They are kindred spirits, bonded by anonymously performing the dirty work, doing whatever is asked, enjoying their demanding craft and pridefully setting the example of an all-for-one, one-for-all lifestyle.

They are the USF tight ends.

More accurately, they are the "Tight Friends.''

It began as a nickname assigned by former USF center Brad Cecil, who was taken by the camaraderie, selflessness and exuberance of the tight-end group.

"It's catchy and I think it fits,'' junior Gunnar Greenwald said. "There's just a handful of us in our meeting room, so we're like a family. We have gotten close. It's a cool nickname.''

Can T-shirts and caps be far behind?

Fittingly, the Tight Friends share an apartment complex near the USF campus, where you might find them lounging by the pool during their down time. There's diversity — the home states range from Florida to Virginia to Texas to California — but they are unified by their love for the USF program and its upward trajectory.

"We're living in a great time right now and it's only going to get better,'' junior Weston Wolff said.

As the Bulls (6-6) prepare for the Dec. 21 Boca Raton Bowl against the Syracuse Orange (6-6), don't be surprised if one of the Tight Friends becomes a major factor in the game.

Head coach Alex Golesh already has an affinity for the position, having served as tight ends coach in five of his previous assistant-coaching stops. Meanwhile, Bulls tight ends coach Clay Patterson is known for his ingenuity, most notably during his time at Trinity Valley Community College, where set the all-time record (at any college level) with an average of 656.1 yards per game.

"I love tight ends … they paid my bills for a long, long time,'' Golesh said. "We have tight ends who are uniquely different and they allow you to play different offensively, which is what you want. The more multiple you are offensively, the harder you are to defend. Tight end is a critical position for us.''

Wolff (6-foot-4, 240 pounds), a transfer from Maryland, has been the most active pass-catcher with 14 receptions for 143 yards in his first year on the field for the Bulls. Two plays stand out.

Against Alabama, Wolff hauled in a short pass, then hurdled over Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold for extra yardage in a stunning display of athletic timing.

At Connecticut, with the Bulls trailing 21-17 in the fourth quarter, Wolff's 17-yard reception on third-and-8 kept the winning drive alive. It was one of the most important plays of USF's season.

"Clutch,'' Greenwald said. "Man, it was so clutch.''

Greenwald (6-4, 240), an exceptional blocker, has four catches for 17 yards, including a touchdown against Florida Atlantic. Jayson Littlejohn (6-4, 248), a senior, has six receptions for 24 yards with two scores.

Depth is provided by sophomore Colin Affleck (6-5, 240) and true freshman Gerard Edimo (6-5, 220).

"We're playing the Swiss Army knife position of football,'' Affleck said. "We're like hybrids, a combination of offensive linemen and receivers. There's a lot of skill involved and we've definitely got a skillful group of guys.''

"You've got to be big enough to block defensive ends, yet fast and athletic enough to win one-on-one against linebackers, safeties and corners,'' Edimo said. "It's an extremely unique skill-set.''

Edimo, from Round Rock, Texas, wasn't considering USF until hearing from Golesh and Patterson shortly after the new staff was hired. They were at his school the next day and he was intrigued by their sincere interest, plus USF's offensive potential.

Once Edimo arrived on campus, he was quickly initiated into the order of Tight Friends.

"I'm like the little brother, but I was welcomed into the group,'' Edimo said. "Of course, I get picked on from time to time, but I couldn't imagine being with a better group. These are my brothers.

"The thing that really sticks out is how we always rally around each other. We're very supportive and very happy when one of us does something in a game. It's definitely like a brotherhood.''

Even though the Tight Friends have varying qualities, they agree on the main principles of playing tight end:

* Under no circumstances can a tight end become a diva.

* Whatever the coaches ask, the tight end must figure out a way to get the job done.

"Tight ends are like those nasty basketball players who just grab rebounds, scrap for extra points, fit in with the lineup and never complain about anything,'' Wolff said.

"We all love to catch passes, of course, but we're more about setting the physical tone and getting after people,'' Greenwald said.

"They depend on us,'' Littlejohn said. "If nobody else is open — I don't want to say we're the last resort — but they depend on us when nobody else is there. That's the life of a tight end.''

The Tight Friends are thrilled to see so many high-profile NFL tight ends. Their favorites are Travis Kelce, George Kittle and, of course, "Gronk'' — former Patriots and Bucs tight end Ron Gronkowski.

"People should appreciate the athletic skills those guys have at that size,'' Wolff said. "We can relate to them because we're asked to do the same sorts of things. Lots of kids now are growing up and dreaming of becoming the tight end. It's a good life.''

When they're not practicing or studying, you'll likely catch the Tight Friends listening to country music. Unless Greenwald controls the music — then it could be hard rock, rap, reggae or maybe country.

Food choices are all over the map.

But when it comes to USF football and their coaches, the Tight Friends have a singular voice.

Patterson?

"Every day is enjoyable and he always finds a way to throw in some life lessons for whatever we're doing,'' Wolff said.

"I've only been here six months and Coach Patterson already feels like a huge figure in my life,'' Edimo said. "He has made me more responsible — on and off the field.''

Golesh?

"When he got here, he sat down with each of us and we talked about goals, what he saw, what we had to work on,'' Greenwald said. "I think he turned us around completely. The sky is the limit now. I'm extremely excited for the bowl game and our future.''

"Coming off a team that won just one game to what we're doing now, it's amazing,'' Littlejohn said. "Our mentality has changed. Why not us? Why shouldn't we be able to win every game? That's a good reflection on Coach Golesh because it's way different now.''

If one of the Tight Friends finds the end zone in Boca Raton, you can bet that the others will start the celebration. It's all-for-one and one-for-all.

"When I scored my first career touchdown, LJ (Littlejohn) came over and practically tackled me,'' Greenwald said. "Having your brothers there to celebrate with you, it's the best feeling in the world.''

"Put it this way, I already know that these guys are going to be in my wedding,'' Littlejohn said.

The Tight Friends.

It's more than a catchy phrase. It's a forever bond.

"It's a testament to how close we've grown as a group,'' Wolff said. "A lot of other position groups can't say that. We don't even think about it. Twenty years from now, we know we're going to stay in touch and be part of each other's lives. We're just a group that clicks really well. I couldn't be more happy to be a part of it.''

–#GoBulls–