2015 Spring Practice Reports

[Skingraft]

 

I hate this thread. It's making me optimistic with high hopes, which I just know are going to be dashed!

 

Keep 'em coming 'rider, thanks!

 

 

 

 

[libby_arts]

Thanks for the pics and comments, Bullrider.  I know a lot of work went into all this posting, thank you.

[bullsfan97]

Wide Recievers and Tight Ends.  C+.  I just can't give them a higher rating because the weather didn't help things out one bit and the Offensive line couldn't hold off the pressure.  This group has high potential though.  The best catch of the day suprisingly came QB turned receiver Evan Wilson in 7on7.  He lined up as a wide out, cut over to the middle and plucked it out of the air in front of a linebacker in stride and beat everyone down the field for a touch down .  Everyone went crazy when they saw this, even the players, it was a eye popping play.  This dude is faster than he should be on paper and he runs like a gazelle.  I don't know how he it's possible he looks this good and he's getting second team reps already. 

 

Ryeshene Bronson is the star of the group but he's flashy and not so strong at blocking, lord help him if a linebacker get's his mits on him.  He's taller and faster than Andre Davis with just as good hands and concentration though.

 

This is the formation I saw a lot of on Saturday.  It seemed the trend was to have a strong guy like Sean Price in the front position of the bunch and try and create some mismatches down field.  This is how Ryeshene Bronson gets open on the earlier video where Steven Bench found him.  Other notable receivers are Rodney Adams who looks bulkier but still just as fast.  BTW Marlon Mack looks completely different up close.  I agree with Taggart when he said a lot of these guys have gone from kids to men in a short period of time.  #88 also caught my eye his name is Austin Aikens.

 

I was at a practice earlier in the week and Wilson made some really nice catches at that practice as well.   I also thought he looked good at QB in the spring came last year.    Definitely more athletic than a lot of the other guys. 

[raptorcj]

I'm becoming more and more a fan of Wilson, doesn't seem like the kid knows how to quit. Honestly with the season the way it was last year, I hoped they'd give him a shot at running the O. Walk-on or not, he's a good football player. so glad to see we're trying to use him wherever we can.

[Triple B]

I'm becoming more and more a fan of Wilson, doesn't seem like the kid knows how to quit. Honestly with the season the way it was last year, I hoped they'd give him a shot at running the O. Walk-on or not, he's a good football player. so glad to see we're trying to use him wherever we can.

 

Sounds like Landi 2.0 .... Wonder if he plays hockey?

[charsibb]

 

I hate this thread. It's making me optimistic with high hopes, which I just know are going to be dashed!

 

Keep 'em coming 'rider, thanks!

 

 

If it drives a sane man insane, what will it do to an insane man???

[usfbullrider]

Defensive Backs.  B-.  I can't give them a higher rating because honestly they didn't have to work too hard in scrimmage periods because the D line was bringing the heat.  I think they got beat a lot in 7on7 by Ryeshene Bronson, Rodney Adams, Evan Wilson, and the rest of your speed guys like Aikens, etc.  The guy who had the best day was easily #3 Deatrick Nichols.  He had interceptions and he claimed "It's too easy" after he got one in 7on7.  This kid has got some swagger.  It looks like almost all the DBs are getting work since there are 5 on the field at anytime.  They've gotta be happy about that.

Tajee Fullwood also had a great day, had some almost picks.  First Team reps were Deatrick Nichols, Tajee Fullwood, Johnny Ward, Nate Godwin (he plays way back sometimes), and Jamie Byrd.  People that will get playing time as well are Jalen Spencer, and Torrel Saffold (who appears ready to make his final push, and looks healthy), and possibly guys like Devin Abraham, Hassan Childs, Lamar Robbins are on the cusp.

[hm101]

Great updates. I am going through football withdrawals.

Edited March 4, 2015 by hm101

[raptorcj]

Great updates. I am going through football withdrawals.

Too early for that, pace yourself.

[usfbullrider]

Twitter Recap

 

General player sentiment about USF's new 4-2-5 defensive scheme, favorable before the initial quad stretch of spring, has become loftier with a sample size of five practices on which to gauge.

Several defensive backs raved about its simplicity following Monday morning's workout, the Bulls' first after an eight-day layoff for spring break.

