The next Byrum Brown? 2 quarterbacks on display in USF’s spring game

“One of the most encouraging parts is that they are encouraging each other. … They both want to be the best quarterback in the conference.”

The quarterback competition is so tight that Hartline wouldn’t rule out a possible two-quarterback situation in the fall.

“It will come down to whatever is best for the team,” Hartline said. “If two guys earn the right to play football then that is part of the conversation. But it starts with the team, what’s best for the team. We’ll start there.”

Whoever ends up under center, it appears he will have a fine supporting cast, from the massive offensive line (potential starters could average 6-5, 315 pounds) to receivers to the running backs, which include D.J. Crowther (929 yards, 10 touchdowns last season at Dartmouth) and Jason Collins Jr. (1,009 yards in 18 career games at Morgan State), plus holdovers Alvon Isaac (360 yards in 2025) and Chase Garnett, who along with Collins ripped off long touchdown runs Sunday.

“We feel we have great depth at running back,” Hartline said. “They really made some great plays today and they all did a great job on pass protection, they closed the gaps and took on backers.”

Things appear to be trending in the right direction for the Bulls, from the $349 million oncampus stadium rising higher every day to the product put on the field Sunday evening, to the developing community connection.

“It’s all exciting and I’m firmly vetted in trying to develop a team through high school recruiting,” Hartline said. “I want (recruits) to see value in what we’re doing at USF and who we are here. If the portal serves as a supplement then that’s what we will do. … I owe everything to the fans, to Bulls nation, to the school to put the best team possible on the field.”