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Today we meet a player who has changed positions a lot in his young career... but so far, this hasn't resulted in significant playing time.
#89 TE Guito Ervilus
Redshirt Sophomore, 6'4", 246 lbs.
Stats in 2013: Appeared in one game, vs. Louisville, and actually started that game. Did not compile any stats.
Spot on 2013 Depth Chart: Not listed, behind returning tight ends Mike McFarlane and Sean Price.
How did he come to USF: From Orlando Oak Ridge High School, where he played tight end, defensive end, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, running back, power forward, small forward, high jump, triple jump, and 300m hurdles. He's a versatile guy.
In recruiting, the question wasn't just what school he would go to, but what position he would play. Ohio State wanted him as a linebacker. Other schools saw him as a defensive end or tight end. Pretty much every one of USF's position coaches wanted to include him in their unit. It was first decreed, by former coach Skip Holtz, that Ervilus would become a defensive end. With the coaching change, he has since been moved to tight end.
Check out this high school highlight reel, where he's all over the field (and doing things you'd think would be damn useful in Willie Taggart's offense):
Recruiting Ratings: Ervilus was rated as a 3-star recruit by 247, Rivals, and ESPN. Scout gave him 2 stars. Was tied to a lot of different schools, but a senior-year ACL injury limited his options. Florida State, Ohio State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Cincinnati, Kentucky, FIU, Central Florida, Temple, New Mexico, and Kansas were all interested at some point.
Projected Playing Time In 2014: Reading between the lines, it looks like "not much." Mike McFarland and Sean Price were two of the few constants on last season's depth chart, and both return. This GoUSFBulls.com article about the tight end position talks up junior college transfer Marlon Pope, and senior Jake Carlton, making no mention of Ervilus. They also haven't moved him back to defensive end, despite massive personnel losses at that position. Until further notice, we have to assume Ervilus isn't a big part of this year's plans.
Fun Fact: According to White Pages data, there are 77 people named Guito in the United States.