USF Football: 5 breakout candidates for the Bulls in 2017
By Zach Bigalke
After three years growing into a prominent role in the center of South Florida’s defensive line, Deadrin Senat is ready to break out as one of the nation’s best interior defensive linemen in 2017. Senat was the Bull’s defensive MVP last season. He started 12 games and served as a disruptive force in the middle. That allowed the rest of the defense to operate more efficiently.
He was regularly engaged was multiple blockers. Yet Senat was still able to get into the backfield for a sack and seven tackles for loss last season. Senat has started 24 games in the past three seasons, getting his first opportunity three years ago in South Florida’s trip to Wisconsin and serving as a regular starter in 2015 and 2016.
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With Charlie Strong’s background on the defensive side of the ball, Senat could develop even further as a force in the middle. Look for the new staff to work with him on shedding blockers and stripping the football. Last year the Bulls nabbed 11 fumbles, and Senat could be a critical component in ensuring that number doesn’t drop this year.
Senat is going to break through as one of the nation’s best interior linemen. He will be an all-AAC selection by the end of the year and could challenge to get his name on national All-American lists as well.