There is one spot remaining on my 2021 USF Football Top 5 Players List. For those of you who are reading this, it is probably pretty obvious who holds the number one spot. In my opinion, they are the best player on the South Florida Football team.
Straight out of the 3-0-5 via Miami Central High School, this senior Linebacker has had an impact on defense since 2018.
Standing at 6’3” and weighing 228 pounds, Dwayne Boyles is the current holder of the #1 spot on my list.
● LB Spotlight ●
Dwayne Boyles – USF
• Boyles is one of the top players in the #AAC. In his career he has 135 Tackles, 19.5 Tackles for Loss, 3 Sacks, 1 INT & 5 Pass Breakups. pic.twitter.com/UEWKwN1xsY
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) August 24, 2021
#1: Dwayne Boyles
Since coming to Tampa, the last name “Boyles” has become a household name for USF Football fans. The presence he has had for the Bulls has never gone unnoticed.
11 Days Until NC State
#11 Dwayne Boyles @Dreadhead_wayne
✅6-3/228/LB/Senior
✅Attended Miami Central HS
✅2020 Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference 3rd Team
✅2020 Athlon Preseason All-Conference 3rd Team
✅2nd on the team with 44 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss in 2020 pic.twitter.com/KHqTxIiMUn— Sidelines-South Florida 🤘 AAC Baseball Champs🏆 (@SSN_USF) August 22, 2021
2018: Freshman Year
Right off the bat, Boyles saw the field in his first season as a Bull. He started in 2 games, at Weakside Linebacker, and ended the season with 20 tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery.
Dwayne Boyles with the start at LB for #USF
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 27, 2018
That was just the start for Boyles. His statistics began to rise as well as his presence on the field.
2019: Sophomore Year
When I said his presence began to rise, I was not kidding. In his second season at South Florida, Boyles tallied 75 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two pass breakups.
🅱🆄🅻🅻🆈 🅱🅾🆈🅻🅴🆂
USF LB Dwayne Boyles Official 2019 Highlights are live! #BullyBoyles
🔗 https://t.co/VQI1XPvhwN— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) February 28, 2020
Talk about 0 to 100 real quick. Between his first and second season, his statistics skyrocketed. Out of his 75 tackles, he registered 48 solo tackles.
Dwayne Boyles with the SACKKKKK. Temple punting it away #TempleVsUSF
— Michael Cusimano (@micCusi) November 8, 2019
Boyles ended the 2019 campaign ranked 18th in the AAC with 6.2 tackles per game and also finished 12th in tackles for loss.
Linebacker Dwayne Boyles, who had 3 TFLs at UConn, talks about BYU. @USFFootball pic.twitter.com/0K5zcL3LhE
— Tom Layberger (@TomLay810) October 8, 2019
2020: Junior Year
The 2020 season is what put the icing on the cake for me as to why Boyles was deserving of the top spot on this list.
In 2020, Boyles only appeared in six of South Florida’s nine games. Due to Covid-19 protocol, he was ineligible for the three other games.
In Boyles’ six games, he racked up 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception, one blocked kick, two pass breakups, and two Quarterback Hurries.
Dwayne Boyles on his first career INT tonight:
“We were playing a Cover 4, and their No. 2 receiver went to the flat and then drifted upfield….I saw the ball in the air and just made a play.”
— Mitch (@MitchIntille) November 28, 2020
His 44 tackles ranked 2nd on the team.
Dwayne Boyles just tackled a dude with another dude.
— Seth Varnadore (@SethVarnadore) September 13, 2020
To be able to end the season with those types of numbers in just six games is unfathomable. Only the best of the best make their presence known game after game. Imagine what Boyles’ statistics would have been if he had played all nine games.
What’s Next?
A career-defining season. That is what’s next.
The impact that Boyles has this season will determine each game how the Bulls perform. To be honest, I am not even just talking about his on-field performance. As a Senior, he must help pave his team to success each week. It is his job to show up and motivate his teammates and fuel their hearts with passion and energy.
Scott says Dwayne Boyles and Antonio Grier have stood out as leaders alongside Mike Hampton and KJ Sails.
— nolan (@nobro00) August 15, 2020
As Boyles nearly did in 2019, I think in 2021, he hits the 80-tackle benchmark.
Look out for #11 on defense this season. You do not what to miss what he is capable of producing.