Tight end Jeff Hawkins has been limited by a shoulder injury this spring, but that's not because he didn't make strides in the weight room. The Vanguard HS product is an imposing, bruising tight end. He has added 100 pounds to his squat and is really focused in on improving his explosion and all-around ability.

Watch Weigth Room Gains Feature on Hawkins

Player Insights
Wide Receivers coach Phil McGeoghan only has nine practices under his belt at USF, but he gave GoUSFBulls.com some great insights into the wide receiving group that fans can expect to see on the field this fall: (Note A.J. Love is out this spring with an injury, but is expected to return in the fall)

“They work together, they are a very close knit group that works together," said McGeoghan. "They bring a blue collar attitude to practice, they work so hard and that gives will give us a shot each and every game to be really explosive and be really good. I feel fortunate to have a group that comes out here and works so hard. It allows us to cultivate their skills and hopefully develop these young receivers into one of the most explosive groups in the country"

McGeoghan Insights on Ed Alcin
“Ed Alcin is very smooth. He is one of the most skilled route runners we have. Smooth Eddie ? he is a guy that we're really looking to do some important things for us in the pass game. He comes off the ball exceptionally well, he has nice soft hands, he is doing a better job of locking the perimeter and is progressing quite nicely right now.”

McGeoghan Insights on Daniel Bryant
"Daniel Bryant has so much athleticism, so much speed. He is very gifted, one of the most gifted athletes we have. He is a blazer, he is progressing nicely as a receiver, he has good hands, he is physical. I like him a lot, he is a good young receiver.”

McGeoghan Insights on Patrick Richardson
“Patrick Richardson is really progressing well, he has stepped up big time and done some really nice things with the football. He is very smooth, he has a great stride, he runs great routes and we're looking for him to really make some big plays this year.”

McGeoghan Insights on Carlton Mitchell
“He can flat fly ? he has all the tools, all the ability. He is very diligent in his route running and his assignments. He is getting better, I see him improving everyday, he comes out here, works early and stays late. Carlton Mitchell is just a very talented guy who is big, tall, athletic and has all the gifts you want in a receiver.”

McGeoghan Insights on Theo Wilson
“Theo Wilson can do a lot of things, he can screen for you, he can run, he can block, he can return the ball, he can return punts. He is very versatile and very physical. He is good after the catch, not afraid to go in the middle, good ball skills, a very talented young man.”

McGeoghan on Dontavia Bogan
“Dontavia ? he is so smooth he reminds me of Jericho Cotchery. He just has all the moves and all the talent in the world. He catches the ball extremely well and has a knack for the big play by going out and plucking the ball right out of the air. He has very soft hands and as far as route running, route technique, route discipline he is progressing exceptionally well and doing a very nice job.”

McGeoghan Insights on Jessie Hester
“Jesse was really starting to understand the nuances of football; he is one of the biggest route tacticians in the BIG EAST and maybe the country in terms of learning all the routes and how they work together within an offense. He is a guy who understands everyone's position and is like the point guard of the perimeter. He is a great asset to have at the position and really helps out a lot as far as being a calming influence on the group.”

McGeoghan on Jason Sherman
“Sherman is doing some nice things. He is a big, physical receiver and he is catching the ball fairly well. He is going to come out here and really add some depth for us in the screen game and the run game. He is going to be a guy that can go down the perimeter and make a big play for us as a physical body.”