usf football 2015 season outlookusf football 2015 season outlook @usffootball gousfbulls.com 2015...

USF FOOTBALL

2015 SEASONOUTLOOK

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@USFFOOTBALL • GoUSFBulls.com

2015 USF FOOTBALLQUICK FACTS

Location: Tampa, Fla.Enrollment: 47,646Nickname: BullsColors: Green & GoldStadium (Capacity): Raymond James Stadium (65,857)Stadium Surface: Tifway Bermuda 419Conference: American AthleticPresident: Dr. Judy GenshaftAthletic Director: Mark HarlanHead Football Coach: Willie TaggartTaggart Record at USF: 6-18 (3rd)Taggart Record Overall: 22-38 (6th)Football Office Phone: 813-974-7170Press Box Phone: 813-3506225

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONSAssociate AD/Communications/Football Contact: Brian [email protected] Cell: 813-239-3897Assistant Communications Director/Secondary Football: Steve [email protected] Cell: 620-218-1693Assistant Communications Director/Secondary Football: Mark [email protected] Cell: 320-333-2647Athletics Address:4202 E. Fowler Ave. ATH 100Tampa, Fla. 33620

2015 SCHEDULEDATE OPPONENT KICK TIME TELEVISIONSat., Sept. 5 FLORIDA A&M 7:00 PM ESPN3Sat., Sept. 12 at Florida State 11:30 AM ESPN Tallahassee, Fla.Sat., Sept. 19 at Maryland 12:00 PM ESPNews College Park, Md. ESPNU/ESPN2Fri., Oct. 2 MEMPHIS* 7:00 PM ESPN2Sat., Oct. 10 SYRACUSE TBD TBDSat., Oct. 17 at UConn* TBD TBD East Hartford, Conn.Sat., Oct. 24 SMU* TBD TBDSat., Oct. 31 at Navy* 12:00 PM CBSSN Annapolis, Md.Sat., Nov. 7 at East Carolina* TBD TBD Greenville, N.C.Sat., Nov. 14 TEMPLE* TBD TBDFri., Nov. 20 CINCINNATI* 8:00 PM CBSSNFri., Nov. 27 at UCF* TBD National TV Orlando, Fla.Sat., Dec. 5 AAC Championship Game 12:00 PM ABC/ESPN Home Site of Division Winner

* American Athletic Conference gameAll games can be heard on the USF/IMG Radio Network and GoUSFBulls.com

FOOTBALL HISTORYFirst Year: 1997; First Year in FBS: 2000Record (years): 117-96 (18); FBS Record (years): 97-83 (15)All-Time Bowl Record: 4-2Bowl Appearances: 6Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Meineke Car Care (won)First Team All-Americans: 6First Team All-Conference: 22

TEAM OVERVIEW2014 Overall Record: 4-82014 American Athletic Record: 3-5Starters Returning/Lost: 13/11 Offense: 5/6; Defense: 7/4 Special Teams: 1/1Lettermen Returning/Lost: 43/26 Offense: 20/12; Defense: 20/13 Special Teams: 3/1

Eric Lee

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LETTERMEN RETURNING (43)OFFENSE (20)O-Line: Kofi Amichia, Mak Djulbegovic, Brynjar Gudmundsson, Jermi Hall, Thor Jozwiak, Cameron Ruff, Dominique ThreattTight End: Marlon Pope, Sean PriceQuarterback: Steven Bench, Quinton FlowersRunning Back: D’Ernest Johnson, Marlon Mack, Darius TiceFullback: Corian Hamilton, Kennard Swanson, Tye TurnerWide Receiver: Rodney Adams, Ryeshene Bronson, Alex Mut

DEFENSE (20)End: Demetrius Hill, Eric LeeTackle: James Hamilton, Bruce Hector, Deadrin SenatLinebacker: Josh Black, Zack Bullock, C.J. Garye, Nigel Harris, Auggie Sanchez, Tashon WhitehurstCornerback: Deatrick Nichols, Lamar Robbins, Jalen Spencer, Johnny WardSafety: Devin Abraham, Jamie Byrd, Hassan Childs, Tajee Fullwood, Nate Godwin

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)Placekicker: Emilio NadelmanPunter: Mattias CiabattiLong Snapper: Alex Salvato

LETTERMEN LOST (26)OFFENSE (12)Quarterback: Mike WhiteO-Line: Quinterrius Eatmon, Austin Rieter, Darrell WilliamsTight End: Mike McFarlandWide Receiver: Andre Davis, Eric Dungy, Clinton Jones, Deonte WelchRunning Back: Sta’fon McCray

DEFENSE (13)Tackle: Derrick Calloway, Todd Chandler, Elkino WatsonLinebacker: Reshard Cliett, Ruben Garcia, Hans Louis, LeGrande Harley, Rahmon SwainCornerback: Chris Dunkley, Kendall SawyerSafety: Trevon Griffin, Tyler Robb, Torrel Saffold

SPECIAL TEAMS (1)Placekicker: Marvin Kloss

STARTERS RETURNING (2014 Starts) (13)(Number of 2014 starts)OFFENSE (5): ; Brynjar Gudmundsson, G (12); Mar-lon Mack, RB (12); Sean Price, TE (9); Thor Jozwi-ak, G (8); Kennard Swanson, FB (5)DEFENSE (7): Jamie Byred, S (12); Eric Lee, DE (12); Auggie Sanchez, LB (12); Nigel Harris, LB (11); Johnny Ward, CB (7); Devin Abraham, S (6); Nate Godwin, S (9)SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Mattias Ciabatti, P (12)

STARTERS LOST (2014 Starts) (11)OFFENSE (6): Darrell Williams, G (12); Quinterrius Eatmon, T (12), Austin Reiter, C (12); Mike White, QB (10), Andre Davis, WR (8); Mike McFarland, TE (6)DEFENSE (4): Reshard Cliett, LB (11), Todd Chandler, DT (10), Elkino Watson, DT (9); Chris Dunkley, WR (9)SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Marvin Kloss, PK (12)

RETURNERS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE(Number of career starts)OFFENSE (12): Dominique Threatt, OL (7); Rodney Adams, WR (3); Steven Bench, QB (3); Mak Djulbe-govic, T (2); Ryeshene Bronson, WR (2); Kofi Am-ichia, OL (2); Ty Turner, TE (1); Darius Tice, RB (1); Alex Mut, WR (1); Quinton Flowers, QB (1); Cameron Ruff, OL (1); Marlon Pope, TE (1); DEFENSE (7): Tashon Whitehurst, LB (5); Lamar Rob-bins, CB (4); Tajee Fullwood, S (3); ; James Hamil-ton, DT (3); Zack Bullock, LB (2); Hassan Childs, S (2); Deadrin Senat, DT (2); Deatrick Nichols, CB (1);

LETTERMEN AT A GLANCEOFFENSE: Returning: 20 Lost: 12DEFENSE: Returning: 20 Lost: 13SPECIAL: Returning: 3 Lost: 1TOTAL: Returning: 43 Lost: 26

STARTERS AT A GLANCEOFFENSE: Returning: 5 Lost: 5DEFENSE: Returning: 7 Lost: 4SPECIAL: Returning: 1 Lost: 1SPECIAL: Returning: 13 Lost: 10

RUSHING: Marlon Mack: 202 carries, 1,041 yds, 9 TD, 5.2 ypc, 75 lgD’Ernest Johnson: 46 carries, 150 yds, 0 TD, 3.3 ypc, 16 lgDarius Tice: 40 carries, 116 yds, 0 TD, 2.6 ypc, 11 lgPASSING: Steven Bench: 49-100, 611 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT, 101.8 ypgRECEIVING: Rodney Adams: 23 catches, 323 yards, 2 TD, 67 longMarlon Mack: 21 catches, 160 yards, 0 TD, 19 longSean Price: 14 catches, 207 yards, 0 TD, 32 long

SCORING: Marlon Mack: 54 pts, 9 TDTACKLES: Jamie Byrd (S): 95 Nigel Harris (LB): 77 Nate Godwin (S): 72 Auggie Sanchez (LB): 65 Tashon Whitehurst (LB): 49TFL: Nigel Harris: 10.5 Eric Lee: 6.0SACKS: Nigel Harris & Tashon Whitehurst: 2.0INTERCEPTIONS: Jamie Byrd & Johnny Ward: 2

