Positive Projections for USF

For the primary time in roughly a half-decade, the projections for USF soccer discovered in the preliminary rollout of preseason faculty magazines aren’t studying like a horror-scope. To the opposite, the forecasts for the Bulls appear as shiny because the journal covers themselves.

Preseason Rankings

Both Lindy’s and Athlon Sports choose USF — which returns 19 starters from final season’s 7-6 crew — to complete third in the American Athletic Conference. Lindy’s pegs Memphis and Tulane because the league’s No. 1 and a couple of groups, respectively; Athlon picks Memphis and Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) to complete atop the convention. By distinction, USF — coming off a one-win season and rolling out its third coach in 5 years — was picked to complete thirteenth in the AAC by each magazines in 2023.

Coach Golesh’s Impact

Clearly boosting the Bulls’ forecast is the astounding Year 1 turnaround orchestrated by coach Alex Golesh, whose crew’s six-win enchancment represented the FBS’ second-best turnaround in 2023. USF returns 9 offensive starters, eight defensive starters and two specialists from that crew, and signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class exterior the Power Four conferences.

Player Accolades

ESPN beforehand ranked the Bulls fourth in the AAC (and 76th nationally) in its post-spring SP+ energy rankings. Bulls cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley and offensive guard Zane Herring have been first-team picks on the Lindy’s preseason All-AAC crew, whereas Herring and record-setting receiver Sean Atkins earned first-team nods from Athlon. Brown-Bunkley (40 tackles, two interceptions in 2023) was named among the many AAC’s “high 10 NFL abilities” by Lindy’s. Atkins, who set Bulls single-season information for catches (92) and receiving yards (1,054) in 2023, was additionally named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-AAC first crew and deemed a fourth-team All-American by Steele.

Key Players

Brown, who set USF season marks for passing yards (3,292), touchdowns (26), completions (276) and completion share (64.6%) final yr, was a second-teamer in each publications, as have been defensive sort out Rashad Cheney and linebacker Jhalyn Shuler.