First look: USF's opening-week depth chart

Here's the official USF two-deep, leading up to the Bulls' season opener Saturday against Elon:

QB: Matt Grothe, Grant Gregory

RB: Ben Williams, Mike Ford, Moise Plancher

WR: Amarri Jackson, Carlton Mitchell

WR: Taurus Johnson, Dontavia Bogan

WR: Marcus Edwards, Eddie Alcin

WR: Jessie Hester Jr., Courtney Denson

TE: Cedric Hill, Ben Busbee

LT: Marc Dile, Jacob Sims

LG: Jake Griffin, Ryan Schmidt

C: Nick Capogna, Sampson Genus

RG: Zach Hermann, Jeremiah Warren

RT: Walt Walker, Jared Carnes

DE: George Selvie, Josh Smiley

NT: Richard Clebert, Allen Cray

DT: Aaron Harris, Brandon Peguese

DE: Jarriett Buie, Woody George

SLB: Tyrone McKenzie, Sabbath Joseph

MLB: Ben Moffitt, Sam Miller

WLB: Brouce Mompremier, Donte Spires

CB: Mike Jenkins,  Ryan Gilliam

CB: Trae Williams, Tyller Roberts

SS: Carlton Williams, Louis Gachette

FS: Nate Allen, Jerome Murphy

NICKEL: Jerome Murphy, Tyller Roberts

PK: Delbert Alvarado, Justin Teachey

P: Justin Teachey, William Criswell

KO: Justin Teachey, William Criswell

KR: Taurus Johnson/Trae Williams

PR: Amarri Jackson

LS: Eric Setser, Mike Walsh

H: Anthony Severino

OBSERVATIONS: Not too many surprises here. Seeing Mike Ford as the No. 2 running back is impressive, ahead of more experienced running backs in Aston Samuels and Moise Plancher. Again, I think you're going to see four (or five if Jamar Taylor gets his waiver) running backs get long looks against Elon. ... Four true freshmen are top backups: Sampson Genus, Jeremiah Warren, Dontavia Bogan and Mike Walsh. ... There are eight redshirt freshmen on the two-deep as well. ... As you see, linebacker Chris Robinson isn't on this depth chart, a good indication he'll rest the Elon game and focus on returning for Auburn. ... One walk-on note: defensive tackle Frank D'Amico, a Durant grad, is no longer on the team. ... Positions on here I'd say are still up for grabs? Weakside linebacker and the offensive guards. Your thoughts?

Comments

[nickdelray]

Trae Williams at KR? I have to disagree,he's to valuable as a defender to risk injury.

[Shoop]

Looks like I'll be firing up the XBox tomorrow....THANKS GREG.

Are there any number changes as well? Or are the ones on gousfbulls.com accurate and up to date?

[Shoop]

Oh and nickdelray, Trae has been returning kicks since at least his sophomore year....and doing it well.

[Mark]

Mike Ford will be starter after the Auburn game. Not sold on Williams as the starter. Unless he improves his vision. Greg, can we expect Leslie Stirrups next summer? USF will be losing some DT next season. FILL RAYJAY!! GO BULLS!

[usfmike]

i'm glad amarri won the punt returner job, he's always had the ability to be a gamebreaker he just needs to prove he can protect the ball.

[Jim Johnson]

Mark -- RB is not just about running the ball. It's just as much about blocking -- and Williams is great at picking up blitzing linebackers. He also knows the entire playbook, whereas Ford is still learning plays. I expect Ford to become the starter sometime this season...

Oh, and "starter" for Leavitt means "the person who plays the first down on our first play from scrimmage" ... not necessarily the player who will be on the field the most.

[Corey Weaver]

Leslie should be with the team next year. He's finishing his AA. As for BBQ.... I think he would make a great fullback if only Gregory would adopt the two-back set. Kelly will redshirt I believe. Amarri is indeed a gamebreaker, hopefully he comes through this year not only at PR, but WR as well.

[Gary BULLfreak]

I saw some place that Kelly is not going to RS

[Tommy]

Why do they list 3 running backs? I heard that they are going to a 2-back set. Is that true?

[G.A.]

I think you'll see more two-back sets, if only because the options for a second running back seem superior to those for a second tight end. USF has updated its depth chart to include a second running back on offense, with the order being Moise Plancher, Jamar Taylor and Shawn Cannon.

Kelly was a name that Leavitt mentioned as a possibility to play as a true freshman. Still might be the case, but I'd think if Taylor gets his waiver, it could mean Kelly moves to a redshirt.

[Dave]

I hope Denson plays well- a lot of people would've given up falling so far- now he can work his way back up.

Is Jessie Hester related to Devin? Someone's probably asked before, but I must have missed it.

[G.A.]

They're cousins, according to USF's media guide, but I don't know how close they are as cousins. I'll see if I can find out this week ...

[cee]

i see a bunch of 1 and 2-star recruits.

[cee]

i just see a bunch of 1 and 2-star recruits that will lose games against poor programs (e.g.-kansas last year)

[Mark]

Time to learn about football then, cee. The most knowledgeable football analysts and experts give praise to Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins as probably the BEST cornerback tandem in the country. Many people around the nation consider Ben Moffit among the top inside Linebackers in the country. Mckenzie has already proven himself on the field as a leading tackler in the country. Grothe has proven himself on the field and is considered one of the top young QBs in the country. Once the season starts it doesn't really matter about the number of stars a player had when he was a recruit, but to satisfy your idiocy, Mike Ford was a five star recruit. I know it is hard for you to count that high so it's OK to count those on your fingers if it helps, but that's all fingers on your hand. Leavitt has done a great job recruiting these kids and an even better job developing them.