The USF 2025 football season is only a few days away, and you will need a program to keep up with the new names on the 2025 USF Bulls roster.
One key piece that will be back for the Bulls is quarterback Byrum Brown. In 2023, Brown’s last full season, he passed for 3,292 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns. Brown and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels were the only quarterbacks in the country to pass for over 3,000 yards and run for over 800 yards in 2023. Brown suffered a leg injury on September 28th of last season, causing him to miss the rest of the season.
For the second time in his collegiate career, Brown has been named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list this preseason. Brown is excited and ready to go as the clock ticks down to the regular season. “I’m ready. I’m more than ready. I can’t wait to get out there and go. I feel with the talent we have on this team, we have great things ahead.”
Brown enters the season fifth on the USF career passing list with 4,532 yards. He has also amassed 5,739 total yards and 33 touchdown passes.
For the first time in seven seasons, USF record-breaking receiver Sean Atkins will not be roaming the Bulls’ sidelines. USF offensive coordinator Joel Gordon talked about the next man up mentality for the Bulls. “Great players come and great players go. When they leave, it’s an opportunity for the next man up to try and learn and hopefully emulate a lot of the things that Sean did.”
KeShaun Singleton will be the go-to receiver for the Bulls. Singleton had 27 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns last season.
The Bulls added to their group of receivers during the offseason through the transfer portal. Chas Nimrod from Tennessee, Musia Reuben from Stanford, and Tyler Williams from Minnesota will all be looking to make their mark this season. The Bulls also feature returning receivers JeyQuan Smith, one of the fastest players on the USF roster, and Joshua Porter, who had 25 catches as a freshman. The coaching staff is also excited about two freshmen receivers, Kory Pettigrow and Jeremiah Koger.
The Bulls will welcome Cartevious Norton and Sam Franklin as transfers in the backfield. Norton rushed for 525 yards and seven touchdowns with conference rival Charlotte last season. Franklin was primarily a kick returner at Oklahoma last season, but made a name for himself as a running back at UT-Martin. Franklin ran for 2,129 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons at the FCS school.
With Brown returning to his 2023 level of play, USF is excited about what these three players can accomplish in the backfield this season.
The Bulls also have a couple of backs returning, including Alvon Isaac, Jaylen Johnson, Nykahi Davenport, Tray Kinkle, and Chase Garnett.
The Bulls return four starters along the offensive line this season. Center Cole Best, guards Jack Wilty and Zane Herring, and tackle Derek Bowman all return to anchor the Bulls’ offensive line. Also, there is returning veteran center in Mike Lofton. The Bulls also tapped the transfer portal to round out the offensive line. O-Line coach Tyler Hudanick is high on Stanford transfer Conner McLaughlin, who can play both tackle positions. The Bulls also picked up Appalachian State transfer Thomas Shrader. Cole Skinner, Khalil Collins, Caleb Harris, and TJ Lawrence could also get some snaps this season.
Golesh emphasizes offensive line play and believes it sets the tone for how things will play out during the game. Overall, Golesh likes this team and thinks the Bulls will have a great season. “We have that capability on this team to have a great season,” he said.
The Bulls open up the 2025 season against Top-25-ranked Boise State at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium.