In the previous two tenures of Kevin Patrick as USF defensive line coach, the Bulls were awash with menacing and productive up-front players who set a winning tone.
DT Rashad Cheney Jr.
Patrick, who has returned to the Bulls' coaching staff after stints from 1996-98 and 2008-12, will be counting on transfers such as Doug Blue-Eli (6-2, 320 pounds, TCU), Bernard Gooden (6-1, 265 Wake Forest) and Immanuel Hickman (6-3, 296, ECU) to provide inside muscle and bolster Bulls interior returners such as Rashad Cheney (6-2, 285) and Jacquez Williams (6-2, 300).
But the most significant acquisition might be a new-found attitude, based in old-school USF principles.
"I think these guys are hungry — hungry to be coached, hungry to be held accountable,'' said Patrick, who's focus will be on the interior defensive linemen. "They've always had talent and a lot of good young men. But I think they've finally said enough is enough and they've gotten rid of some (intangible) things that might have been standing in their way.''
DT's Jacquez Williams and Bernard Gooden
Patrick said he will utilize the examples from previous USF greats he has coached— such as George Selvie, Jason Pierre-Paul and Terrell McClain — but he wants to blend a modern identity along with the characteristics that once made the Bulls into a feared commodity.
"We've talked about getting back to being the toughest, most violent people out there,'' Patrick said. "Let's be the best version of ourselves and really get back to the culture of how we (USF) used to step across the line and play anybody. Let's hold onto to the culture of when they were tough … and they (opponents) knew it was going to be long damn day for themselves.''
Blue-Eli and Gooden both said they love Patrick's message.
DT Doug Blue-Eli
Blue-Eli, originally from New Jersey and playing a junior college stint before landing at TCU, said he learned about USF from Bulls' receiver Naiem Simmons, a former high-school teammate.
"I think it's going to be a total change because KP (Patrick) came to all of us with his vision,'' Blue-Eli said. "'Be Who You Say You Are.' Pay attention to the little details. Don't be a cancer. Work hard all the time. Things like that.
"I think the D-line is performing really well. We're bringing different things to the table. We have a bunch of run-stoppers, a bunch of pass-rushers. There are so many different pieces in that room. When we put it all together, I think it's going to be really dangerous.''
Gooden, whose final Wake Forest game was last season's Gasparilla Bowl played at Raymond James Stadium, said he has been impressed by Patrick's leadership.
"KP was a big part of me coming here,'' Gooden said. "He told me what the standards were here and I knew he could take me further in this game.
DT Immanuel Hickman
"We've got some new guys in the room, but I feel like we've got a lot of great pieces. I think the D-line is going to make a big impact. I know there have been some great ones (former USF D-linemen). We're going to be ready to make our mark and help this program get back to winning games.''
– #GoBulls –
