USF's defensive-line unit could be the team's most improved area. It is bigger, stronger, faster … and deeper.
Much, much deeper.
"It's a violent position up there,'' defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said. "When we went through recruiting and the transfer portal, we said, 'Hey, this is what we need.' If you can have an eight-man rotation up there where you feel comfortable with at least the top five getting the majority (of the snaps) and the last three can get anywhere from five to 15 plays, you're going to be in good shape. And I think we are that way right now.''
"We're three-deep at every position and we have five dudes who can play any spot,'' holdover defensive end Michael Williams II said. "The third guy on the depth chart could be the first guy. I'm confident in all of them. There's no drop-off.''
The Bulls made an intentional sweep through the nation's available defensive-line talent — looking for girth — and came up with transfers such as Dre Butler (Charlotte, 6-5, 280); Josh Celiscar (Texas A&M, 6-foot-3, 292 pounds); Dennard Flowers (Murray State, 6-2, 250); Devin Lee (Vanderbilt, 6-2, 290); Jacob Merrifield (Florida Atlantic, 6-2, 285); and Traevon Mitchell (West Florida, 6-0, 265).
Key returners include B-backers D.J. Harris (6-2, 248), Ira Singleton (6-5, 240) and Rico Watson III (6-0, 238); sophomore defensive tackles Dinellson Exume (6-4, 270) and Jahari Grant (6-2, 321); and Williams.
"We brought in quite a few guys,'' Orlando said. "The comparison between what we had and what we have now …''
Orlando let the statement hang there, allowing observers to fill in the obvious blanks.
"KP (Kevin Patrick, defensive line coach) said to us yesterday, 'You guys are like bullets to me,' '' Williams said. "I just pull you guys out, throw you guys in there, reload and keep going. It really helps when you know you can give it everything you've got, then the next dude is going to come in and keep that same stuff going.''
"Things have changed,'' Orlando said. "If you saw our ballclub (last year) in terms of the top five guys, we're longer and we're heavier. Let's get those type of guys because if you're getting knocked around, it doesn't really matter what you call. We really went out of our way to add some length up there.''
Lee, a graduate student who played his first four seasons at Vanderbilt, typifies USF's new-look D-line.
"Devin has been really tough and stout inside,'' Orlando said. "When we first played him (in Monday's initial fall practice), it really popped off the screen. Like, wow! I didn't think it was going to be that way. Just the size and how square and fundamental he plays. He can hold the point, find the football and make plays down the line of scrimmage. And he's a great human being.
"That's the thing I love about all these new guys. Devin says, 'I'm going to show you guys I have a voice. I'm going to work my tail off for you.' But you can see the sincerity with him. He works. The whole group kind of gravitates to him. It's just my first evaluation over the first three days, but I think this kid is going to be pretty good.''
Williams said USF's players have been impressed by Lee as well.
"He's a great guy to be around, honest, respectful,'' Williams said. "But once the cleats come on … it's like, 'I've never seen this side of this guy before.' He goes from smiling on the sideline and hydrating to in your face, if you're the quarterback. You're like, 'I was just smiling with him. Where did this come from?'
"He's a big body who can move laterally, vertically, backwards. That's amazing because usually when you have a guy who's that big, they can only hold gaps. They're not really moving left and right. But with Devin, there's not a thing we've asked him to do yet that he hasn't been able to fulfill.''
Lee described himself as a detail-oriented, high-effort player who studies the game intently. He received a bachelor's degree at Vanderbilt in Medicine, Health and Society.
"I think that's one of my big strengths — knowing what I'm doing, how I'm doing it, why I'm doing it, but also knowing what everybody around me is doing,'' Lee said. "I want to know it, inside and out.
"My time at Vandy was great, but I think it was time for me to go and have another opportunity at a place that fits me and how I want to play.''
Lee said he expects all the new players to quickly incorporate into USF's defensive scheme. So far, so good.
"We're all wanting to buy in and win,'' Lee said. "You have no choice but to be good with each other. Everyone is open to each other and we have bonded really well.
"It's a deep D-line with a lot of experience and a lot of talent. The depth is really great and that's what's going to make us better. We have the same goals and the same mindset — to keep improving and to win.''
–#GoBulls–
