A Reason for Optimism Next Year

I know it's a little soon to dissect the USF football season, but I haven't posted anything in a while and I feel like I'm overdue. If you've endured through this year like a real fan, you already know that the team has definitely had its ups and downs and has shown us where they really need improvement. Fortunately, though, we also see where we can really succeed next year, and that's what this post is about.

Through watching 12 games for USF this season, I can confidently say that USF is going to have the one of the strongest receiving corps in program history next season. That, combined with the promising improvement of B.J. Daniels from last year to this year, is why I say USF's passing game is going to be one of the highlights of the team next year. With returning veterans Sterling Griffin, Andreas Shields, and Evan Landi (who I've already said was the team's best receiver), and Mike MacFarland, in addition to some guys who also played roles in their early years, Deonte Welch, Stephen Bravo-Brown, Ruben Gonzalez, Victor Marc, and Isaac Virgin, the Bulls already look well-seasoned at the WR position. Add in the players who are coming into the program: JUCO (Grayshirt) WR Alex Mut, Florida transfer (and former 5-star recruit) Chris Dunkley, and 4-star commit D'Vario Montgomery (who may redshirt due to depth at WR), and you've got an army of great pass catchers.

But great receivers are nothing without a quarterback. I know there are plenty of Bulls fans out there that are impatient and don't see B.J. Daniels as the guy for the job. But I'm not one of those guys. Even in the most trying times, I've always stuck behind B.J., convinced that he's the best guy on the team to pull us through it all. And I still think that. From last season to this season, B.J. has had an extreme improvement in his skill as a passer and with his decision making. I think this offseason can show even more improvement. Take as an example, Miami QB Jacory Harris. Last season, Harris was awful, and ended up sort of losing his job to Stephen Morris. For his senior season, Harris showed incredible improvement and led his team to a handful of significant games. I believe Daniels has the ability to be even better next year, and his receivers are going to make him even better.

I'm not saying we're the best receivers in the country. But I am saying we're going to have a great passing game to add to an already strong rushing game that will round out our offense and make us something to watch next season.