USF Linebackers Looking to Make a 'Splash'
August 05, 2014 | Football
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, AUG. 5, 2014 – The Bulls still have two more practices to go before they put on the pads but the defense is already plotting its pursuit of the ball carrier.
USF's added 3-4 scheme elements have given the linebackers an opportunity to roam all over the field and at times it can look like chaos to an offense with the way Bulls are moving up to the line and everywhere else for that matter.
“I love it,” sophomore Auggie Sanchez said after Tuesday's practice, the Bulls' second session this fall. "The traditional 4-3 is kind of basic; offenses can plan for you. But when you put this 3-4 in, we do a lot of slanting, either the (outside linebacker) coming or the (strong side) coming, and you can just confuse them with a bunch of disguises."
And whether it's a 3-4 look or a traditional four-man front, USF has a number of options to use at linebacker as the Bulls look to become a top-10 defense nationally.
The linebacker position lost valuable leadership with DeDe Lattimore graduating but the group has another senior that's stepping up. Reshard Cliett is back to being 100 percent after having offseason shoulder surgery and linebackers coach Raymond Woodie is using the Thomasville, Ga., native on the inside and outside in 3-4 looks. Cliett ranked second on the squad last year with 56 total tackles to go along with seven tackles for loss in 11 games.
The Bulls will use two inside linebackers in 3-4 looks and there are plenty of candidates vying for spots. Sophomore Nigel Harris (Tampa) tied for seventh on the team as a true freshman last year with 35 total tackles and the former Hillsborough High School standout has added 30 pounds to his 6-foot frame to get up to 220 pounds.
“When you look at him now it's like, 'Wow,'” Woodie said. “What a half of a year means to just take it seriously, understanding how you should eat and what rest you should get. All of those things come into play.”
Seniors Ruben Garcia (Plant City, Fla.) and Hans Louis (Hollywood, Fla.) are both healthy again and bring 29 combined games of experience to the table. Senior Rahmon Swain (Lithonia, Ga.) played in all 12 games last year and the inside is bolstered with USF's new additions as well.
Junior LeGrande Harley (Durham, N.C.) was a three-star recruit out of Georgia Military College and the Bulls stayed close to home to sign freshman Josh Black, who became the Tampa Bay Times Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 after posting 103 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and three forced fumbles for Sickles High School.
The Bulls' top-ranked recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference also picked up steam with the addition of freshman Jimmy Bayes, a four-star recruit who was a third-team all-state selection out of Immokalee High School.
The coaching staff has solid options at the outside linebacker position with the return of juniors Tashon Whitehurst (Gainesville) and Zack Bullock (Sebring, Fla.). Whitehurst has played in 20 games the past two seasons and he's gained 27 pounds in the offseason to get up to 225. Bullock also has 20 games of experience after starting against McNeese State and FAU last season.
The Bulls also added a physical presence when they signed freshman Juwuan Brown, a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder out of Tampa's Jefferson High School. Brown earned second-team all-state selection after having a monster senior season that included 77 tackles (30 solo), 31 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and he returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
Woodie said it will take the whole defense working together to achieve big things in 2014 and fans can expect to see a lot of names moving on and off the field while the Bulls go to work against opponents.
“We've got two insides and two outsides (linebackers) and we need some guys up front to be stout and to be strong,” Woodie said. “At the end of the day a good defensive coordinator like Coach (Chuck) Bresnahan, he wants to rotate guys. He wants to keep them fresh.”
And you better believe USF's deep group of linebackers look forward to Friday when they can finally make some noise for the first time this fall in full pads.
“I feel like we're stronger and faster than we were,” Sanchez said. “It's good to be back and I think we're going to make a splash.”
Woodie Brings Back Gems of Knowledge From Bucs
Linebackers coach Raymond Woodie is a very detailed man and put his note taking to good use this summer during his 2014 Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Woodie got to work alongside Tampa Bay's coaching and scouting staff during the Bucs' training camp and he returned to USF very thankful for the experience.
