> ## 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. # Stampede Bonus: Pre-Kickoff Intricacies - URL: https://www.bayareaexaminer.com/stampede-bonus-pre-kickoff-intricacies/ - Published: 2025-08-28T09:02:04.000Z - Updated: 2025-08-28T09:02:04.000Z - Description: Recapping a few things we've learned after player profiles were published. - Author: Collin Sherwin - Tags: #Migrated-1792597384348, #Import 2026-10-21 15:44 Between fall camp and the Bulls’ first depth chart, which came out on Monday, we’ve learned a few tidbits after our player profiles and unit breakdowns were published. I don’t think there were any huge shockers, since: 1. I don’t really take depth charts as gospel, because they can just as easily be a reward for good practices rather than a true snapshot of the team. They’re also littered with the nebulous “ORs” these days, and can omit banged up players. They’re a helpful tool in deciphering the roster, but not a definitive one. 2. The Bay Area Examiner dot substack dot com was on top of the latest Bulls news all summer and is not capable of being surprised. Nonetheless, there are a few players who have moved up or down a “tier” in in my estimation. So that you can have the most up-to-date information at your virtual fingertips, I’ve listed those changes below: **QUARTERBACKS** - No updates from [our preview](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-quarterbacks), which ran on August 25\. Byrum Brown is the starter, and Gaston Moore will be expected to handle backup duties. I suspect Locklan Hewlett being listed as the co-backup behind Moore is a testament to the potential the Bulls see in him for the future. I wouldn’t expect him to play more than four games unless disaster strikes. **RUNNING BACKS** - Let’s move Nykahi Davenport up from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in [our breakdown](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-running-backs). The Bulls appear to be planning on using a healthy running back stable once again, and while I still expect Cartevious Norton and Sam Franklin to lead the way, Davenport appears to have elevated himself closer to Alvon Isaac’s tier and should see his first carries this season. **WIDE RECEIVERS** - No updates from [our preview](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-wide-receivers), which ran August 26. **TIGHT ENDS** - No updates from [our preview](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-tight-ends), which ran yesterday, August 27. **OFFENSIVE LINE** - [Our OL preview ](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-offensive)ran early in the summer, so there are a few big updates here: - As expected, Cole Best won the job at center and can be moved to Tier 1\. He’s a critical starter and leader for the offense this season. - The last two starting spots on the offensive line appear to have been won by the two incoming transfers: Connor McLaughlin (RT) and Thomas Shrader (LG). Makes sense! I think the versatile Jack Wilty still has an important part to play on this line as the Bulls’ “sixth man,” so to speak, so I’ll keep him in Tier 2\. - We also mentioned Derek Bowman might slide to left tackle to protect Byrum Brown’s blindside; that appears to be happening. - Deonte Bowie was a surprise retirement during fall camp. I had Bowie in Tier 3 in our offensive line breakdown; he seemed like a good bet to be on the two-deep at guard, but wasn’t going to be a first-choice starter. His departure makes Cole Skinner more important in that backup guard position. - The depth chart gives us a hint as to which young players might be separating themselves from the pack. Let’s elevate Tyreek Major, TJ Lawrence, Braden Carter and true freshman Khalil Collins to Tier 3\. I don’t expect any of these players to take significant snaps, but they may be the future of the unit. - After Bowie left, USF landed a very late offensive line transfer in Jack Storey from Eastern Michigan. Storey played one year at Division III Hope College in Michigan, then transferred to EMU last season and redshirted. Jack is the brother of Easton Storey, who transferred to USF from Purdue this offseason to play baseball. I don’t think Jack will factor into the rotation this season. **DEFENSIVE LINE** - I had projected a starting line of Josh Celiscar (DT), Devin Lee (NT), Michael Williams II (DE) and Rico Watson III (BB) in [our breakdown.](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-defensive) That generally appears to be accurate, but Watson is listed as one of many options at B-backer. Let’s re-slot him at Tier 2, the rotational tier, as I don’t think any Bull has really separated themselves from the pack at the B-backer position yet. - Jacob Merrifield, the FAU transfer listed as a co-starter at DT with Josh Celiscar, appears to have impressed the staff in the summer and should be an important rotational piece, along with summer transfers Traevon Mitchell and Dennard Flowers. No tier changes here - just an interesting note. - Two players who were surprisingly omitted from the depth chart: Dre Butler and Dinnellson Exume. Let’s drop Butler to Tier 3, which is more of a grab-bag of young players and unproven transfers. **LINEBACKERS:** - Young redshirt freshman Zavier Hamilton did well to get himself listed on the depth chart above North Texas transfer Chavez Brown. I’m not demoting Brown, but I’ll elevate Hamilton to the nebulous Tier 2 [in our breakdown](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-linebackers), now consisting of Brown, Hamilton, Rocco Nicholl and Rodney Hill Jr. as an impressive group of backups to Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler. I’d say it’s safe to expect Hamilton to see some significant snaps this season (holy alliteration). **DEFENSIVE BACKS:** - No updates from [our preview](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-defensive-bc4), which ran yesterday, August 27. **SPECIAL TEAMS:** - This is an area where the depth chart is actually quite helpful. In [our breakdown](https://thebayareaexaminer.substack.com/p/stampede-bonus-2025-usf-special-teams), we highlighted punter as a battle that might rage into the fall. Well, it is still raging! As expected, Chase Leon is the first name listed on the depth chart as punter, but he’s still coupled up via “OR” with Luke Goater, so we could see this back-and-forth continue into the season. - We anticipated that Adam Zouagui would be handling kickoffs; he appears to be doing so, but Nico Gramatica and Leon are both listed as “OR” options. - We’ve got some names for returners! Surprisingly, Sam Franklin isn’t one of them. Alvon Isaac, Jey’Quan Smith, and Fred Gaskin are the nominees for kickoffs, and Josh Porter and Tavin Ward are the two names listed for punts.