USF defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said there have been numerous stars during fall training camp. But two of the biggest — Matthew Hill and Jayden Curry — are competing at USF's nickel back position in the defensive backfield.

"I'd be hard-pressed to find a day they didn't have a productive practice,'' Shoop said Thursday.

Senior Vincent "Smoke'' Davis was a returning starter and prime candidate at the Star position for 2022, but injuries forced him to retire from football. Hill, a transfer from Auburn, played an ironman role for USF last season as he continually plugged gaps in an injury-plagued secondary and had 10 starts at strong safety. Curry played in all 12 games as a freshman, becoming a special-teams standout.

"Matt Hill has been off the charts at that position in training camp,'' Shoop said. "He has put together six really good practices and he's in great peak physical condition. He plays with great energy and enthusiasm. He's very, very passionate in his approach each day.

"Jayden Curry hasn't played quick as much as Matt, but he isn't a whole lot behind him. Jayden can do all the things that are required in the position. He came back in great shape and executed the description of the job at a real high level through the first six days of camp.''

Secondary Shuffle

TJ Robinson, a long, 6-3, 194-pounder who mostly played cornerback last season, is now primarily working at safety. Meanwhile, USF newcomer Aamaris Brown, who mostly lined up at safety in two seasons at Kansas State, is building on his strong spring and looks to be a possible starter at one cornerback.

"We're looking to find the best set of defensive backs to put on the field,'' Shoop said. "I mean, the game has changed. It's no longer put a box safety back there to support the run. Now you get guys who are athletic in space. If you feel like TJ might be in a situation where he could get on the field for more snaps and be more productive at safety, then that's where he'll play. He's a guy who can probably play both safety and corner.

"Aamaris provides positional versatility. He's just a good football player who can play corner. He has probably played nickel and would be a really good safety, too. He's just a good football player. I mean, that's sometimes a generic compliment, but that's true.''

Will Jones, another Kansas State transfer, looks good after returning from a knee injury and is putting in strong work at safety. The Bulls return senior leader Mekhi LaPointe, fourth on the team with 59 tackles last year, at a safety spot as well as junior Daquan Evans, who tied with LaPointe with 59 tackles and also tied for the team lead with two interceptions last year, at cornerback and T-Mac Simpson, recently put on scholarship, at safety. Christian Williams, who started four games last year, also returns at cornerback and the Bulls added Clemson transfer Ray Thornton at safety as USF has built solid depth in the secondary.

Scrimmage Coming Up

The Bulls will hold their first full scrimmage on Saturday morning. There's still plenty of time before USF opens the season on Sept. 3 at home against BYU, but the scrimmage is a big opportunity to establish playing-time priority.

"It's not the be-all, end-all, but I think the guys would like to play well,'' Shoop said. "I think they'd like to execute cleanly. Travis (Trickett, offensive coordinator) and the offense is very prideful. We're very prideful. I want us to be very competitive and very clean.

"Some decisions will be made after the scrimmage, but nothing is etched in stone for quite a while yet. It's a good thing we have some time to continue to improve.''

LaPointe said Saturday's scrimmage will be a welcome event in the day-to-day rhythm of training camp.

"It's definitely a step forward,'' LaPointe said. "If you're a player out there trying to make a splash, it's definitely a time to get your name out there to the coaches.''