USF Football: Bulls hoping to take small step forward in Jeff Scott’s first year
USF’s defensive line needs to develop quickly
The Bulls did not field a stout defense overall last season as they failed to consistently stop the more efficient offenses in the AAC.
Last season, the Bulls ranked 75th in the nation in points allowed per game (28.9) and 71st in total yards allowed per game (398.1). It was defending the run that the Bulls experienced significant problems on. The Bulls were 114th in the nation (11th in the AAC) in rushing yards allowed per game (208.6).
Jeff Scott hired coordinator Glenn Spencer from FAU, the same as Charlie Weis Jr., to lead the defense that was scrambled last season. He has been a long-time defensive coordinator in Division 1 football. The Bulls will need veteran coaching experience to create a more productive Bulls defensive team. The Bulls will return six defensive starters from last year’s team.
The linebacking corps is in much better shape than some of the other position groups on the team. Outside linebacker Dwayne Boyles returns to the Bulls after playing in 11 games last season while starting in nine of them. He was the main run stopper and pass rusher from the linebacking corps last season as he led the defense in total tackles (74) and tackles for loss (12.5).
Antonio Grier looks to make his full-season start either at middle linebacker, where he started four games last season or outside linebacker where he started two games. Juniors Andrew Mims and junior Demaurez Bellamy will compete against each other but both add great depth and different package options.
The defensive line was a huge indication of the lack of success for the Bulls defending the run last season. Their inconsistencies throughout the defensive line as they switched out so many players to be the starters week after week. The Bulls do not have a full-time starter returning to the team, but they are returning defensive tackles in Rashawn Yates and Blake Green. Jason Vaughn looks to make his first start for the Bulls in 2020 after playing in 11 games last season.
The Bulls do return all their secondary starters from last season. Redshirt senior and former North Carolina Tarheel cornerback KJ Sails is the unquestioned leader of the Bulls’ secondary unit that was ranked first in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (189.5). Sails was selected as Athlon Sports’ Preseason first-team all-conference. Sails, senior cornerback Mike Hampton, redshirt junior Nick Roberts, and redshirt Bentlee Sanders all combined for 20 passed defended this past season.