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

2015 SQUAD BREAKDOWN Marlon Mack

LeadingRusher In

The American

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2015 USF FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class/Elig. Hometown (Previous Schools) 1 Chris Barr WR 5-10 165 Fr./Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian Acad.) 2 Jamie Byrd DB 5-11 184 Sr./Sr. Dade City, Fla. (Pasco HS/TCU/Iowa Western CC) 2 Steven Bench QB 6-2 215 Gr./Sr. Bainbridge, Ga. (Cairo HS/Penn St.) 3 Deatrick Nichols CB 5-10 186 So./So. Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS) 4 Jimmy Bayes LB 6-3 225 So./RFr. Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee HS) 4 Asaintii Woulard QB 6-3 210 Jr./So. Winter Park, Fla. (Winter Park HS) 5 Marlon Mack RB 6-0 200 So./So. Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS) 6 A.J. Legree WR 6-1 194 Sr./Jr. Fort White, Fla. (Fort White HS/Univ. of Kentucky) 6 Lamar Robbins DB 6-2 200 Jr./Jr. Miami, Fla. (Southridge HS) 7 Brett Kean QB 6-1 205 Fr./Fr. Lakewood, Ohio (St. Edward HS) 8 Tyre McCants WR 5-11 201 So./RFr. Niceville, Fla. (Niceville HS) 9 Quinton Flowers QB 6-0 217 So./So. Miami, Fla. (Miami Jackson HS) 9 Demetrius Hill DE 6-3 270 Sr./Sr. Kankakee, Ill. (Kankakee HS/Fort Scott CC) 10 Deadrin Senat DT 6-1 300 Jr./So. Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee HS) 11 Marlon Pope TE 6-4 260 Sr./Sr. Hattiesburg, Miss. (Hattiesburg HS/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) 12 Sean Price TE 6-3 245 Sr./Sr. Citra, Fla. (North Marion HS) 13 Tajee Fullwood CB 6-2 203 So./So. Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Bay Tech HS) 14 Deangelo Antoine WR 5-10 185 Fr./Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge HS) 15 Vincent Jackson DE 6-2 246 So./RFr. Tampa, Fla. (Jesuit HS) 16 Donovan Geter WR 6-6 195 Fr./Fr. Tampa, Fla. (Newsome HS) 16 Adam Robles QB 6-3 198 So./Fr. Ocala, Fla. (Vanguard HS) 17 Tyler Pippens RB 5-10 160 Fr./Fr. Riverdale, Ga. (Ola HS) 18 Jaymon Thomas S 6-3 180 Fr./Fr. Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee HS) 18 Evan Wilson WR 6-2 195 Jr./So. Sarasota, Fla. (The Out-of-Door Academy) 19 Ronnie Hoggins CB 5-8 159 Fr./Fr. Coconut Creek, Fla. (Monarch HS) 20 Devin Abraham CB 5-9 182 So./So. Tarpon Springs, Fla. (East Lake HS) 21 Khalid McGee S 5-10 180 Fr./Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS) 22 Hassan Childs DB 6-0 188 Jr./Jr. Kissimmee, Fla. (Osceola HS) 23 Mazzi Wilkins CB 6-0 170 So./RFr. Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS) 24 Johnny Ward DB 6-0 178 Jr./Jr. Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County HS) 25 Cameron Gergley DB 6-0 180 So./RFr. Orlando, Fla. (Winter Park HS) 26 Christian Coffelletto DB 5-10 185 Fr./Fr. Port Charlotte, Fla. (Port Charlotte HS) 26 Chase Whitehead WR 5-9 170 So./RFr. Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Choctawhatchee HS) 27 Chardonnae Baity WR 5-7 160 Jr./Jr. Palmetto, Fla. (Palmetto HS) 27 Austin Hudson S 6-2 205 So./So. Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS) 28 Tucker Bennett S 6-2 195 Fr./Fr. Merritt Island, Fla. (Merritt Island HS) 29 C.J. Garye LB 6-3 228 Gr./Sr. Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln HS) 30 Jalen Spencer DB 6-0 183 Sr./Jr. Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola HS) 31 Darius Tice RB 5-10 211 Jr./Jr. Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS) 32 D’Ernest Johnson RB 5-10 207 So./So. Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee HS)33 TyeTurner FB 6-3 255 Sr./Sr. Hampton,Ga.(GriffinHS) 34 Malik Dixon S 6-3 195 Fr./Fr. Port Charlotte, Fla. (Port Charlotte HS) 35 Emilio Nadelman PK 5-6 173 Jr./So. Miami, Fla. (Central HS) 36 Nate Godwin DB 5-10 202 Jr./Jr. Tampa, Fla. (Freedom HS) 37 Nate Ferguson CB 5-9 170 Fr./Fr. Tampa, Fla. (Sickles HS) 38 Bruce Gillis DB 5-10 184 So./RFr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS) 38 Zaybreion Gunter RB 5-10 205 Jr./Jr. Baldwin Fla. (Baldwin HS) 40 Michael Hill K 5-9 175 Sr./Sr. Tarpon Springs, Fla. (Tarpon Springs HS) 41 Brent Gordon P 6-3 190 Fr./Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Mandarin HS) 41 Greg Reaves LB 6-2 205 Fr./Fr. Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS) 42 Corian Hamilton FB 6-0 231 Gr./Sr. Orlando, Fla. (Olympia HS) 43 Auggie Sanchez LB 6-2 241 Jr./So. St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast HS) 44 Nick Holman LB 6-2 221 So./RFr. Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones HS) 45 Andrew Hill DB 5-8 179 So./RFr. Orange Park, Fla. (Ridgeview HS) 47 Kennard Swanson FB 6-0 238 Jr./So. Lakeland, Fla. (Lake Gibson HS) 48 Spencer Adkinson TE 6-3 237 Jr./So. Seminole, Fla. (Indian Rocks Christian) 49 Mattias Ciabatti P 6-0 189 Sr./Sr. Tampa, Fla. (Hillsborough HS) 50 Devon Jones-Stewart LB 6-1 194 Jr./Jr. Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS) 51 Tashon Whitehurst LB 6-3 220 Sr./Sr. Gainesville, Fla. (Gainesville HS) 52 Zack Bullock LB 6-3 233 Gr./Sr. Sebring, Fla. (Sebring HS)

Name No.Devin Abraham 20Rodney Adams 87Spencer Adkinson 48Austin Aikens 88KofiAmichia 75Deangelo Antoine 14Billy Atterbury 78Daniel Awoleke 93Chardonnae Baity 27Chris Barr 1Jimmy Bayes 4Steven Bench 2 Tucker Bennett 28Glen Bethel 70Josh Black 55Kevin Bronson 99Ryeshene Bronson 81Juwuan Brown 56Zack Bullock 52Jamie Byrd 2Cameron Campbell 69Lucas Cancio 62Hassan Childs 22Mattias Ciabatti 49Stanley Clerveaux 86Christian Coffelletto 26Tyler Dever 67Elkanah Dillon 85Mak Djulbegovic 71Malik Dixon 34Jordan Edwards 92Quinton Flowers 9Nate Ferguson 37Tajee Fullwood 13Michael Galati 68C.J. Garye 29Cameron Gergley 25Donovan Geter 16Reilly Gibbons 76Bruce Gillis 38Nate Godwin 36Marlon Gonzalez 95Brent Gordon 41Brynjar Gudmundsson 66Zaybreion Gunter 38Jeremi Hall 73Corian Hamilton 42James Hamilton 90Nigel Harris 57Bruce Hector 60Andrew Hill 45Demetrius Hill 9Michael Hill 40Ryan Hintz 80Ronnie Hoggins 19Nick Holman 44Austin Hudson 27Vincent Jackson 15D’Ernest Johnson 32Devon Jones-Stewart 50

