Could we see Byrum Brown under center for USF football during the Hawaii Bowl?
Bulls coach Alex Golesh, as is his way, coyly tiptoed up to the ledge of declaring Brown the starter in the December 24 game against San Jose State. I tiptoed because he never said, “Yep, we’re going with Bryum.”
Brown hasn’t played since leaving the Tulane game on September 28 with a leg injury that looked season-ending. Bryce Archie has started every game since then and looked at times and not so good at others.
Golesh has said for several weeks that Brown has been practicing, but that’s a far cry from actually playing.
Maybe now?
“I would say that I don't think anybody loses their job due to injury, I think, and I give Bryce a lot of credit, too, because Byron and Bryce are each other's biggest cheerleaders.”
This is suddenly an issue for two reasons. If the Bulls beat San Jose State, it will be their first win over a team with a winning record (7-5) in Golesh’s two years at USF. Also, it would clarify USF’s quarterback room heading into the off-season.
With Izzy Carter entering the transfer portal, Brown would become the clear-cut No. 1 heading into next season. That could have been an issue if Izzy had played and been dynamic against San Jose State, but not now.
“I think the fair thing would be Byrum's ready to roll if Byrum rolls, and Bryce is there ready to roll right behind him,” Golesh said.
“ I think if Byrum isn't ready to roll, then Bryce will go and Byrum will be right there behind him.”
But he added,” I would never let somebody lose their job because of an injury.”
Brown’s injury has been an ongoing story since he went down in the third quarter at Tulane. Having him back for the bowl game would clarify the upcoming off-season, but if he’s not ready, it opens a basket full of questions about what the Bulls will do with their most important position.
Since Brown hasn’t entered the transfer portal, hasn’t needed surgery, and has more than two months to recover from what looked like a scary injury, maybe he can come back and play in the bowl.
That would be a positive way to head into the off-season.