3 Potential Breakout Players For USF In 2025

TAMPA, Fla. — With less than two weeks until USF’s 2025 season opener against Boise State at Raymond James Stadium, the Bulls are looking for answers to one of the most important preseason questions: Who will break out this fall?

Breakout contributors often determine the success of a college football team. Running back Kelley Joiner led USF in rushing with 799 yards last season after just 163 yards in 2023. Linebacker Mac Harris went from 33 tackles and no sacks in 2023 to 82 tackles and four sacks in 2024.

Those kinds of leaps matter. Some players shine because of more opportunity, others because of a new role or natural growth. Either way, the Bulls need a few new names to step up in 2025.

Here are a few players who could emerge this season:

Honorable mentions

Keshaun Singleton, WR

Singleton may already be on the verge of stardom, which is why he is an honorable mention. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore has been clocked at 22.4 mph, earning him a spot on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.” He finished with 26 catches for 408 yards last year, with all of his production coming in the final 7 games of the season as he adjusted to Alex Golesh’s scheme. With all-time leading receiver Sean Atkins gone and quarterback Byrum Brown back, Singleton could become one of the top receivers in the American Athletic Conference.

Devin Lee, DT
A transfer from Vanderbilt, Lee brings 32 games of SEC experience to USF’s defensive line. His SEC experience coming to an AAC team is why he is an honorable mention. Coaches and teammates have praised his leadership during camp, with defensive coordinator Todd Orlando noting the entire line “gravitates toward him.” Lee is expected to bolster a rush defense that allowed 167.6 yards per game last season. Lee could provide toughness to a USF defense that has lacked it in recent seasons.

Three to watch

1. Fred Gaskin, S
Gaskin played all 13 games as a true freshman in 2024, earning his first interception against Charlotte and making his first start in the Hawaii Bowl against San Jose State. A four-star recruit from Ocala, Fla., Gaskin was the third-highest rated recruit in Rivals history to commit to USF. With Tawfiq Byard gone, Gaskin steps into a bigger role in a secondary that allowed 279.2 passing yards per game last season, second most in the AAC. His speed and football IQ should make him a key piece of the defense. Gaskin has the potential to be a breakout player not just for USF, but across the AAC.

2. Cartevious Norton, RB
A transfer from Charlotte, Norton ran for 525 yards on 4.7 yards per carry last season, including a 62-yard touchdown against East Carolina when he was clocked at 20.6 mph. At 225 pounds, he brings power to USF’s backfield but has the speed to be a big-play threat. Norton previously played two seasons at Iowa State, where he crossed paths with current USF offensive coordinator Joel Gordon. With Nay’Quan Wright, Kelley Joiner and Ta’Ron Keith the Bulls are losing 1,728 rushing yards from last year’s roster. Norton will have the opportunity to play a major role in their run-heavy offense. He was named to Lindy’s preseason All-AAC first team.

3. Dennard Flowers, DE
Flowers, a transfer from Murray State and Arkansas State, has 33 games of experience. He recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season. In 2024, USF’s defensive line accounted for just seven of the team’s 32 sacks. Flowers could help change that. Head coach Alex Golesh has been vocal about his excitement for the defensive line this camp, and Flowers has the chance to be one of its anchors. Flowers has the potential to add production at defensive end to complement USF’s strong interior linemen. A more balanced and effective defensive line could help elevate the Bulls’ defense from the middle of the pack — they allowed 29.8 points per game last season, seventh in the AAC — to one of the league’s best.