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No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class/Elig. Hometown (Previous Schools) 53 Danny Thomas LB 6-1 231 Fr./Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Amos P. Godby HS) 54 Nico Sawtelle LB 6-2 215 Fr./Fr. Jensen Beach, Fla. (Jensen Beach HS) 55 Josh Black LB 6-2 232 So./So. Tampa, Fla. (Sickles HS) 56 Juwuan Brown LB 6-2 239 So./RFr. Tampa, Fla. (Jefferson HS) 57 Nigel Harris LB 6-0 220 Jr./Jr. Tampa, Fla. (Hillsborough HS) 58 Dylan Rutledge LS 6-3 214 Jr./Jr. New Port Richey, Fla. (River Ridge HS) 59 Alex Salvato LS 5-11 200 Sr./Jr. Lakeland, Fla. (Victory Christian Academy) 60 Bruce Hector DT 6-2 284 Jr./So. Tampa, Fla. (Robinson HS) 61 Dominique Threatt OL 6-1 315 Jr./Jr. Atlanta, Ga. (Tri-Cities HS) 62 Lucas Cancio OL 6-5 283 Jr./So. Tampa, Fla. (Chamberlain HS) 63 Michael Smith OL 6-3 319 So./RFr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS) 64 Thor Jozwiak OL 6-4 323 Gr./Sr. Eagle Lake, Fla. (Lake Region HS) 65 Clavion Nelson OL 6-3 297 Sr./Jr. Hollywood, Fla. (South Broward HS) 66 Brynjar Gudmundsson OL 6-4 293 Gr./Sr. Wellington, Fla. (Wellington HS) 67 Tyler Dever OL 6-3 284 So./RFr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS) 68 Michael Galati OL 6-3 288 So./RFr. Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS) 69 Cameron Campbell C 6-3 270 Fr./Fr. Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Flanagan HS) 70 Glen Bethel OT 6-6 300 Jr./Jr. Miami, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic HS/Arizona Western CC) 71 Mak Djulbegovic OL 6-5 288 Sr./Sr. Tampa, Fla. (Carrollwood Day School) 72 Brooks Larkin OL 6-3 285 Fr./Fr. Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee HS/Air Force Academy) 73 Jeremi Hall OL 6-5 335 Jr./So. Atlanta, Ga. (Tri-Cities HS) 74 Cameron Ruff OL 6-3 307 Jr./So. Tampa, Fla. (Jesuit HS)75 KofiAmichia OL 6-4 286 Jr./Jr. PowderSprings,Ga.(McEachernHS) 76 Reilly Gibbons OL 6-6 305 Fr./Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg Catholic HS) 77 Marcus Norman OT 6-6 290 Fr./Fr. Sebastian, Fla. (Sebastian River HS) 78 Billy Atterbury OG 6-4 286 Fr./Fr. Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater Central Catholic HS) 79 Benjamin Knox OL 6-6 285 So./RFr. DeLand, Fla. (Deland HS) 80 Ryan Hintze TE 6-6 235 So./RFr. Bradenton, Fla. (Braden River HS) 81 Ryeshene Bronson WR 6-3 192 So./So. Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS) 82 Jordan Reed WR 5-10 170 Fr./Fr. Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS) 83 Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR 6-3 210 Jr./Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS) 84 Alex Mut WR 6-3 205 Sr./Jr. Port Charlotte, Fla. (Charlotte HS) 85 Elkanah Dillon TE 6-5 245 So./RFr. Ocala, Fla. (Vanguard HS) 86 Stanley Clerveaux WR 6-3 196 So./RFr. North Miami, Fla. (North Miami HS) 87 Rodney Adams WR 6-1 190 Jr./Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS/Toledo) 88 Austin Aikens WR 6-0 180 Jr./Jr. Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS/Western Kentucky) 89 Mitchell Wilcox TE 6-4 225 Fr./Fr. Tarpon Springs, Fla. (Tarpon Springs HS) 90 James Hamilton DT 6-2 312 Sr./Sr. Orlando, Fla. (Olympia HS) 92 Jordan Edwards DE 6-1 220 Fr./Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS) 91 Eric Lee DE 6-3 258 Sr./Sr. Daphne, Ala. (Daphne HS) 93 Daniel Awoleke DE 6-5 272 Sr./Sr. Lakeland, Fla. (George Jenkins HS) 94 Kirk Livingstone DE 6-4 235 Fr./Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Stranahan HS 95 Marlon Gonzalez DT 6-4 260 Fr./Fr. Cape Coral, Fla. (North Ft. Myers HS) 96 Eric Mayes DE 6-4 240 Fr./Fr. Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS) 97 Nicholas Munera DE 6-5 220 So./RFr. Tampa, Fla. (King HS) 98 Mike Love DE 6-4 248 Jr./So. Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside HS) 99 Kevin Bronson DE 6-4 265 So./RFr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Village Academy HS)

Name No.Thor Jozwiak 64Brett Kean 7Benjamin Knox 79Brooks Larkin 72Eric Lee 91A.J. Legree 6Kirk Livingstone 94Mike Love 98Marlon Mack 5Eric Mayes 96Tyre McCants 8Khalid McGee 21Nicholas Munera 97Alex Mut 84Emilio Nadelman 35Clavion Nelson 65Deatrick Nichols 3Marcus Norman 77Tyler Pippens 17Marlon Pope 11Sean Price 12Greg Reaves 41Jordan Reed 82Lamar Robbins 6Adam Robles 16Cameron Ruff 74Dylan Rutledge 58Alex Salvato 59Auggie Sanchez 43Nico Sawtelle 54Deadrin Senat 10Michael Smith 63Jalen Spencer 30Kennard Swanson 47Danny Thomas 53Jaymon Thomas 18Dominique Threatt 61Darius Tice 31Tye Turner 33Marquez Valdes-Scantling 83Johnny Ward 24Chase Whitehead 26Tashon Whitehurst 51Mitchell Wilcox 89Mazzi Wilkins 23Evan Wilson 18Asaintii Woulard 4

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WHAT’S BACK FOR 2015?USF returns 13 starters (5 offense, 7 defense and 1 special-ist) for Willie Taggart’s third season at the helm. The Bulls willreturntheirtopfivetacklers(8ofthetop12overall)andplayers that accounted for 70 percent of the team’s tackles in 2014. USF returns 100 percent of its rushing yardage from 2014, including 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack, and 50 per-cent of its receptions and receiving yards.

THE PROGRAMThe USF Football program completed its 18th season and 15th at the FBS level in 2014. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 25 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.

#BAYMADEUSFreturnsitstopfivetacklersfrom2014,fourofwhichareBay Area natives (Jamie Byrd, Nigel Harris, Nate Godwin & Auggie Sanchez). Byrd led the way with 95 tackles, while Harris was second with 77 and led the team with 10.5 tack-les for loss. USF also returns every player that recorded an interception and seven of its 14 fumble recoveries.

GOING UP TEMPOUSF made changes in its offensive and defensive philos-ophy for the 2015 season with an emphasis on tempo and speed players. The Bulls sped up everything they did on and offthefieldduringtheoffseason, includingliftingsessions,meetings and practice pace in preparation to play fast. The Bulls offense worked in more spread elements, multiple re-ceiver sets and quarterback zone-read option plays while moving to a no-huddle offense with an announced practice goal of snapping the football with at least 15 seconds re-maining on the play clock. The defense shifted to a 4-2-5 schemekeepingfivedefensivebacksonthefieldinabasesetas theBulls look toget fasterplayerson thefieldandswarm the football.

ONE OF THE AMERICAN’S BEST RECRUITING CLASSES AGAINFor the second-straight season, the USF signing class was ranked among the best in the American Athletic Conference. Head Coach Willie Taggart received National Letters of In-tent from 19 student-athletes on National Signing Day. They joined one 2015 signee who enrolled at USF in January and a four-star fall transfer that were on campus participating in the team’s winter conditioning program. The Bulls had 21 to-tal members in the class of 2015. Taggart’s third USF recruit-ing class, second on a full cycle, was rated the second-best in The American by 247Sports, Scout and Rivals. This on the heels of the No. 1 ranked class in the conference in 2014. Twenty players in the Bulls’ 2015 class earned a three-star rating from at least one recruiting service. That list does not include four-star offensive lineman Reilly Gibbons (St. Pe-tersburg) who signed with Stanford in 2014, but announced his decision to become a Bull in the fall. He joined the USF program in January and was granted an NCAA waiver for immediateeligibility.TheBullswelcomedfiveplayerstotheroster that hail from the Bay Area, bringing Taggart’s total of Bay Area recruits to 17 in the last two seasons. USF added nine players on the defensive side of the ball and 12 on of-fense to its roster.

