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The South Florida Bulls will enter 2026 with six players leading the way. Head coach Brian Hartline announced the team’s captains before the season. Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard earned the most votes from his teammates. Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. also received the honor. Offensive linemen Caleb Cook and Thomas Shrader join him. Defensive lineman Major Dillard also earned a captaincy. Edge rusher C.J. Hicks rounds out the group. The group brings experience, toughness and plenty of new energy. More importantly, these six players represent different areas of the team. USF enters a new era under Hartline. Therefore, strong leadership will matter throughout the season.
Grayson Howard Leads the Group
Howard stands out as the team’s leading captain. His teammates gave him the most votes during the selection process. That speaks volumes about his presence inside the locker room. The Jacksonville native enters 2026 as a redshirt junior. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 240 pounds. Howard transferred to USF after previous stops at South Carolina and Florida. His position also makes his leadership especially important. Linebackers often serve as the communication center for defenses. Howard now carries that responsibility for the Bulls. He will need to help organize a defense with several new pieces. At the same time, his teammates clearly trust his voice. That trust could become one of USF’s biggest strengths.
Michael Van Buren Jr. Takes Charge
Van Buren enters 2026 with another major responsibility. The junior quarterback will lead USF’s offense. He also becomes one of the team’s six captains. Van Buren joined the Bulls after stops at Mississippi State and LSU. The 6-foot quarterback brings valuable experience into Tampa. His captaincy carries extra weight because of his position. Quarterbacks must lead during preparation, games and difficult moments. Van Buren now has an even larger voice within the program. He also faces the challenge of building chemistry with a new offense. That makes his leadership critical from the opening kickoff. USF will need Van Buren to command the huddle confidently.
Caleb Cook Brings Veteran Experience
Cook gives USF another important veteran presence. The offensive lineman joined the Bulls in January after six seasons at Georgia Southern. He played in 43 games during his Georgia Southern career. Cook started 25 of those games. He also started all 13 games during the 2025 season. That experience makes him a natural leader along the offensive line. Cook earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors last season. He also earned a spot on the 2026 Outland Trophy watch list. Now, he must help guide a new-look offensive line. That group will play a major role in USF’s success.
Thomas Shrader Adds Another Voice
Shrader gives the Bulls another captain along the offensive line. Having two offensive linemen among the six captains makes sense. The position demands communication, toughness and consistency. Those qualities become even more important during a transition year. Shrader will work alongside Cook to establish the standard up front. The pair can help create stability for Van Buren and the offense. They will also need to help younger linemen adjust quickly. USF wants to play a physical brand of football under Hartline. That starts with the offensive line. Therefore, Cook and Shrader could become two of the team’s most important leaders.
Major Dillard Represents the Defensive Line
Dillard gives USF another captain on defense. His selection creates balance across the leadership group. Howard leads the linebackers, while Dillard represents the defensive front. That combination can help USF communicate across the entire defense. The defensive line must create pressure and control the line of scrimmage. Dillard will have an important role in that process. His captaincy also gives the position group another trusted voice. USF needs its defensive leaders to set the tone early. That starts during practice and continues through game day.
C.J. Hicks Brings Big-Stage Experience
Hicks may bring one of the most recognizable names to the group. The edge rusher transferred to USF after playing at Ohio State. He enters the 2026 season as a graduate student. The 6-foot-3 defensive end weighs 240 pounds. Hicks also brings experience from one of college football’s biggest programs. That experience should help him handle pressure. He can also provide another veteran voice along the defensive front. USF expects Hicks to make an impact with his pass-rushing ability. His captaincy adds another layer to that responsibility. Now, Hicks must lead while producing on the field.
A Leadership Group Built for Change
These six captains represent an interesting mix. Howard already knows the program and earned the most teammate votes. Van Buren arrived through the transfer portal and now leads the offense. Cook brings years of college experience to the offensive line. Shrader provides another steady voice up front. Dillard and Hicks give the defense veteran leadership. That combination could prove valuable during Hartline’s first season. USF faces plenty of changes entering 2026. The Bulls lost several key players from last year’s team. They also brought in a large group of transfers. Therefore, establishing team chemistry becomes critical. The captains can help make that process easier.
Leadership Will Define the Bulls
USF has plenty of talent entering the 2026 season. However, talent alone does not guarantee success. The Bulls need leaders who can keep everyone focused. That responsibility now falls heavily on these six captains. Howard will lead the defense from the middle. Van Buren will command the offense. Cook and Shrader will anchor the offensive line. Dillard and Hicks will lead the defensive front. Together, they give Hartline a strong leadership foundation. The Bulls also enter their final season at Raymond James Stadium. USF will move into its new on-campus stadium in 2027. Therefore, the 2026 season already carries plenty of significance. Now, six captains must help make it memorable. For USF, their leadership journey starts immediately.
These six gentlemen deserve to be captains and will help lead the USF Bulls to a winning season in 2026.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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