Taggart keeps focus on defense

TAMPA — While a couple of nameplates have changed in the Bulls’ coaches offices, schemes won’t. USF’s defense is remaining dorsal.

Coach Willie Taggart confirmed at Wednesday’s signing day news conference the Bulls will retain the alignment (4-2-5) and nickname (“Bull Sharks”) implemented last season by former defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Taggart promoted longtime assistant Raymond Woodie to coordinator in January when Allen left for the same job position at Indiana.

“That wouldn’t do us any justice right now, to go and just change everything,” said Taggart, who watched his team finish fourth in the American Athletic Conference in total defense (380.5 ypg) and record the thirdmost interceptions (17) in school history.

Among the signees who could contribute immediately are Admiral Farragut S Craig Watts, whom Taggart said will compete for the de facto nickel-back spot vacated by Jamie Byrd. Previously called the “husky,” Taggart said it’s now called “striker.”

“That’s what they do, they strike people,” Taggart said.

Home bodies

Among the surprise signees were Wharton WR Tre Dukes and Hillsborough CB Michael Hampton, neither of whom was listed as a USF commitment by any national service heading into signing day.

Taggart said both players wanted to keep their commitment a secret.

“I really wanted to play close to home,” said Dukes, who also had offers from N.C. State and Marshall.

A third county standout, 2015 Guy Toph Award winner Markese Hargrove of Plant City, also committed to the Bulls, albeit as a preferred walk

Scary signee

Of the quintet of four-star recruits the Bulls signed Wednesday, arguably none possesses the national cachet of Miami Central WR Darnell Salomon. Deemed the nation’s 28th-ranked receiver in the ESPN 300, Salomon (6 feet 3, 210 pounds) and Watts are the team’s only signees to receive fourstar status from all four major national recruiting services.

“He’s big, he’s strong and he’s fast,” Taggart said. “When you have all those combinations, it can be scary out there at the receiver position. That’s what we expect from him, some scary play out there on the football field.”

Etc.

Among the top citizens among the signees is Lake land Lake Gibson C Michael Wiggs, who owns a 4.2 GPA and has been class president all four years of high school. … Taggart praised the talent of junior college defensive ends LaDarrius Jackson and Frank Johnson but suggested the latter (6-5, 235) “is gonna have to sleep and spend the night in the weight room.” … Sickles’ Chris Oladokun becomes the fourth Bulls quarterback on scholarship, a number Taggart prefers.