Practice Report - Tuesday, 8/25
Vinnie Portell
Flowers chosen for mobility
Coach Willie Taggart’s appreciation of Quinton Flowers’ speed was apparent early in the sophomore quarterback’s career at USF.
Rather than buying Flowers another year of playing time by redshirting him, Taggart elected to experiment with his first dual-threat quarterback at USF by affording him one series a game until he was eventually called upon to start the team’s tenth game of the season.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Taggart affirmed Flowers earned the starting job largely because of what he can do with his feet and what he’s shown the coaches throughout all of training camp.
“I think both of (the quarterbacks) can run, but Quinton is unique,” Taggart said. “He can make guys miss and do some things the average Joe can’t do and that’s what makes him different, is that he can do that and extend plays.”
While Taggart is hopeful that Flowers’ legs can spark the Bulls’ offense, he made a point of clarifying that the sophomore isn’t penciled in for every game just yet.
“Quentin is going out as the starter, but it’s something he has to cement,” Taggart said. “Just because he began the year as the starter, doesn’t mean he’ll finish it that way.”
But if Flowers doesn’t wind up finishing the season under center for USF, it won’t be due to the Bulls’ style of offense.
“I’m very comfortable from running this offense in high school,” Flowers said. “I had a coach, Antonio Brown, who always told me it’s not about the big ball because if you can catch the defense off guard, that’s when the deep ball will come open. So we’re just going to do what we have to do and hit quick check downs.”
Harris and Whitehurst suspended
As a consequence of violating unspecified team rules in the spring semester, linebackers Tashon Whitehurst and Nigel Harris have been suspended for the Bulls’ first two games.
Taggart said the team’s depth at the position will help mask the loss of the two starters.
“I think you see those guys not playing the first two ball games shows you my level of disappointment,” Taggart said. “We’re using the next man up attitude and those guys are going to have to work to earn their starting job back.”
Taggart mentioned freshman Danny Thomas, redshirt freshman Jimmy Bayes and senior C.J. Garye as three linebackers who have played well in training camp and could help fill the void.
Injury report and NCAA waiver update
Safety Nate Godwin returned to practice Tuesday after missing time from an injured hamstring.
OL Reilly Gibbons is still working toward getting into football shape and will be a long-shot at playing Week 1, according to Taggart.
“He’s getting better each week,” Taggart said. “He’s been rehabbing to get himself back into football shape. I doubt he’ll play Week 1, he’s been out a lot of training camp so there’s a lot of work to be done there.”
Taggart said the team is still awaiting word on the availability of OL Glen Bethel and QB Asiantii Woulard.
Starting OL according to Taggart: Brynjar Gudmundsson, Thor Jozwiak, Mak Djulbegovic, Kofi Amichia, and Dominique Threatt and Cameron Ruff are battling for the RG position
Vinnie Portell
Flowers chosen for mobility
Coach Willie Taggart’s appreciation of Quinton Flowers’ speed was apparent early in the sophomore quarterback’s career at USF.
Rather than buying Flowers another year of playing time by redshirting him, Taggart elected to experiment with his first dual-threat quarterback at USF by affording him one series a game until he was eventually called upon to start the team’s tenth game of the season.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Taggart affirmed Flowers earned the starting job largely because of what he can do with his feet and what he’s shown the coaches throughout all of training camp.
“I think both of (the quarterbacks) can run, but Quinton is unique,” Taggart said. “He can make guys miss and do some things the average Joe can’t do and that’s what makes him different, is that he can do that and extend plays.”
While Taggart is hopeful that Flowers’ legs can spark the Bulls’ offense, he made a point of clarifying that the sophomore isn’t penciled in for every game just yet.
“Quentin is going out as the starter, but it’s something he has to cement,” Taggart said. “Just because he began the year as the starter, doesn’t mean he’ll finish it that way.”
But if Flowers doesn’t wind up finishing the season under center for USF, it won’t be due to the Bulls’ style of offense.
“I’m very comfortable from running this offense in high school,” Flowers said. “I had a coach, Antonio Brown, who always told me it’s not about the big ball because if you can catch the defense off guard, that’s when the deep ball will come open. So we’re just going to do what we have to do and hit quick check downs.”
Harris and Whitehurst suspended
As a consequence of violating unspecified team rules in the spring semester, linebackers Tashon Whitehurst and Nigel Harris have been suspended for the Bulls’ first two games.
Taggart said the team’s depth at the position will help mask the loss of the two starters.
“I think you see those guys not playing the first two ball games shows you my level of disappointment,” Taggart said. “We’re using the next man up attitude and those guys are going to have to work to earn their starting job back.”
Taggart mentioned freshman Danny Thomas, redshirt freshman Jimmy Bayes and senior C.J. Garye as three linebackers who have played well in training camp and could help fill the void.
Injury report and NCAA waiver update
Safety Nate Godwin returned to practice Tuesday after missing time from an injured hamstring.
OL Reilly Gibbons is still working toward getting into football shape and will be a long-shot at playing Week 1, according to Taggart.
“He’s getting better each week,” Taggart said. “He’s been rehabbing to get himself back into football shape. I doubt he’ll play Week 1, he’s been out a lot of training camp so there’s a lot of work to be done there.”
Taggart said the team is still awaiting word on the availability of OL Glen Bethel and QB Asiantii Woulard.
Starting OL according to Taggart: Brynjar Gudmundsson, Thor Jozwiak, Mak Djulbegovic, Kofi Amichia, and Dominique Threatt and Cameron Ruff are battling for the RG position
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