009 record: 8-4
|
|
SOUTH
FLORIDA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4.5 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 2 |
.. |
|
SOUTH
FLORIDA
2008 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
44 |
3 |
Passing: |
41 |
3 |
Total
Off: |
32 |
1 |
Sacks
Allow: |
83 |
6 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
10 |
1 |
Passing: |
37 |
3 |
Total
Def: |
10 |
2 |
Sacks: |
64 |
6 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Matt Grothe, 240-380-14,
2911 yds., 18 TD
Rushing: Matt Grothe,
146 att., 591 yds., 4
TD
Receiving: Jessie
Hester, 54 rec., 579 yds.,
3 TD
Scoring: Maikon
Bonani, 15-21 FG, 31-32
PAT, 76 pts.
Punting: Delbert
Alvarado, 48 punts, 39.7
avg.
Kicking: Maikon Bonani,
15-21 FG, 31-32 PAT, 76
pts.
Tackles: Jerome
Murphy, 67 tot., 55 solo
Sacks: George Selvie,
5.5 sacks
Interceptions:
Jerome Murphy, 2 for 11
yds.
Kickoff Returns: Dontavia
Bogan, 29 ret., 26.6 avg.,
0 TD
Punt Returns: Theo
Wilson, 8 ret., 12.9 avg.,
1 TD
|
|
|
QB
Matt Grothe |
SOUTH
FLORIDA
TOP NEWCOMERS |
OT
Carlos Savala
- The 6'6, 310 pound
transfer from the
College of the Desert
steps into a position
of extreme need where
four of the USF starters
need replaced. He
is one of five JUCO
players signed in
February. |
DE
Jason Pierre-Paul
- A five-star rated
rush end that was
ranked the sixth best
JUCO prospect overall
by Rivals. A strong
candidate to line
up opposite two-time
All-American George
Selvie. |
LB
Jaquian Williams
- The spot to replace
Tyrone McKenzie on
the strong side is
still open for the
taking. The 2008 First
Team JUCO All-American
is expected to make
a big push. |
|
|
|
|
|
SOUTH
FLORIDA
2009
College Football Preview
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 5 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Benjamin Williams-RB, Marcus
Edwards-WR, Taurus Johnson-WR,
Cedric Hill-TE, Ryan Schmidt-OT,
Matt Huners-OG, Jake Griffin-C |
DEFENSE:
Jarriett
Buie-DE, Tyrone McKenzie-SLB,
Brouce Mompremier-WLB, Tyller
Roberts-CB, Carlton Williams-SS |
|
|
2009
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
Fleet-footed Matt Grothe is
still one of the nation's top
dual-threat quarterbacks. The
Tampa area native is only 6'0
tall, which won't help his NFL
forecast, but by starring in
the Bulls offense in this, his
fourth year, his senior expectations
have to be his biggest. Grothe
blew into the Big East scene
like a Gulf Coast hurricane
his (redshirt) freshman year.
Since then he has used his scrambling
skills to keep opponents off
balance while making things
happen with the football, things
that always seems to put his
team into a winning position.
He has led the Bulls in rushing
in each of the past three seasons.
But for all the hype that has
been building, what’s
held Grothe back as an All-American
contender is his propensity
to take extra risks and therefore
throw interceptions. Three years
of starting have seen 14 interceptions
per campaign, giving him a grand
touchdown-to-interception career
ratio of 47-to-42. There are
times when Grothe is forcing
the ball too much with his arm,
which winds up costing his team
(as much as it helps them) in
crucial situations. Coaches
have put enough talent around
him. Hopefully, he begins to
realize he does not have to
do it alone. This is a crucial
year for Grothe’s legacy
and how he’ll measures
with the conference’s
all-time best. Statistically,
he is likely going to surpass
former WVU great Pat White as
the Big East record holder for
career yards in total offense
(10,529). If a backup needs
to step in, that task goes to
redshirt frosh B.J. Daniels.
Believe it or not, he may be
the most elusive signal caller
on this roster. Daniels also
assumes double-duty on the school's
basketball squad. Despite an
impressive performance in the
spring football game, Daniels
has said he has no intention
of giving up hoops. His youth
and inexperience are still evident
behind center but he is currently
the lock at the No. 2 spot.
Next comes Evan Landi, also
quite a scrambler. Landi has
spent practice time as a DB,
WR and special teams contributor.
