With former Tennessee offensive coordinator, Alex Golesh being announced as South Florida’s sixth head coach in program history, a lot of change is to be expected in order to turn things around….and very quickly at that.
With the school’s recent invitation to the AAU, an on-campus stadium coming in 2026, and new facilities, there is a lot to be excited about going forward and getting the right guys in the locker room should be an easier task compared to recent years.
The transfer portal’s upsurge in the past couple years will hopefully make this rebuilding process start off on the right track along with a weakened schedule due to former foes leaving the conference.
The Golesh Era could be off to a promising start, but it is important to know what players he is bringing in and what type of impact we expect them to make for this new team.
The name we are all excited about, defensive end, Lloyd Summerall (6’5, 242 lbs.) was ranked as a three star recruit before spending the past four years at Florida. Summerall (@HimsoHam) was coached by now Director of Recruiting at USF, Coach Will Bahler in his senior year at Lakeland high school where they won the Class 7A State Championship.
His pure athleticism and size coming off the edge compliments the talents of Junior defensive end, Tramel Logan and Senior defensive end, Jason Vaughn, which can help a defense that only recorded 14 sacks in 2022, ranking as the third lowest in the FBS.
Coming off a season where he recorded the most tackles in his career, Summerall is expected to make a huge impact on this defense and showcase what was considered “middle round NFL Draft upside” by 247 Sports insider Luke Stampini.
Along with Summerall, Golesh brought along another former gator, running back, Nay’Quan Wright (5’9, 204 lbs.), who should make up for some of the explosiveness the Bulls lost this offseason. Ranked as a four star recruit out of high school, Wright (@b0ssman_5) helped Miami Carol City win a state title in 2016 which was just one highlight of his outstanding high school career.
Now, Wright is headed to Tampa Florida following a few productive seasons at Florida where he totaled 1,180 all-purpose yards since 2020, showcasing his rushing, receiving, and returning ability. His stocky stature and quick feet provides the Buls with a rare ability to play all three downs and make big plays in the process; this could be a name we hear as an all-conference player when the 2023 season is over.
Wide receiver, Naiem Simmons (5’10, 175 lbs.), transfer from Wagner, is another new weapon to be on the look out for. With several key departures in the wide receiver room this offseason, Simmons (@NaiemSimmons) was a much needed recruit to begin the Golesh era. Considering his two very productive seasons at Wagner, with 1,349 all-purpose yards, he could be a huge steal for the Bulls’ offense and could possibly break the spell to become the first 1,000 yard receiver in USF history.
Simmons led Wagner in catches and earned All NEC recognition in both seasons he attended. Recently coming off a huge season, tallying 50 catches for 796 yards, Golesh and company intend for Simmons’ talents to transfer up to the FBS and provide the Bulls with much needed play making ability on the outside to compliment other added talent such as, wide receivers Seth Jones and Jaden Alexis.
Following a tough season in 2022, the 2023 season is a fresh start for the Bulls, with a new coaching staff, a revamped conference, and new transfers, Bulls fans are hoping for a season that introduces a true turn-around. Fall camp is right around the corner, meaning position battles will begin, new names will start to flourish, and ultimately, the new identity for the Bulls will be established.
With that being said, I think I can speak for all Bulls fans when I say there is no desire for the hype and all the noise leading up to the season as usual, we just want to compete, win, and eventually get that fire back. There is so much to look forward to for the new age of USF; we now have a more favorable schedule, an incoming stadium, and a new staff to lead the way.
The hope is that our transfers and new recruits brought in by this staff will mold the vision into reality and provide Bulls fans and students with the turn-around we have been yearning for years now.