TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Golesh recalled the first day he met with his team after taking over the coaching duties at USF in December 2022. The first smile he saw was on the familiar face of Mike Lofton.
Golesh had a hand in recruiting Lofton when the former was the co-offensive coordinator at UCF in 2020. Lofton, a center, appeared in 11 games over two seasons with the Knights before transferring to USF in December 2021, one year before coach and player reunited.
Golesh cannot say enough about the growth of the Clearwater native as a football player and a leader. Lofton’s personality and maturity always shone through, but he is now the entire package.
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“Mike has always been this charismatic personality, but now he has the film and the snaps to go with it,” said Golesh, pointing out Lofton’s 1,000-plus snaps led the nation last season. “He truly is the heartbeat of what that O-line is. He now has it physically to go along with that personality. He’s a pleasure to be around.”
Being a pleasure to be around is a byproduct of a simple lesson Lofton’s mother taught him.
“I try my best to pick people up if I feel they are down,” said the product of Cavalry Christian. “Since I was little kid, my mom taught me that if something is not going well, you have to smile and keep pushing. If you need help, ask. It is okay to ask for help.”
It is okay to be demanding of others as well. That is something Golesh has noticed about this spring with Lofton, who will be a fifth-year senior.
“You get out on the football field and what he’s demanding of that O-line, what he’s demanding of them off the field is really fascinating to watch,” he said. “He has forced guys in the (offensive line) room to get up to his standard. That’s how you get better. I am super proud of him.”
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Being an offensive lineman is demanding and Lofton wants all parts to move in the same direction as much as possible. Sure, it is not going to be perfect each snap. That does not mean the unit does not strive for perfection.
“Five have to work as one and being demanding is just taking that extra step as an O-line,” he said. “If we are off, somebody gets hurt whether it’s the quarterback or running back. So, we can’t have bad days or bad plays. We need to always be the best we can.”
Lofton has been doing his best with “Mike on the Mic” as he cruises around campus introducing viewers to fellow Bulls.
“Hopefully, I will have a new (episode) sometime during spring ball,” he said. “I know the guys on a personal level, but I like to see how they react on camera and getting Bulls Nation and everybody to see what they are like.”
Bulls Nation undoubtedly likes what they see in Lofton.
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