TAMPA, Fla. – The wave of excitement that has swept over the USF campus has intensified this week with the beginning of spring football drills on Tuesday.
True, six months remain before the Bulls kick off the 2024 season against Bethune-Cookman, and much can happen between now and then. There is no denying, however, the momentum that the Alex Golesh-led program has built. After all, USF is coming off its first winning season since 2018 and its first bowl win since 2017.
As such, this spring is about continuing to build a foundation that led to last year’s successes. There are also expectations this time around, which certainly was not the case last spring.
Read: USF Can Clinch Outright Regular-Season Title Saturday At Charlotte
“There is a like a really cool energy,” said Golesh, of his team following the first of 15 practices that lead into the April 13 on-campus spring game at Corbett Stadium. “A year ago, we had no expectations of any sort. All we worried about was us and our process. Now, there are actually expectations and the challenge is still to worry about us and our process.”
That should not be too difficult. After all, even with the good feeling that accompanied a 7-6 season, there are three reminders from last season that underscore the work that still needs to be done.
“You’re happy there are expectations within the program, but you’re guarded against worrying about anything beyond tomorrow,” said Golesh. “As I see what is on social media in terms of the outside expectations, I told (the team) the exact truth. We went to Birmingham, Alabama and got blown out (by UAB). FAU came in here and blew us out. We went to UTSA on a Friday night on national TV and we were not ready for that moment. So, if you need something to keep you hungry and keep you grounded, that’s it.”
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Byrum Brown remains grounded as he focuses on getting better each day. Coming off his first season as the starting quarterback and a very successful one by any measure, there are things he feels he needs to work on in order to elevate his game and that of his team. That includes speaking up.
“There are always some things I can clean up with the offense like helping guys get in the right spot and get them set,” said Brown, who at 220 pounds has bulked up from the 205 he was a year ago at this time. “I feel like I have done a great job of being more vocal, at least through winter workouts, and I need to continue to be more vocal this year.”
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