McClain Building on The Lessons of His Freshman Campaign
By Joey Johnston
He's becoming more of a vocal leader. He has learned that — in most circumstances — an incompletion is better than trying to force something. He believes he knows what it takes to win.
Call it the maturation of USF sophomore quarterback Timmy McClain.
"I feel like I played OK last season, but not the best,'' McClain said. "OK, but not the best. I've got to make better decisions when I'm out of the pocket. I feel like I had too many bad decisions, just throwing the ball up and not knowing who was around.''
McClain started nine games as a true freshman, passing for 1,888 yards and a 55.3 completion percentage with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The high points? McClain went 117 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. Against two of the American Athletic Conference's power teams, McClain was lights-out passing (289 yards against Houston, 245 against Cincinnati). At No. 15-ranked BYU, in his second career start, McClain led scoring drives of 94, 75, 69, 62 and 54 yards, showing uncommon calm and efficiency for a young player on the road in a hostile environment, as the Bulls flirted with a major upset (falling 35-27).
In McClain's mind, he didn't do nearly enough. He still laments the final play of his freshman season. The Bulls had driven to UCF's 3-yard line and were poised to upend the Knights in Orlando. But McClain was indecisive. He tried to run, then was trapped and threw the ball wildly for an apparent game-sealing interception (as it turned out, after a review, McClain's knee was down, but the mandatory 10-second clock runoff left no time on the clock and the game was over, a 17-13 UCF win).
"Basically, I should've thrown the ball away,'' McClain said. "Me as a freshman, I'm trying to make things work. I tried to run and that didn't work. I should've thrown it away, gotten another play, and we might have won the game. Throw it out of bounds, live to see another day, live to see another play.''
McClain understands that better now. He knows that his raw athletic ability — and some of his play-making instincts that helped Sanford Seminole High win the Class 8A state title in 2020 — might not be enough any longer.
So, with first-year offensive coordinator Travis Trickett constantly in his ear, teammate Katravis Marsh providing a competitive push for the starting role and his own sensibilities demanding that he put in extra film and playbook study, McClain has pledged his commitment to improve.
Bulls coach Jeff Scott would expect nothing less.
"Timmy played like a talented freshman last season,'' Scott said. "I think he made a lot of plays when you said, 'Wow! How did he do that?' And he made a lot of plays where you said, 'Wow! That's not a good play right there. That's a freshman mistake.' ''
Scott recalled former Florida State University quarterback Charlie Ward, who threw 17 interceptions in his first year as the Seminoles' starter. The following season, Ward won the Heisman Trophy.
"There's a price to be paid for experience,'' Scott said. "We knew that a little bit last year. You can only coach them up in practice and games, but they have to do it. He made enough plays last year to give me optimism for what he can do in the future.''
95 Bayron Matos
Holding Court
As the Bulls prepare for Saturday's final scrimmage and the last week of practice before the April 9 Spring Game at Raymond James Stadium, one of the highlights has been the presence of USF basketball player Bayron Matos.
Huh?
It's true. Matos, who played the 2021-22 season for Coach Brian Gregory's men's program after transferring from New Mexico, has joined USF's football program as a defensive end/special teams player.
"I see something we don't have … and that's 6-foot-8, 265 pounds and great length,'' Scott said.
In his first five practices, Matos blocked two field-goal attempts. He had two sacks in a scrimmage as his new defensive teammates went wild.
Not bad for a guy who's playing his first football … ever.
Matos, a native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, originally was a baseball star in his homeland. His fastball reached the mid-90s and he was a peer of Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays' phenom. But he loved basketball's energy. And now he has adopted football's fury.
"Literally, the first day, he had never put on a helmet,'' Scott said. "Jeremy Lees (equipment manager) asked if had ever worn a helmet. Bayron said no, but he had a picture of the face mask he wanted. That's where it started. He had done a little research.
"He definitely has a lot to learn with figuring out the parts to the game. But here's what I'll say about him. He wants to do it. He is serious. There's no doubt in my mind, if he continues to make progress, he'll help us next year. It will be one of those situations where people say, 'Whoa! Where did this guy come from?' ''
From the Yuengling Center? Stay tuned for what could be a fascinating and unexpected story with next fall's USF football team.
Intense Atmosphere
USF senior safety Mekhi LaPointe said the addition of two new coordinators — Bob Shoop on defense, Trickett on offense — has made for a robust and exciting spring-practice atmosphere.
"It has been very intense,'' LaPointe said. "Nobody's spot is solidified, including mine. I like it that way. I love the competitive atmosphere.
"On defense, Coach Shoop has such an aggressive mindset. He always says we're not going to play off what the offense runs, we're going to do what we do, running blitzes, dictating (to the offense). He's always playing on his toes and never playing on his heels. It's always a wild card (what will happen). You never know with him.''
WR Dequan Stanley
Spring Standouts
Asked to list some players who have caught his eye this spring, Scott mentioned a pair of transfers — defensive back Aamaris Brown (Kansas State) and linebacker DJ Gordon (Minnesota) — along with holdover defensive lineman Rashawn Yates.
Scott said veterans Kelley Joiner, Brian Battie and Jaren Mangham have been complemented by a competitive running back room. Transfer offensive linemen Derrell Bailey (Virginia Tech) and Mike Lofton (UCF) will contend for playing time. Transfer wide receiver Ajou Ajou (Clemson) has been impressive with his physical presence (6-3, 220).
One of the spring's most pleasant surprises has been former defensive back Dequan Stanley, who has shifted to slot receiver.
"We signed him as a corner, but he came to me and wanted to move to receiver,'' Scott said. "He can really run. He's a natural catching the ball.''
