USF Football News and Notes

Wide receiver Ruben Gonzalez could see playing time this season.

It is finally here, game week! This week is very special as we prepare for the first football game of the season and it should be a huge one for the Bulls.

Here are some notes from yesterday (via Greg Auman). The Bulls will begin to make their preparations for the big game, getting into the film rooms and finalizing the depth chart. I asked Greg last night when a revised Fall depth chart would be released and he expects it to come out the same time as Notre Dame, which could be today. Once it is released (hoping Holtz does it soon) we will cover all the changes or surprises on it.

There are some updates from Coach Holtz as well on a few players. Defensive tackle Keith McCaskill has been slowed due to a knee injury that is nagging, but stated that McCaskill will play against ND. The Bulls have dealt with some issues at defensive tackle and mild injuries, including Demi Thompson, but should all be ready to go on Saturday.

He stated that freshman kicker Marvin Kloss is battling for kickoff duties as well as for punting. The punting job is also being battled out by junior Justin Brockhaus-Kann and Mattias Ciabatti. Holtz likes the experience of JBK, but Ciabatti continues to impress with his leg and Kloss is right in the mix as well.

The Bulls will also likely miss freshman offensive lineman Thor Jozwiak for the season. Thor has been battling a shoulder injury and Holtz stated it will require surgery which will end his season. He will redshirt and still have 4-years left after he recovers.

Michael York, an offensive tackle from Plant City High School (home of Mark Popek) has been added to the roster.

Holtz stated that these 4 freshman would see playing time (most likely players to get out there). Wide receivers Andre Davis and Ruben Gonzalez, Mattias Ciabatti, and defensive tackle Elkino Watson While any freshman could play or not, these 4 are the players that have really caught Holtz's eye. It will be really interesting to see how the two freshman receivers do on the field and how much playing time they will get.

Holtz also mentioned that Kenneth Durden, Tye Turner, Darrell Williams, and Matt Floyd are also candidates to get playing time as well. Personally, I see Turner and Durden getting more playing time out of most of them. Turner is a big body and could play fullback (if Breitt hasn't won the job already). Durden is a strong player and with depth concerns at corner, he could get into there. Floyd may not play because of Daniels and Eveld (redshirt is always possible) and Williams at 245-pounds, despite reps with the 2nd team in fall, needs to add more weight to play at left tackle.

This is going to be a very busy week as we prepare to bring you all the Notre Dame coverage and count down the seconds until the game on Saturday. So stay tuned.