USF Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls gathers his team around the championship trophy following the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: The South Florida Bulls make their way out of the tunnel to task to the field at the start of an NCAA football game against the Temple Owls on September 21, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

One of the strengths of USF’s defense last year was the interior of the defensive line, where seniors Deadrin Senat and Bruce Hector combined for 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

They’re both on NFL rosters now, leaving a bit of a void in their wake. Senior Kevin Bronson has spent time at both end and tackle during his Bulls career, and he’ll likely be counted on to fill one of the two interior spots.

The other is up for grabs, which is a tremendous opportunity for the sophomore Kelvin Pinkney. As a true freshman in 2017, he passed a handful of upperclassmen on the depth chart and earned immediate playing time, bursting onto the scene with six tackles in his first collegiate game against San Jose State.

Other challengers lurk deeper on the depth chart — any of fellow sophomore Kevin Kegler, converted linebacker Mi’Cario Stanley, or Duke transfer Brandon Boyce could earn snaps — but Pinkney appears to be the frontrunner. The Bulls could really use a big season from him.

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