All-American Battie Believes Bulls Special Teams Can Be Even More Explosive in 2022
By Joey Johnston
Brian Battie, consensus All-American.
The words have a nice ring for the USF Bulls. Battie's performance on kickoff returns (33.9-yard average, three touchdowns, NCAA record two 100-yard returns against Houston) was one of the program's biggest highlights in 2021.
The sophomore running back said he knows things will be different next season, but he believes USF's special teams will continue to thrive.
"It (being an All-American) will definitely affect me, but I'll just have to be ready to do my thing regardless,'' Battie said Tuesday as USF spring football continued after an off-week for university spring break. "It's already evident that not a lot of teams are going to want to kick to me. I will probably have less opportunities from the kickoff return position.''
But Battie said USF's opponents might be looking at double trouble. Sophomore receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., the other deep return man, is equally dangerous and speedy. Horn's kickoff-return opportunities as a freshman were limited (nine returns for just a 12.7-yard average and a long of 25). Battie said Horn's numbers could easily skyrocket.
"Jimmy is just as dangerous as me back there,'' Battie said. "Jimmy has speed, vision and he's aggressive too. Teams don't have a choice unless they want to kick it out the back of the end zone or kick it short all the time, but that would give us automatic good field position.
"It's going to be a problem for teams if they start kicking to Jimmy. Jimmy can take things to the crib. I have total faith in his ability to take one back. He's just as happy for me when I score, and I'm going to return the same (emotion). It could open up for both of us, so they don't know who to kick it to.''
Battie will have the bigger reputation heading into next season, though. In fact, whenever anyone evaluates the Bulls, Battie will be one of the first names mentioned. He's flattered by the attention. He's also wary of getting carried away with too much publicity.
"It's a great feeling for sure, but I've still got bigger goals that I want to reach,'' Battie said. "I can tell that my teammates are as happy for me as I am for myself. That's key right there.
"When you've got teammates happy for you and you've got special people around you, it means everything. You want to have the right teammates and the right coaches to help you get to the next level. Sometimes, you can feel took about certain things, like making All-American. You need people to constantly hold you accountable.''
The Need For Speed
Bulls players know this much about first-year offensive coordinator Travis Trickett — he likes speed. Trickett wants the Bulls to play faster. He wants to identify the playmakers, get them in space and take advantage of mismatches.
"He's real passionate about speed,'' Battie said. "The big thing in college is having the ability to flip the field (with favorable field position), so he wants big plays. He likes to play fast. After one play is over, get on to the next play. He likes to play fast with fast players. Speed is the ultimate goal for his offense.''
"He's going to utilize the running backs more and in different ways, like catching the ball out of the backfield,'' said running back Kelley Joiner Jr., the Bulls second leading rusher in 2021. "He's going to put the ball in our hands in good spots on the field.''
Getting Bigger And Stronger
Horn said he has added 12 pounds of muscle since last season, when he felt a little light. When he arrived at USF, he couldn't bench press 225 pounds. Now he's up to 245.
"I feel stronger and more explosive, but I'm still fast,'' Horn said.
Joiner said he was probably about 158 pounds when he arrived at USF in 2019. The 5-9, junior said he is about 188 now and trying to reach 190.
It's all part of a plan for the Bulls to get bigger, stronger … and tougher.
"The difference in winning, honestly, is the little things,'' Battie said. "There were some plays where everybody did their job and the running back missed the block or missed the hole. Those are game-changing plays. But our biggest issue last year was not finishing.''
Cue the offseason work of AJ Artis, USF's football strength and conditioning coach.
"He took that on his shoulders and basically said he's going to work us harder this year because he felt like we needed to be stronger in the second half of our games,'' Battie said. "When you watch film and break down the plays, there were little mistakes that could have changed the outcome of the game. Getting stronger (will help that).''
– #GoBulls –
