Takeaways from the opening day of fall football practice at USF.
THE HEAT IS ON (AND THAT’S OK)
While much of the rest of the country may be melting in intense late July heat, the Bulls were just cool with it.
“We got really, really blessed with really good weather here on day one,” head coach Alex Golesh said.
“It’s a huge challenge for these guys to come out in the heat and go, and for us. It's just a matter of adding some water breaks to make sure that the guys are being safe. But, we need to go get that work in the heat.”
Linebacker Mac Harris said the scorching summer heat and humidity could help the Bulls in their opening game at 5:30 p.m. on August 28 against Boise State.
“I look at it as an advantage, you know, for us going out there. Most of us are Florida boys anyway, so the heat doesn't bother us that much.”
Day 1️⃣ in the books! #ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/uKdHwVOC9n
— USF Football (@USFFootball) July 28, 2025
IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK
After missing the last eight games in 2024 because of a broken leg, quarterback Byrum Brown was a happy camper after Monday's workout.
"Just being back out there with the guys, playing football again," he said.
Brown added that he had "a tremendous summer."
Life will be different, however, for the Bulls' starting QB. Record-setting receiver Sean Atkins is gone. He and Brown had a special chemistry.
"lI's a little different, because he's a special player, and that's my guy. However, we've got Chas (Nimrod), Keyshuwn (Singleton), and Mudia (Reuben)," he said. "We've got a lot of new guys and a lot of younger guys that we stepped up as well."
Brown said he now weights 233 pounds.
THE BACKUP QB BATTLE
Read into this what you will.
Golesh said true freshman quarterback Locklan Hewlett, coming off an impressive spring, took the No. 2 reps Monday.
The Bulls need a backup for starting quarterback Byrum Brown after Bryce Archie, who started eight games last year after Brown was injured, signed last week with the Cincinnati Reds.
“It's so fascinating to watch a young guy go from 17 years old to 18 years old. He's competed at a high level since the moment he got here, but to watch his confidence grow as he learns the offense, as he grows into being a leader,” Golesh said.
“He got voted on our leadership council. He's the only freshman on that group out of 12 guys on the team, which I think gave him some confidence.”
Hewlett may have to grow up fast.
“I think for him, the reality is coming in sitting as the three (quarterback), whether you whether you want to admit it or not. But he sees Byrum (Brown), sees Bryce, guys that have played a ton of ball, and you kind of get in a little bit of a comfort zone. And I kept telling them again, dude, you’ve got to be ready.”
The competition for the backup role is between Hewlett, redshirt freshman Marcelis Tate, freshman Sam Fenton from Loughborough College in London, U.K., and Tennessee transfer Gaston Moore.
WELCOME ABOARD
The Bulls have added 54 new players since last season ended. Golesh said it was important to pick players who buy into the culture of a player-led team he is trying to build.
That’s off the field as well as on.
If there was any hesitancy by a potential recruit to do that, Golesh scratched them off the list.
“College football has changed. It used to be you couldn't be with them in the summer. Now you're with them through these OTAs. You're with them through player development sessions. You're with them through position meetings,” he said.
“This connection piece, the trust building within the group, we've tried to put them in situations throughout the summer, as close as you possibly can to real life.”
They could have a little fun, too.
“From a football side, we've done as many team-building type activities, from coaches having them to their houses to going and paintballing, to Top Golf, like anything you could think of to make them hang out together,” he said.
“I've challenged the guys that have been here literally daily. Man, sit with a different guy at lunch. Just sit with a different guy at breakfast. You see a guy sitting by himself at dinner, go sit with him. If you're going to go out to eat, get some guys that haven't been here to bring them with you out to eat.”