"When you know it, you play faster," said senior Jamie Byrd, the nickel defender (or "husky") in new coordinator Tom Allen's alignment.

Junior Lamar Robbins concurred, saying the three-safety scheme is "not hard at all."

"As of right now, we do everything out of the same alignment," Robbins said. "So no matter what, your stance is gonna be the same if you're in man, you're in zone...and your job basically never changes unless what the No. 2 receiver does (changes). So you're basically just reading No. 2 and playing man (coverage) on No. 1."

A potential wrinkle will be seen in blitz schemes, where USF could bring pressure from various levels and angles. New cornerbacks coach Alonzo Hampton said his players will be more involved in run fits to help set the edge periodically. The Bulls had only one cornerback -- Johnny Ward -- among their top 10 tacklers last season.

"I think a lot of (coaches) kind of think the more we give 'em, the more chances they have to be successful," Hampton said.

"But I come from the belief -- and so does Coach Allen -- the less you give 'em, the more they'll be able to play and react and play more naturally. And that's what you've seen the last five days; guys just playing free and just playing what they see, and it gives them an opportunity to make plays."

POSITION NO. 9: Six-foot-2 sophomore Tajee Fullwood, who lined up at no fewer than eight positions during his all-state career at Tampa Bay Tech, remains at safety in Allen's offense. A cornerback upon his arrival, Fullwood is sporting a thick frame (209 pounds) and thicker beard this spring.

"I've got good size for a safety," said Fullwood, primarily a free safety but also getting a few reps at "rover" (aka strong safety). "It was a great change for me and I think I'm good at it."

ODDS AND ENDS: The offense appeared crisp for most of Monday's workout. Walk-on QB Austin Parker connected with D'Ernest Johnson on a slant route for a TD in 11-on-11 work, while Mike White exploited a blown coverage for a TD toss down the right sideline to A.J. Legree. "Not thinking fast enough and giving up on a play," Byrd said. "We just can never give up on a play." ... FS Devin Abraham, also getting reps at husky and rover, said he's now carrying 180 pounds -- 15 more than when he arrived on campus last year. ... Legree, listed at 6-foot-1, leaped up to snag a high Quinton Flowers pass over the middle early in practice. ... The Bulls practice again Wednesday at 9 a.m. All practices are open to the public.

AUDIBLE: "Without a shadow of a doubt we're gonna win, period." -- Hampton, capping his first interview with reporters this spring

 

Joey Knight â€@TBTimes_Bulls 49m49 minutes ago

#USF FS Tajee Fullwood, a @TBTFootball alum, now listed at 209 (215 counting the beard)

USF Football â€@USFFootball 1h1 hour ago

#USF defensive backs look to shine in new 4-2-5 scheme: STORY & VIDEO: http://ow.ly/K7wig #USF #GoBulls

USF Football â€@USFFootball 6h6 hours ago

“Compete, compete, compete...that’s the mentality we are going to have. Don’t let anyone take anything from you†- @CoachTaggart
0 replies 11 retweets 7 favorites

USF Football â€@USFFootball 6h6 hours ago

. @CoachTaggart tells the Bulls "We are going to go fast...get used to it"

USF Football â€@USFFootball 6h6 hours ago

Great to see this guy at practice today, now up to 302, training in Lakewood Ranch Austin Reiter

USF Football â€@USFFootball 6h6 hours ago

Great catch in the back of the endzone by Aikens and hard running from Tice close out practice No. 5 #USF

USF Football â€@USFFootball 7h7 hours ago

Big collision between RB Tice and LB Whitehurst sends helmet flying and team whooping #USF Lots of energy out here today!

Joey Knight â€@TBTimes_Bulls 7h7 hours ago

Someone just blew a coverage in 11-on-11, enabling White to find Legree down right sideline for easy TD #USF

Joey Knight â€@TBTimes_Bulls 7h7 hours ago

Flowers with 3 nice completions in a row (2 downfield) in 7-on-7 work.
0 replies 0 retweets 2 favorites

Joey Knight â€@TBTimes_Bulls 7h7 hours ago

Spring drills have resumed for @USFFootball. Just saw A.J. Legree leap to pull down a Flowers pass over the middle.

Edited March 9, 2015 by usfbullrider