TAMPA, Fla. – Having each other’s back and a next-play mentality are among the intangibles driving the USF Bulls during Alex Golesh’s third season at the helm. They are characteristics that do not surface without effort. Rather, it takes time and it takes veterans, program pillars, who help develop and guide younger players within a culture that has grown stronger and stronger.
“I think there is enough player-driven leadership in the locker room and I am fighting like crazy to build these young guys to be kind of the next ones,” said Golesh, of the next group of leaders that can include the likes of quarterback Locklan Hewlett, receiver Jeremiah Koger, linebacker Zavier Hamilton and defensive back Jabari Smith, all first- or second-year players. “It’s like, watch Byrum and do what Byrum’s doing. Mac (Harris) is doing a really good job of being vocal, which has forced him to hold himself to a really high level of accountability. The part that I think is contagious is when you have leaders that are not only leading, but forcing young guys to follow them.”
A player-driven program is not just the older guys showing the younger ones how things are done, but something on a larger scale where coaches can pull back to some degree to focus more on coaching. Fifth-year offensive lineman, Cole Best, uses his position group as an example of how accountability is at the top of the daily checklist.
“When someone misses a meal, misses a lift, was not on time or when something else is not right, (offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick) does not have to handle it anymore,” he said. “He looks to me, he looks to the other leaders, and we handle it. I think it means more coming from the guys in your room than coming from the coach. I think when it is handled by the players, it trickles down and spreads among the players. It is pretty cool to watch.”
It makes a team stronger, which makes it easier to turn the page. Junior defensive back Jarvis Lee has noticed a ‘brotherhood” that may not have been as strong during his first two seasons with the Bulls, but surfaces within the current group when needed most.
“Let’s calm down and let’s keep going with the next-play mentality,” he said of how the team goes about its business when facing adversity. “Like, no matter what’s going on, no matter how much we are down, how much we are up, always play the next play to be elite.”
With seven turnovers in two conference games, the Bulls (5-1/2-0 American) have been far from elite while ascending to No. 19 in the AP poll. A team that goes about its craft with a sense of togetherness, though, can overcome obstacles that are self-inflicted or otherwise.
“To see how we have grown closer as a team to the point that, this year, I am super close to the defense, and it wasn’t like that in years past,” said offensive lineman Derek Bowman, in his third year at USF after transferring from Houston, of a bond that stretches through all position rooms. “We are more connected as a team. I feel that makes it easier because we have each other’s back. If something (negative) happens, don’t flinch. I know we will keep it moving and play our brand of football.”
That brand will be on display Saturday night (7:30, ESPNU) for a homecoming date with FAU (3-3/2-1) at Raymond James Stadium.
READ: The Voice Of The Bulls: Jim Louk To Hang Up The Mic After 43 Years
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