Scott pleased with energy, communication and maturity on first day of spring practice
By Joey Johnston, Special to USF Athletics
USF football coach Jeff Scott was so eager to begin Tuesday's first day of spring practice, he rose at 4 a.m. — some 90 minutes before his alarm went off. He's accustomed to early wake-up calls with 6-month-old son Hunter in the house, but this was a day of anticipation.
"My mind was racing,'' Scott said. "I was excited.''
Then, when Scott's team hit the practice field, he got really excited.
"There was a maturity among our players and the way they practiced that was unlike any practice we had in our first year,'' Scott said. "That's a really good sign in our growth in our team.''
The players agreed with Scott's assessment.
"You could just tell the attitude and vibe was different,'' Bulls junior center Brad Cecil said. "We worked hard last year, but our performance on the field didn't show that. Now we're like, 'What do we need to do more? What do we need to do better?' It's owning up to mistakes, knowing what we have to fix and being really mature about it.''
"Last year, with the new coaches and coming into camp, there was a whole lot of learning,'' Bulls junior linebacker Dwayne Boyles said. "This year, we already know (the offensive and defensive schemes). Now it's up to us to execute and be on top of everything. Everybody has taken that next step of maturity and we can all see that right now.''
Scott's Bulls have gotten much bigger, faster and, he believes, much better as they begin the 15-practice slate that will culminate with the March 27 spring game at Raymond James Stadium. The preparation should be a quantum leap from last season, when the Bulls were limited to just one spring practice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Of course, there will be curiosity about the play at quarterback, where holdover Cade Fortin and Miami transfer Jarren Williams are the expected leaders in a competition that includes holdover freshman Katravis Marsh and true freshman Timmy McClain, who enrolled early after winning a state championship at Sanford Seminole High School.
There will be speculation about the impact transfers, especially in the secondary, where the likes of TJ Robinson (Rutgers), Christian Williams (Miami), Will Jones II (Kansas State) and Matthew Hill (Auburn) are competing for key roles.
But on the first day, Scott wasn't concentrating on position battles or where someone might land on a depth chart. Those specifics will work themselves out.
He was looking for energy. He was watching for body language. He wanted to see eager eyes, commitment and the players who also might have been up before their alarm clocks sounded.
"The biggest thing is looking at the guys on the sideline who aren't in and what they're doing,'' Scott said. "Are they watching? Are they communicating? Are they involved? Or are they over there drinking water?
"You're looking at guys getting on and off the field. We don't allow them to walk. They have to run off the field a yard past the sidelines. You're looking at body language. Are they bending over (with fatigue)? If they get dinged up, are they going to the trainer or are they coming back and pushing through? I take more of a 10,000-foot view. I was very pleased with the overall communication and overall look.''
Scott said 92 players participated in Tuesday's workout — surpassing the numbers of any practice last season — and that total will be boosted with the arrival of more players in the summer. He said coaches will evaluate the opening practice, then meet with players on Wednesday before the second practice on Thursday morning.
Cecil summed up everyone's emotions.
"I was antsy to get up and super excited to be back on the field,'' Cecil said. "Last year, we had only one (spring) practice. Just getting the chance to work with each other again, it's a blessing.''
Position changes
Scott said freshman Jordan Smith has moved from quarterback to safety, while junior Frederick Lloyd has shifted from tight end to wide receiver.
"When he (Smith) got here last year, I noticed very quickly that he can really run and had great change of direction,'' Scott said. "He could have played quarterback, but he will make a quicker impact in the secondary. I told him some of the best receivers and safeties I've coached were high-school quarterbacks. Jordan is an explosive athlete and I believe he has the potential to play at the next level at safety because of his athleticism and speed.
"Fred Lloyd is one of those hybrid guys. He's a wideout/tight end. The way his body toned up (6-foot-5, 215 pounds), we thought he's a good fit at receiver and he's playing the boundary for us now.''
Getting in shape
Scott singled out junior guard Demetris Harris as a standout in getting in great shape. Harris, listed as 6-3, 337, said he changed his eating habits and significantly lowered his body-fat. Harris received a post-practice "All In'' chip, usually given to players who show exemplary practice performance, from the coaches for his dedication.
"Meech (Harris' nickname) put the work in and it has carried over to the field,'' Scott said. "He's one of the guys who have really done a great job. Several people walked up to me today and said, 'Man, we just look different overall as a team.' We're definitely not there, but we're making progress.''
New strength coach being sought
Scott said he's seeking a new strength and conditioning coach after Trumain Carroll announced he's leaving for the same position at Kansas State.
"There are a lot of people interested in becoming the strength coach at South Florida, guys who had that job in the SEC, ACC, Big 12, the NFL,'' Scott said. "We will get our (player) leadership involved (to select a new coach). We're not going to rush the process because it's a very key role on any football team, but there's certainly a lot of interest.
"I told our players that I'd rather have great coaches here a short amount of time than having average coaches here a long time. We're going after who I believe is the best of the best. Coach Tru did an excellent job for us in one year and we wish him the very best at K-State.''
