For USF offensive tackle Donovan Jennings and defensive tackle Rashad Cheney, most of last season involved pain, doubts and loneliness. One minute, they filled key roles for the Bulls. The next, they were helped off the field and shuffled backstage.

You see it all the time in college football, an unforgiving next-man-up game.

Now, Jennings and Cheney have returned. They say they're stronger than ever and they're determined to make up for lost time.

Jennings, a 6-foot-5, 333-pound offensive tackle with 35 career starts, was injured in the fourth game of the 2022 season at Louisville. He underwent "tightrope'' surgery on his left ankle and has made a full recovery. He said he's squatting 600 pounds.

Cheney, a 6-2, 285-pound defensive tackle and a Minnesota transfer, was becoming an interior force in his first USF season, but he shattered his ankle at the bottom of a scrum during the sixth game at Cincinnati.

Both players had to be helped up the ladder to USF's charter aircraft for the return trip home — then the long road back began. They had a presence during practices and around campus, but they mostly fought solitary battles.

"That was a long process,'' said Cheney, a former four-star prospect. "That was like one of my lowest points in life, especially when I felt like I was playing one of my best seasons of college football so far. Then it just got cut short.

"But now I'm back. I'm happy to be at camp. I feel like I'm in the correct spot mentally. I'm just happy to be back out there with my team and I'm ready to play a full season.''

Cheney will be a key for a USF defensive line that needs interior strength.

"I tried to give my best each day — even when I was hurt,'' Cheney said. "I was down in spirit, but I knew I had to come into the (meeting) room. At the end of the day, I was one of the older guys and the others looked up to me. I still want to be that leader figure, but I'm excited to be back on the field.''

So is Jennings.

After being recruited from Tampa's Gaither High School, Jennings played in 12 games as a true freshman during the 2018 season. In the regular-season finale against UCF that season, the Knights had an offensive lineman named Tyler Hudanick. He is now Jennings' offensive-line coach at USF.

"I've been around,'' Jennings said with a smile. "I've seen a few things.''

The Bulls began 7-0, were ranked in the Top 25 during the season and played in the Gasparilla Bowl when Jennings was a freshman. He's determined to reach those heights again before his USF career expires after six years (including a redshirt season and a COVID-bonus season).

"Every team is a different team,'' Jennings said. "This one is already really hungry. Everyone is willing to attack the day with a different enthusiasm than we had before and it's exciting to see.

"It was frustrating getting hurt last season, but I had that redshirt year in my back pocket. I wanted to push my rehab and come back to college. I just felt like there was so much more left on the table. I wanted to finish by playing a full season.''

Jennings earned his bachelor's degree 18 months ago and now he's closing in on a master's degree in entrepreneurship and applied technology.

"I welcome any of my teammates with open arms and I'm looking to share all the knowledge I have,'' Jennings said. "I'm here for the younger guys if I can do anything to make their transition easier from high school to college.

"I think back to my true freshman year and I was blessed to play in so many games. We were nationally ranked. It was a good feeling. Every year has its ups and downs, but no doubt, I want to help this program get back to the good times before my time is up.''

USF coaches are delighted with Jennings' return.

"He's the same guy every day — he has a smile on his face and he brings positive energy,'' Bulls offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said. "He has a great work ethic. We're excited for him to be healthy again because we see him as a guy who's really in a position to be a leader for us.''

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