Stampeding Through the 2025 USF Football Roster: #9 CB James Chenault
A promising freshman in 2024, Chenault could be a starter in 2025.
PLAYER: James Chenault
POSITION: Cornerback
YEAR: Sophomore
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'0”, 175 lbs.
HOW DID HE GET HERE? From behind enemy lines at Jones High School in Orlando. Chenault was a bit of a surprise late addition to the 2024 USF recruiting class, committing in January, well after early signing day. He made it official on traditional signing day in February and enrolled in the summer.
The recruiting services had Chenault rated as a mid three-star prospect, and he earned offers from Ole Miss, Louisville, and West Virginia, among others.
HOW WAS HIS 2024 SEASON? Excellent. Chenault was a key part from the Bulls’ secondary from the jump. He led all USF true freshmen in defensive snaps, and by the end of the season was listed as a second-stringer at one of the Bulls’ two wide cornerback positions.
His best game was undoubtedly against Tulsa, where he made a couple great plays: first, a fantastic chase-down tackle where he ran about 70 yards to bring down Tulsa running back Anthony Watkins at the one-yard line. It was a stunner of an effort play that ended up keeping six points off the board, as the Bulls’ defense held firm and forced the unlikeliest of turnovers on downs (2:26 below). Later in the game, he’d get the first interception of his college career (4:44).
Chenault ended the season with 12 tackles and the one interception. He started one game on the season, against UAB. Per PFF, he saw the fourth-most snaps on the team at the wide corner position, behind just Brent Austin, De’Shawn Rucker, and Ben Knox.
WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2025? Austin entered the transfer portal this offseason, so there’s a starting cornerback spot opposite Rucker there for the taking. Chenault and Knox are probably the top contenders to fill it - and if his impressive spring performances were anything to go by, Chenault may very well be the favorite. No matter what, he’ll certainly be a key member of the secondary and is in line for another big uptick in playing time.