After some significant growing pains during the regular season, the USF defense matured into a disruptive, competitive force during the 45-0 victory against Syracuse at the Boca Raton Bowl.
With a mix of returning veterans, young prospects and newcomers, Bulls defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said he aims to continue that improvement during the program’s spring drills.
“The biggest thing in our offseason was the amount of weight we put on and the added strength we gained,” Orlando said. “Our stamina is better. We’re hitting with more force.
“With the guys who had some success, now it’s about taking the next step. We have guys who have been good players and now they are becoming great players, all-league guys. They’ve learned about establishing their process and their routine. Now they’re working even harder and learning the finer points of the game. We’re not having to spend a million hours policing all the little things you need culturally to win games. Now we’re actually being able to coach these guys at a higher level.”
USF’s defensive learning curve has carried over to its coaching staff.
Last season, only defensive line coach Kevin Patrick truly knew Orlando’s scheme because they coached together at Florida Atlantic. But now, the staff is completely up to speed and Orlando said new cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke has been like a sponge. The continuity has led to less time spent on the playbook and more time teaching the players.
“We definitely have a great vibe around the team right now,” outside linebacker Tramel Logan said. “Last season didn’t go exactly the way we wanted because we were after a championship. But it still ended up being victorious (with a bowl win). We are definitely hungry for more.”
After surrendering 643 yards and 49 points in a nationally televised Friday night defeat at UTSA, which put the Bulls at 5-6, the USF defense closed with a flourish. It held Charlotte to just 298 yards and forced three turnovers in the regular-season finale, which clinched bowl eligibility, then suffocated Syracuse (159 total yards, four turnovers) in the postseason.
“I personally think we improved because we got more into the playbook,” linebacker Jhalyn Shuler said. “As the season progressed, we got a little bit better. By the end of the season, I think we were going out there with confidence, making the right checks and taking the thinking part right out of it. We just went out there and performed.”
USF returns nine starters on defense, including Logan (three touchdowns last season), Shuler (the team’s leading tackler with 97), defensive tackle Rashad Cheney, cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley, along with the safety tandem of Logan Berryhill (team-leading three interceptions) and Jaelen Stokes (two interceptions, two sacks).
The Bulls have several defensive newcomers who are expected to contend for playing time, including defensive end Jaylen Pettus-McMullen (6-foot-3, 235 pounds, first-team junior college All-American for two-time national champion Iowa Western), cornerback Deshawn Rucker (6-0, 187, Tennessee transfer), safety Kajuan Banks (5-10, 184, South Carolina transfer) and safety D’Marco Augustin (6-1, 210, Youngstown State transfer).
“All those cats are in the two-deep (on the depth chart), so that is really, really positive,” Orlando said. “I give credit to our recruiting department. We’re excited about every one of those guys. The more, the merrier. I think their attitude is to go out there and play their butts off.
“I’m excited with what we have. The two non-negotiables are the player has to have speed and we want smarts. Speed is absolutely the top priority for us. If we believe they’re smart, we’re good coaches and we will develop any deficiency they have. Do we have work to do? Absolutely. But we like what we have and we’re excited to keep developing our defense throughout the spring.”
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