Last January, Katravis Marsh was gone — into the transfer portal and onto a new life, he hoped, as somebody's starting quarterback. What wasn't to like? He has an NFL-style body — 6-foot-5, 232 pounds — and a big arm that delivers long, beautiful rainbows.

But somewhere along the line, he learned the grass-isn't-always-greener lesson and realized that he was most comfortable in Green and Gold. Even though there weren't guarantees about playing time, he returned to USF, where he had spent his first two college seasons.

"I listened to too many outsiders who filled my head with things that just weren't true,'' Marsh said. "If you're not starting, everybody tells you, 'Get out of there. Go somewhere that respects your game.' USF respects my game, but the best players are going to play. You have to earn it.

"So, I decided to work, keep improving, keep learning, do what the coaches say and if the opportunity comes, be ready.''

Marsh's opportunity has arrived.

Marsh hates the way it happened — Gerry Bohanon suffered a season-ending shoulder injury vs. Tulane — but he's ready to start Saturday afternoon when the Bulls (1-6, 0-3 AAC) visit the Houston Cougars (4-3, 2-1 AAC).

"Tray has to be very decisive in his decision-making,'' offensive coordinator Travis Trickett said. "You can only do that when the game slows down for you and you have full ownership of what you're doing out there.

"He has a lot of positives. He just has to be his best self. The expectation is for him to pick up where GB (Bohanon) left off and go. He doesn't have to be GB. He has to be the very best Katravis Marsh and that will be enough.''

Marsh, who has started two previous games at USF, was 7-for-15 for 150 yards and two touchdowns in relief of the injured Bohanon against Tulane on Oct. 15.

"Tray is a great player,'' running back Brian Battie said. "He's got a beautiful arm. He can throw it the whole field if he's asked to. He has a big arm, great accuracy, and he can read defenses as well.

"He has all the attributes you need as a quarterback. He hasn't gotten as many game reps, but once he starts getting more, I think he's going to get more comfortable and gain a lot of confidence.''

Marsh, who led Miami Central High School to a 13-2 mark and a Class 6A state title as a senior, first committed to the University of Utah during his recruitment. But when Scott was hired at USF, Marsh listened and eventually flipped his commitment to the Bulls.

"I remember he won a lot of games at his school and came from a really good program,'' Scott said. "I knew he had good arm strength, a big-body guy. You're looking for guys like that with big stature in the pocket. Then I met him and I thought he had a good personality. It just kind of clicked.''

Marsh had a nightmarish initial start as a freshman, tossing three interceptions at Cincinnati before being knocked out of the game with an injury. Last season, on a rainy Thursday night at East Carolina, Marsh again got the start in place of an injured Timmy McClain and went 15-for-30 for 192 yards and a touchdown, but had three second-half interceptions.

"I'm trying to learn from the neck up,'' Marsh said. "I have skills, but I have to play smarter and I think that will come with experience. Why is Tom Brady a great player? Other quarterbacks have more physical skills. But Tom Brady knows where to go with the ball and how to avoid mistakes.

"That's the mentality I want to have. I think I can make all the throws. I just have to be precise, throw it in the right places and lead the team. I think I have the qualities for success.''

Including maybe the most important quality.

"I know my 'why' … why I get up every day and do this,'' Marsh said.

At the end of Marsh's junior year in high school, one of his best friends, Miami Norland High cornerback Joshua Ancrum, was shot and killed. They grew up playing football together. Ancrum had designs on college football, too, but his dream was cut short.

Marsh dedicated his senior season to Ancrum and got a tattoo of his friend's image on his right hand.

"For two weeks, all I did was cry,'' Marsh said. "But Josh became my motivation, the reason for doing what I do. He was like a brother to me. I'm lucky to have this opportunity to play college football. I'm never going to take it for granted.''

Even now, there could be reason for Marsh to look over his shoulder. Scott hinted that true freshman quarterback Byrum Brown could also see action, although Brown probably won't appear in more than four games so his redshirt season can be preserved. Scott praised Brown's intelligence, maturity and presence, predicting a "big future'' for the North Carolina high school product.

It's nothing new. Marsh is accustomed to competition.

He chose football over basketball in high school and he hasn't looked back. From the backyard of his home in Miami Gardens, he can hear the cheers of the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play, where six Super Bowls have been contested. Marsh has the look of a player who can compete at that level, but he knows he needs more experience and production.

It's about opportunity. Marsh's chance has arrived.

"You want to be under those lights,'' Marsh said. "I'm like any other player. I want to live that dream. But you don't get that dream without putting your work in.

"What I've learned through football is that patience is key. The future isn't promised to anybody. Don't try to rush anything. Your time will come.''

–      Go Bulls –