The USF defense, much maligned last year, has been retooled and is projected to be one of the best defenses in the AAC.
It all starts up front in the trenches, and getting pressure on the quarterback. However, the strength of this defense starts in the middle with linebackers Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler. Both have led the Bulls in tackles. Shuler led USF with 97 tackles in 2023, while Harris led the Bulls with 82 tackles last season, including four sacks.
The Bulls also added a couple of linebackers via the transfer portal. Chavez Brown is from North Texas, DJ McCormick is from UCF, and Rocco Nicholl is from Kent State. The Bulls also count on getting contributions from sophomores Rodney Hill and Xavier Hamilton. USF will also unleash Rico Watson, Ira Singleton, DJ Harris, and Ashton Mosley in a defensive end/linebacker hybrid position.
The defensive backfield is also one of the best in the conference, starting with returning cornerback De’Shawn Rucker. Rucker will anchor a defensive backfield that includes starters Tevin Ward, Kajuan Banks, and Jalean Stokes. They are excited to see how much they can improve on last year’s defense. In a unique situation, all defensive backs on the roster are homegrown. They hail from right here in the state of Florida.
The defensive line is loaded. It could be the best unit on the team. USF knew they needed to get bigger, quicker, and stronger, and they accomplished that during the off-season. Again, the Bulls heavily relied on the transfer portal to improve their defensive line.
The Bulls were looking for girth, strength, and quickness, and they accomplished that by adding Dre Butler from Charlotte, Josh Celiscar from Texas A&M, Dennard Flowers from Murray State, Devin Lee from Vanderbilt, Jacob Merrifield from FAU, and Traevon Mitchell from West Florida. With the additions to the defensive line, the Bulls are now three deep at all positions across the line.
If the Bulls are to challenge for the AAC championship, the defense has to get off the field on third down and eliminate big plays. USF gave up 30 points per game last season and allowed opponents to convert 34 percent on third downs and 62.7 percent in the red zone.