Follow @USFFootball On Twitter
Like USF Football on Facebook
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, AUG. 7, 2014 – Freshmen and veterans worked together for the first time at fall practice with a celebrity guest on hand to catch all the action Thursday at the Frank Morsani Football Complex.
Freshmen got their feet wet working on their own with coaches for the first few days of camp and all squads assembled in shoulder pads for a session that ran smoothly, much to the enjoyment of second-year head coach Willie Taggart.
“It was good to get some of them in there with the older guys and see what they can do,” Taggart said. “Some of them didn't let us down and showed what they're capable of doing. It was good to see those guys go out and execute and not be a setback for the older guys when they went in there.”
Shortly after the team got to work, World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Titus O'Neil appeared in a gray Under Armour USF shirt to check out the Bulls' operation.
“It's amazing I have to blow a whistle to get attention and a big guy like that comes in and everybody is locked in and listening,” Taggart said with a smile.
At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, the chiseled wrestler definitely attracted attention and quickly gained players' respect, partially because of his football past. Before he went by the wrestler name of Titus O'Neil, 37-year-old Thaddeus Bullard played four seasons as a defensive end for Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida from 1997-2000. Prior to UF, Bullard became one of the nation's top recruits and earned All-America honors out of Suwanee High School in Live Oak, Fla.
“I got out of a meeting this morning, looked at my phone and he left me a messaging saying he wanted to come by,” said Taggart, who became friends with Bullard when he was hired by USF. “We called him back and told him we'd love to have him out here.”
Bullard spent time with the USF defensive ends during drills and fit in well with the coaches while he savored every moment of the fall camp grind in the city he's called home since 2004.
“I enjoy being around the game of football,” he said. “I was at the University of Texas on Monday with the Longhorns. This atmosphere and the atmosphere that's in Texas almost mirror each other as far as the guys getting after it and working hard with great energy level.”
Bullard made sure to commend the USF coaching staff on putting together the top-rated recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference and he showed the current players he can still get after it by doing sprints with the whole team.
“He got out here and ran some gassers, which was pretty cool to see,” Taggart said.
Bullard had everyone's attention at the end of practice when he spoke in front of the team about the importance of family, treating others with respect and players holding themselves accountable while being ambassadors of the program.
Bullard got fired up while telling the Bulls to make USF Nation proud this season and he spent a good amount of time driving home the point that each player should work hard to prepare for professional life, whether it's on the football field or in a boardroom.
“You're preparing to be a pro, you just don't know what field you're going to be a pro in. I never thought I'd be a WWE superstar,” said Bullard, who coached at Jesuit and Chamberlain High School before making it big in wrestling. “But everything translates over – being on time, being accountable, having a great attitude, knowing the value of teamwork and being able to work with others. That's all stuff you learn on the football field and it all applies to any job you do after.”
Competition Heating Up in Bulls' Secondary
The 2013 signing class proved the future at USF is bright with the way Nate Godwin, Hassan Childs, Johnny Ward and Lamar Robbins stepped up and contributed as true freshman last season.
The Bulls loaded the roster with even more talent this offseason and competition in camp has already heated up as defensive backs coach Ron Cooper is liking what he sees at safety and cornerback.
“We have a good group that came in again,” Cooper said. “We've got some talent, and as Coach Taggart said the depth chart will start moving around and whoever practices the best will move up and have an opportunity.”
Godwin, a Tampa native from Freedom High School, finished fourth on the team last season with 49 total tackles and started nine times while playing all 12 games. Godwin was placed on the first-team defense on the first preseason depth chart and he's assumed a leadership role to make sure the newest additions to the secondary pick things up as quickly as possible.
“Going out there now you can see him run around and he can talk to others now because he knows what to do and he's played,” Taggart said. “I think being a leader you have to be a good player, too. Nate is a good player and you see other guys listening to him now.”
Another safety listed first on the initial preseason depth chart is newcomer Jamie Byrd, who began attending class at USF in January. The Dade City, Fla., native has two years of eligibility remaining after becoming an NJCAA All-American at Iowa Western Community College.
“I did pretty well in the spring and I'm just trying to stay polished with everything,” he said.
Other newcomers that have impressed at safety so far have been freshmen Tajee Fullwood, a former standout at Tampa Bay Tech, and Devin Abraham, who has really caught Taggart's attention through four practices.
“I tell you that kid is a smart football player and he's making some plays that really get you excited,” Taggart said. “He didn't practice in the spring, but he's coming out here and he's on top of everything. It's hard to sneak one past that kid.”
First-team cornerbacks on the first preseason depth chart were Ward and senior Torrel Saffold, but there is plenty of competition at the position as well. The candidates now include senior Chris Dunkley, who has played receiver at USF and shined as a kick returner last season.
“He's got great confidence, which is what it takes to be able to play back there (at cornerback),” Cooper said. “He's got to keep learning because he hasn't played over there in a long time but he's doing well so far, I'm pleased.”
The last time Dunkley played on defense was as a safety during his senior year at Pahokee (Fla.) High School, but the former five-star prospect has looked comfortable at corner during drills and team work.
“Coach Ron Cooper has made it real smooth for me. He's a great defensive backs coach ever since LSU,” Dunkley said.
Join the Bulls at Practice
Taggart has opened practice to the public for the first seven days of camp and two days remain for fans to come check out the Bulls at the Morsani Football Complex.
Friday's practice begins at 3 p.m. and Saturday's session starts at 2 p.m. at the fields 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.
Friday's Practice Features Full Pads
Players will be suited up in full pads for the first time this fall on Friday and the Bulls' talent on defense is itching to really get into the football groove.
“I'm really anxious because we kind of have to protect our players with shells on,” Byrd said. “I kind of feel like I have to lay off a little bit and with full pads I can go hard.”
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.
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.
