It's never wise to pass judgment during the early days of spring practice. But as promised, Coach Alex Golesh's first USF football team already has displayed an intriguing offensive philosophy.

It plays fast.

How fast?

VeryVeryFast!

"I'm on the sideline thinking, 'Man, that offense is going,' '' said Bulls' junior defensive lineman Rashad Cheney, who is recovering from injury this spring. "It's going to make us (defense) play faster, so when we go against a slow-tempo team, we're going to be more mentally ready. I watched Tennessee last season (when Golesh was offensive coordinator) and knew the offense was fast. But, when you're actually out there looking at it, it's a different kind of fast.''

"This offense is very fast-tempo, very electric, in your face,'' said Bulls' senior offensive tackle Donovan Jennings, who has returned for his sixth USF year after suffering a season-ending injury in Week Four last season. "It's great for our offense and great for the guys we have here. We're not slowing down for any defense. We're going to be fast, but also under control and making the right decisions.''

That was the landscape for Golesh's Tennessee offense in 2022, when the Volunteers led the nation in points per game (47.33), yards per game (538.1), points per possession (3.24) and yards per play (7.35).

Does USF's offense have the personnel to play at that pace?

It bears watching and there will undoubtedly be a learning curve. But Golesh said his style of play will translate to a USF roster that's retooled by returners, recruits and transfer-portal imports.

Offensive line, which lost four starters, is a key unit.

So far?

"We're getting those guys ready schematically for what was about to come and they weren't shocked by the tempo and weren't shocked by how fast it was happening,'' Golesh said. "I was really, really impressed with how those guys looked on Day One.''

Golesh said he expects the receiver group to take a bit longer in adjusting to USF's new style of play.

"With what we do on offense, that is generally the group that's going to take a second (to develop) because it's happening really fast for those guys,'' Golesh said. "We've got three more young guys coming in May, which will give us more depth. But once you get past that initial first group, you're searching a little bit. It's not a thick group.''

At the same time, once the reinforcements arrive, Golesh said he believes the receivers will flourish and wide receivers coach L'Damian Washington will be in a great spot.

"I think this is the best job in the country and I think coaching wideouts in this offense is the best position job in the country,'' said Golesh who saw Tennessee's Jalin Hyatt win the 2022 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. "I truly believe that.''

At quarterback, holdover Byrum Brown (who started the last two games in 2022) is taking the snaps, along with Coastal Carolina transfer Bryce Archie, Gunnar Smith and Ryan Bolduc. Gerry Bohanon (shoulder) and Katravis Marsh (neck), who suffered season-ending injuries in 2022, are doing the mental work in practices, but not participating in spring drills.

Defensive Improvement

USF is shooting for big defensive improvement under new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. Golesh has touted Orlando's skills all offseason, saying he dreaded going up against those defenses during past matchups when the coaches were at opposing schools.

"His mentality is to get after people,'' Cheney said.

"They are setting a culture of what a defense should play like, in terms of running to the football, in terms of how they take the field,'' Golesh said. "There was an intent every time they took the field. Man, you've got to walk like a dude before anybody thinks you are a dude. You've got to act like a dude before anybody thinks you're a dude.

"That (shows up) in how you take the field, how you run to the football, how fundamentally sound you are. Schematically, we'll be in great shape because we have one of the best defensive coordinators in the country and an incredible staff.''

Overall, Golesh wants to see fundamental defensive play over four quarters, not just flashes. He wants to create turnovers — lots of them. He wants his players to "run around with their hair on fire, really excited to play defense.''

Golesh also has a template for all USF defensive players.

"Tough, smart dudes who can run,'' he said.

Stadium Talk

Tuesday marked another important milestone in the quest for USF's on-campus stadium. The school's Board of Trustees has agreed to spend up to $22-million to design the facility, which has been projected to be ready for the 2026 season.

Golesh has been an active partner in the formation of ideas while attending three meetings to discuss the big (and little) details of building a stadium. Golesh also hopes to have a football operations facility up and running before the stadium opens.

"The image of kids waking up, doing whatever they do before game and walking into that stadium … I think that's one of the coolest parts of college football, what it will do for the community and what it will do for the past 26 years of (USF) football players who came through here,'' Golesh said. "They built through the good and the bad, they built this place and they can walk by there and tell their kiddos, 'I built that.' ''

Golesh said he knows what he wants and needs in a football operations center and a stadium. For the first time in his career, he has also been part of other more environmental discussions.

"Sun studies, canopies, fan experience,'' Golesh said, pointing out some of the subjects covered.

Golesh joked that he wants to "throw a crane out there, start swinging it around and that will really look like we're building a stadium.''

For now, he's mostly focused on spring practice and preparing for the 2023 season.

"You try to be positive about it all … and playing at Ray-Jay is pretty cool too, now,'' Golesh said. "So, it's not like that (building an on-campus stadium) is a must-need to go win. I think it's a must-need for us to take the next step as a program. For me as the head football coach, our next step is to practice really well tomorrow.

"In terms of the stadium and what's really needed to fine-tune the inner workings of it, I'm not an expert. There are people way (above me) who specialize in that. Going into the first meeting, I had literally put zero thought into (things like) the color of the exterior of the stadium.''

Golesh has thought plenty about his desires for the day-to-day football operations facility, though.

"Accessibility and the ease of getting around,'' Golesh said, listing his top priorities. "Making it easy for young people to get through, park, walk in, eat and recover. The goal of any football facility is to encourage guys to be there the entire day, take care of your academics, hang out. You want to create a culture where guys want to actually do that.

"There's a recruiting side of it that has to have some 'wow' and some glitz … from a barber shop to a bowling alley to arcades. But there's also a functionality part, a one-stop shop, where you can come and get everything done.''

What's Ahead

USF will practice twice more this week, putting on the pads for the first time this Friday. After a spring-break gap, the Bulls will return to the field and continue preparing for the on-campus spring game (Friday, April 14, Corbett Stadium, 7 p.m.).

– Go Bulls –