TRANSFER GAINSUCLA quarterback Asiantii Woulard and N.C. State wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling were the last of a sig-nificanthaulofhighleveltransferstojointheBullsprogramin the last few seasons. Woulard and Valdes-Scantling are both Florida natives and joined fellow Floridians in Wiscon-sin safety Austin Hudson and Stanford offensive lineman Reilly Gibbons as talented additions alongside Willie Tag-gart’s 19-member 2015 recruiting class. They joined current Bulls Rodney Adams (Toledo), Jamie Byrd (TCU/Iowa), A.J. Legree (Kentucky) and Austin Aikens (Western Kentucky) as Floridians to transfer to USF as well as Georgia native Steven Bench (Penn State) to give USF nine such transfer players on the 2015 team. “Nearly all of the transfers we’ve asked to join our program are guys we knew very well,” Taggart said. “We built very strong relationships with them and their families during their high school recruiting process and are confident they willbenefitourprogram.”

STAFF CHANGES & ADDITIONSUSFsaw theadditionoffivenewcoachingstaffmembersand the promotion of two during the offseason. The Bulls added Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen (Ole Miss), Co-Of-fensive Coordinator Danny Hope (Purdue), Defensive Backs Coach Alonzo Hampton (Western Kentucky), Running Backs Coach Donte Pimpleton (Kentucky Weslyan) and Tight Ends Coach David Gilbertson (USF GA) as new mem-bers to the staff. Quarterback Coach David Reaves was pro-moted to co-offensive coordinator/passing game coordinator and Linebackers Coach Raymond Woodie was promoted to assistant head coach/linebackers. USF also added Director of Player Personnel Jon Haskins to the staff.

AWARDS WATCHUSF had three players named to four national awards watch lists in the preseason:n RB Marlon Mack (Maxwell & Doak Walker), TE Sean Price (Mackey) and P Mattias Ciabatti (Ray Guy) earned watch list recognition.

TOMEY JOINS USFLongtime college football coach Dick Tomey joined USF in February an Associate Athletic Director for Sports Adminis-tration with oversight of the football program. Tomey, who compiled 183 wins in 29 years as a collegiate head coach, ended his football coaching career in 2011 after returning to serve as special teams coach at the University of Hawaii. He began his head-coaching career at Hawaii in 1977 and went on to lead the Warriors program for 10 seasons (1977-1986), earning WAC Coach of the Year Honors in 1981. Tomey gained national prominence while leading the University of Arizona football program for 14 seasons (1987-2000), garnering seven bowl bids, a Pac-10 title and compiling a program-record 95 wins (95-64-4). Tomey earned Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1992.

2015 PRESEASON NOTEBOOK

SCOUT American Conference2015 Recruiting Class Rankings

Rank Total Players 3-Stars Points1. Cincinnati 27 17 15452. USF 21 16 11573. UCF 18 11 10434. SMU 22 8 9755. Houston 19 8 8336. Memphis 30 6 8107. Temple 20 6 7168. East Carolina 17 8 6719. Navy 64 5 63510. Tulsa 20 4 63511. Tulane 19 4 55512. Connecticut 22 1 462

Jamie Byrd

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NIGEL HARRIS • 6-0 • 220 • JRLB(stinger)

57BAY AREA

NATIVE

AUGGIE SANCHEZ • 6-2 • 241 • SOMLB43

BAY AREA NATIVE

• Fourth on team with 65 tackles in 2014• Career-high 11 tackles at Tulsa (2014)• 19-yard fumble return for a TD vs. Maryland, also had INT in the game•Startedall12gamesin2014inhisfirstseasononthefield• QB of defense, calling all alignments and audibles

• LED THE NATION with SIX forced fumbles in 2014, a USF season record• Led team with 10.5 tackles for loss• 2nd on team with 77 tackles, led USF with 11 tackles at Cincinnati• 9 tackles, two FR, 1 FF, 1 sack vs. Maryland - AAC DEFENSIVE POW•112careertacklesand7forcedfumblesinfirsttwoseasons.

JAMIE BYRD • 5-11 • 184 • SRS(husky)

2BAY AREA

NATIVE

• Led USF with 95 tackles,10th in AAC (5th among DB’s)• Led team in tackles 6 times, 3 double-digit: WCU (11), Wisc (14), HOU (14)• Tied team lead with 2 interceptions & had one forced fumble (Maryland)• Ranked 20th in the NCAA with 5.9 solo tackles per game• Nicknamed “Angry Byrd” after the popular game for his ferocious hits

PLAYERS TO WATCH: DEFENSEALLEN LEADS THE DTom Allen was named the Bulls defensive coordinator in December of 2014 and brought 23 years of coaching ex-perience to USF. He previously coached in the Bay Area early in his coaching career, serving as head coach at Temple Heights HS (1992-94) and as defensive coordinator at Armwood HS (1995-96). Allen spent the previous three seasons at Ole Miss, where he served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator and helped the Rebels rise to the No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press poll in 2014 and spend nine weeks in the top 10. The 2014 Ole Miss defense led the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 13.8 ppg and allowing a national low of 18 touchdowns. The RebeldefenseledtheSECinfivecategoriesandrankedinthe top 20 nationally in 11. Alonzo Hampton also joined the program in January as secondary coach. Hampton previ-ously served as defensive backs coach under Head Coach WillieTaggartduringhisfinaltwoseasonsleadingWesternKentucky (2011-12) and was part of the Hilltoppers’ historic turn-aroundandtheprogram’sfirst-everbowlappearance.

MOVE TO 4-2-5With Allen’s appointment to DC, the Bulls shifted to a 4-2-5 set on defense that will accentuate the program’s strength in secondary players and match the plethora of spread offenses now populating the American Conference. The aggressive defense dominated the Spring Game, including a 19-tackle day from senior linebacker Tashon Whitehurst playing the new “Stinger” position. The defense also uses a new “Bull” position, moving a smaller, quicker linebacker to the d-line as a pash rusher, and a “Husky” position which brings a free safety closer to the line in a hybrid linebacker position.

HARRIS A BALL HAWKNigel Harris returns after a break-out sophomore campaign that saw him LEAD the nation with six forced fumbles and leadUSFwith10.5tacklesfor losswhilefinishingsecondon the team with 77 tackles. The Tampa native also recov-ered two fumbles and had two sacks. He enters his junior season with seven career forced fumbles, already good for second all-time at USF. He will move to the “Stinger” po-sition in the Bulls’ new defensive alignment, allowing him more freedom to roam and attack opposing offenses.

ANGRY BYRD MOVES TO HUSKYJunior college transfer Jamie Byrd led the Bulls with 95 tackles in 2014 and added a team-high tying two intercep-tions while earning the nickname “Angry Byrd,” after the popular game, for his ferocious hits. Byrd figures to logeven more of those hits in 2015 as he moves closer to the line of scrimmage in the new “Husky” position in the Bulls’ 4-2-5 defense. That position will see him lining up much of the time in the box and providing frequent run support and blitzes.

HAND IN THE DIRTThe new “Bull” position in the 4-2-5 has seen many of USF’s linebackers working with the defensive line and lining up with their hands in the dirt. Among the new hybrid lineback-ers expected to provide the Bulls with a mobile edge rusher aresophomoreJoshBlack,whosawactioninthelastfivegame of 2014 and made one start, senior Zack Bullock, and redshirt freshmen Vincent Jackson, Juwuan Brown and Jimmy Bayes.

