As we look forward to the 2014 USF Football season, we'll spend part of the summer looking back with the Voice of the Bulls Jim Louk. Louk has compiled his list of the 10 most influential Bulls in program history. As the radio voice for Bulls football since its inception in 1997, Louk has personally witnessed every game in the program's history and worked closely with coaches and players. Yet, his list may not line up perfectly with yours. Discussion and debate is welcome. Join the discussion by sending your list or feedback to @USFJimLouk and use the hashtag #USF10. 

We'll list these 10 players in no particular order in the coming weeks leading up to 2014 USF training camp. Selected players may or may not have huge statistics or have been a part of the big plays we all remember.  But, because of their talent, their effort or even their timing, they influenced the USF program greatly during our first 17 years of football.

First installment: Hugh Smith

Second Installment: Chad Barnhardt

Third Installment: Bill Gramatica

 Fourth Installment: Matt Grothe

By JIM LOUK

Voice of the Bulls

TAMPA, JULY 23, 2014 - In terms of carries and workload, there have been very few dominant running backs in USF Football history.  In the late 90's, Dyral McMillan was the lead back for a few games, and Darrell Scott had a brief time in 2011, but more often than not  the running back position has been by committee.  Starting from the inaugural game, when Rafael Williams, Jermaine Clemons and Derrick Rackard shared carries, the philosophy has been to use multiple backs.

The most notable exception, of course, is Andre Hall.

Hall is another Bull who makes this list despite a relatively short time on the USF roster.  A junior college transfer and Dixie Hollins High graduate, Hall used his 23 USF games to set virtually every rushing record in program history.  During his time, there was no question who the running back was; Hall carried the ball 480 times in two seasons, an average of nearly 21 times per game.

Hall brought explosiveness to the USF backfield, but his main talent may have been his elusiveness.  Like many players on this list, every time he touched the ball you knew something special could happen.

There have only been three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in USF history, and Hall owns two of them.  His consistency was remarkable; he had 1,357 yards in 2004, 1,374 in 2005.  He had 11 rushing touchdowns in 2004, 13 in 2005.  He had six 100 yard rushing games in each season.

Hall averaged an incredible 118.7 yards rushing per game in his career.  As a result, despite playing just those 23 games, he holds both the all-time and single season rushing mark for the Bulls.  He also has the single game rushing mark, 275 yards, set at UAB on Nov. 3, 2004. You can't help but wonder what the numbers would be like if he had four years here.

Hall is on this list of influential players despite the fact that his teams went only a combined 10-13 in 2004 and 2005.  His Bulls had a difficult 2004, finishing a disappointing 4-7.  But they rebounded in 2005, going 6-6.  Hall's last USF game was the program's first bowl game in Charlotte against North Carolina State.

As the Bulls came of age, moving from Conference USA to the Big East and moving to the first of six consecutive bowl games, Andre Hall's speed, escapability, dependability and consistency led the Bulls to new heights.

USF returns 16 starters (10 offense, 4 defense, 2 specialists) for Willie Taggart's second season at the helm, which kicks off on Aug. 30 vs. Western Carolina at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls 2014 non-conference schedule features home clashes vs. Big Ten foe Maryland (Sept. 6) and ACC opponent N.C. State (Sept. 13) as well as a road game at perennial Big Ten power Wisconsin (Sept. 27). USF will welcome UConn (Fri., Sept. 19), East Carolina (Sat., Oct. 11), Houston (Sat., Nov. 1) and UCF (Fri., Nov. 28) to Raymond James in American Athletic Conference action.

Purchase season tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls, online HERE or in person at the Ticket Sales and Service Center in the Sun Dome administrative offices (Gate B).