USF Legends Unveil New adidas Era for Growing Program
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, AUG. 13, 2018 – Three USF football titans of the past took center stage to usher in a new apparel era for the Bulls at USF Fan Fest last Saturday.
Marquee quarterback names Matt Grothe and B.J. Daniels suited up in Bulls uniforms once again with former standout linebacker Sam Barrington, but this time it was to unveil the program's three new adidas styles for the upcoming season.
"It was awesome," Grothe said. "Changing to adidas was kind of a big deal."
So was USF's setting for the uniform reveal.
Highlights from each USF legend's collegiate career aired on giant Yuengling Center videoboards as they made their way under the spotlight to greet a packed crowd of Bulls supporters. Fans then jumped at the chance to take photos with each former player wearing USF's stylish threads of the present.
Daniels sported USF's new all-white adidas uniform, Grothe was in all green and Barrington got to reveal what's turning out to be the Bulls' most popular combination – all black with SoFlo numbers, letters and helmet accents.
"We waited a pretty long time for black jerseys," said Barrington, who played for USF from 2009-12. "In fact, when I came here on my recruiting visit they spoke about black jerseys. Here it is 10 years later, they're actually releasing them. I'm looking forward to seeing the guys wear those jerseys."
Barrington will get to closely watch the Bulls in action all season as
USF football radio's new analyst. Still ranking 10
th on the program's all-time tackles list with 258 stops, the former NFL player still has very fond memories of his glory days with the Bulls.
"I think one of the things that pretty much set the stage for my career at the University of South Florida was when I saw some of my teammates' faces when we would win a game, or guys would make a big play," Barrington said. "Back in 2009, we went up the road and beat up FSU. Just the joy I saw on B.J. Daniels' face, knowing that he could go back home and accomplish something so huge."
Daniels, who played for USF from 2009-12, still gets asked a lot about USF's 17-7 victory in Tallahassee when the redshirt freshman broke out with two touchdown passes. Also rushing for 126 yards, Daniels proved doubters wrong that day and he's proud to see USF still playing with that mindset each season.
"Pride is something that is very big around here," Daniels said. "There's a lot of guys who have always come through this program with chips on their shoulders. They wanted to prove and show who they are as men and as football players to come through the program and become something."
Wearing green and gold, Grothe became the Big East's career leader in total offense with 10,875 yards from 2006-09. Grothe said probably his favorite program memory was leading the Bulls to a 26-23 overtime win at No. 17 Auburn on his 21
st birthday back in 2007, when USF skyrocketed to a No. 2 ranking nationally.
"The University of South Florida is home," Grothe said. "I wouldn't be where I am today without this school. I love my university until the day I die."
Fans definitely appreciated getting to chat about the old days with Grothe, Daniels and Barrington at perhaps the best USF Fan Fest yet. Head coach
Charlie Strong's current team also savored the moment of rubbing shoulders with players who helped put the Bulls firmly on the national map.
"It's good to see them come back, help us out and really give us inspiration, so we can come back to the school and do the same thing for the next generation that's coming up," junior receiver
Darnell Salomon said.
USF can expect to see more of its past stars around the program in the future thanks to events like Fan Fest strengthening the bond between current and former players.
"I'm going to stick around, be around and do whatever I can to help be a voice," said Daniels, a member of the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII champion team. "I think as a guy that's made it out to the league and done some successful things, there's a lot of players here that want to figure out, 'How can I achieve that goal. What can I do?' I'd love to be a voice and do whatever I can do to help them."
USF Legends See Program Growth, Excitement
Daniels, Grothe and Barrington marveled at the look of USF Athletics' facilities that have been steadily upgraded since they first signed with the program.
"I'm trying to get reacclimated to the campus and university because things are shifting and changing," Daniels said. "That makes me proud. Things are happening."
"I feel like every time I come back, there's something new or different," Grothe said. "Every time I come back, it has a bigger and more welcoming atmosphere as well. Players are definitely spoiled."
All three Bulls legends are also eagerly looking forward to the future with fundraising ongoing for the planned USF Football Center that would include an indoor practice facility for many other program sports and more space for student-athlete development.
"I think it's just about time to continue taking things to the next level," Barrington said. "A new football complex, I think it's what this program deserves and I think it will continue the perpetuation of greatness that's going on here at the University of South Florida."
Grothe feels a lot program excitement for 2018 and wants to see Raymond James Stadium rocking when the Bulls try to build on the greatness of a 21-4 record the past two seasons.
"I'm hoping we get the fan support to come out and watch the games. Players really do feed off that," Grothe said. "Some of these fans don't understand how big of an impact it is when the stadium is filled with 40, 50, or 60,000 people deep. It pumps us up and gets us excited. It makes us play better. I'm just hoping everyone can show up this year and support the team."
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
USF posted its second straight 10-win season in 2017 (10-2) by winning its second straight Birmingham Bowl with a 38-34 victory over Texas Tech. USF is one of just 15 teams nationally to win 20-plus games in the last two seasons (21-4) and posted a program-record 20 straight weeks ranked in the top 25, reaching as high as No. 13 in Week 8 of the 2017 season. The Bulls have won five of their last six bowl appearances and made nine (6-3) total bowl appearances in 21 seasons, including a current run of three straight bowls. USF won a program-record 11 games in 2016 (11-2) and has posted 14 winning seasons. The USF program, which first took the field in 1997, reached No. 2 in the rankings in 2007 and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and had 28 first-team all-conference selections.
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