NEW SECONDARY For 2024

[E.T.]

NEW SECONDARY

USF returned three starters in the secondary from 2023, but has seen a complete secondary overhaul in 2024 featuring five new starters in the unit.

Three of those came as experienced players from the transfer portal in CB DeShawn Rucker (Tennessee), safety Kajuan Banks (S. Carolina) and corner Paco Austin (JMU), while two are original USF signees in safety Tavin Ward (who moved to saftey after starting five games at corner in 2023 as a true freshman) and safety Tawfiq Byard, who saw limited action as a true freshman in 2023.

The additions have created depth in the secondary with returning starters Aamaris Brown-Bunkley, safety Jaelen Stokes and safety Caqavouis Berryhill, addition of Youngstown State transfer D’Marco Augustin and return of cornerback Ben Knox (missed 2023 with knee injury).

NOTABLE ADDITIONS

• De’Shawn Rucker, CB, 6-0, 187, Jr. - Transfer from Tennessee...speedy defensive back who played in 24 career games with two starts for the Vols.

• Kajuan Banks, S, 5-10, 184, Sr. - Transfer from South Carolina, played in 25 games for the Gamecocks.

• Brent ‘Paco” Austin, DB, 5-11, 2175, Jr. – Transferred from James Madison in the Spring of 2024...an experienced DB who played 15 games with the Dukes, logging 12 tackles and an interception on their 11-2 team in 2023.

[Outlaw]

Rucker has been a monster out there  .

[El_Toro_86]

Secondary looked really good against BCC and Bama but took a step back last week.  Hopefully we see Bama game level play this week

[Sk00b]

CAG did mention they had a hard time moving on from the loss in one of the pressers. Hopefully, that was the reason. 

[E.T.]

1	Ben Knox	CB	6-2	Gr.	DeLand, Fla. / DeLand HS	200
20	Brent Austin	CB	5-11	Jr.	San Bernadino, Calif. / Cajon HS	180
22	De'Shawn Rucker	CB	6-0	Jr.	Tallahassee, Fla. / Godby HS	188
28	Jarvis Lee	CB	5-11	So.	Jacksonville, Fla. / IMG Academy	180
2	Tavin Ward	DB	6-1	Jr.	Fort Myers, Fla. / North Fort Myers HS	197
9	Aamaris Brown-Bunkley	DB	5-10	Sr.	Tampa, Fla. / Armwood HS	198
13	Kajuan Banks	DB	5-10	Jr.	Tallahassee, Fla. / Godby HS	188
21	Jaelen Stokes	DB	6-1	Sr.	Auburndale, Fla. / Auburndale HS	198
25	Daron Jean	DB	5-9	Fr.	Bradenton, Fla. / Manatee High School	178
26	Jermaine Dalias	DB	6-2	Fr.	Pompano Beach, Fla. / American Heritage HS	190
27	Camren Campbell	DB	6-1	Fr.	Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Bay Tech High School	175
29	Deylen Platt	DB	6-3	Fr.	Venice, Fla. / Venice HS	180
31	Jair Murphy	DB	6-0	So.	Ocoee, Fla. / Dr. Phillips HS	200
32	James Chenault	DB	6-0	Fr.	Orlando, Fla. / Jones HS	175
37	Fred Gaskin	DB	5-10	Fr.	Ocala, Fla. / Vanguard HS	180
41	George Brown IV	DB	5-10	Fr.	Orlando, Fla. / Jones HS	180

 

5	Caqavouis Berryhill	S	6-4	Gr.	Kingsland, Ga. / Camden County HS	205
10	D'Marco Augustin	S	6-1	Gr.	Boynton Beach, Fla. / Park Vista HS	213
12	Tawfiq Byard	S	6-1	So.	York, Pa. / DeMatha Catholic	200
35	Marseille Taylor	S	6-2	Jr.	Sanford, Fla. / Seminole HS	185
37	Victor Zidor	S	6-2	Jr.	Cocoa, Fla. / Cocoa HS	195
42	Lewai Mitchell	S	6-1	Jr.	Maitland, Fla. / Orangewood Christian HS	205

 

Looks like we get the bulk back in 2025.