RUNNING
BACK
2009 is shaping up nicely for
Mike Ford. The former Rivals
five-star RB out of Sarasota
High has trimmed 20 pounds off
his frame and in the weight
room, he has become the strongest
of his life. His quickness has
been elevated in the process
(according to teammates attempting
to tackle the 6’2 shifty
ball carrier.) After injuries
riddled him last season (high
ankle sprain), the time is now
for the man with all the promise
out of high school to begin
meeting those expectations.
He is worthy of being that every-down,
1,000-yard back. The next best
option in this oft-used two-back
set is senior Mo Plancher. He
has many strong attributes;
smarts and great change of direction
are at/near the top. His cutting
ability makes people miss, which
gives this backfield a great
second option behind Ford. Although
coaches would love to have one
back emerge and become the Bull’s
dominant ground force, their
is no denying the fact that
these two are set to have their
best seasons. Jamar Taylor is
yet another player that will
see time in this backfield.
He was arguably the best USF
RB at the conclusion of last
season after ditching his prep
tag as a hard-nosed fullback.
If there was ever going to be
a season where Grothe did not
wind up as the team's leading
rusher, this would be the one.
But with the multi-talents of
Ford, Plancher and Taylor (among
other redshirt frosh that look
to contribute), the carries
still likely get split up. But
watch out for Mike Ford. If
healthy, he could easily be
the premier running back out
of the Big East.
RECEIVER
/ TIGHT END
If Grothe is going to produce
the best passing season of his
career, he will have an extremely
gifted and deep array of receivers
to utilize. The best talent
of the bunch is Jessie Hester,
son of former Florida State
great Jessie Hester (1981-84).
Voted as the Offensive MVP by
his staff and teammates a year
ago, he led the team with 54
receptions, the second most
by a USF wide out in a single
season. The great news is that
opposing defenders will not
have the luxury of double teaming
Hester. Not only is this a deep
and talented unit, but also
the lineup is filled with veterans.
A.J. Love was the only receiver
to start 13 games a year ago
and was the team's prime deep
threat (injured his knee in
the bowl game). The receivers
are one of the team’s
deepest units, and that depth
got its chance this spring when
injuries that sidelined both
Hester and Love afforded younger
WRs extra reps with the first
teamers. (Hester will still
be in a cast through May after
having pins put in to stabilize
his foot. Love still continues
to rehab the knee. Both are
expected back this fall.) One
of Grothe's newest favorites
is Dontavia Bogan, who emerged
this spring. The very athletic
junior is proving to be dependable
weapon in the clutch. Carlton
Mitchell was a rising star with
as much talent as any receiver
ever to come through USF; he
set freshman records for receptions
and yards two years ago. He
was slowed with injury last
fall but hopes to regain his
form. The loss of Cedric Hill
leaves a big hole at the tight
end spot. Ben Busbee inherits
the featured role and is one
of the most physically fit players
on the squad. His bruising style
is better suited for helping
out the running game. Despite
being a two-year backup behind
Hill, Busbee has seen his share
of time on the field.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
While the offense appears deeply
stacked at the skill positions,
the same cannot be said with
the front line. If the old adage
that games are truly won up
front holds true, the Bulls
have some major holes. Gone
are four full-time starters.
Attempting to fill their shoes
will be two players (Sims and
Herman) that saw sporadic time
in the starting lineup while
another (Genus) moves over from
defensive tackle in an effort
to bolster the group. This spring,
the first two were limited by
a hand injury and concussion,
respectively, while another
incumbent Jeremiah Warren was
out focusing on academics. With
the top seven blockers from
a year ago missing from the
lineup, this off-season has
produced unpleasing results.
"There's nobody on the
o-line that I think is good
enough to play for us right
now today, “Coach Leavitt
said after one spring practice.
Hermann will return to right
guard where he started 15 straight
games before the injury. Sims
has been working at left tackle
and that move may prove permanent
as his former spot at center
is now being manned by arguably
the strongest player on the
team in Sampson Genus. The steady
progress of Genus gives coaches
some form of consistency and
chemistry. Outside of the above
mentioned names, this group
will need retooled with many
of the guys that were playing
scout team football a year ago.
Expect several position switches
across the front as the season
progresses while coaches attempt
to find a lineup they are happy
with. Further injuries would
put a huge damper on this situation.
Incoming JUCO transfers Jamar
Bass and Carlos Savala, and
true freshman Steve Jacques
will obviously compete for playing
time right away.
|
|
|
SOUTH
FLORIDA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Matt
Grothe-Sr (6-0, 205) |
B.J.