“Coach Lovie Smith, the defensive staff, the offensive staff, special teams, the whole organization, they were really helpful,” he said. “I had an opportunity to go to all the meetings.”
Woodie got to work closely with linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson, a 16-year NFL veteran, and he was happy to do a little coaching of his own with some of the players.
“I went on the chalkboard and talked the kids through film. It was a very open type of deal and I felt really a part of it,” Woodie said. “This is my home but I feel like I have a home over there as well. They basically extended an invitation for me to come anytime I need to come.”
Spring Graduate Louis Back in Action
Hans Louis' 2013 season ended in the second-to-last game when he tore his ACL and damaged cartilage in his right knee while covering a kickoff in the second quarter against UCF.
Louis is now back to being one of the guys competing for playing time with the group of linebackers.
“The trainers did a good job with helping me rehab and get back. They've been pushing me a lot,” he said. “It's been seven months, so it's been pretty impressive that I've been out here.”
Aside from rehabbing, Louis stayed busy in the classroom during the spring and graduated in May with a degree in mass communications with a hope of working in sports when his football playing career has been completed.
“In high school I wouldn't have pictured myself in college. I'm really thankful that God put me in a position where I could graduate,” he said. “I'm trying to motivate the younger guys to let them know it's possible that anyone can graduate if you just put your mind to it.”
Sanchez Happy to Be Back on Defense
Auggie Sanchez was originally used as a fullback in his redshirt season in 2013 before coaches switched him back to the position he loves most – linebacker.
The move came in the spring and Sanchez made a big impression in a short amount of time. The St. Petersburg product out of Northeast High School earned a spot with the first-team defense and led all tacklers in the spring game with seven stops.
“Going into spring it was my first time being back on defense and just learning the system,” he said. “I've been in the system for quite some time and over the summer I was still learning. Now I've hit the ground running and I feel good. I love being on the defensive side of the ball.”
Woodie personally recruited Sanchez and marveled about his ability to play numerous positions on defense along with being a solid basketball player in high school before making a mark in the spring as a Bull.
“For him to make a transition from offense to defense and in 15 days during the spring and to come out and start at MIKE linebacker, that's saying a lot. He's a smart kid,” Woodie said.
Join the Bulls at Practice
Head coach Willie Taggart has opened the first seven days of practices to the public and fans still have four more chances to catch the Bulls in action this week at the Frank Morsani Football Complex.
Wednesday's session is scheduled for 10 a.m. and Thursday's practice is set for 8:30 a.m. The Bulls will be suited up in full pads on Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the football practice fields located behind the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center.
Fans are asked to park in the lot on Sycamore Drive, located behind the Morsani Football Complex fields and Corbett Soccer Stadium on the east end of campus near 50th Street.
Defensive Backs Put in Extra Work
Staying on the field to work after practice has become a norm at Bulls camp and the entire group of defensive backs worked overtime sharpening their pass-catching skills on Tuesday.
The ball-hawking mentality helped USF force 25 turnovers and intercept 11 passes in Taggart's first season with the program after the Bulls came up with just nine turnovers in 2012.
The Bulls return 16 starters (10 offense, 4 defense, 2 specialists) for Taggart's second season at the helm, which kicks off on Aug. 30 vs. Western Carolina at 7 p.m in Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls 2014 non-conference schedule features home clashes vs. Big Ten foe Maryland (Sept. 6 @ 3:30) and ACC opponent N.C. State (Sept. 13 @ 3:30) as well as a road game at perennial Big Ten power Wisconsin (Sept. 27). USF will welcome UConn (Fri., Sept. 19 @ 7:00), East Carolina (Sat., Oct. 11), Houston (Sat., Nov. 1) and UCF (Fri., Nov. 28) to Raymond James in American Athletic Conference action.
USF football single-game tickets, mini-plans and season tickets are now available on-line at GoUSFBulls.com, by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the Sun Dome Gate A Ticket Office. Season Ticket Members may renew their tickets on-line today.
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