Official depth chart shows a few surprises

Six days before its season opener against Tennessee-Martin, USF released its official depth chart, with a few notable changes to the Bulls' starting lineups ...

-- As first reported here this week, sophomore A.J. Love is one of the starting receivers, moving ahead of sophomore Carlton Mitchell, who has been limited by injuries since spring drills. Love isn't the only receiver moving up the charts, as redshirt freshman walk-on Jeffrey "Pookie" Wilson is listed on the second-team offense, ahead of several scholarship receivers.

-- Sophomores Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor are listed as co-starters at the second running back position, with senior Ben Williams listed as the first starting running back.

-- Sophomore Terrell McClain, who hasn't gotten too much attention in the last three weeks, is listed as USF's starting nose tackle, ahead of sophomore Sampson Genus, the converted offensive guard who has been discussed as a starter since preseason practice started.

-- The offensive line has five players with at least one full year's experience as a starter, with four seniors -- left tackle Ryan Schmidt, left guard Matt Huners, center Jake Griffin and right tackle Marc Dile -- and sophomore right guard Zach Hermann.

-- Sophomore David Bedford, a highly touted junior college transfer, is not listed on the two-deep, with sophomore Craig Marshall and redshirt freshman Patrick Hampton listed as the second-team ends.

-- USF coach Jim Leavitt has stuck with last year's primary return specialists, with Marcus Edwards listed as the punt returner and Jerome Murphy and Taurus Johnson listed for kickoffs.

-- The only true freshman to crack the two-deep is kicker Maikon Bonani, who is listed as the backup kickoff specialist. Junior Delbert Alvarado is the starting kicker and punter, with senior Justin Teachey listed as the second option for place-kicking and punting.

Comments

[Windbane]

Great, so no play maker on punt returns...

[Bowlingninjas]

The Dancing Bear cometh!

[Ken]

I still like dependable on punt returns. Hoping that Ford both gets a lot of carries and does well.

I was hoping someone other than Murphy would be returning kicks. His health to play corner may be priority #1 on this team. We have numerous receivers who 'should' have been able step up at KR.

[RR]

I like the note on Delbert Alvarado's line: "On pace to become best placekicker in USF history."

If true, that is sad...a real indictment of the quality of kickers we've had. Bill Gramatica was far better than Delbert, though, I know this much for sure.

[G.A.]

RR, I think they mean he's on pace to be the all-time leading scorer among USF kickers. "Best" is something subjective, hard to truly prove.

[Reality]

Greg,

Basketball related.
Was USF ever mentioned for Memphis recruit, Nolan Dennis?

[Windbane]

I prefer someone that can at least occasionally score on punt returns. I know not everyone is Brian Fisher or Ean Randolph but I don't think Marcus Edwards has it in him. He dropped one against Rutgers, too.

How often do people get injured on special teams? I'm in favor of the best athletes returning kicks, whether it's Jerome Murphy or whoever.

Maybe there's hope with George Baker next year after he redshirts...

[Steve Stacy]

How in the world is Bonani listed third in place kicking? I was duped my the media hype and reports of daily 60 yard field goals in practice!

[dres]

Oh man.... i have some problems with this Chart. Edwards is good for muffing at least 3 punts this year! He is terrible back there... i dont understand why Leavitt keeps him back there. Also, Mike Ford isnt starting tailback! COME ON! Ben Williams is perfect as a 3rd down back he can pass block, good dump down passer... but the kid is too small to run out of the backfield... We need ford to start back there. Sad thing is... this wont change until we start getting in trouble... Hopefully it wont be too late by then

[G.A.]

Steve, on the kickers, I just think it's a function of Leavitt trusting two guys who have been in the program a few years more than he trusts a true freshman. It's Alvarado's job to lose, so if he doesn't falter, I don't know if you'll see Bonani this season.