Photo Credit: USF Athletics
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USF enters the 2026 football season with high expectations and major changes. Former head coach Alex Golesh rebuilt the program and guided the Bulls to three straight winning seasons. However, USF never reached an American Conference Championship Game during that stretch. After a 9-4 season in 2025, Golesh left for Auburn and took several key players with him. Now, first-year head coach Brian Hartline begins a new era in Tampa. Hartline arrives from Ohio State, where he built a reputation as one of college football’s top recruiters and offensive minds. He also assembled an experienced coaching staff. Former Coastal Carolina and NC State head coach Tim Beck joins the offensive staff, while Josh Aldridge takes over the defense after successful work at East Carolina. Together, they inherited a program with momentum but also significant roster turnover.
The biggest storyline surrounds the transfer portal. USF lost many contributors, including quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown finished his Bulls career with 7,690 passing yards, 61 touchdown passes, 2,265 rushing yards, and 31 rushing touchdowns. He transferred to Auburn alongside several teammates. Despite those departures, Hartline aggressively rebuilt the roster through the portal. Michael Van Buren emerged as the centerpiece of the new offense. The junior quarterback transferred from LSU after previously playing at Mississippi State. Van Buren threw eight touchdown passes against only two interceptions when given opportunities. Coaches believe his passing ability and mobility fit the new offensive system. Mississippi State transfer Luke Kromenhoek also provides depth and competition at quarterback.
The offense will look much different from the high-speed attack that defined the Golesh era. Last season, USF averaged only 25 minutes and 24 seconds of possession per game. Opponents controlled the ball for 34 minutes and 36 seconds. Hartline plans a more balanced approach that emphasizes ball control, efficient passing, and a stronger running game. The offensive line could become one of the team’s strengths. Thomas Shrader returns at guard, while transfers Michael Wooten from Arizona, Cash Hudson from Missouri State, and Caleb Cook from Georgia Southern strengthen the unit. Cook, a former All-Sun Belt performer, anchors the group at left tackle. Coaches expect his pass protection to play a critical role in Van Buren’s development.
The running game also features new faces. Senior running back D.J. Crowther transferred from Dartmouth after averaging 93 rushing yards per game and scoring ten touchdowns last season. Alvon Isaac returns after rushing for 350 yards in 2025. Together, they must replace much of the production previously generated by Brown’s rushing ability. Defensively, USF underwent even more change. Aldridge inherited a unit that struggled against the run but created turnovers. The Bulls allowed more than 200 rushing yards in losses to Navy, Miami, and Old Dominion. Improving run defense remains a top priority entering 2026.
Several transfer additions could help immediately. Former Ohio State linebacker C.J. Hicks brings high-level talent to the edge. Defensive tackle Terry Simmons arrives from Duke, while linebackers Michael Harris from Maryland, Grayson Howard from Florida, and Sam Robinson from Rutgers strengthen the middle of the defense. Returning linebacker Zavier Hamilton also remains an important contributor. The secondary features several notable additions. Minnesota transfer Za’Quan Bryan, BYU transfer Tayvion Beasley, and Kansas State transfer Amarion Fortenberry give USF a deeper cornerback group. Safety Ayden Jackson, an All-Sun Belt performer from Georgia Southern, could become one of the defense’s leaders. Last season, Jackson recorded 74 tackles and three interceptions.
College Football News projects USF to finish 8-4. The publication believes the Bulls possess enough talent to compete for an American Conference championship despite the roster turnover. Key conference road games against Army, UTSA, East Carolina, and Florida Atlantic could determine whether USF reaches that goal. The September 12 conference opener at Army stands out as one of the season’s most important games. Meanwhile, another challenge faces the Bulls beyond wins and losses. An opinion piece from The Oracle argued that USF likely needs a perfect season to reach the College Football Playoff. The article points to a weaker non-conference schedule compared to 2025. Last season, USF earned national attention by defeating No. 25 Boise State 34-7 and upsetting No. 13 Florida 18-16 in Gainesville. Those victories helped the Bulls rise to No. 18 in the AP Poll, making them the only non-Power Four team ranked that week.
The 2026 non-conference schedule lacks similar opportunities. USF will host FIU, Delaware State, and Kent State while traveling to Bowling Green. FIU finished 7-6 last season. Kent State went 5-7, while Bowling Green finished 4-8. Delaware State competes in the Football Championship Subdivision. As a result, USF may struggle to impress playoff evaluators without an undefeated record. Hartline’s impact extends beyond the current roster. Recruiting has become a major strength under his leadership. USF currently leads the American Conference recruiting rankings according to both 247Sports and On3. The latest recruiting victory came when defensive lineman Kelsey Rose flipped his commitment from Minnesota to USF. Rose, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound prospect from Jackson Christian High School in Tennessee, originally committed to Minnesota on May 31 before changing his decision. Coaches Keith Jones Jr., Josh Aldridge, and Chad Creamer played major roles in securing the commitment.
Rose became the second notable recruiting flip for USF during the 2027 cycle. Earlier, quarterback Kevin Verpaele switched his commitment from Pittsburgh to the Bulls. Verpaele holds a four-star rating from Rivals and a three-star rating from 247Sports. His family also has strong ties to the program. Recruiting momentum may continue. Reports indicate USF remains in strong position with linebacker Terrell Pinkney and wide receiver Sheldon Isaac. Additional commitments could further strengthen a class already considered among the conference’s best. Overall, USF enters 2026 with optimism and uncertainty. Hartline inherits a program that won nine games and established a winning culture. However, new coaches, new schemes, and dozens of new players must quickly develop chemistry. If that process happens faster than expected, the Bulls could contend for an American Conference championship and potentially exceed preseason projections
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of 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 co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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