Courtesy of Vanessa Wenzl
By Brandi Bottger
A new era of football is in store for the University of South Florida, and it’s not just within the coaching staff.
Lots of praise and a big reputation is already in place for new head coach, Alex Golesh and new Offensive Coordinator Todd Orlando. There’s no doubt that fans are excited for what’s to come for the 2023 season, but how is the new coaching staff making a difference?
“We’re reteaching what it is to be a college football player at this level. We’re reteaching what it is to be a student athlete,” said Golesh in a press conference.
The USF Bulls began spring ball back in March with weekly practices, training for the spring game. During practices, tension rises for the battle of being named starting quarterback for the fall season.
Golesh has recruited two redshirt freshman, Bryce Archie and Byrum Brown. Both have a great reputation, which puts them in battle for that quarterback spot for that first game against Western Kentucky in September.
Bryce Archie, from Powder Springs, GA., previously played at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., where he was also a quarterback, but played in very few games. He has had one completion, a total of four passing attempts, and only a total of nine passing yards.
Archie transferred to USF with hopes to grow and improve himself in the game of football, but also as a person. “I wanted to grow as a player and grow as a quarterback, not just winning football games, but growing as a person,” Archie said at a press conference.
Byrum Brown, from Raleigh, N.C., was with the Bulls during the 2022 season, playing in four games, and having a total of 36 completions, 50 passing attempts, and a total of 404 passing yards.
Brown also hopes to be able to improve his skills this spring and secure that starting position in September. “Just being able to see my growth from day one to now, practice 11, it’s just been pleasing to see. I know I have a lot more to go so I’m eager to see how it goes,” Brown said.
The 2023 football season begins in September, and although the Bulls are not facing team rival, the University of Central Florida Knights, they’ll be facing teams from Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic University, and even the Alabama Crimson Tide.
With all the new leadership additions, there’s hope that the Bulls can improve in the future within the fan base.
