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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, JULY 14, 2015 – USF wants to play fast and furious football this season, and the Bulls are getting their bodies tuned up for the road ahead.
The final, and perhaps most important, summer training session of the offseason began Monday, July 6 at 6 a.m. with a fleet of Bulls running under the lights at the Morsani Practice Complex. The first two phases of summer training consisted of prep work and conditioning, and July is dedicated to making the Bulls football machines.
“We want them to feel as strong as they've ever felt going into camp,” second-year Director of Athletic Performance Irele Oderinde said.
It all starts Monday mornings with three separate groups zipping through speed development drills on the practice fields. Skill players work on holding onto top-end speed as USF's linemen push heavy sleds as fast as possible. After field work, each group of players immediately changes shoes and heads to the weight room.
Prior to this month, Oderinde and his staff guided the Bulls through the first two weightlifting routines of the summer that involved basic work and a high amount of reps.
“We were trying to get the tendons and ligaments ready for the strain of the heavier weight,” Oderinde said. “They've conditioned their bodies, so they can hold that weight.”
Oderinde said this last lifting phase of the summer is all about “absolute power.”
“It's not going to be a bunch of reps,” Oderinde said. “We're going to move some weight and we'll try to move the weight at a decent speed.”
The training schedule continues on Tuesdays with change of direction and agility drills on the field. After watching film, players will have the responsibility of running team simulated practices since coaches aren't involved with football activities due to NCAA summer rules.
Players will need their rest for heavy weightlifting on Wednesdays while Thursdays are set up for reaction-based agility work. Friday's schedule begins with the third total body lift of the week followed by more conditioning out on the fields.
“This is going to be as strong as they're going to be,” Oderinde said. “We want them feeling as fast and strong as possible. They'll be in the best shape of their lives at the end of this block”
Bulls Are Always On the Go
Taggart wants summer training to be high-paced because of what's ahead for the Bulls. Once fall camp begins, USF will continue progressing in the new, up-tempo offense while the defense prepares for the growing number of up-tempo opponents.
“Things are moving fast,” Oderinde said. “When guys go get water, they're running to get water. When guys change weight, I want them to change weight like they're a NASCAR pit crew. Somebody is the pump man, somebody is the jack man and somebody is the gas man. You're in and out, and the next man is lifting. We want that mentality and that pace.”
And while players are operating fast, they are sticking to a lifting plan that's been thoroughly designed by the strength staff. Oderinde and each of his members have collective input on the training program designed in Oderinde's office, which they call, “the lab.”
“We draw up a plan that best fits our guys for that moment,” Oderinde said. “If we see something that isn't working, we'll do something else. We're prepared to adjust on the fly.”
New Players Getting Acclimated
USF's top-rated 2015 recruiting class in The American is on campus and learning the expectation level of training.
Aside from field work with the team, USF's new talent is working in a separate training group in the gym. Strength staff members are on hand to guide new Bulls through a lifting program that focuses on proper form and building confidence.
“We put them through workouts that are oriented on discipline, structure and fundamentals,” Oderinde said.
Oderinde Likes What He Sees
Oderinde knows there is still a lot of work left to do before fall camp but said the Bulls have taken an aggressive approach to training.
“We're definitely ahead of where we were last year at this point in time,” Oderinde said. “If we're missing times, there are fewer guys missing times. If we're lifting a certain amount of weight, there are more guys lifting a heavier weight now.”
On noticeable example of increased strength can be found in USF's power clean numbers. Marlon Mack, The American's leading rusher in 2014, maxed out at 255 pounds last season and the star sophomore is now lifting 295 pounds twice. Senior tight end Sean Price is up to power cleaning 315 pounds twice.
“We've got guys power cleaning their max twice the amount of reps from last summer. We're ahead of the game,” Oderinde said.
Jump On Board for the 2015 Season
Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-GoBulls.