SECONDARY GOES PRIMARYThe move to the 4-2-5 will emphasize a position of depth and strength for the Bulls that sees the return of seven players that started a game in 2014, two of the Bulls’ top three tacklers (S Nate Godwin joining S Jamie Byrd) and the addition of five talented defensive backs in the 2015signing class.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

CB3 • Saw action in all 12 games in 2014 as a true freshman

•MadefirstcareerstartinwinatSMU• Won three state championships at Miami Central HS

DEATRICK NICHOLS • 5-10 • 186 • SO

DT10

• One of the most dominant players in the spring, a force on the defensive line• 18 tackles, 0.5 TFL in 2014•Startedtwogamesin2014,hisfirstseasononthefield• One of the strongest players in the weight room

DEADRIN SENAT • 6-1 • 300 • SO

SS(rover)

36BAY AREA

NATIVE

• Led or tied for team lead in tackles in three games• 3rd on team with 72 tackles, 53 solo, in 2014• His 121 career tackles lead all USF returners• Played in all 24 games in his two years on campus, 18 starts

NATE GODWIN • 5-10 • 202 • JR

LB (stinger)

51• Led the team with 19 tackles, an INT and a sack in Spring Game• Career-best 49 tackles, 5.0 TFL in 2014• 70 career tackles in 32 games played, 5 career starts

TASHON WHITEHURST • 6-3 • 220 • SR

DE91

• Expected to emerge as a force in new 4-2-5 alignment in his senior season• Added 15 pounds of muscle in off-season• 28 tackles, 6.0 TFL in 2014, second in TFL among USF returners• 7.5 career TFL in 34 career games

ERIC LEE • 6-3 • 258 • SR

DE9

• Missed spring practice for personal reasons• Saw action in 11 games in 2014, posted 5.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks• Ranked as No. 4 junior college defensive end by JCGridiron.com• Had 16.5 TFL, 6.0 sacks in last season at Fort Scott CC

DEMETRIUS HILL • 6-3 • 270 • SR

CB24 • Tied for team lead with two interceptions to go with 36 tackles in 2014

• Recorded seven tackles, one interception vs. ECU• Part of two turnovers vs. Maryland (1 INT, 1 FR).

JOHNNY WARD • 6-0 • 178 • JR

CB6 •Startedfiveofthefinalsixgamesin2014

• Returned an interception 46 yards for a TD vs. N.C. State•Playedin23gameshisfirsttwoseasons

LAMAR ROBBINS • 6-2 • 200 • JR

FS20 • Played in 12 games with six starts in 2014

• Posted 34 tackles (23 solo), season-high six at Cincinnati• Son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer cornerback Donnie Abraham

DEVIN ABRAHAM • 5-9 • 182 • SO

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MARLON MACK • 6-0 • 195 • SOHB5

BAY AREA NATIVE

RODNEY ADAMS • 6-1 • 190 • JRSLOT87

BAY AREA NATIVE

• Third on the team with 23 receptions, 2nd with 323 yards, 2 TDs in 2014• 67-yard TD reception at Cincinnati, 30-yard TD in win vs. UConn• Five carries for 53 yards and a TD• Missed two games late in year with injury

BRYNJAR GUDMUNDSSON • 6-4 • 305 • GRRG66

• Started all 12 games in 2014 at guard and tackle• Started all 24 games last two seasons, most experienced returning OL• Among team leaders in snaps taken last two seasons• Graduated in December 2014 (Communications)

ALL-AMERICA, MAXWELL & DOAK WALKER AWARD CANDIDATE2014 AMERICAN CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE• Named one of Top 20 Running Backs On The Rise For 2015 by Athlon • 1,041 yards set USF freshman record, 3rd best all-time in a season• Led AAC with 86.8 ypg, third with 9 rushing TDs• 1 of 3 freshmen to lead a conference in rushing in 2014• Set school & AAC record with 275 yards rushing in debut vs. WCU

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OFFENSE

THOR JOZWIAK • 6-4 • 321 • GRLG64

• Started eight games in 2014, 13 career starts• Missed four games in 2014 with an injury• Sidelined in 2013 due to a heart condition• Graduated in December 2014 (Communications)

SEAN PRICE • 6-3 • 250 • SRTE (Y)

12MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST• 56 career receptions & 601 career receiving yards lead USF returners•Had21receptionsineachofhisfirsttwoseasons•Needsfivecatches&174yardsforUSFtightendrecords

A.J. LEGREE • 6-1 • 194 • JRWR (Z)

6• Transfer from Kentucky, sat out 2014• 24 games played at Kentucky• 19 receptions for 210 yards at Kentucky• 1st team Class 3A All-State (Fla.), state champion high jumper

#MACKATTACK

OFFENSIVE COACHING CHANGESWillie Taggart brought on board Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Danny Hope in December. A Gaines-ville, Fla., native and former head coach at Purdue, Hope has strong ties to Florida having also coached under leg-endary Florida high school coach Joe Kinnan at Manatee HS. Hope also was an assistant Howard Schnellenberger at Miami and under Joe Tiller at Purdue when Tiller brought the spread offense to the Big Ten. Taggart also added Kinnan to the Bulls’ staff as a senior offensive consultant. Kinnan coached Taggart as an all-state quarterback at Manatee HS and the two claimed a Florida state title in the early 1990’s. Kinnan, who coached in the collegiate ranks before taking over the Manatee program, has consulted such coaches as Nebraska’s Tom Osborne and Auburn’s Gus Malzahn on offensive philosphy during his career.

BULLS GO UP-TEMPO/SPREADUSF moved to a no-huddle, up-tempo offensive philosophy during the spring with a stated goal of snapping the ball with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock. The up-tempo phi-losophy was infused on both sides of the ball and through-out practice as the Bulls were paced through crisp and fast workouts lasting around 1:45 and managed to run twice as many offensive plays during that period as they had in the past. USF will also incorporate many more spread elements and read-option runs into its offense in 2015 while maintain-ing a desire to power run the football.

RETURN OF THE MACKSophomore Marlon Mack returns after leading The Ameri-can in rushing in 2014 and posting just the fourth 1,000-yard season (1,041) in USF history. He had four 100-yard games andfivetouchdownrunsof54yardsorlongerontheyear,while also displaying pass catching skills with 21 receptions. One of three freshmen to lead a conference in rushing last year, Mack posted an AAC and USF game record of 275 yards rushing and four touchdowns in his collegiate debut.

QB COMPETITIONThe Bulls entered the spring with an open quarterback com-petition between three players that started games in 2014. While no starter was named at the conclusion of the spring, the competition was narrowed to senior Steven Bench (three starts) and sophomore Quinton Flowers (one start) who both emerged as adept at running the read-option and getting the ball out quickly to spread receivers in the spring. Junior Mike White, who started 10 games in 2014, elected to transfer following the conclusion of spring pracice.

O-LINE MAKEOVERJunior guard Brynjar Gudmundsson returns as the Bulls’ most experienced offensive lineman with 24 career starts. Fellow senior Thor Jozwiak bring 13 career starts into 2015, but missed the entire spring after undergoing shoulder sur-gery. USF will look to replace three senior starters on the line that had all logged 29 career starts or more, the most significantofwhichmaybethree-yearstarterandtwo-timeRimington Trophy candidate Austin Reiter at center. Among the standouts looking to step into those shoes on the o-line is 6-5, 335-pound junior guard Jeremi Hall, 6-3, 307-pound sophomore center Cameron Ruff and 6-4, 286-pound junior tackleKofiAmichia.

INFLUX OF PERIMETER SPEEDThe Bulls’ top ranked American Conference recruiting class was full of speed players on the perimeter that are expect-ed to have an impact in the spread offense and on special teams. Junior college wide receiver Jarvis Baxter, who post-ed 1,205 yards and 18 TDs for No.3-ranked Trinity Valley CC, joins freshmen Chris Barr, Deangelo Antoine, Jordan Reed and running back Trevon Sands on offense.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

• Made third-career start vs. Houston in 2014 - 12-of-25 for 147 yards• Ran for 60-yard TD on option play in Spring Game• Threw TD pass at Memphis• Transfer to USF from Penn State after freshmen year

QB2

STEVEN BENCH • 6-2 • 215 • GR

QB9 • First career start at SMU (2014), 106 yds passing, 33 rushing

• A four-star recruit out of Miami.• 1,349 yards passing, 641 yards rushing and 10 TDs in senior HS season.

QUINTON FLOWERS • 6-0 • 217 • SO

RYESHENE BRONSON • 6-3 • 192 • SOWR (X)

81• Caught 10 passes for 85 yards and 1 TD as a freshman• Had a 75-yard TD catch vs. N.C. State• A Semper Fidelis All-American game selection• ESPN 4-star recruit

DARIUS TICE • 5-10 • 211 • JRHB31

• Called “The MVP of spring practice” by Coach Taggart•Posted75carriesfor245yardsinhisfirsttwoseasons• Saw action in 10 games in 2014, posting 104 yards rushing• A second-team 6A All-State selection, 1,210 yards and 20 TDs

TE85 • Three catches for 62 yards, including a 49-yard long, in Spring Game.

