> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 5 Takeaways From Day 1 of USF Fall Camp - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/5-takeaways-from-day-1-of-usf-fall/ - Published: 2026-08-06T13:03:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-06T13:03:26.000Z - Description: Quarterback reps, a revamped roster and an imposing front highlighted the Bulls' first practice of fall camp. - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 It was a beautiful sight Wednesday at the Frank Morsani Football Practice Complex. Football is back. Coaches were yelling, whistles were blowing, music was blasting and competition was brewing all over the field as fall camp began Wednesday. And, of course, the heat was unforgiving. “The only thing more intense than Coach Hartline is the Florida heat,” senior defensive end Michael Williams II said after practice. While the media was only present for 20 minutes of practice and the post-practice media session, I don’t need much time to jump to some educated conclusions. Here are five takeaways from Day 1 of USF’s fall camp. ### Michael Van Buren has a slight edge in the quarterback battle [I broke down the quarterback competition in its entirety earlier this week. You should check it out.](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/sizing-up-usfs-quarterback-battle?r=5qjg4q) However, the biggest revelation from Wednesday’s practice is that if USF were playing its season opener against FIU tomorrow, junior quarterback Michael Van Buren would likely trot onto the field to lead the offense first. After USF went through its team warmups, the players split into position groups for drills. When the quarterbacks broke off, Van Buren took the first rep while redshirt sophomore Luke Kromenhoek took the second. Overall, Van Buren carried himself with the swagger of someone who expects to be the team’s starter. Kromenhoek looked confident, too, but not in quite the same way. In the limited time we were allowed to watch, both quarterbacks appeared to have solid footwork and mechanics. Both were on time and on target, but there was one key thing missing from the drills we watched: defenders. “I’m looking forward to seeing the body of work they put together over a length of time,” Hartline said after practice. “We had a little bit of spring ball that was a lot of learning. But now we feel pretty good, like we should know it pretty well, and if they don’t, it’s part of the evaluation. Now we want to see the guys who can put it on the field on a consistent basis and be the guy the team needs.” A lot can change over the coming weeks of camp, but I feel confident saying Van Buren has a slight edge right now. ### D.J. Crowther is paired with Van Buren in drills This piggybacks off my last point, but if you believe Van Buren has the slight edge in the quarterback battle, then his pairing with redshirt senior running back D.J. Crowther says a lot about Crowther’s status in the running back room. Crowther transferred to USF this spring after spending the previous four seasons at Dartmouth. He rushed for 1,312 yards over four seasons, including 929 yards and 10 touchdowns on 191 carries as the Big Green’s bell cow last season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry. The running back paired with Kromenhoek was redshirt junior Jason Collins Jr. He was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2024 after rushing for 634 yards. Last season, he was the preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year but appeared in only seven games because of an ankle injury. Those two could form a lethal duo in the backfield, and they’ll be joined by returning USF backs redshirt Alvon Isaac (73 carries, 350 yards) and redshirt freshman Chase Garnett (eight carries, 81 yards). The running back room should be one of USF’s strongest position groups in 2026. ### Locker room camaraderie doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Bulls With a completely new coaching staff, 58 new players and 41 transfers, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the Bulls weren’t especially close off the field. However, every player who spoke with the media emphasized how close the team has become. “We’ve had seven to eight months to bond and form a brotherhood,” senior Norfolk State transfer defensive tackle Major Dillard said. “I love my brothers. I’m glad that we’re finally gelling and mending as a defense and as a team.” “I just try to do my best to make sure not only that I’m successful, but that the team’s successful. In order to make sure the team is successful, you have to touch who you can touch, and the main people that I can touch are the people in my room. So hopefully I can keep growing as a leader and bring them along and set a good example,” senior Georgia Southern transfer Caleb Cook said. Cook was named to the 2026 Outland Trophy Watch List for the nation’s top interior offensive lineman. Senior offensive lineman Thomas Schrader also mentioned that he has stepped into a leadership role. He even heads up a player-led movement called Von Patrol, in which an entire position group reports for a 6 a.m. Saturday workout if a player is late or misses a workout. With all the turnover on the roster, it was fair to wonder whether the Bulls would become a cohesive unit. So far, the answer appears to be yes. ### USF’s size up front is impressive One of my biggest takeaways from spring practice was the increase in size along both the offensive and defensive lines. That size was still jarring to see Wednesday. In years past, Bulls fans have grown accustomed to undersized lines on both sides of the ball. Two things have contributed to that increase: the amount of Power Four talent Hartline has brought in and the shift from a lightning-fast no-huddle offense to a more traditional pro-style attack. USF has 20 players listed at 300 pounds or more. The Bulls’ size was something everyone watching practice noticed. Dillard, in particular, is an absolute behemoth and projects as a run-stuffing force in the middle of the defense. ### USF will field a formidable group of off-ball linebackers USF fans already have high expectations for Florida transfer redshirt junior linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard after he represented the Bulls at the 2026 American Kickoff. Howard was the most vocal leader on the practice field. A clip posted by USF on social media showed him breaking down the team huddle at the end of practice. Another revelation from practice was that redshirt sophomore Rutgers transfer Sam Robinson was paired with Howard. Robinson, a former four-star recruit in the 2024 class, played in 10 games for the Scarlet Knights last season. He recorded 11 tackles and made one start in 2025. Robinson and Howard bring a lot of athleticism to the Bulls’ linebacker corps. USF also returns sophomore Zavier Hamilton (12 games, 37 tackles) and Rodney Hill (13 games, 18 tackles), giving the Bulls quality depth at linebacker. The only injuries I noticed Wednesday were to Coastal Carolina transfer redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Julius Tate, who was wearing a boot, and senior Morgan State transfer offensive lineman Kahari Finley, who did not participate but did not appear to have any visible injuries. Make sure to follow [me](https://x.com/AllfreyColby?ref=bayareaexaminer.com) and the [Bay Area Examiner](https://x.com/The%5FBAE%5FTampa?ref=bayareaexaminer.com) on X for updates throughout fall camp.