USF Athletics

USF Offense Puts on a Show in Saturday's Scrimmage Action

March 24, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, MARCH 24, 2018 – Several former USF players and a large crowd of recruits were treated to an all-out show in the Bulls' first scrimmage action of the spring Saturday afternoon at the Morsani Complex.

What stood out the most were the fireworks Sterlin Gilbert's up-tempo offense produced while zooming up and down the field. Both quarterbacks competing for the starting job gave pass-catchers prime opportunities to shine and athletic receivers capped off several highlight-reel plays with circus snags for scores.

Junior Brett Kean (Lakewood, Ohio) ignited the offense early in scrimmage action by throwing a perfect deep slant to senior receiver Stanley Clerveaux, who made a one-handed catch and took it the distance for a 60-yard score. Later in the action, Clerveaux (North Miami) came down with a jump ball for a 25-yard touchdown connection with Chris Oladokun.

Oladokun, a sophomore from Tampa, set up the second Clerveaux score by hooking up with 2017 standout receiver Tyre McCants (Niceville, Fla.) for a 50-yard gain a few drives after another magical sequence.

Oladokun led USF's second scoring drive of the day by tossing it up to Randall St. Felix, who leaped over a defender for a 40-yard catch down to the 1-yard line. St. Felix, a redshirt freshman receiver from Miami, capped off the offense's solid scrimmage showing with a one-handed touchdown catch from about 10 yards out on a brilliant back-shoulder throw by Kean.

USF running backs coach and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King said he's liked what he's seen from both Kean and Oladokun in the close battle to replace record-breaking Quinton Flowers.

"Brett and Chris, they're grinding," King said. "They sat and they watched Quinton for multiple years and thought about what I would do when I get in. Now you're in. They're growing and they're competing every day. Iron sharpens iron and whoever ends up the guy come Elon (Sept. 1), they'll be ready."

Bulls' Bunch of Backs Keep Producing
With D'Ernest Johnson and Darius Tice now preparing for the pros, USF has a deep and versatile running back group that's making the most of their shared snaps.

• MACK TRUCK: Sophomore Elijah Mack (Punta Gorda, Fla.) made his case for more reps by capping off two drives with short touchdown runs in Saturday's scrimmage. Mack (6-0, 221) has become a Twitter sensation already this spring by bulldozing over and through defenders on several big gains. "I like to pride myself on being a workhorse," Mack said. "Coach King always teaches us that football is a violent, physical game. I try and take that to a T and deliver some punishment to the defense when I can, when the opportunity presents itself. I also try and mix in a little speed, too."
• STURDY SANDS: Junior Trevon Sands (Miami) wears No. 28 in honor of Adrian Peterson and he's running with a relentless style that would make AP proud. After averaging 4.3 yards per carry in 2017, Sands is proving he can make tough gains, like his 15-yard rumble for a first down while breaking numerous tackles in Saturday's scrimmage. Sturdy at 211 pounds, Sands looks ready for added reps after steadily gaining weight since the 2016 season. "I had a big heart coming in. I always felt like I was a downhill runner at 179, so I had to put on weight to continue my running style," Sands said.
• 'CRONK' ANOTHER DANGEROUS RUNNER: Former Florida Gator Jordan Cronkrite, a junior from Miami, is another 200-plus pound back that brings an impressive mix of skills to the table. Cronkrite is now eligible to play after becoming a valuable scout team member during his 2017 transfer year. "Cronk is the power-speed guy," Trevon Sands said.
• BELL GONE IN A 'FLASH': Another back making eye-catching plays this spring is dynamic Duran Bell Jr. The redshirt freshman from Tampa gives USF's backfield that true home run threat with his track runner speed and smooth pass-catching moves. "When you see him, you just think of the Flash," Elijah Mack said. "He flashes that speed and if he gets a chance, he could take it to the crib. He's a great kid and all he needs is a chance."

USF's running back room has much more talent on tap this spring with seniors Davion Sutton (Tampa) and LaDarion McBride (Oakland Park, Fla.) along with freshman Brian Norris Jr. (Chiefland, Fla.).

No matter which Bull gets the ball, position coach Shaun King said he's been encouraged by his running back committee's unselfish mentality.

"It's not about I, it's about we. It's not about you, it's about us. Everything that we do is team, team, team," King said. "We don't worry about snaps. We don't worry about who is out first that day. We just support each other, we encourage each other. I always tell them, 'At some point, you're going to be the guy in the game.'"

USF Alumni Out in Full Force
USF Pro Day is set for Monday and several participants were on hand Saturday to offer support and guidance to the current Bulls squad.

USF's all-star alumni cast included 2017 standouts Quinton Flowers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Auggie Sanchez, Deadrin Senat, Devin Abraham, Deatrick Nichols, Tajee Fullwood, D'Ernest Johnson, Darius Tice, Mike Love, Jeremi Hall, Temi Alaka, Emilio Nadelman and Jonathan Hernandez.

Also in attendance was former standout USF linebacker/current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Nigel Harris and A.J. Legree.

"It just brings back memories, just being out there in that green and gold," Harris said. "I'm excited for these guys to make something happen this year. Last year, they set some expectations and we're going to see if they're going to follow through this year."

Harris, a Tampa native, continues to train in his home city ahead of more Bucs team workouts next month. Harris looks forward to reuniting with former USF defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is back in the Bay after being traded to the Bucs earlier this week. Learn more HERE.

"That's crazy because I was just up there with him in New York," said Harris, who briefly played for the Giants with JPP last season. "Next thing you know we're both down here. I think he's going to be great for the Bucs and help our D-linemen out. Two Bulls on the Bucs, that's something else right there."
 
Bulls Bits

• GREGORY SHOWS HIS USF SUPPORT: Another big name at Saturday's scrimmage was USF men's basketball head coach Brian Gregory. In his first run with the Bulls, Gregory led the steadily improving program to its most season victories (10) since USF won 12 games in 2013-14.
• MORE ON PRO DAY: Stay locked into @USFFootball on Twitter for updates throughout USF Pro Day, which begins Monday morning at the Selmon Athletics Center. Head to GoUSFBulls.com in the afternoon for full written and video recaps of the event that attracts several NFL scouts each spring.

Up Next
Following pro day on Monday, USF continues spring practice Tuesday morning at the Morsani Complex. Head coach Charlie Strong's Bulls will be on the field for three sessions next week.
 
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.
 
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