USF Athletics

Closer USF Defense Having Fun, Playing 'Very Fast' in Fall Camp

August 03, 2019

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 3, 2019 – USF's defense did a lot of soul searching in the offseason and the first two days of fall camp have shown the focused group is hungry for a big bounce-back performance.

"I feel like we're having a lot of fun and we're playing very fast," said sophomore defensive back Vincent Davis (Jacksonville, Fla.). "We've got a lot of returners and we're building that team chemistry. That's one thing we really worked on."

Davis (Jacksonville, Fla.) was one of seven true or redshirt freshmen defenders that gained starting experience last season while USF also had to move veterans to other positions out of necessity because of injury.

This offseason was a crucial time for the Bulls to get better and they made strides in a number of ways.

First is the eye test, which USF has passed with many players making significant gains under veteran strength and conditioning coach Pat Moorer.

Junior defensive tackle Kelvin Pinkney looks much more imposing at 305, a 17-pound increase since last season, and he's also pushing more plates. The Sarasota, Fla., native topped his bench goal of 320 by 10 pounds and went well past the 400-pound squat mark this offseason.

"I made sure I lifted a lot more," Pinkney said. "I made sure I ate a better diet and that's a credit to Coach Moorer and his staff."

Speaking of strength, junior cornerback Mike Hampton has gone from putting up five reps to now 15 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press thanks to staying dedicated this summer. The 2018 all-conference honorable mention selection said progress was a trend across the board for the Bulls.

"Players have added 10, 15, 20 pounds," Hampton said. "We're just more dedicated this year. We're more disciplined and dedicated."

Hampton is one of 13 returning players with starting experience, joining Davis, Pinkney, senior defensive ends Greg Reaves (Bradenton, Fla.) and Kirk Livingstone (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), sophomore safety Nick Roberts (Jacksonville, Fla.), junior defensive tackle Kevin Kegler (Madison, Fla.), senior linebacker Nico Sawtelle (Jensen Beach, Fla.), sophomore safety Mekhi LaPointe (Seffner, Fla.), sophomore linebacker Dwayne Boyles (Miami), sophomore defensive back Bentlee Sanders (Tampa), sophomore defensive lineman Rashawn Yates (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) and sophomore defensive tackle Tyrone Barber (Venice, Fla.).

Together, veterans made sure the Bulls continuously strengthened their bond in the offseason. The secondary, for example, made sure to have fun as a group off campus when they weren't taking care of extra football tasks.

"We spend more time together. On the weekends, we'll go bowling and to movies," Hampton said. "It could be the little things. We'll come out here on our own time and do ball drills, just to communicate with each other and get a better feel for each other."

Back on the field Sunday morning, the Bulls still have a few practices to go before they can really check their progress in full pads. Until then, the defense is determined to make the 2018 results an afterthought and collectively bring back the relentless brand of the USF defense.

"We're going to get a lot better," said Pinkney, who made his first four career starts last season. "I've seen it through the practices. We're working more as a team and we're going to do what we can do."

Hampton One of Four Bulls on National Award Watch Lists
Just mention Thorpe Award and you'll immediately get a big smile from Mike Hampton this fall.

That's because the star junior is on the preseason watch list for the award that recognizes the best defensive back in college football.

"It's a big achievement, something I've been trying to achieve since I got here," he said. "I've been putting in the work each and every year."

Hampton, a former Hillsborough High School standout, also put up huge results last year to get into the mix for the prestigious honor. As a first-year starter, Hampton ranked ninth nationally with 18 passes defended (1.4 per game), just one shy of the top USF season mark. 

"Last year was a big step and this year I've just got to finish strong and try to bring it here to USF," said Hampton of the Thorpe Award.

Hampton isn't the lone Bull getting love on watch lists this preseason. Also up for national awards are senior tight end Mitchell Wilcox (Mackey Award), senior tackle Marcus Norman (Outland Trophy) and junior kicker Coby Weiss (Groza Award).

"It's a big thing because it tells the country we've got players here," Hampton said.

Notable New Bulls to Watch for This Preseason
For the first two days of practice, USF split sessions between veterans and freshman/up-and-coming players.

Although they're new to the program, four upperclassmen are showing lots of potential while they roll with the main group – senior linebacker Patrick Macon (grad student from Oklahoma State), senior defensive end Darius Slade (grad student previously at Ohio State/Arizona St.), junior defensive back KJ Sails (North Carolina transfer) and senior defensive back Devin Studstill (grad student from Notre Dame).

"Patrick Macon, I see a big hitter, an inside linebacker filling gaps, filling holes," sophomore defensive back Vincent Davis said. "Studstill, who came from Notre Dame, he's being quick. He's moving like a vet. That's one guy we really need in our secondary and I think he can do some big things for us."

Sails made an instant impact by showcasing his pass breakup ability in Friday's camp opener and hauled in an interception near the end of Saturday's first session.

"KJ is going to do this thing," Davis said. "I'm pretty sure that's what's advertised."

Reporters got to take a good look at the freshmen in Saturday's second practice session. Once the whole team comes together, it will be interesting to see what the youngsters can really do.

The deep talent pool includes defensive end Thomas Nance (Eagle Lake, Fla.), quarterback Jahquez Evans (Atlanta), offensive lineman Dustyn Hall (Punta Gorda, Fla.), safety Leonard Parker (Tampa), wide receiver Logan Berryhill (Kingsland, Ga.) and running back Josh Berry (Davenport, Fla.) along with linebackers Demaurez Bellamy (DeLand, Fla.), Tae'Aviion Gray (Quitman, Ga.) and Darius Williams (Miami).

This past spring, USF got a sneak peek at the skills of early enrollees McArthur Burnett (Pahokee, Fla.), Jayden Curry (Virginia Beach, Va.), Daquan Evans (Orlando) and defensive end Jason Vaughn (Auburndale, Fla.).

Take a look back at USF's early signing period additions and get head coach Charlie Strong's thoughts on filling recruiting needs HERE.
 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22^nd season of football, and 19^th at the FBS level, the USF football program has earned 10 bowl appearances, including a current run of four straight, and owns a record of 6-3 in bowl games. The Bulls have appeared in the national top 25 rankings in each of the past three seasons, including a program record run of 20 straight weeks in the top 25, and in 2018 reached the program's 150^th win faster than any FBS program in state of Florida history. USF has posted a pair of 10-plus win seasons in the last three years, including a program-record 11 wins (11-2) in 2016, and logged 15 winning seasons overall. Since first taking the field in 1997, the USF program has reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings (2007), seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 29 earn first-team all-conference selection.
 
Follow @USFFootball on twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.