• Showed athleticism, speed and solid hands throughout the spring• Posted 45 receptions for 596 yards and six touchdowns as a HS senior

ELKANAH DILLON • 6-5 • 245 • RFR

STANLEY CLERVEAUX • 6-3 • 196 • FRWR (X)

86• A spring practice standout who displayed great hands and agility• Returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him last fall• 58 catches for 696 yards and 10 TDs at North Miami HS

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MATTIAS CIABATTI • 6-0 • 189 • GRP49

ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE • RAY GUY AWARD WATCH LIST• First Team All-American Conference Punter (2014)• 10th in the NCAA/1st in conf. with 44.4 yards per punt average• Set USF season record for punting average• Led AAC with 22 punts inside the 20 and 18 of 50+ yards in 2014• National Punter of the Week (11.17.14) - Career best 49.0 avg• AAC Special Team POW (9.22)• Punted in every game the last two seasons, 139 career punts for 42.2 avg• 40 career punts inside the 20, 32 over 50+ yards

PLAYERS TO WATCH: SPECIAL TEAMS 2015 SCHEDULE NOTESn USF will play six home games and six road games in2014andwillmakefirst-evertripstoMarylandandNavyontheyear.USFwillplayfive2014bowlteamson the road. n USF will face seven opponents that reached a bowl game in2014, including threeof theBulls’ first threeopponents on the season. n USF has three “Big Five” conference opponents on its non-conference schedule making it one of the toughest in the nation. USF will play road games at Florida State (ACC) and Maryland (Big Ten) while Syr-acuse (ACC) travels to Raymond James Stadium. n Florida State is ranked in the top 10 of many presea-son polls and will mark the second preseason Top 25 team on the Bulls’ non-conference schedule in as many years. Wisconsin was a preseason Top 25 team last year. TheSeminoles figure to be the highest rankedopponent USF has faced since falling, 30-17, to No. 4 ranked Florida State in Raymond James Stadium in 2012. n USF will be facing a Top 25 ranked non-conference opponent for the ninth-straight season dating to 2007. The Bulls have gone 4-4 in the previous eight games defeating No. 13 Auburn (2007), No. 11 Kansas (2008), No. 18 Florida State (2009) and No. 16 Notre Dame (2011). FSU has the potential to be the third top 10 op-ponent USF will face in that span. All the previous eight have been in the top 20.n USF will face co-defending American Conference champions Memphis, Cincinnati and UCF in Friday games on national television. Memphis and Cincinnati both travel to Raymond James Stadium for primetime night games while the Bulls head to UCF for the now traditional Friday after Thanksgiving rivalry clash with the Knights. Kick time for that game has yet to have been set.

WINNING CLOSE GAMESThe Bulls are 6-2 in one-possession games in Head Coach Willie Taggart’s two seasons, including a 4-1 mark in 2014. USF is unbeaten in American Confer-ence games decided by a one-possession score, going 5-0 under Taggart including a 3-0 mark last season.

2015 USF graduate with 3.5 GPA in civil engineering

Pursuing MBA

WHERE THE BULLS ARE FROM

BULLS BY STATEFLORIDA: 95GEORGIA: 7ALABAMA: 2ILLINOIS: 1MISSISSIPPI: 1OHIO: 1

FLORIDA BULLSBAY AREA: 41MIAMI/FT. MYERS: 13ORLANDO: 5IMMOKALEE: 3

BULLS BY CLASSTRUE FRESHMEN: 28REDSHIRT FRESHMEN: 19SOPHOMORES: 21JUNIORS: 21SENIORS: 18

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USF OFFENSEPOS # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. Z 87 Rodney Adams 6-1 190 Jr. 6 A.J. Legree 6-1 194 Jr. Y (TE) 12 Sean Price 6-3 250 Sr. 85 Elkanah Dillon OR 6-5 239 Fr. 11 Marlon Pope 6-4 260 Sr. RT 71 Mak Djulbegovic 6-5 288 Sr. 65 Clavion Nelson 6-3 297 Jr. RG 66 Brynjar Gudmundsson 6-4 293 Gr. 61 Dominique Threatt 6-1 315 Jr. C 74 Cameron Ruff 6-3 307 So. 68 Michael Galati 6-3 288 RFr. LG 73 Jeremi Hall 6-5 335 So. 64 Thor Jozwiak 6-4 323 Gr. LT 75 KofiAmichia 6-4 286 Jr. 79 Benjamin Knox 6-6 285 RFr. QB 2 Steven Bench OR 6-2 215 Gr. 9 Quinton Flowers 6-0 217 So. HB 5 Marlon Mack 6-0 200 So. 31 Darius Tice 5-10 211 Jr. 32 D’Ernest Johnson 5-10 207 So. SLOT 87 Rodney Adams 6-1 190 Jr. 26 Chase Whitehead 5-9 170 RFr. X 81 Ryeshene Bronson 6-3 192 So. 86 Stanley Clerveaux 6-3 196 RFr.

USF DEFENSE (4-2-5)POS # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. DE 91 Eric Lee 6-3 248 Sr. 98 Mike Love 6-4 248 So. DT 90 James Hamilton 6-2 312 Sr. 99 Kevin Bronson 6-4 265 Fr. DT 10 Deadrin Senat 6-1 300 So. 60 Bruce Hector 6-2 284 So. DE 52 Zack Bullock 6-3 233 Gr. (BULL) 55 Josh Black 6-2 232 So. MLB 43 Auggie Sanchez 6-2 241 So. (MIKE) 53 Danny Thomas 6-1 231 Fr. WLB 51 Tashon Whitehurst 6-3 220 Sr. (STINGER) 57 Nigel Harris 6-0 220 Jr. CB 3 Deatrick Nichols 5-10 186 So. 6 Lamar Robbins 6-2 200 Jr. HUSKY 2 Jamie Byrd 5-11 184 Sr. 30 Jalen Spencer 6-0 183 Jr. FS 13 Tajee Fullwood 6-2 203 So. 20 Devin Abraham 5-9 182 So. SS 36 Nate Godwin 5-10 202 Jr. (ROVER) 22 Hassan Childs 6-0 188 Jr. CB 24 Johnny Ward 6-0 178 Jr. 23 Mazzi Wilkins 6-0 170 RFr.

2015 USF FOOTBALL FALL CAMP DEPTH CHART

POS # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. P 49 Mattias Ciabatti 6-0 189 Gr. 35 Emilio Nadelman 5-6 173 So. PK 35 Emilio Nadelman 5-6 173 So. 40 Michael Hill 5-9 175 Sr. H 49 Mattias Ciabatti 6-0 189 Gr. 84 Alex Mut 6-3 205 Jr. LS 59 Alex Salvato 5-11 200 Jr. KO 35 Emilio Nadelman 5-6 173 So. 40 Michael Hill 5-9 175 Sr. KR 32 D’Ernest Johnson 5-10 207 So. 87 Rodney Adams 6-1 190 Jr. PR 22 Hassan Childs 6-0 188 Jr.

