USF Athletics

Seasoned, Swarming Secondary Making More Plays for USF This Spring

March 22, 2018

SPRING PRACTICE PHOTO GALLERY
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, MARCH 22, 2018 – After picking off the second-most passes in the nation last season, USF's relentless defense continues to reap the benefits of a swarming secondary this spring.

USF's defensive backs have returned to their playmaking ways through five spring practices and they put on a show Thursday morning. Highlight-reel material started with cornerback Mazzi Wilkins batting down a jump ball in the end zone and several young, emerging members of the secondary followed the senior's lead at the Morsani Complex.

"The secondary is trying to get a lot of interceptions, a lot of fumbles," said sophomore safety Naytron Culpepper (Miami). "We make sure we get to the ball a lot. As you can see, we're like pigeons going for bread. We're trying to attack, attack."

With Charlie Strong's entire primary coaching staff back, USF's defensive backs are enhancing their aggressive mentality under the direction of defensive backs coach Blue Adams and new safeties coach Tommy Restivo. The Bulls got off to a great start in 2017 under Adams, a former NFL cornerback, as he guided a secondary that helped USF tie for second in the nation with 20 interceptions.

"They're getting a lot of hands on the ball," Strong said.

They're also consistently in the best position to make plays and that's a credit to the experience USF returns this spring.

Four seniors are back in the secondary – Wilkins and cornerback Ronnie Hoggins (Coconut Creek, Fla.), along with safeties Jaymon Thomas (Immokalee, Fla.) and Nate Ferguson (Tampa). Wilkins, Hoggins and Thomas have combined to make 49 starts and bring 102 games of experience to the table. Hoggins (27 starts) has been like another coach on the field, giving pre-snap instructions to younger Bulls when he's on the sideline for a break.

"It's great because you can always go talk to those guys about school, about work, about plays and stuff like that," Culpepper said. "It's a lot of help."

Head Coach Charlie Strong Speaks With the Media




Secondary Stepping Up at New Positions
One thing Coach Strong loves about spring practice is the opportunity to experiment with talent at different positions, especially in the secondary.

"You get a lot of reps," he said. "You're getting guys that are making plays and guys can step up because they're going to be given a lot of opportunities."

• After starting 27 games on the outside, Ronnie Hoggins has adjusted well to covering slot receivers at the nickel cornerback spot, where NFL-bound Deatrick Nichols excelled last season after making a similar move prior to the season.
• Naytron Culpepper (Miami) made two starts and played in 10 games at cornerback last year, but he's showing the skills it takes to play both safety spots this spring. "He has really good range and he can find the football," Strong said. "I'm versatile. I played corner and safety in high school, so it's really nothing different for me," added Culpepper, who helped Carol City High School win a state title as a senior.
• Former receiver Chris Barr (Jacksonville, Fla.) is transitioning well to cornerback and showed it by breaking up two passes Thursday. Barr batted away a throw to the corner of the end zone after staying stride for stride with a receiver on a deep pass. "He's so fast. You don't really see it until you're like, 'Dang, he's keeping up with this man,'" Mazzi Wilkins said. "Once he makes a good play, everybody else is like, 'Oh, I've got to make a good play.'"

QB Battle Update
Coach Strong wouldn't reveal which quarterback has the upper hand in the battle for the starting spot after Thursday's practice that saw both signal-callers shine.

• Junior Brett Kean (Lakewood, Ohio) started red zone work with a touchdown pass to freshman receiver Zion Roland (St. Petersburg). Kean put another ball right on the money in the middle, finding converted tight end Nicholas Munera (Tampa) for an 11-yard touchdown. Munera was mobbed by his teammates after holding onto the ball during a huge hit on the play.
• Sophomore Chris Oladokun (Tampa) also threw numerous touchdown passes during red zone work, including a perfect over-the-shoulder toss to Deangelo Antoine (Orlando) from 20 yards out. Oladokun also showcased his dual-threat ability on two touchdown runs.

Strong didn't give a timetable on naming a starting quarterback, joking the decision will have to be made "by the first game." Strong's advice to both quarterbacks: "You've just got to be yourself and just execute the offense."
 

Johnson, Record-Breaking Bulls Back on Campus
USF got a big surprise Thursday with several members of the record-breaking 2017 class in attendance at practice.

The all-star cast included quarterback Quinton Flowers, defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, kicker Emilio Nadelman and running back D'Ernest Johnson.

"It feels like home again, just coming out and watching everybody growing up and taking control of the team, like Brett and Chris at quarterback," Johnson said. "It's nice watching the young backs step up."

Johnson, USF's career leader in all-purpose yards (4,186), got a big kick out of seeing how deep the Bulls' running back group has gotten with at least seven getting reps in practice.

"All of them are having a great spring so far," Johnson said. "Those guys are going out there and competing. They're pushing each other to be the best."

In just four more days, Johnson will be showing the Bulls' current backs how it's done on the turf at the Morsani Complex during USF Pro Day. USF's career receiving yards leader for a running back (909) definitely looks like he's ready for the pros after sculpting his body to become a lean and mean 200 pounds.

"I dropped a lot of body fat," he said. "I'm feeling good, even quicker and more explosive."

Aside from watching the Bulls work on the field, Johnson was happy to catch up with his former teammates ahead of pro day. Johnson has been training in Davie, Fla., and said the Bulls will be poised to impress the scouts on Monday.

"I'm ready to go out there and showcase my talent," he said. "It will be good to be back with the guys on the field one more time."  
 
Up Next
USF will complete its second week of spring practice Saturday morning at the Morsani Complex.
 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
USF posted its second straight 10-win season in 2017 (10-2) by winning its second straight Birmingham Bowl with a 38-34 victory over Texas Tech. USF is one of just 14 teams nationally to win 20-plus games in the last two seasons (21-4) and has spent a program-record 20 straight weeks ranked in the top 25, reaching as high as No. 13 in Week 8 of the 2017 season. The Bulls have won five of their last six bowl appearances and made nine (6-3) total bowl appearances in 21 seasons, including a current run of three straight bowls. USF won a program-record 11 games in 2016 (11-2) and has posted 14 winning seasons. The USF program, which first took the field in 1997, reached No. 2 in the rankings in 2007 and has seen 28 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and had 32 first-team all-conference selections.
 
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.