Blog Article
BULLS ON THE RISE: South Florida Bulls Football Is Ready To Make The AAC Tremble In 2025
The South Florida Bulls aren’t rebuilding anymore—they’re reloading.
After posting a 7-6 record in 2024 and winning a marathon five-overtime Hawaii Bowl thriller against San Jose State, Coach Alex Golesh’s squad has transformed from a perennial doormat to a legitimate conference threat. The bowl victory wasn’t just a feel-good ending to a solid season—it was a declaration that USF football has officially awakened from its half-decade slumber.
But the real question facing Bulls fans now isn’t whether their team can reach another bowl game.
It’s whether USF is ready to challenge for an American Athletic Conference championship.
The 2024 Breakthrough Nobody Saw Coming
Last season marked a dramatic shift in South Florida’s football fortunes.
- A 7-6 overall record (4-4 in AAC play) ended a streak of four consecutive losing seasons
- The offense exploded for 32.2 points per game (33rd nationally)
- Record-breaking performances included 425 rushing yards against Charlotte and 715 total yards versus Tulsa
- A Hawaii Bowl victory that required five overtimes became the longest bowl game in FBS history
“We’re finally establishing the foundation of what this program can be,” Golesh told reporters after the Hawaii Bowl. “This isn’t a finished product by any means, but we’ve taken significant steps forward.”
The 2024 campaign wasn’t just about wins and losses but about creating a new identity.
Byrum Brown: The Dual-Threat Engine That Powers Everything
Quarterback stability changes everything for a college football program.
- Brown returns for his third season after setting multiple school records when he was healthy.
- Despite playing just 6 games in 2024, he compiled 836 passing yards with a 59.1% completion rate.
- His dual-threat capabilities make USF’s offense particularly difficult to prepare for
- The team’s offensive production jumped dramatically in games Brown started and finished.
When examining the statistical differences between USF’s wins and losses last season, one trend is becoming increasingly clear. When the offense clicked (485.1 yards per game in victories vs. 317.3 in defeats), the Bulls became nearly unstoppable.
Brown’s health might be the most crucial factor in determining USF’s 2025 ceiling.
The Transfer Portal Cavalry Has Arrived
The Bulls attacked the transfer portal with surgical precision this offseason.
- Offensive Line Reinforcements: Stanford transfer Connor McLaughlin (6’7″, 260 lbs) and Appalachian State transfer Thomas Shrader (6’5″, 305 lbs) bring immediate size and experience
- Backfield Boost: Charlotte transfer Cartevious Norton (RB, 5’11”, 210 lbs) provides a power-running complement
- Defensive Upgrades: Wisconsin transfer Jonas Duclona (DB) and Texas A&M transfer Josh Celiscar (DE, 6’4″, 230 lbs) address the pass defense issues
- Special Teams Overhaul: New kicker Adam Zouagui (Davidson) and punter Chase Leon (Lamar) fix last season’s inconsistent specialists
“We identified specific needs and targeted players who can make immediate impacts,” Golesh said regarding the transfer strategy. “It’s about finding the right fits culturally while addressing positional gaps evident last season.”
The transfer additions aren’t just depth pieces—they’re potential game-changers at critical positions.
The 2025 Schedule: Early Tests, Conference Opportunities
USF’s path to contention features both landmines and golden opportunities.
Non-Conference Challenges:
- Aug. 28: vs. Boise State (Season Opener at Raymond James Stadium)
- Sept. 6: at Florida
- Sept. 13: at Miami
- Sept. 20: vs. South Carolina State
AAC Home Opportunities:
- Charlotte (defeated 59-24 in 2024)
- Florida Atlantic (defeated 44-21 in 2024)
- UTSA
- Rice
AAC Road Battles:
- North Texas
- Memphis
- Navy
- UAB
The early-season gauntlet against Boise State, Florida, and Miami provides statement opportunities that could supercharge the program’s momentum—or expose lingering weaknesses.
Fixing The Defense: USF’s Championship Roadblock
The glaring weakness that kept USF from greater heights last season wasn’t hard to identify.
- The defense surrendered 29.8 points per game (99th nationally)
- Opponents averaged 278.8 passing yards per game against the Bulls secondary
- The -0.5 turnover margin per game prevented the team from controlling close contests
- Even in victories, the defense rarely dominated opponents
“Defensively, we’re not where we need to be yet,” Golesh acknowledged. “That’s an area where we simply have to make substantial improvements if we want to compete for championships.”
The additions of Duclona, Celiscar, and Charlotte transfer Dre Butler (DL, 6’5″, 280 lbs) directly address these defensive vulnerabilities.
Whether these reinforcements can transform the unit will determine if USF is merely competitive or truly dangerous in 2025.
5 Keys To USF Becoming AAC Champions
For South Florida to make the leap from surprising bowl team to championship contender, five critical developments must occur:
- QB Stability: Byrum Brown must remain healthy for all 12+ games while continuing his development as a passer
- Defensive Evolution: The defense needs to trim at least 7-8 points from its points-allowed average (29.8 in 2024)
- Turnover Improvement: Championship teams typically win the turnover battle, not lose it (USF was -0.5 per game in 2024)
- Road Warrior Mentality: With tough trips to Florida, Miami, Memphis, and Navy, the Bulls must improve on last year’s 3-3 road record
- Transfer Integration: The new additions must assimilate quickly, particularly on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary
The margin between 7-5 and 10-2 in college football often comes down to execution in these fundamental areas.
Winning close games separates champions from also-rans.
The Bottom Line: Bulls Are Charging Up The AAC Hierarchy
South Florida football has evolved from afterthought to contender in just two seasons under Alex Golesh.
With Byrum Brown directing an offense with explosive potential, improved protection from transfer offensive linemen, and defensive reinforcements addressing the team’s primary weaknesses, USF has positioned itself as a legitimate threat to win 8-9 games and compete for an AAC championship game berth.
“We’re building something that isn’t just about one good season,” Golesh emphasized after the Hawaii Bowl victory. “This is about establishing a program that competes for championships year after year. We’ve taken steps, but the journey is just beginning.”
For a program that wandered through the football wilderness for half a decade, that journey now has a clear direction.
The Bulls aren’t just back—they’re hunting bigger prey.
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