Daniels-RFr (6-1, 212)
Evan Landi-RFr (6-3, 214) |
RB |
Moise
Plancher-Sr (5-9, 200) |
Richard
Kelly-Jr (6-0, 249) |
RB |
Mike
Ford-Jr (6-2, 225) |
Jamar
Taylor-Jr (5-9, 200) |
WR |
A.J.
Love-Jr (6-2, 202) |
Carlton
Mitchell-Jr (6-4, 212)
Ed Alcin-Jr (6-2, 185) |
WR |
Jessie
Hester-Sr (6-0, 180) |
Patrick
Richardson-So (6-0, 175) |
WR |
Dontavia
Bogan-Jr (6-1, 183) |
Theo
Wilson-Sr (6-0, 207) |
TE |
Ben
Busbee-Sr (6-3, 242) |
Andrew
Ketchel-Jr (6-5, 240) |
OT |
Jacob
Sims-Jr (6-5, 285) |
Damien
Edwards-RFr (6-6, 320) |
OG |
Chaz
Hine-So (6-4, 292) |
Jatavious
Jackson-RFr (6-4, 266) |
C |
Sampson
Genus-Jr (6-1, 314) |
Kevin
McCaskill-So (6-2, 304) |
OG |
Zach
Hermann-Jr (6-3, 313) |
Jeremiah
Warren-So (6-4, 320) |
OT |
Mark
Popek-RFr (6-7, 305) |
Mike
McGowan-So (6-5, 285) |
K |
Maikon
Bonani-So (5-9, 174) |
Delbert
Alvarado-Sr (6-0, 209) |
|
|
2009
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
The poster child for USF football
is defensive end George Selvie,
who passed up on the NFL to
return for his senior season.
Selvie will enter 2009 as the
nation's active leader in career
tackles for loss and sacks.
He is the first two-time, First
Team All-American in USF history
and is a leading candidate for
every post-season award offered
to a man at his position. His
explosive ability to get quickly
up field has made him one of
the most feared pass rushers
across the country. His numbers
last year took a huge dip from
his sophomore season, which
may explain his reasons for
coming back. Maybe this had
to do with the fact opposing
teams are now leery, wherever
Selvie lines up. For now Craig
Marshall, a JUCO transfer that
played in every game a year
ago, is lining up on the other
side. He has a ways to go before
being an every-down player.
A tremendous pass rusher, his
development in the weight room
while learning how to become
a better-run stopper has to
evolve. One experiment has been
with Aaron Harris since the
depth and competition at tackle
has allowed Harris to see time
on the outside. David Bedford
showed in the spring game that
he could be an integral part
of the rotation. Watch out for
two highly-touted incoming players
form the prized 2008 recruiting
class. JUCO All-American Jason
Pierre-Paul and Ryne Giddins
(the first Parade All-American
to sign with USF after a heated
recruiting battle with the Gators)
are expected to push for starting
duties. The Bulls were 10th
in the country at stopping the
run last fall due to solid inside
play, and nobody is more knowledgeable
about the defensive game than
tackle Aaron Harris. He can
play every inside position,
which is remarkable considering
he is not the heaviest. Big
306-pound Terrell McClain continues
to be an emerging talent after
earning time as a true freshman
two years ago. He has been a
beast this spring. Back ups
Keith McCaskill has extremely
long arms and pushes Selvie
in terms of being the quickest
off the ball and Cory Grissom
adds more size in the rotation.
LINEBACKER
USF has produced some quality
linebackers the past five seasons.
Someone always emerges as an
All-Conference player and such
is a big reason why the Bulls
are so efficient at stuffing
opposing ball carriers. The
top backer is senior Kion Wilson
in the middle. He is the big
hitter who started 11 games
a year ago. Another player in
the middle with a bright future
is Michael Lanaris, one of the
Top 100 Florida High School
prospects of 2007. Replacing
NFL-bound Tyrone McKenzie on
the strong side will be the
big key. The job currently resides
with senior Chris Robinson,
who has made quite an impression
through the spring. He is capable
of playing any of the LB spots
but has yet to live up to the
expectations shown earlier in
his career. Watch out for newcomers
Jaquian Williams and Sam Barrington
who will push Robinson hard
in August. Williams was an All-American
at the JUCO level last fall.
