USF SPRING GAME presented by USF Federal Credit Union 
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
GATES: Stadium Gates will open at 5 p.m.
PARKING: Is Free. Lots open at 5 p.m.
Fan parking is in Lot 18/Sycamore Drive and Yuengling Center Lots 6 and 22.
FAN FEST: The Fan Fest will move inside the Corbett Stadium and will open at 5 p.m. and remain open throughout the game featuring
KICKOFF: Set for 7 p.m. - Post-game Fireworks
WATCH: Live stream to ESPN+
LISTEN: The game can be heard on 102.5-HD2 and Bulls Unlimited on TuneIn.

The answer was not revealed during spring drills. And it won't be decided during USF's spring football game Friday night at Corbett Stadium.

So, everyone's favorite question — who's the starting quarterback? — will remain a topic into fall training camp as Coach Alex Golesh's Bulls prepare for the Sept. 2 opener at Western Kentucky.

"It's going to be an every-day process,'' said Joel Gordon, USF's pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. "We're not going to come out of spring and say, 'This guy is the guaranteed starter and this guy's No. 2.'

"It's going to be a competitive environment from here on out. They've been making each other better. I think they know we'll be going through the summer the exact same way, take it into fall camp and figure it out when we need to figure it out. I'm excited to see where that competition goes.''

It's senior Gerry Bohanon (6-foot-3, 226 pounds), the Baylor transfer who started USF's first seven games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Bohanon, who completed 57 percent of his passes and rushed for 386 yards (second on the team), has been a constant presence during spring drills, taking every rep mentally on the field even though he won't been cleared to throw until later this spring.

It's redshirt freshman Byrum Brown (6-3, 209), who was fourth-string in last year's training camp before one player defection and two season-ending injuries vaulted him to the top spot for the season's final two games. In a small sample size, he was sensational, passing for 240 yards (beginning with 21 consecutive completions in his first career start) and accounting for four touchdowns at Tulsa, then rushing for 109 yards and the go-ahead touchdown against UCF.

It's redshirt freshman Bryce Archie (6-3, 212), a transfer from Coastal Carolina who has been taking a large number of reps alongside Brown this spring and was ranked the nation's 48th-best quarterback at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia.

"They're competing like crazy, but they're also supporting each other like crazy,'' Golesh said. "I didn't realize that room was as close as it is, especially when you bring in a transfer (Archie), but they've embraced the competition and they've embraced each other. It's great to see.''

With veteran Katravis Marsh (a starter in three games in 2022 and five on his career), stepping away from football due to a neck injury suffered in the SMU game last season and requiring surgery, below are the primary competitors for the Bulls' starting job in 2023 coming out of spring practice.
 

The Veteran

What might have been?

Last October 15, Bohanon was thriving in a home game against powerful Tulane, having completed seven of eight passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, while running for another 33-yard score. In the second quarter, on a routine running play "that I've done dozens and dozens and dozens of times,'' he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Bohanon hasn't been able to physically practice all spring — he hopes to soon begin throwing a football — and has been taking "mental reps.''

"The game of football is schematic, mental, what you see, what's presented from the defense,'' Bohanon said. "It's understanding the picture you're getting and knowing the right answers, what the defense is giving you, recognizing the openings. Where are the weaknesses and how do you take advantage of the weaknesses?

"Throwing the football is the last piece, the end part. If you don't know what you're doing, if the message is not there, it's not going to matter (how you throw). … spring ball is mostly to get in your reps, and I've had lots and lots of reps in my career. It's mostly mental work for me, getting this offense down, watching film, studying. When (fall) camp comes, I'll be ready to go. I don't think I'll miss a beat.''

Just like last season, when Bohanon was supportive of his replacements, Katravis Marsh and Brown, his overall spring-ball attitude has made a favorable impression on his new coaches.

"Gerry literally takes every single rep from behind the line,'' Golesh said. "He gets three times as many reps as anybody. This guy knows how to work and he knows how to prepare.''