USF SPECIALISTSPRONUNCIATION CHART

75 _ KofiAMICHIA ____________________________ Ah-MEE-chee-ugh93 _ Daniel AWOLEKE ________________________ ugh-WALL-ugh-KAY81 _ RYESHENE Bronson ____________________________ rye-SHEEN22 _ HASSAN Childs __________________________________ HAH-san49 _ MATTIAS CIABATTI ________________ mah-TEE-us chuh-BOT-ee86 _ Stanley CLERVEAUX ____________________________ CLAIR-voe85 _ ELKANAH Dillon ______________________________ EL-CANE-ugh34 _ MALIK Dixon ____________________________________ MA-Leek71 _ MAK DJULBEGOVIC ______________ MACK Juhl-BEG-oh-vitch13 _ TAJEE Fullwood _________________________________ Tah-SHAY29 _ C.J. GARYE ________________________________________ Gary66 _ BRYNJAR Gudmundsson _________________________brynn-YAR 32 _ D’ERNEST Johnson _____________________________ DEE-ernest64 _ Thor JOZWIAK _______________________________ joes-WEE-ack8 __ TYRE McCants ____________________________________ TIE-ree21 _ KHALID McGee ___________________________________ KAW-lid 3 _ DEATRICK Nichols ________________________________DEE-trick78 _ Cameron RUFF __________________________________ ROUGH25 _ TREVON Sands _________________________________ TRAY-von54 _ NICO Sawtelle __________________________________ KNEE-coe10 _ DEADRIN SENAT________________________deed-RIN sen-KNOT51 _ TASHON Whitehurst ____________________________ TAY-shawn23 _ MAZZI Wilkins ___________________________________MAH-zee4 __ ASAINTII Woulard ___________________________A-SHAWN-TEE

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HEAD COACHWILLIE TAGGART

3rd Season at USF (6-18)

6th Season Overall (22-38)

Western Kentucky, 1998

Named head coach at the University of South Florida on Dec. 9, 2012, Willie Tag-gart set to work changing the Bulls’ cul-ture and rebuilding a winning program in Tampa. The native of the Tampa Bay area brought his magnetic, positive energy to USF after three seasons leading a dramat-ic turn-around as head coach at his alma mater Western Kentucky. Prior to taking the lead at WKU, Taggart had a very suc-cessful run alongside Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, helping build the Cardinal into a national power.The fifth-youngest coach in the FBS in 2014 at age 38, Taggart’s energy and enthusiasm were immediately evident at USF as he rallied the fans and his team behind his “Do Something” mantra. The former all-state quar-terback at nearby Bradenton Manatee HS established a blue-collar work ethic learned as the youngest of six kids of parents, John and Gloria, who worked the vegetable fields of Palmetto. The Bulls posted 2-10 and 4-8 records in his first two seasons as Taggart rebuilt the talent base and his team steadily improved and grew closer and more resilient. Setting the foundation for Bulls’ success to come, Taggart’s first full recruiting period resulted in the consensus No. 1 ranked class in The American in 2014 as he brought 28 new players to the USF campus in a top 40 class nationally.

TAGGART COACHING RECORDS2013-: 6-18 at USF2010-12: 16-20 (.444) at Western Kentucky (head coach)2007-09: 17-20 (.459) at Stanford (assistant coach)1999-2006: 67-31 (.684) at Western Kentucky (assistant coach)Totals 22-38 as a head coach (5 seasons) 84-51 (.622) as an assistant coach (11 seasons) 106-89 in 15 overall years as a collegiate coach

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He followed that up with a 21-player class ranked as the consensus second-best in the American in 2015. The strong relationships formed by Taggart during the recruiting process have also revealed themselves with several highly recruited players transfering back to their home state of Florida and USF and leaving to play for “Power Five” programs. The Bulls welcomed transfers from UCLA, N.C. State, Stanford, Kentucky and Wisconsin in the last year.

Prior to Taggart’s arrival at WKU, the Hilltoppers had lost 20 consecutive games. But after just one year of transition, Taggart guided the school to two consecutive winning seasons culminating in an appearance in the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, the school’s first bowl appearance since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Under Taggart’s leadership, WKU posted 14 wins in 2011 and 2012 after the program won just four games the previous three seasons combined. The Hilltoppers went from 2-6 in 2010 Sun Belt games to 7-1 in 2011, marking the largest one-year turnaround in conference history. WKU won 12-of-14 games between the end of 2011 and the start of 2012, with the only losses coming to LSU and Alabama, both of which were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time. Most importantly, WKU secured the top recruiting classes in the Sun Belt Conference in both 2010 and 2011.

After guiding the Hilltoppers to two wins in his first season, Taggart saw his squad start 0-4 in 2011. That’s when the turnaround began. WKU went on to win seven of its last eight games. The only loss in that stretch came to No. 1 LSU in Baton Rouge. The Hilltoppers went 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference to finish second in the league. The only league-loss was a four-point setback to eventual champion Arkansas State.

The five-win difference in Sun Belt Conference play represented the biggest one-season turnaround in league history. Only two teams in all of the FBS - Houston and Arkansas State - experienced bigger turnarounds in terms of overall wins from 2010 to 2011.

In just three seasons, Taggart saw three different student-athletes named to All-America teams and 23 Hilltoppers selected as All-Sun Belt performers. Running back Bobby Rainey was selected to five different All-America teams in 2011, and six total over his final two years in uniform. Rainey also earned back-to-back Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Rainey’s replacement in 2012, Antonio Andrews, racked up 2,977 all-purpose yards during the regular season, including 1,609 yards rushing, just 274 yards away from Barry Sanders’ (Oklahoma State, 1988) all-time record for all-purpose yards in a single season.

Before joining the Hilltoppers, Taggart served as running backs coach at Stanford from 2007-09. He joined the Stanford coaching staff following a 1-11 season in 2006 and was instrumental in the development of the Cardinal offense and running game that has become a staple of that program’s three-year BCS run. Stanford, ranked as high as 14th in the nation by the Associated Press in 2009, posted an 8-4 regular-sea-son record with wins over nationally-ranked USC and Oregon. Stanford led the Pac-10 in total offense (441.4 ypg.), while ranking second in the conference and 11th in the nation in rushing offense (224.3 ypg.). Stanford’s 2,692 rushing yards in 2009 broke the school’s single-season rushing yardage mark that had stood since 1949 (2,481).

In 2009, the Cardinal were led by senior running back Toby Gerhart, who under Taggart’s tutelage ranked second in the nation in rushing (144.7 ypg.) and earned the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. Gerhart carried a cumulative 3.25 grade point average as a management, science and technology major. He also rushed for a Stanford single-season record 1,736 yards and 26 touchdowns in 12 games in 2009, breaking his own single-season rushing record of 1,136 yards set in 2008, and was invited to New York City for the 2009 Heisman Trophy Award presentation. He finished second in the final

“He’s very passionate about football and about young men. But he also knows that area. He talks a lot about high school football there and keeping some of those young men from escaping. He’s got a very good take on that. I think he understands the lay of the land. I think he is going to relate to young men very well and I think he’s got kind of a hard-nosed approach to football that is going to work really well. I was really, really impressed.”

– Tony Dungy, 2013

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COACHES balloting in the closest race in the award’s 75-year history. Gerhart, who was also named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, was one of only two Pac-10 players named to the first team on both the All-Pac-10 Team and the Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team. The Cardinal’s Sun Bowl ap-pearance in 2009 marked the school’s first bowl game since 2001.

Taggart was at the helm of the Cardinal running game that finished second in the Pac-10 Conference in rushing offense in 2008, averaging 199.6 yards a game on the ground. Stan-ford’s season rushing total of 2,395 yards was the third-high-est mark in school history. In addition, Taggart’s work with Gerhart helped him become just the fifth running back in school history to go over the 1,000-yard mark.

Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Taggart spent the previous eight seasons on the WKU coaching staff (1999-2006) and helped guide the Hilltoppers to eight-consecutive winning campaigns during that stretch. He worked with current Mich-igan head coach Jim Harbaugh in his first three seasons of coaching from 1999-2001. Taggart started his coaching ca-reer as WKU’s wide receivers coach in 1999 before working with the quarterbacks from 2000-06. He was also the co-of-fensive coordinator in 2001 and 2002, helping lead the Hill-toppers to the Division I-AA national championship in 2002, and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2003.

Under Taggart’s guidance from 2003-06, quarterback Justin Haddix set school career records with 8,890 yards of total offense, a 57.1 completion percentage, 50 touchdowns and a 137.28 pass efficiency rating. Haddix also finished his career ranked second all-time at WKU with 541 completions and 7,929 yards passing.

THE TAGGART FILEBorn: August 27, 1976Hometown: Palmetto, FloridaCollege: Western Kentucky, 1998Wife: TaneshiaChildren: Willie, Jr.; Jackson & Morgan

PLAYING EXPERIENCE1994-98: WKU (Quarterback)

COACHING CAREER1999: ..................................................... Western Kentucky (Wide Receivers)2000: ........................................................ Western Kentucky (Quarterbacks)2001-02: ............Western Kentucky (Co-Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)2003-06: ..........................Western Kentucky (Asst. Head Coach/Quarterbacks)2007-09: .................................................................... Stanford (Running Backs)2010-12: ..........................................................Western Kentucky (Head Coach)2013-pres.: ................................................................................ USF (Head Coach)

“Willie is a man I truly respect. He’s a great coach, fine person and a lifelong friend. Everything he’s done in his entire life has shown a pattern of success. I’m really happy for Willie and for USF. Great things will happen.”

