Alex Golesh is proud of what South Florida’s football team accomplished in his first season, but the Bulls’ second-year head coach has had enough of the lavish praise heaped on his program.
Ever since USF earned the largest turnaround in school history and the second largest among FBS teams in 2023, Golesh has heard the consistent message – how this year’s unit should contend for the American Athletic Conference title.
Couple that with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball to go with impressive recruiting and transfer portal classes, and one can see why there will be high expectations this year for the Bulls.
Last year, USF’s six-game improvement during a 7-6 season was second only to Northwestern, which improved by seven victories.
USF earned its first bowl bid since 2018 and first bowl win since 2017.
That win, a 45-0 wipeout of Syracuse, was the largest bowl shutout in NCAA history.
So one can imagine all the plaudits that Golesh, his staff, and players have been hearing this offseason. It is Golesh’s job to introduce a bit of reality into the situation.
“We talked a ton about a year ago (telling them) don’t read anything, don’t listen to anybody, don’t look at your social media about what we are now, because last July we got picked to finish 13th (in the 14-team AAC,” Golesh said in an interview with HERO Sports.
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Keeping The Focus
A year ago, Golesh didn’t want the players to listen about how bad they were expected to be. Now he doesn’t want them hearing the opposite heading into this season.
“We got done with the season, we finished on a really high note, and we didn’t lose anybody in the portal,” Golesh said. “We picked up really the best signing class in all of Group of Five football, one of the best signing classes in the history of the school. We have all these starters coming back, but again, none of that matters.”
He says all that matters is the process.
“You want the standard to be raised, but we have to work exactly the same way, except better,” he said.
USF’s Talent Begins At QB
Of course there is plenty for USF to work with, starting at quarterback with redshirt sophomore Byrum Brown.
Last season, Brown and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU were the only FBS players to pass for at least 3,000 yards and rush for 800.
“It was fascinating what he was able to do, especially for a kid who turned 19 halfway through the season,” Golesh, who was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee before being hired at USF, said. “I’ve been fortunate to be around some really special quarterbacks the last seven, eight years, and he is right up there in terms of mentality, in terms of how he works.”
In addition, Golesh said Brown, listed at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, has put on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
Brown should be not only one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, but simply one of the top quarterbacks – period.
And that’s a pretty good place to start.
Sean Atkins, who tallied 92 receptions, 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2023, leads the returning receiving corps. Nay’Quan Wright heads up the rushing attack after gaining 797 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.
Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler, who totaled 97 tackles last season, is the defensive leader. Golesh said his biggest defensive issue last season was in the secondary, but he’s pleased with the new editions.
“We went out and got a 36-game starter at safety for Youngstown State, a Florida kid, D’Marco Augustin,” Golesh said. “We think he is going to be really special.”
Golesh also mentioned junior corner De’Shawn Rucker, a transfer from Tennessee, Brent Austin, a junior transfer corner from JMU, and defensive back Kajuan Banks, who appeared in 25 games over two seasons at South Carolina. True freshman corner Cam Campbell, who originally committed to Michigan State, is another player Golesh feels can contribute.
There should be several interesting battles for playing time on a team that is deep and experienced.
USF’s Difficult Schedule
USF’s schedule, especially early in the season, is challenging, including a non-league game at Alabama and a home matchup against Miami. The Bulls’ first two AAC games are at Tulane and then at home against Memphis, two teams that figure to seriously contend for the conference title.
Still, USF has the talent, the experience, and the confidence to contend in the AAC.
But maybe Golesh and his team shouldn’t read this. A year ago, they didn’t want to hear how bad they were expected to be, and now that the narrative has changed, the second-year coach is looking for his team to have the same hungry mindset as the expectations have significantly changed.