"It's an understatement to say Gerry has been a selfless leader in that room,'' Gordon said. "What makes him so awesome is that he's willing to use the experiences that he has had to help these guys. He's willing to give them everything that he knows. It's not an easy thing as a quarterback because it's like, 'Man, do I really want to give away all the answers to the tests? These talented young guys are competing with me.' Gerry has been above and beyond what I thought he would be.''

The Kid

Brown is still just 18. You'd never know it. He's calm. He's cool. He's collected.

And he's extremely talented.

"He's a young guy who hasn't played a ton, but he has done a really good job leading and he has also earned the right to lead by the way he has prepared,'' Golesh said.

Even last season, when there was no evidence of Brown getting to play as a true freshman, coaches and teammates continually praised his practice work and maturity. When Brown improbably got his opportunity, no one was worried. Once Brown hit the field, he looked the part.

"If you came to practice every single day, you'd see he's in control, really poised and doesn't freak out when things fall apart around him,'' Gordon said. "He finds a way to make good decision after good decision after good decision.

"He takes great care of the football and I think that's his DNA as a quarterback. That just didn't start overnight. That's years of playing the position and understanding that emphasis. He was probably like that if you watched him all through high school. He's just continuing to be who he is.''

Indeed, Brown had just one interception (and five touchdown passes) last season. That one turnover bounced off the hands of a USF receiver and into the arms of a well-positioned defender.

"Just being able to take care of the ball and knowing that's what allows you to win,'' Brown said in explaining his priority. "That's like your family. The coaches say treat it (the football) as if it's a baby. You don't want to drop a baby. You don't want to give a baby away. You take that mindset and implement that into your play. That's just something that was instilled in me as a kid.''

That approach — plus the confidence he gained as a late-season starter in 2022 — gives Brown an excellent opportunity to continue as USF's on-field leader.

"I think this offense is suited well for me because I like to play fast, get the ball out to the playmakers and let them make plays for you,'' Brown said. "That's the quarterback's job. Get your playmakers the ball and let them do the work for you.

"Last season, I felt like I was ready and I feel ready now. My parents instilled that preparation in me. When the opportunity comes, you don't shy away from it because opportunities don't come often. I'm pleased I was able to perform at a good level (in 2022) and I want to keep that up.''

The New Guy

When Golesh was a UCF assistant coach (2020), he recruited Archie. In fact, Archie gave a verbal commitment to the Knights. But when Golesh followed head coach Josh Heupel to Tennessee, the direction changed for Archie, who selected Coastal Carolina.

After just one season, he traded teal for the green and gold.

Golesh was the reason.

"When I entered the transfer portal, Coach Golesh was the first guy I talked to,'' Archie said. "I trust him. I ran (a similar) offense in high school, so I feel really comfortable with my decision.

"Coach Golesh is the same guy. He really hasn't changed. He's going to tell you the truth. He's going to tell you what you're coming into and how he can help you grow as a player. He's a great guy. I love him.''

Gordon said Archie's high-school experience makes him a good fit for USF's offense. But there's still work to do.

"If there were three levels in his high-school offense, there are probably 20 layers here,'' Gordon said. "The bare bones of our offense is probably what he was really comfortable with in high school. There's a lot of learning (needed) and he has learned a lot.''

Archie described himself as a playmaker who can make things happen, whether he stands tall in the pocket or takes off running.

"I think I'm great at extending the play,'' Archie said.

The first few weeks in Golesh's offense were "overwhelming,'' but Archie has found more of a comfort zone. On a personal level, he feels well acclimated to USF.

"The minute I got here, I felt welcome in that quarterback room,'' Archie said. "Gerry is teaching us things with his experience. I've gotten close to Byrum and like hanging out with him. So, I feel really comfortable.''

Archie said this is his first experience working with an indoor facility. A lot can happen before 2026, but Archie also visualizes being part of the USF team that could open the school's on-campus stadium. There are great things to anticipate. Archie also said the daily grind of spring football has been enjoyable.

"Of course, it's a competition,'' Archie said. "But in our quarterback room, it's more of a brotherhood.''

– Go Bulls –