South Florida Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection
By Zach Bigalke
Linebackers
Starting outside linebackers: Mike Love, Nico Sawtelle
Backups: Vincent Jackson, Andre Polk
Senior Mike Love will play a similar role as last season, rushing from outside linebacker at the Bull position. Love earned nine starts last season, and closed out the year in style with a game-winning overtime sack in the Birmingham Bowl. On the weak side of the unit is Nico Sawtelle, who served as the backup at the position last season.
Sawtelle could also be challenged by redshirt freshman Andre Polk for starting time at the Will spot. Either way, both will see plenty of playing time in 2017. Backing up Love is Vincent Jackson, who is more of a pure defensive end but saw starts in four games last year. As a whole, South Florida is in good shape in regards to depth at this part of its defense.
Starting middle linebacker: Auggie Sanchez
Backups: Danny Thomas
One of the most prolific tacklers of the past three seasons, Auggie Sanchez returns for one last year manning the middle of the second level in South Florida’s defense. Sanchez has started 38 straight games for the Bulls at the Mike position. He enters 2017 ranked second nationally among active players in career tackles with 303. Sanchez will inevitably see most of the action under his fourth different defensive coordinator, but backup Danny Thomas will also see some snaps in relief.