USF went 1-11 in 2022 and hired Alex Golesh to right the ship. He did more than that, leading the Bulls to their best season since 2018 (7-6) and one of the biggest one-season turnarounds in recent memory.
For the program to take its next step and challenge for an AAC title, it’ll need its top 10 players to consistently deliver in 2024.
USF Bulls Top 10 Returners in 2024
10) Andrew Stokes, P
Not one of Andrew Stokes’ 56 punts went for a touchback in 2023, and 21 of them were called for a fair catch. At 6’5″ and 232 pounds, he’s one of the biggest punters you’ll see on Saturdays or Sundays.
The Australian earned the starting role as a true freshman in 2021, but an injury knocked him out early in 2022. Now another year removed — and a productive one at that — the Bulls are stoked to have Stokes back for one final go-round. Although, they probably hope they won’t need him often.
9) Tavin Ward, S
After redshirting in 2022, the 2023 season marked Tavin Ward’s first on a collegiate field. While he was beaten over the top a few times, Ward showcased the physical tools to thrive in the conference with one INT and eight PBUs.
After starting five games at outside CB in 2023, the Bulls moved Ward to deep safety alongside Jaelen Stokes and Youngstown State transfer D’Marco Augustin. He got his first live action at the position against Bethune-Cookman in the opener, but how he performs against Alabama in Week 2 will go a long way toward indicating the trajectory of his transition.
8) Rashad Cheney Jr., DT
Fresh off an honorable mention All-AAC selection, Rashad Cheney Jr. has made his mark as a key player for USF after transferring from Minnesota. In 2023, he tallied 32 tackles, ranking second among Bulls defensive linemen, and added 8.5 TFLs and a half-sack.
While he spent 2022 splitting time between the A and B gaps, Cheney found his stride playing more in the B gaps and on the edge in 2023, where his versatility and playmaking ability shined.
7) Zane Herring, G
For those who watched USF last season, it’s no surprise that Zane Herring landed on the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, given annually to the best interior lineman in college football.
He spent three years at Florida State before transferring to the Bulls, where he quickly earned the starting right guard role. At 6’5″ and 313 pounds, Herring is an absolute palisade in pass protection, but he also has no issue generating push up front in the ground game.
6) Ta’Ron Keith, RB
Former Bowling Green — and briefly Western Kentucky — RB Ta’Ron Keith has found his final collegiate home in USF.
Keith isn’t the top runner on the team, but he meshes well with starter Nay’Quan Wright. Keith appeared in 37 games with the Falcons, generating a 151-693-5 rushing line and 104-1,033-8 receiving line while taking 48 kickoffs for 1,145 yards and a score.
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The three-down RB is also coming off his best season on the ground, starting five games and taking 66 attempts for 390 yards and four scores. Keith may not be the pure runner Wright is, but he is far more versatile and can make an instant impact as a receiver and kick returner.
5) Aamaris Brown-Bunkley, CB
The Bulls struggled mightily in pass defense last season, ranking last in the AAC with 288.8 passing yards and 29 passing TDs allowed per game. However, they showcased a big-play identity by recording 14 INTs and recovering 10 fumbles.
Aamaris Brown-Bunkley contributed significantly with 40 tackles, two picks, four PBUs, and a 64-yard fumble return touchdown, earning All-AAC honorable mention.
4) Nay’Quan Wright, RB
After four years and 33 games at Florida, Nay’Quan Wright stayed in the state and helped power one of the biggest one-season turnarounds in recent college football history. A large reason for USF’s offensive success was Wright, who outdid his career numbers with the Gators (189-753-5) in his first outing with the Bulls (180-797-8).
QB Byrum Brown may be the focal point of the offense, but Wright has proved to be a valuable complementary piece out of the backfield. Not sold? Turn on the USF-Alabama game last season. Although 15 carries for 62 yards doesn’t seem like much, Wright had to fight for every yard and often made room for himself with smooth cuts and bruising truck sticks.
3) Jhalyn Shuler, LB
USF’s offense gets most of the credit, but the defense held up their end of the bargain last season. Chief among the unit was Jhalyn Shuler, as he was one of only two Bulls defenders to start all 13 games.
Not only did Shuler stuff the stat sheet — 97 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks, five PBUs, and one forced fumble — but he established himself as one of the best all-around LBs in the conference.
2) Sean Atkins, WR
After operating in a bit part for the first four years of his career, Sean Atkins erupted for program records in receptions (92) and receiving yards (1,054) while reeling in the second-most single-season TDs (seven).
The former walk-on is undersized at 5’10” and 183 pounds, but he fits perfectly in Golesh’s scheme in the slot, devouring over the middle of the field.
1) Byrum Brown, QB
In Year 1 under HC Alex Golesh, the Bulls set 12 team and 16 individual records, including the program’s first 3,000-yard passer: redshirt freshman Byrum Brown. Brown also set school records for TD passes (26), completions (276), completion rate (64.6%), and 300-yard passing games (four).
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With Golesh at the controls, Brown is primed to continue breaking barriers and setting new standards in the upcoming season.
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