Wilcox ready to go full speed in return
Tight end spent offseason improving durability of ankles
South Florida tight end Mitchell Wilcox could have declared for the NFL draft after a record-setting 2018 season.
Instead, the Largo native chose to return to Tampa for some unfinished business.
After opening last season with seven straight wins, USF lost its final six games. It was the Bulls’ worst losing streak since 2013.
“It was definitely tough, and it left a nasty taste in our mouth,” Wilcox said of the season-ending slump during American Athletic Conference football media day.
Wilcox’s return, coupled with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell, an offensive whiz, has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the program.
The Bulls were tabbed by the media to finish third in the AAC’s East Division behind back-toback champions UCF and Cincinnati.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder spent much of the offseason honing his craft at various training facilities, working on increasing his overall speed while evaluating his body composition.
“I’m just covering my bases and trying to be the best athlete I could be going into this season,” Wilcox said.
Much of what Wilcox did this
summer centered on recovering from lingering ankle injuries.
“Unfortunately, I had to push through three ankle injuries — two on one side and one on the other end last year. They weren’t 100% or even close to 100%,” he said. “But just knowing that I can still go out there and still be effective in some ways, I had to do it.”
Through it all, Wilcox set the school’s single-season record for tight ends with 43 receptions and 540 yards while starting 11 games in 2018.
He holds the school’s career record for receiving yards by a tight end (976) and is second in receptions with 72.
Wilcox said the most frustrating part of being injured throughout much of last season was his inability to be an effective blocker.
“I plan on keeping those [ankles] healthy this year and being dominant in all areas, because I really did feel like I couldn’t be the normal blocker that I was the previous two years,” Wilcox said. “I felt like I could only be effective to my standard in the passing game where it’s like I couldn’t get the, the drive, the leg drive and the power, because my ankles were hurting so bad.”
Wilcox made sure he did ankle exercises during the offseason to avoid more problems during the 2019 season.
“I’ve been on a regiment like each week, just trying to make sure that I have the most mobility and most strengthened tendons in my ankles. Make sure I’m ready for the season,” he said.
USF coach Charlie Strong said it’s a good sign for the Bulls when Wilcox and other seniors take initiative to improve themselves during the offseason.
“When all those guys are working hard, when your seniors are working hard, now you’ve got a chance,” said Strong, who is set to enter his third year at USF. “Now all of a sudden, your team is heading in the right direction because they’ve taken ownership, and once they take ownership, now you know your team has a chance to win games.”
Wilcox said the team’s work this summer should translate to success on the field.
“We’ve got big expectations on the offensive side of the ball,” said Wilcox, who was named to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in college football. “I think we’re going to carry that momentum into fall camp and into the season.”