Many of the backup duties are
between guys that have yet to
take a college snap. The base
defense for USF tends to be
the nickel package when facing
spread offenses. In this situation
Robinson comes off the field,
leaving Wilson and Sabbath Joseph
as the starters. Joseph has
yet to start a game and has
primarily been used in a reserve
role. The structure of this
linebacking unit, while not
necessarily considered a major
concern with quality bodies
available, is one of the chief
rebuilding projects defensively.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
Joe Tresey was hired as the
new defensive coordinator (the
same position he held at Cincinnati)
just this March to replace Wally
Burnham – the architect
responsible for building this
respected attack. Tresey also
will be in charge of a fairly
young secondary that has plenty
of room to grow. On the plus
side, he has two senior returning
starters back in the fold to
help out while the other vacated
spots remain works-in-progress.
Jerome Murphy is one of the
team's fasted players and coaches
love his play-making ability.
He led the team in ’08
in tackles and interceptions,
giving the Bulls a steady option
at corner. The other is safety
Nate Allen, a preseason Thorpe
Award Candidate just last year
at preseason time. The former
prep quarterback is now one
of the top safeties in the Big
East. While Murphy has built
a reputation as one of the team's
top hitters, that title could
now easily fall to strong safety
newcomer Jerrell Young whose
big hits this spring made quite
an impression. The three-sport
prep star is looking to demonstrate
his speedy track skills while
attempting to fill the big shoes
of departed Carlton Williams.
Coach Tresey excelled at creating
turnovers while calling the
shots for the Bearcats, and
he is looking for more of the
same at his new school where
the Bulls finished a paltry
97th nationally in turnover
margin. Two corners competing
for a starting role opposite
Murphy are Quenton Washington
and Tyson Butler. The two sophomores
are capable of making highlight
reel plays but have much to
learn when it comes to containing
all of the elements at once.
This will be a heated battle
extending into the fall. With
so many now using the spread,
USF opened up in a nickel defense
at least half the time in 2008.
Ostensibly, this alignment isn’t
likely to change even with the
coaching switch. Redshirt freshman
Jon Lejiste has been penciled
as the starting nickel back
for now.
|
|
CB
Jerome Murphy
|
|
|
SOUTH
FLORIDA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Craig
Marshall-Jr (6-5, 260) |
David
Bedford-Jr (6-5, 260)
Jason Pierre-Paul-Jr (6-6,
265) (JUCO) |
DT |
Aaron
Harris-Sr (6-4, 270) |
Keith
McCaskill-So (5-11, 263) |
NT |
Terrell
McClain-Jr (6-3, 306) |
Cory
Grissom-RFr (6-2, 289) |
DE |
George
Selvie-Sr (6-4, 245) |
Patrick
Hampton-So (6-3, 225) |
SLB |
Chris
Robinson-Sr (6-3, 245) |
Jaquian
Williams-Jr (6-4, 225) (JUCO) |
MLB |
Kion
Wilson-Sr (6-2, 235) |
Michael
Lanaris-RFr (6-0. 230) |
WLB |
Sabbath
Joseph-Jr (6-0, 230) |
Armando
Sanchez-RFr (5-11, 215) |
CB |
Quenton
Washington-So (5-10, 183) |
Tyson
Butler-So (5-11, 184) |
CB |
Jerome
Murphy-Sr (6-1, 185) |
George
Baker-RFr (5-11, 170) |
SS |
Jerrell
Young-So (6-2, 194) |
Jon
Lejiste-RFr (6-0, 185) |
FS |
Nate
Allen-Sr (6-2, 206) |
Joel
Miller-So (6-0, 185) |
P |
Delbert
Alvarado-Sr (6-0, 209) |
.. |
|
|
|
2009
SPECIAL TEAMS |
The
true freshman Maikon Bonani took over
some kicking duties after the first
two games of last season as Delbert
Alvarado struggled. The soccer player
Bonani (from Sao Paulo, Brazil) was
near perfect inside of 40 yards (12-of-13)
but struggles from longer distances
as expected from a rookie. Three of
his missed attempts were blocked;
getting some air under the ball will
be in order. Bonani will also handle
kickoff duties. Alvarado will continue
as the prime punter. His average distance
fell under 40 yards per punt last
fall, an area that needs improvement,
but he has been stellar at keeping
the ball from going into the end zone.
He set a school record for the fewest
touchbacks (two) in a single season
last fall. Dontavia Bogan not only
is building his young resume as a
dangerous receiver, he also continues
to handle kick returns. Bogan was
second in the Big East and 17th nationally
in 2008 with a 26.6 average. His 770
return yards set a school record.
While return duties are generally
left open so multiple candidates get
an opportunity, former JUCO transfer
TheoWilson has the most experience
trying to replace the departed Marcus
Edwards handling punts.
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