Bulls begin to see roster taking shape
TAMPA — Amid a couple of brief downpours, USF staged its first padded practice of the preseason (shorts, shoulder pads, helmets) Saturday on the northern fringe of campus. Here are five observations from the 2 workout. took significant
In addition to Harris up front, Auburndale speedster Chauncy Smart —the reigning Class 3A state champ in the 100 meters — is returning punts. Additionally, Bentlee Sanders and Nick Roberts took reps in the secondary, and Jacksonville linebacker Keirston Johnson may be needed right away to shore up linebacker depth.
“We go (starters), twos, threes and a lot of the freshmen are getting a lot of reps,” coach Charlie Strong said. “But as we get closer then we’ll start trying to figure out who we need and who’s gonna play for us.” reps Saturday. Valdes-Scantling exited on his own power, noticeably favoring his right leg, and remained sidelined the rest of the day.
“He’s fine,” Strong said. “I’m not exactly for sure what happened to him, but he’ll be fine.”
At least two others — defensive end Josh Black (unspecified injury) and quarterback Chris Oladokun (illness) — didn’t attend Saturday’s workout.
Four weeks remain until the season opener, but third-year sophomore Brett Kean almost certainly would be the backup to Flowers if the season began today. Though Oladokun ultimately could shake things up, Kean has the edge in experience (18-for-26 for 129 yards in 2017) and appears to have added velocity in the offseason.
His touch isn’t bad either. On Saturday, he found freshman Randall St. Felix on roughly a 40-yard streak route.