USF Football Player Profile: #74 OL Cameron Ruff

#74 OL Cameron Ruff - 5th Year Senior, 6’3”, 320 lbs.

2016 Stats: Ruff was named USF’s Offensive Lineman of the Year after moving to center and starting all 13 games. On top of his excellent blocking, Ruff handled the Gulf Coast Offense’s shotgun snaps beautifully.

Ruff starts the 2017 season on the Rimington Award watch list. In May Ruff earned his bachelor’s degree, graduating on time. Please enjoy this endearing Instagram of Ruff struggling to adjust his tassel:

Oh, and he’s made a thing out of lifting up his teammates when they score touchdowns. Every picture we have of Ruff in our photo libraries is of him picking up either D’Ernest Johnson or Quinton Flowers.

2015 Stats: Ruff played in six games last year, spotting Dominique Threatt at right guard and getting extended reps during some one-sided USF wins.

2014 Stats: Cameron appeared in the first two games of the season, starting at left guard against Maryland. He didn’t make it back on the field the rest of the season because he moved back behind Austin Reiter on the depth chart at center. Reiter missed one (1) play all year.

2013 Stats: Ruff redshirted.

How He Came To USF: Ruff played less than a mile from Raymond James Stadium, at Tampa's Jesuit High School. He wasn't just signed because he was convenient, though. Cameron was an all-state Class 5A offensive lineman his senior year, and the year before he helped the Tigers to an 11-2 record and a trip to the state quarterfinals. Ruff also played on the defensive line, where he totaled 79 tackles, 20 TFL, and nine sacks. Although Ruff committed to USF while Coach Who Shall Not Be Named was still in charge, Western Kentucky was one of his many other offers, and he decided to stay on and play for Willie Taggart.

Recruiting Rankings: ESPN, 247, Scout, and Rivals all gave Ruff three stars.

Follow Him On... Cameron is on Twitter at @Bigbaby5895 and on Instagram at bigbaby58.