Barnett’s maturity wins him starting job
TAMPA — One of the worst-kept secrets in Tampa finally was confirmed Tuesday when USF coach Charlie Strong announced graduate transfer Blake Barnett will start the Bulls’ season opener Saturday against Elon.
The opening-night starter for Alabama only two seasons ago, Barnett — a seldom-used backup at Arizona State last season — edged fourth-year junior Brett Kean and third-year sophomore Chris Oladokun in a three-player derby in preseason camp.
He becomes the 15th starting quarterback in the Bulls’ 22-season history.
“You look at him, he has a really strong arm,” Strong said Tuesday. “He can release the ball. And he runs a lot better than we thought, what we gave him credit for.”
Strong said he polled every offensive and defensive assistant on who should start, acknowledging the decision wasn’t a consensus. He added Barnett’s experience and maturity (he’s a 22-year-old married father of an infant son) also were factors in the decision.
“He’s actually a pretty good athlete,” Bulls senior receiver Tyre McCants said. “He’s done some things this camp that surprised a lot of us.”
A consensus five-star prospect from Corona, Calif., Barnett was pulled in the first half of his lone start for the Crimson Tide, a 52-6 win against USC in 2016. He transferred to a junior college later that month, and moved to Arizona State prior to the start of the ’17 season.
He was unable to beat out incumbent Manny Wilkins for the Sun Devils’ starting job, and attempted only five passes all year. He’ll enter Saturday’s game 14-for-24 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as a collegian.
Strong said Barnett reached out to him about transferring to USF last spring. His arrival officially was announced in May.
“He’s seen it all, so I don’t worry about his mental makeup at all,” Strong said. “I think this is good for him because you don’t have all the glare and expectations. So I think it allows him to really just calm down and be himself.”
Ticket update
USF announced Tuesday it has sold 16,491 football season tickets, slightly more than a 1,000-ticket increase from this time last season and one of its best figures in the last half-decade.
Additionally, studentticket signups (all being done via mobile app this year) for Saturday’s home opener are at roughly 2,200.
The school indicated last month that a number of promotions, including $99 season tickets in the lower level (near the southeast tunnel), helped boost sales. Additionally, USF has announced that all season, the first 400 cars carrying at least four students will receive free parking in Lot 3 on Raymond James Stadium’s north side.
“We have to get [the fans] out to the game,” Strong said. “Because that’s what’s gonna be critical for us.”
D-line depth
While time will indicate whether the Bulls defensive line can replicate the quality of last year’s unit, Strong indicated the quantity will be much greater.
As many as a dozen down linemen could log action Saturday, including heralded freshmen such as defensive tackle Tyrone Barber and defensive end Rashawn Yates.
“If there is a strong position for us on our football team right now, it’s got to be our defensive front,” Strong said, “because there’s a lot of numbers there and a lot of guys that have played a lot.”