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Spring Practice Schedule
March 16 - 4 p.m.
March 17 – 4 p.m.
March 19 – 4 p.m.
March 22 – 4 p.m.
March 24 – 4 p.m.
March 26 – TBA
March 27 – Scrimmage TBA
March 29 – 4 p.m.
March 30 – USF Pro Day 8 a.m. – Noon
March 31 – 4 p.m.
April 5 – 4 p.m.
April 7 – 4 p.m.
April 9 – 4 p.m.
April 10 – Scrimmage TBA
April 14 – 4 p.m.
April 17 – Spring Game at 6 p.m. at
Raymond James Stadium --- Free Admission
**All practices are closed to the public, unless otherwise noted |
TAMPA – The University of South Florida football team begins spring football practice today (March 16) at 4 p.m.
The first practice of the Skip Holtz era will be a closely watched event.
GoUSFBulls.com has put together three storylines to watch throughout the spring season, as well as some notes and a complete schedule of practices.
Storyline #1: Strengths
When USF head coach looks down his roster at the start of spring ball, three areas of depth will stand out immediately.
At wide receiver, USF has two seniors that have starred on multiple occasions in A.J. Love (pictured right) and Dontavia Bogan. He also has rising sophomore Sterling Griffin and converted quarterback Evan Landi, who will help lead the aerial assault.
The offensive line returns seven players - Sampson Genus, Chaz Hine, Zach Hermann, Jacob Sims, Mark Popek, Jamar Bass and Jeremiah Warren - who all earned multiple starts in 2009. The unit has suddenly gone from inexperienced to a deep, veteran group. Holtz will be the first to say that film has shown this is an area that can greatly improve and should, considering the experience throughout the group.
Another area that was thin during 2009 was special teams. That won't be the case in spring, when USF returns two solid kickers - Maikon Bonani and Eric Schwartz - as well its long snapper, Mike Walsh, and leading return men, Faron Hornes and Bogan. For Bogan, 2010 could be a chance to return to his record-breaking form of 2008.
Storyline #2: Developing an Offensive Identity
Skip Holtz is known as an offensive coach. Yet he has been steadfast since his first day on the job that he won't announce an offensive scheme until he gets a better feel for the players on the roster.
There are a few maxims that Holtz and long time offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will hang their hats on. At ECU, Fitch's offenses were as balanced as any in America. Expect him to push for 50 percent run, 50 percent pass. They also believe the most dangerous offenses have a 1,000-yard rusher, 1,000-yard receiver and 3,000-yard passer. Finally, they will make a point to get the ball in the hands of the playmakers.
So who are the playmakers they are most likely to feature?
Sixth-year senior Mo Plancher is the returning starter at running back and will have competition from Jamar Taylor. Fitch has already talked about getting sophomore Lindsey Lamar the ball on the perimeter, where he can use his sprinting background to produce big plays.
At receiver, A.J. Love stepped up nicely when Carlton Mitchell was sidelined in 2009 , while sophomore Sterling Griffin made several big plays throughout the season.
Oh and we can't forget about the Bulls best playmaker in 2009, B.J. Daniels, who will be limited in spring.
Storyline #3: Defensive Leadership
The Bulls lost more than NFL talent when Jason Pierre-Paul, George Selvie, Nate Allen and Kion Wilson moved on to the pros. They also lost a ton of leadership, both the vocal variety and the type that shows up in effort each and every day.
USF defensive coordinator Mark Snyder and the defensive staff will be seeking leadership perhaps more than anything this spring. After installing the basic 4-3 package, the coaching staff will turn to seniors Sabbath Joseph, David Bedford, Craig Marshall, Terrell McClain and Mistral Raymond and ask them to shorten the learning curve by instilling a sense of urgency in their teammates.
Joseph is a three-year contributor who has made an effort to become a leader since the coaching change. After two years behind Selvie, defensive ends Marshall and Bedford know better than any players on the roster what it takes to be an elite level player in the BIG EAST. McClain has started at defensive tackle the last two seasons, while Raymond is a walk-on that played and started extensively in 2009.
Other candidates to step into leading roles are juniors Jerrell Young and Quenton Washington and sophomores Sam Barrington and Kayvon Webster.
Injury Report
The following players will be limited at the start of spring practices:
B.J. Daniels
Sampson Genus
Aston Samuels
The following players will be held out of spring practices
Tyson Butler
Ricardo Dixon
Cody Durakovic
Jason Sherman
No Depth Chart…. Yet
Coach Holtz, who has not seen any of the team in pads, will not release a depth chart on the team until after the first scrimmage (March 27).
“Everyone starts from scratch ,” said Coach Holtz. “I haven't seen one of these players in a pads and a helmet, so it would be unfair to draft a depth chart without seeing them fly around the practice field. They all have a clean slate and everyone will be competing for a starting spot.”
Number Changes
Daniel Bryant has changed from #4 to #19
Donte Spires has changed from #55 to #56
Newcomers
Claude Davis will wear #90
Curtis Weatherspoon will wear #13
Austin Reiter will wear #78
Brandon Wilkinson will wear #98
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