Time to Rise Up

Number 95 Todd Chandler could have a break out season (Picture credits: usfnation.com)

Last year, Coach Skip Holtz took over late in the recruiting process, but was able to land two 4-star recruits that most believed were not going to USF, Terrence Mitchell and defensive tackle Todd Chandler. Chandler, the 4-star recruit out of Miami, was one of the top defensive prospects (rated one of the best prospects on all of the major recruiting sites and was offered by FSU, Miami, and other top programs). Yet in 2010, Chandler never stepped onto the field. This season, however, he is looking to change that.

Chandler (6' 318-pounds) redshirted in his first season at USF. Chandler was expected by many to be a top player early in his career, but by redshirting, he was able to learn under Mark Snyder's defensive schemes, helping him get ready for the college level. Usually defenisve linemen take a bit longer to develop and get use to the speed of the college game, something Chandler has done easily after making strong impressions on the scout team all season long.

Entering the 2011 season, the Bulls lack tons of depth on the defensive line. Only Grissom and Kevin McCaskill are listed ahead of Chandler, so expect him to get a lot of playing time early and often. He is an explosive playmaker that can both anchor the line against the run and also chase down the quarterback and cause chaos in the backfield. Along with defensive end Ryne Giddins, Julius Forte, and DT Elkino Watson and others, the Bulls could have one of the most explosive young defensive lines in the country.