USF senior cornerback Aamaris Brown, who had two interceptions and 11 starts for the Bulls in 2022 after transferring from Kansas State, said he's assuming a leadership role at his position.

From the look of things in USF's early training camp, Brown will have some quality company at cornerback, including big, physical and athletic performers such as junior Ben Knox (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) and Nebraska transfer Braxton Clark (6-4, 195).

There's also productive depth from the likes of junior TJ Robinson, freshmen Tavin Ward and Jarvis Lee Jr. and transfers Kendall Dennis (Oklahoma) and Jameel Sanders (Lackawanna CC). Additionally, versatile and experienced senior Daquan Evans returns for his final USF season and also has the capability of playing at nickel and safety.

"I've definitely seen a lot of improvement (from USF cornerbacks) since the day I arrived here,'' Brown said. "Ben Knox… he's jamming guys out of bounds. He has developed his craft. And Braxton, during the summer drills and individual workouts, he has gotten better with his technique and more efficient with his feet. I'm looking forward to seeing what those guys can do this year.''

So is Bulls cornerbacks coach Matt Birkett.

"This is probably the biggest cornerback group I've had, so physicality is not an issue,'' said Birkett, who oversaw a James Madison University unit that led the Football Championship Subdivision in takeaways (31) during 2021.

Birkett said Clark's Nebraska experience (33 games played) should be beneficial.

"He's a veteran who has played a lot of college football,'' Birkett said. "When we're talking about ball, he understands it. He knows what's going on where on defense. He's long and he runs pretty well.''

Clark, who was part of Coach Scott Frost's first recruiting class at Nebraska, is from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. He saw snow for the first time during his Nebraska recruiting visit, when he and C.J. Smith, another Florida-based recruit, had a snowball fight.

After that?

"Basically, from December to March, I was just from my house to the car to the facility,'' Clark said. "I don't think I was ever outside longer than 20 seconds. The cold is brutal out there in the Midwest.

"I'm ecstatic to be back in my home state and close to my family. It was a no-brainer to come to USF and they have really made me feel at home. I think being back in this climate I'm accustomed to, it's going to make me play faster.''

Knox, from DeLand High School, has been biding his time, registering just seven tackles over 22 games in three seasons, while seeing most of his playing time on special teams. After a productive spring and training camp, he's showing breakout potential.

"Ben Knox has been really consistent and he has been playing at an elite level as well,'' said Birkett, who added that Knox's confidence noticeably improved when the player ran with the first-string unit.

"I got my opportunity, I knew what I wanted to achieve and I went out and did it,'' Knox said.

Knox said he welcomes the addition of Clark, who he said will bring needed energy, skill and depth to the cornerback position. And the experience at Clark's previous school — Nebraska — is bound to catch everyone's attention.

"Maybe I can take the young guys in and show them some little tricks I've seen in the Big Ten, alignments, formations, any little tips,'' Clark said. "It really doesn't matter what (reaction) it brings from the fans. You've still got to show up. You've got play. You've got to buckle your chin strap and tie your shoes and show up for your teammates. It's not even about (outside) expectations. I just want to play hard for this team and not let those teammates down.''

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