He has never started a game for USF football. His career totals: Seven tackles, three seasons on the field, mostly serving in special-teams duty.

But after talking to coaches and players, there's a genuine feeling that the time has finally arrived for Bulls' cornerback Ben Knox, who's poised to become a key peg in the USF defense.

"I feel like Ben Knox is so strong, he doesn't even realize how strong he is,'' Bulls cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley said. "In the middle of a route, he can literally put one hand on you and control the whole play. I feel like sometimes he doesn't understand that. When he gets to the point of understanding his actual physical ability, then the sky's the limit for him.''

Bulls cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke, a six-year NFL veteran, said he's excited by one notable physical characteristic from Knox (6-foot-2, 196 pounds).

"Ben's wingspan is crazy … like Yao Ming (7-foot-6 former NBA player),'' Van Dyke said. "I was talking to him yesterday, sizing him up, and I was like, 'Bro, you don't know how big you really are.'

"I see him walking through the locker room. If I'm an opposing receiver, to see that guy across from me, I'd be scared. Ben has unusual size and he has done a good job of using that all camp.''

Knox (given name: Bentaveyon) had an older brother (given name: Benjamin) who began his football career at USF in 2014. Knox, who played at DeLand High School, had a natural affinity for the Bulls and that allowed him to persevere through many trials (backup role, plus a training-camp torn left ACL injury that negated his entire 2023 season).

Knox seemed ready to break out last season before the injury. Head coach Alex Golesh said news of Knox's setback seemed to "knock the air'' out of the entire team because of respect for the player's character and ability.

Now, it's finally time for Ben Knox to be formally unveiled.

Van Dyke can't wait.

"Ben does everything right — on and off the field,'' Van Dyke said. "He's a kid who you would want your daughter to marry. He's going to give you everything, from running to the ball to playing off the receiver to being aggressive … he's just a perfect player. Now, he's mentally stronger and physically stronger. I'm excited to see what he's going to bring.''

Golesh holds Knox in such high regard that he selected him to represent USF's defense at the American Athletic Conference's Football Kickoff event in Dallas.

"Ben was never an every-down guy (previously), but for whatever reason, everybody followed him,'' Golesh said. "Ben's a man of few words. But when he speaks, everyone listens. He has a powerful voice in our locker room.

"Sometimes, I almost tear up thinking about Ben and the journey he has had. I remember sitting there in the training room with him and saying, 'Ben, you'll be back.' And he said, 'Coach, before you know it.' The attitude he exudes, that's who I want my son to be. That dude's a fighter. He has overcome more than anybody would know in his life and he's going to be as successful as you've ever seen in his life after ball.''

Initially, Knox said he was mentally down after suffering the season-ending injury in 2023. Then he made a decision.

"You're wondering why it happened,'' Knox said. "Then one day I woke up and I was done (with excuses). I was looking at ways to improve my game mentally and physically. I made great strides in the weight room. I improved my football IQ. I got closer to my teammates and developed my leadership.

"So, as bad as it was, in a way, it was actually a blessing. It opened the door for me to become an even better player.''

Knox is always looking for an edge. The wingspan that seems like such an advantage? Knox wants to make sure he takes nothing for granted.

"I try not to lean on it too much because it can make my bottom (lower body) dead if I try to use my hands so much,'' Knox said. "So, I work on my feet as much as possible. I need to run with receivers who are as big as me. I want different things in my toolbox.

"My coach (Van Dyke) won't let me get comfortable. If I'm doing good, he's always making me think about enhancement, how I could've done better. That keeps me humble and keeps my feet on the ground. It's all about figuring out how you can be elite in any way.''

Now Knox will bring his skills back to the game-day field — and his teammates couldn't be happier.

"Him not being able to play last year, that hurt me a little bit,'' Brown-Bunkley said. "He has always handled adversity really well. He was never discouraged or anything like that.

"He always kept his teammates up and engaged. He's still that way to this day. Now he's back and we're going to be a better team because of it. I'm excited for him and for us.''

–#GoBulls–