South Florida was one of the best teams in the Group of Six last season, and the Bulls were in a great position to compete for a College Football Playoff spot after upsetting Florida early on.
But USF suffered a couple conference losses later on. Still, the future looked bright for the program.
Did that change when head coach Alex Golesh left USF for Auburn and took several players with him? Time will tell, but new head coach Brian Hartline has brought in some promising players himself.
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USF Season Preview
USF may be missing some of its stars from a season ago, but the Bulls also replenished their roster this offseason. They have the top-ranked transfer class in the American as well as in the G6.
USF’s Quarterback Battle
With star Byrum Brown following Golesh to Auburn, the Bulls have two frontrunners to take over starting quarterback duties. Michael Van Buren Jr. and Luke Kromenhoek both transferred to USF this offseason, and both appear like they could earn that role.
Kromenhoek is a redshirt sophomore who previously played at Mississippi State, where he appeared in three games in 2025, and Florida State, where he threw for 502 yards and three touchdowns on 44-of-84 passing while rushing for 113 yards in six games in 2024.
Van Buren was at Mississippi State in 2024 and LSU in 2025. Last season, he started in seven games and completed 94 of 151 throws for 1,010 yards, eight TDs and two interceptions while rushing for 129 yards and a score. The year prior, he appeared in 10 games and threw for 1,886 yards, 11 TDs and seven picks while completing 140 of 256 passes and rushing for five touchdowns.
The Bulls’ Offensive Outlook
USF has a solid cast of running backs who should give the Bulls a strong rushing attack.
Dartmouth transfer DJ Crowther (929 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025) and Morgan State transfer Jason Collins Jr. (1,009 yards and 13 touchdowns in 18 games the past two years) are two newcomers who should give the Bulls a spark on the ground. Alvon Isaac (350 yards in 2025) and Chase Garnett (81 yards last season) also return at running back for USF.
Wyatt Sullivan is back at tight end after hauling in 18 passes for 176 yards and two TDs. Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers transferred to USF from Ohio State after catching six passes for 79 yards and a TD. Those two should help out USF’s passing game.
Thomas Shrader, who started 13 games at left guard at USF in 2025, and transfer Caleb Cook, a two-time All-Sun Belt selection while at Georgia Southern, are expected to lead the Bulls up front.
USF Aiming To Improve On Defense
USF was fourth in the American in scoring defense but eighth in total defense a season ago. If the Bulls want to remain in the top tier within the conference, they’ll want to improve on that side of the ball.
Another Ohio State transfer, defensive lineman CJ Hicks, arrived at USF this offseason after playing in 44 games the past four years. He tallied a career-high 22 tackles in 2024.
At linebacker, Grayson Howard transferred from Florida after playing in 23 collegiate games. He tallied a career-best 37 tackles two seasons ago.
USF safety Tavin Ward is returning after ranking third on the team with 60 tackles to go with 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception in 2025. Fellow DB Ayden Jackson transferred in from Georgia Southern after tallying 74 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three INTs and a fumble recovery. Ward and Jackson should stand out in USF’s secondary.
USF’s 2026 Schedule
- 9/5 vs. FIU
- 9/12 @ Army
- 9/19 vs. Delaware State
- 9/26 @ Bowling Green
- 10/3 vs. Temple
- 10/8 @ UTSA
- 10/17 vs. Kent State
- 10/31 vs. UAB
- 11/6 @ East Carolina
- 11/12 vs. Memphis
- 11/21 @ FAU
- 11/27 vs. Tulane
Bold indicates American contests
USF’s American Conference Title Betting Odds
USF’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +800, via BetMGM. The Bulls are seventh in those odds.
USF’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- USF’s win total Over/Under is 8.5
- The Under is at -145
- The Over is at +115
USF Season Prediction
I predict USF won’t win the American Conference Championship but will go Over 8.5 wins.
I know Golesh is gone, but this program is in a great place with Hartline taking over. So I think the Bulls will still be one of the best teams in the conference.
I also think nine wins is possible because of the Bulls’ non-conference schedule. They should be capable of winning all four of those contests, especially considering three of them are at home.
And I think USF can go 5-3 in conference play. But I don’t expect the Bulls to have a league record much better than that because the American is going to be brutal.
Specifically, I think USF is going to have a tough time going on the road and playing Army, UTSA and East Carolina. I could also see USF’s home game against Memphis proving to be challenging.
So while it may seem like a contradiction, I think it’s very possible for USF to win nine games but not even make the conference title game.
