TAMPA — He looked at the depth chart of the offensive line he inherited and stepped back, like a steak lover looking at a vegetarian menu. Alex Golesh saw few attractive options and nothing rewarding.
It was at that moment, perhaps more than at any other, that the new USF coach understood that he was not facing a mere reconstruction, but a complete recovery.
“We had to pull some guys out of the portal, out of college,” recalled Golesh, hired in December 2022. “I feel like I watched more O-linemen (on film) in that first month and a half than I ever have. ”
Behind the exhaustive recruiting efforts of a staff that included a 26-year-old line coach (Tyler Hudanick), Golesh and Co. assembled a unit – Football Bowl Subdivision transfers, holdovers and rookies – that was serviceable, if not always robust. .
USF ranked 115th nationally in sacks allowed (3.3 per game), but Golesh was quick to note many factors (timing of play calls, protection breakdowns elsewhere, periodic failure of receivers to get open) attributed to this number. USF also finished 32nd in rushing offense (182.8 yards) and kept quarterback Byrum Brown standing all season.
“This group continued to grow throughout the year and was very proud of what they were doing,” Golesh said.
Today, unity tends more toward formidable than fragile. When the Bulls arrive at Corbett Stadium for their annual spring game on Saturday, Golesh will have enough offensive linemen for a genuine intrasquad showdown — a notion that seemed ridiculous a year ago.
“I still feel like the depth needs to continue to grow,” Golesh said, “but I feel like it’s really become a strength in terms of culture and development within our program.”
Four of the five attackers who started in the Boca Raton Bowl annihilation of Syracuse they are back. The only way out is left tackle (and third-day NFL draft prospect) Donovan Jennings. Joining the quartet of returnees is junior left guard Andrew Kilfoyl, who started seven games last year before suffering an injury; and Tennessee transfer RJ Perry, who made six starts at four different positions.
Three freshmen — including 6-foot-3, 305-pound Gaither High standout Tyreek Major — and Vanderbilt transfer Junior Uzebu were added during recruiting season.
“It’s been good to have a year of experience,” said senior Mike Lofton, a Calvary Christian alumnus and UCF transfer whose 1,050 snaps last season were the most of any center in the Football Bowl Subdivision (according to the Pro Football Focus).
“Things get a lot smoother, a lot slower, especially when we run such a quick offense. I’m not actually running around like a chicken with its head cut off. It’s a lot slower for me.”
In the recruiting craps game, the Bulls have hit essentially every transfer brought in to surround Lofton.
Zane Herring, confined mostly to special teams in three seasons at FSU, started 12 games at right guard and was honorable mention on the coaches’ All-American Athletic Conference team. Houston transfer Derek Bowman, who played 15 games in three seasons with the Cougars, made 10 starts at right tackle.
Perry, who was never a starter in three seasons at Tennessee, made at least one start at every position except center. Even freshman Cole Skinner broke up the rotation, making three starts at left guard.
“These are guys who needed the opportunity and found it here,” Golesh said. “They’ve really become a bright spot in what we’re doing.”
A full season immersed in Golesh’s system and culture allowed the group to gel even further and perhaps solidify itself as the anchor of what should be one of the most experienced offenses in the conference. Of USF’s nine returning offensive starters, seven have started at least 10 games in 2023.
“Right now, the culture in that (offensive line) room, I would say, is elite level,” Golesh said.
“And by that I mean how many guys are spending time here just teaching young people. How much time do guys spend here after (practicing) working on their craft, meeting throughout the day — completely volunteer — coming in and saying, “I want to know more, I want to know more.”
Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.
USF spring game
Where: Corbett Stadium (USF football stadium)
When: Saturday, 2pm
Tickets: Sold
Radio: 102.5-FM or Bulls Unlimited (via USF Bulls app or TuneIn Radio)
Live broadcast: None. USF football’s social channels (X, Facebook, Instagram) will provide real-time highlights of big plays during the game, as well as a live stream of head coach Alex Golesh’s postgame press conference on X.
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