– Former San Francisco 49ers & current Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

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Taggart helped coach an offensive unit that set school records for points (432), total yards (5,479) and first downs (263) en route to the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA national championship. The Hilltoppers ranked second in the nation in pass efficiency and sixth in rushing, and aver-aged 38.8 points per contest in four playoff victories.

In Taggart’s first year calling plays in 2000, WKU ran for 293.4 yards per contest, leading the Gateway Football Conference and ranking second in the country in the category as WKU claimed the league title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the I-AA playoffs. In his first sea-son in 1999, WKU ranked eighth in the nation and first in the conference in rushing.

Taggart’s efforts helped WKU quarterbacks earn all-conference mention in three consecutive seasons - Jason Johnson (2000), Donte Pimpleton (2001) and Jason Michael (2002).

Taggart also spent his collegiate playing days at WKU (1995-98) and was only the third WKU athlete in the past half-century to hold down the quarterback slot for the Hilltoppers for four straight years. Taggart - who set 11 WKU school records - had his jersey retired on Oct. 23, 1999. He finished his career as WKU’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (47), ranked second in scoring (286 points), pass efficiency rating (127.71) and rushing yards (3,997), tied for third in most 100-yard rushing games (17), and tied for fourth in touchdown passes (30). His rushing yards were the most in NCAA Division I history at the time for a quarterback.

In each of his last two collegiate seasons, he was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, which is an honor given annually to the top offensive player in I-AA football. Taggart finished fourth in the balloting in 1997 and seventh as a senior the following year. An All-Amer-ican as a senior, he was also the 1998 I-AA Independents’ Offensive Player of the Year. Tag-gart was recruited to WKU by Jim Harbaugh to play for his father, Jack.

Taggart graduated from WKU with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 1998.

As a prep standout at Bradenton Manatee High School, he was a first-team all-state and all-conference selection as a senior after guiding the Hurricanes to the state 5A Championship game. He led MHS to the state title his junior season and helped the school post a 26-4 record during that two-year span, while recording more than 3,000 yards passing and 975 yards on the ground.

Taggart and his wife, Taneshia, have three children, Willie Jr., Jackson and Morgan.

“Willie Taggart is the full package. He’s an outstanding coach with a great family and terrific values for the business of higher ed-ucation and intercollegiate athletics. He will have terrific success at USF.”

– Big 12 Commissioner and former Stanford Athletic Director

Bob Bowlsby

“I think the biggest immediate impact is going to be Willie Taggart at South Florida. You’ve seen what Willie did at Western Kentucky and for him to leave his alma mater. I talked to a lot of coaches. That South Florida job is a gold mine.”

– CBS Sports Network analyst Tony Barnhart

TAGGART RECORD AS HEAD COACHSEASON W L PCT. NOTES2010 (WKU) 2 10 16.6 First year as Head Coach2011 (WKU) 7 5 58.3 Biggest turnaround in Sun Belt history2012 (WKU) 7 6 53.8 2012 Little Caesars Bowl 2013 (USF) 2 10 20.02014 (USF) 4 8 - TOTALS 22 38

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TAGGART NOTABLETAMPA ROOTS4Tampa Bay area native born in Bradenton, Fla. in 1976. The youngest of six kids, his par-ents, John & Gloria, worked the fields in Palmetto, Fla. picking vegetables.4An all-state QB at Bradenton Manatee HS, led Hurricanes to back-to-back state title games and a state championship as a junior.HARBAUGH CONNECTION4Recruited to Western Kentucky by Jim Harbaugh, where he played for Jim’s dad, Jack Harbaugh.4Remains very close to the Harbaugh family and Harbaugh brothers, Jim & John. Jim was the best man in Taggart’s wedding. John & Jack have visited USF practice.STANDOUT PLAYER44-year QB starter at WKU, where he set 11 school records and posted an NCAA DI record for rushing for a quarterback (3,997). A 1998 All-American and I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Year. His No. 1 jersey was retired at WKU.4Led WKU to a victory at USF in 1998, rushing for 206 yards and scoring three TDs, includ-ing the winning TD in fourth quarter.4Has picture in his office of himself being tackled by four USF players from his WKU playing days.4Helped lead WKU to I-AA national title as co-offensive coordinator in 2002. STANFORD SUCCESS4Assistant coach for three seasons at Stanford (2007-09) under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Helped team go from 1-11 the season before he arrived to No. 14 ranking and first bowl game since 2001 in the 2009 season.4As running backs coach at Stanford, guided Toby Gerhart to Doak Walker Award and runner-up Heisman Trophy finish while posting Stanford record 1,736 rushing yards and 26 TDs in 2009.4Helped Stanford lead the Pac-10 in total offense (441.4 ypg) and rank 11th in the nation in rushing (224.3 ypg) in 2009.PROGRAM BUILDER4Took over WKU program that had lost last 20 games. Losing skid extended to 26 games in his first season before turning the program around and posting back-to-back winning seasons and program’s first-ever bowl appearance in 2012.

POSTSEASON/BOWL GAMES• 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (Central Michigan 24, WKU 21)• 2009 Sun Bowl (Oklahoma 31, Stanford 27)• 2004 NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs (lost at Sam Houston St., 54-24)• 2003 NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs (def. Jacksonville St., 45-7; lost at Wofford 34-17)• 2002 NCAA Division I-AA National Champions (def. Murray St., 59-20; def. Western Illinois, 21-28; def. Georgia Southern, 31-28; def. McNeese St., 34-14)• 2001 NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs (lost at Furman, 24-20)• 2000 NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs (def. FAMU, 27-0; lost to Appalachian St., 17-14)

With former WKU and current Buccaneers Running Back

Bobby Rainey With Jack Harbaugh

With then 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

With 2009 Heisman Trophy runnner-up Toby Gearhart

At Stanfordwith Richard Sherman

Taggart set 11 school recordsat Western Kentucky

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2015 USF FOOTBALL STAFF

ALONZO HAMPTONDefensive BacksAlma Mater: Louisiana Monroe, ‘96First Season with USF

TOM ALLENDefensive CoordinatorAlma Mater: Maranatha Baptist College, ‘92First Season with USF

DANNY HOPECo-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive LineRunning Game CoordinatorAlma Mater: Eastern Kentucky, ‘81First Season with USF

ERIC MATHIESDefensive LineAlma Mater: Murray St., ‘98Third Season with USF

RON DUGANSWide ReceiversAlma Mater: Florida State, ‘99Second Season with USF

RAYMOND WOODIEAssistant Head Coach/Linebackers & Special TeamsAlma Mater: Bethune-Cookman, ‘96Third Season with USF

DONTE PIMPLETONRunning BacksAlma Mater: Western Kentucky, ‘02First Season with USF

DAVID REAVESCo-Offensive Coordinator/QuarterbacksPassing Game CoordinatorAlma Mater: Appalachian St., ‘01Third Season with USF

DAVID GILBERTSONTight EndsAlma Mater: Washington State, ‘13First Season with USF

JON HASKINSDirector of Player PersonnelAlma Mater: Stanford, ‘00First Season with USF

SHARROD EVERETTDirector of Football OperationsAlma Mater: Campbellsville, ‘04Third Season with USF

TRAE HACKETTAssistant Director of Football OperationsAlma Mater: Western Kentucky, ‘99Third Season with USF

PHIL CANEVideo CoordinatorAlma Mater: USF, ‘13Eighth Season with USF

IRELE ODERINDEDirector of Athletic PerformanceAlma Mater: USF, ‘02Second Season with USF

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SENIOR OFFENSIVE CONSULTANTJOE KINNAN

FOOTBALL ANALYST, OFFENSEJARED CLARK

FOOTBALL ANALYST, DEFENSESTEPHEN NICHOLAS

FOOTBALL ANALYST, DEFENSESAKI MIHALAKOS

FOOTBALL ANALYST, SPECIAL TEAMSBROCK WILLIS

GRADUATE ASSISTANTJIM NELSON

GRADUATE ASSISTANTBENNY MORRISON

GRADUATE ASSISTANTBLAKE TREADWELL

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTJULIE REED

RECRUITING OPERATIONSLAUREN WILSON

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