Pre-Snap Read

Need to Know

… So Goes South Florida

By Paul Myerberg   //   Jul 16, 2010

South Florida's season will hinge upon the development of quarterback B.J. Daniels.

Few new coaches inherit such an enviable position. South Florida has a foundation in place, a talented roster — though one experiencing a troubling amount of turnover — and, most importantly, a fertile recruiting base in its own backyard. At the very least, Skip Holtz will be able to maintain the eight-win standard set by his predecessor, Jim Leavitt.

There’s no doubt that Holtz controls the future of this program. As he goes, so goes South Florida. As for 2010, however, much hinges on the play of sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels. On his growing experience under center. On his development as a passer. On his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery, which limited Daniels during the spring. Given the state of South Florida’s offense, much will depend on what we see from Daniels in 2010. As he goes, so goes South Florida.

He won’t have much help. The Bulls are woefully undermanned at running back. Depth at the position was severely hampered due to the off-season departures of Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor, seniors expected to lead the U.S.F. ground game. Ford was dismissed from the team in early March for a unspecified violation of team rules. Taylor, often injured over his first three seasons, left the program in mid-May. That leaves only senior Mo Plancher as an experienced hand in the backfield; Plancher rushed for 581 yards and 5 touchdowns last fall, solid numbers, but is largely lacking big-play ability.

Daniels will do his fair share of work on the ground, of course. He athleticism was put on full display in his debut start, an upset road victory over then-No. 17 Florida State, when he rushed for 125 yards to go with more than 200 yards passing. On the year, Daniels rushed for a team-leading 772 yards — more than 1,000 net yards, a total not counting any yardage lost to sacks.

Perhaps the combination of Daniels and Plancher — and sophomore Demetris Murray and JUCO transfer Mike Hayes — can help U.S.F. move the chains. It likely will. While Holtz will place a strong emphasis upon the run, he understands what he has with this group: Plancher can move the chains, while Daniels presents the opportunity for a big play.

The Bulls have more depth at wide receiver than in the backfield. It’s still a largely unproven group, one that took a large hit during the spring with A.J. Love’s A.C.L. tear. With the departure of Carlton Mitchell, Love was projected to step into the top receiving role. There is a possibility that Love returns late in the season; don’t count on that, nor Love making any significant impact in 2010.

No Mitchell; that was expected. No Love; unexpected, unplanned. South Florida will need a returning contributor to step up. One such option is senior Dontavia Bogan, a secondary option a season ago. Likewise with Sterling Griffin, as the sophomore has showed flashes of the big-play potential Love brought to the table.

The off-season shoulder surgery is not much of a concern: it was to Daniels’ non-throwing shoulder, and while he was limited to non-contact drills during the spring it will not keep Daniels from starting the season opener. Should he suffer an injury during the season, however — cross your fingers — South Florida’s season could unravel rapidly.

His backup, Evan Landi, was expected to make a full-time move to receiver before Daniels’ injury forced him to spend most of the spring working with the first-team offense. Including Daniels and Landi, South Florida has four quarterbacks listed on the roster: sophomore Ryan Eppes, a former walk-on, and incoming freshman Jamius Gunby.

It can be said for countless players at every position across the country: Daniels is the key to South Florida’s season. He can do it all — run, pass, single-handedly carry this team to victory — but he won’t have much help.

Tags: B.J. Daniels, Mo Plancher, Skip Holtz, South Florida

 Home