USF Athletics

Jean-Mary Pleased With Fast, Fun USF Defense's Progress This Spring

April 03, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, APRIL 3, 2018 – Year two in coordinator Brian Jean-Mary's system has gotten off to a fast start for a relentless USF defense that's playing faster and having even more fun than this time last spring.

"I think we'll be flying around more," said junior end Kirk Livingstone (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), who had two sacks in the defense's impressive scrimmage performance last Saturday.

Equipped with 25 games of experience, Livingstone is one of the many seasoned Bulls reaping the benefits of continuity with head coach Charlie Strong's entire primary staff back for more.

"The icebreaking part of it is over with," said Jean-Mary, who gets to work with five returning starters this spring – Ronnie Hoggins (Coconut Creek, Fla.), Mazzi Wilkins (Tampa) and Jaymon Thomas (Immokalee, Fla.) in the secondary, Nico Sawtelle (Jensen Beach, Fla.) at linebacker and Greg Reaves (Bradenton, Fla.) at defensive end.

Those players, combined with several other returners, did much more than break the ice in Jean-Mary's first season calling the shots. USF's much-improved 2017 defense ranked in the top 25 of six national stat categories while leading The American in scoring defense (23.5 ppg) and total defense (359.8 ypg).

Now Jean-Mary gets to pump up the volume even more in the "most important year" for his defense that's eager to take the next step after the "feeling-out process."

"They had to learn our tendencies, what we like and what we don't like as far as defenses, how we take on plays and how we practice," Jean-Mary said. "I think this year you're seeing a little growth because they understand what our expectations are by the time they walk on the field."

Knowing the system inside and out has allowed numerous Bulls to make easier transitions to new positions. One example is Sawtelle thriving at middle linebacker after making 12 starts at the weakside position last fall.

"We're way farther ahead," Sawtelle said. "This point last year, everyone was learning this new defense. This year, the guys on the field right now have all played. The younger guys behind us can ask us questions."

Sawtelle Stepping Up to MIKE
In his first year as a starter, Nico Sawtelle was a weakside linebacker learning on the field from one of the best to ever suit up in green and gold – Auggie Sanchez.

This spring, Sawtelle is using increased knowledge to his advantage in Sanchez's old spot at middle linebacker.

"He's doing well. With the scheme that we run, the MIKE and the WILL are kind of interchangeable, so it was a lot of carryover as far as what he did last year," coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "… He has a great understanding of what we're trying to accomplish in the defensive package. It's showing out on the field with just the communication aspect and his ability to fit up the run and the pass, based on what we call."

Sawtelle says he now knows both linebacker spots like the back of his hand after showing lots of potential in 2017. The junior from Jensen Beach, Fla., ranked fourth on the team with 54 tackles and his coverage skills are even sharper since picking off two passes last season.

"I feel very comfortable with what I'm doing and what other guys are doing next to me, in front of me and behind me," he said. "It's all coming together."

Another important area where Sawtelle is shining this spring is leadership, from directing the defense pre-snap to serving as another coach to younger Bulls on the sideline after plays.

"We're only as good as our weakest link, so we've got to keep getting better – all of us," he said.

That statement was made in true Sanchez fashion from a player that wants to be just like Auggie, who was much more than USF's all-time leading tackler.

"I always had aspirations to be the guy running it," said Sawtelle on being the QB of the defense. "Auggie was great, he was amazing and I learned a lot from him. I'm going to use what I do, just like he did. He led on the field, he led in the locker room and he led in the classroom. I really admire him."

Lid Is Taking Off at Linebacker
Nico Sawtelle stepping up at the middle linebacker has opened the door for senior Khalid McGee (Miami) at the weakside spot this spring.

From his pad-rattling hits, to his smooth coverage skills near the box, McGee is showing he can be the guy to line up with the ones after moving over from safety late last season.

"It was kind of a battlefield promotion," coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "… He's obviously one of our more talented players, so we wanted to find a way to get him on the field."

Now up to 210 pounds, McGee is sturdy enough to handle the rigors of playing in the middle of the defense and his speed is well suited for today's game that features a plethora of spread attacks.

"He's a great athlete as far as the running and hitting part in space, which is what football has turned into," Jean-Mary said. "He's been a pleasant surprise and he's going to be an integral part of what we try to get accomplished next year."

Bulls Finding Depth Behind Sawtelle, McGee
While Brian Jean-Mary is pleased with what he's getting from Nico Sawtelle and Khalid McGee, he's also seeing some solid depth developing at linebacker this spring.

"That whole second unit is probably where you see the most progression from last year to this year," Jean-Mary said. "You've got a bunch of guys that were on the defense last year, so there shouldn't be as much of a falloff when you're ones leave the field and your twos come on."

Among those returners showing Jean-Mary something this spring are senior Jimmy Bayes (Immokalee, Fla.) and sophomore Kierston Johnson (Jacksonville, Fla.) while sophomore Andre Polk (Fort Myers, Fla.) is rehabbing an injury.

"Polk is not practicing this spring, but when he comes back you'll have another number there," Jean-Mary said.

Two other players earning rave reviews from Jean-Mary are freshmen Dwayne Boyles Jr. (Miami) and Tony Grier Jr. (Atlanta).

"I think both of them have bright futures," Jean-Mary said. "Boyles, he really flashes a lot for a kid that played with his hand down in high school. You can see the makings of something special with him at linebacker."

Dukes Experimenting at Safety
Tampa's own DeVontres Dukes averaged 10.7 yards per catch as a receiver last season but since late last week, he's using his hands on the other side of the ball.

"Dukes is just a team player. He was having a really good camp at wide receiver," coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "We had some injuries and we're just depleted at the safety position. He came to us and said it was something he did in high school and thought he could help the team in that way."

Deemed by Jean-Mary as super intelligent and athletic, Dukes (6-4, 210) brought a physical presence while making tackles in last Saturday's scrimmage and he's picking up coverages better each practice.

While Dukes continues to get caught up on the defensive scheme, Jean-Mary said he's trying to see where his volunteer safety would fit into the rotation. If Dukes doesn't stick this spring, there's no harm done for a player that's putting the team first.

"We told him also it's not a permanent move. He's such a good kid, you don't want to penalize a kid that's so much of a team-oriented guy," Jean-Mary said. "If the move doesn't work, he'll go back to receiver and I'm pretty sure he'll pick up right where he left off."

Bulls Bits

• MACK CONTINUES TO TRUCK ALONG: Sophomore running back Elijah Mack (Punta Gorda, Fla.) continued to lower the boom by trucking a defender down the sideline midway through his explosive 35-yard run in Tuesday's practice. Mack came right back with another 20-plus yard run after the big play and capped off his solid performance with a 70-yard touchdown run late in the action.
• MAZZI MAKES ANOTHER PLAY: After racking up three interceptions and nine pass breakups last season, Mazzi Wilkins added to his strong spring Tuesday. The senior cornerback from Tampa jumped a route and made his way up the field on an interception during seven-on-seven action.
• VIVONETTO SHOWS OFF HIS LEG: Competing with three other kickers, senior Jake Vivonetto (Naples, Fla.) showed coaches what he can do by nailing field goals from 42 and 47 yards out at the end of Tuesday's practice.
• SPRING GAME APPROACHING: USF has another scrimmage set for this Saturday and the Bulls will finally get to show the fans their progress at the spring game on Saturday, April 14 at Corbett Stadium. "It's always nice to play in front of the fans here," defensive end Kirk Livingstone said. Learn more about the free spring game for fans and pre-game street festival HERE.

Up Next
USF will continue to tune up for Saturday's scrimmage with another practice session Thursday 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.
 
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