USF Bulls offensive line now has more cornerstones than question marks

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TAMPA — He scanned the offensive line depth chart he inherited and recoiled, like a steak lover staring at a veggie menu. Alex Golesh saw few appealing options, and nothing fulfilling.

It was at that point, perhaps more than any other, that USF’s new coach understood he wasn’t facing a mere rebuild, but a wholesale reclamation.

“We had to go get some guys out of the portal, junior college,” recalled Golesh, hired in December 2022. “I feel like I watched more O-linemen (on film) that first month and a half than I ever have.”

Behind the exhaustive recruiting efforts of a staff that included a 26-year-old line coach (Tyler Hudanick), Golesh and Co. pieced together a unit — Football Bowl Subdivision transfers, holdovers and rookies — that was serviceable if not always sturdy.

USF ranked 115th nationally in sacks allowed (3.3 a game), but Golesh was quick to note many factors (timing of play calls, protection breakdowns elsewhere, periodic failure of receivers to get open) attributed to that number. USF also finished 32nd in rushing offense (182.8 yards) and kept scramble-centric quarterback Byrum Brown upright all season.

“That group just continued to grow throughout the year and took so much pride in what they were doing,” Golesh said.

Today, the unit trends more toward formidable than flimsy. When the Bulls hit Corbett Stadium for their annual spring game Saturday, Golesh will have enough offensive linemen for a bona fide intrasquad scrimmage — a notion that seemed laughable a year ago.

“I still feel like the depth has got to continue to grow,” Golesh said, “but I feel like it’s really become a strong suit in terms of culture and development within our program.”

Four of the five linemen who started in the Boca Raton Bowl annihilation of Syracuse are back. The only departure is left tackle…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usf-bulls-offensive-line-now-100000630.html

Author : Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Publish date : 2024-04-12 10:00:00

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