Holtz says an unlikely duo will play

Posted Aug 31, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 31, 2010 at 10:10 PM

By Phil Neary
Tribune correspondent

TAMPA— Freshman quarterback Bobby Eveld and freshman receiver Steven Bravo-Brown were two names USF coach Skip Holtz probably wouldn’t have predicted to contribute this season prior to fall camp.

But with the season about to start, Holtz said Tuesday that the walk-ons have earned significant roles.

Eveld, a former Jesuit standout, will back up redshirt sophomore B.J. Daniels, while Bravo-Brown is on the cusp of the two-deep at receiver.

“Both will play,’’ Holtz said. “They will both definitely play. If given an opportunity, I’d love to give (Eveld) some game experience because it’s going to be a long year and I don’t want to wait for something to happen to B.J. to get him ready.

“They will be two of those guys who we will be talking about that will going from walk-on to scholarship player one day.”

Bravo-Brown has been competing with sophomore T.J. Knowles for the second-team X-receiver spot, turning heads with his athletic ability and football IQ.

“He’s doing all the right things,” receivers coach Phil McGeoghan said.  “Young guys usually get flustered when they start to go live and do different things when people are flying around. I’ve seen him make a great adjustment to the college game from being a true freshman walk-on. He’s got great work ethic, great skill set.’’

Is T-Rex on the Bubble?

Holtz has said at different times since camp started that former Hillsborough High star Terrence Mitchell is ahead of the freshman curve.

However, during his media luncheon on Tuesday, Holtz said Mitchell is in a group of true freshmen that the coaching staff is still evaluating as potential redshirts. Holtz said OL Quinterrius Eatmon, WR Deonte Welch and QB Jamius Gunsby join Mitchell in that group.

“I don’t want to play them early and then all of a sudden have it to where, ‘Well, I’m not 100 percent sure they’re ready,’ and then pull a them back off and see a guy waste a year because he played 20 plays,” Holtz said.

Other than Bravo-Brown and Eveld, RB Marcus Shaw and DB Mark Joyce are the other freshmen likely to play this year according to Holtz.

Stopping Stony Brook’s Running Game

After watching film and studying Stony Brook, Holtz said the main thing the Bulls will have to defend in Saturday’s season opener is the Seawolves’ rushing attack.

Stony Brook averaged 164 yards per game rushing in 2009, and returns junior Edwin Gowens, who averaged 6.1 yards per carry.

“(The offensive line) comes off the ball; they hit you in the mouth and run the ball.  That’s what they do,” Holtz said.

Bull Bits

Senior C Sampson Genus, senior CB Mistral Raymond, and senior LB Jacquian Williams are the three named captains for Saturday … Holtz said he is looking to put one more player on scholarship before the season starts, and mentioned Eveld, Bravo-Brown and senior kicker Eric Schwartz as possible candidates … Holtz said Tuesday it isn’t settled, but he’s leaning towards Schwartz handling field-goal duties and sophomore Maikon Bonani handling kickoffs … The Bulls will practice today and take Thursday and Friday off before Saturday’s opener.