USF Football Begins Fall Camp With Fresh Faces and Attitude All Over the Field

The University of South Florida Bulls football team began fall camp today at the Frank Morsani Football Complex a few hours earlier than planned due to impending poor weather in the area, and it wasn’t a complete team practice due to class schedule conflicts for some players, but FOOTBALL BACK BABY.

“Today was a really good day of work,” third-year head coach Charlie Strong said. “Guys moved around, guys did pretty good. We just have to continue to build each and every day. It’s gonna be a process, I told them ‘we can’t get it all done in one day, we have to slowly build each and every day.’”

We didn’t get to see much of practice, but we did see the team field goal session. Junior kicker Coby Weiss had a pretty good session, nailing everything inside 35-yards. He missed his final kick from what appeared to be 47-yards out, it had the leg, it was just pushed left. Weiss was 0-for-2 in field goal attempts over 40-yards in 2018.

Injury Update

• Senior linebacker Nico Sawtelle (neck/shoulder injury) suited up and practiced today for the first time in nearly a year and says he’s 100% healthy. The first practice in pads is on Tuesday.
• “I think we’re together more as a team,” Sawtelle said. “I think we’ve bonded more, and have a better connection, and understanding our roles...This year we’re gonna have fun. No coach, no other players, no weather will interfere with our practices. We’re gonna come out here everyday with enthusiasm and try to get better.”
• Senior running back Jordan Cronkrite (off-season surgery) also suited up today for the first time and he said he’s 100% and ready to go this season.

“The sky’s the limit [for this offense],” Cronkrite said. “A lot of new stuff. Guys are very much into it, they’re excited everyday to see what they’re gonna install next.”

Whole Lotta Newcomers

41 of the 107 (38%) players on the USF roster are new to the team this year between the signing class, transfers, and walk-ons, including North Carolina transfer KJ Sails, who will be wearing no. 9 this year. His waiver status is still pending according to Strong.

Other notable additions:

• Former Tennessee wide receiver Latrell Williams (wearing #83)
• Arizona State transfer defensive end Darius Slade (#55)
• Notre Dame transfer safety Devin Studstill (#8)
• Oklahoma State transfer linebacker Patrick Macon (#42)
• Miami transfer walk-on QB Augie DeBiase (#18)
• Tennessee transfer defensive end Ryan Thaxton (#46)

“When you understand all the circumstance behind it, then you can understand why we made that decision,” Charlie Strong on the decision to add Thaxton after what led to his dismissal at Tennessee.