Sophomore Trent Pupello, who transferred to the University of South Florida from Florida in January, already has climbed from fifth-team to second-team tight end.

“We’re trying to get strong at the tight end position and he’s really done a great job,” USF coach Jim Leavitt said. “He blocks extremely well. When he left Florida, I didn’t know what he was all about, I knew he was a great high school player.”

A Jefferson High graduate, Pupello (6-2, 276) has spent time at defensive tackle, offensive guard and center before settling at tight end, where he’s now moved behind starter Cedric Hill.

WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR: Leavitt said he all of USF’s freshmen offensive linemen will be redshirted this season.

“Some guys are real good athletically but don’t understand the effort it takes,” he said. “Some guys it will take a while. It doesn’t mean they’re not great players, it just means it’s not their time yet.”

Freshman WR Daniel Bryant’s time might be here. Leavitt said Bryant is working with the Bulls’ starters.

“I think [WR coach Mike Canales] has him running with the 1’s right now,” Leavitt said.

MAKING HAY: Former USF DE Shawn Hay attended Wednesday’s second practice. Hay was part of “The Originals,” one of only 14 USF players who participated in the first ever practice as freshmen in 1996 and made it through all five years.

More impressive than Hay sticking it out for the first five years on USF’s team was when he was in Charlotte, N.C., for the Bulls’ first bowl trip in 2005. Sorry that’s all I’ll saying: what happens in Charlotte stays in Charlotte.

ODDS AND ENDS: Freshman DL Damous Estenor has moved to the offensive line. “We’re going to see if we can play him this year,” Leavitt said. … Freshman OL Jeremiah Warren (right foot) missed his second day of practice Wednesday and is expected to miss four-to-five more days, Leavitt said. Also not practicing Wednesday: sophomore DE David Bedford (left shoulder) and sophomore Quincy Okolie (shoulder, stinger). When Okolie returns, he’ll move from defensive end to tight end. … After Wednesday’s practice, All-American DE George Selvie, who was a center in high school, practiced a few snaps in the shotgun formation. “I still got it,” Selvie yelled to Leavitt, who responded: “I never would have moved you [to defensive end].” ... Walk-ons LaDre Watkins, of Wharton, and Dexter Baldwin and Mistral Raymond, of Ellsworth Community College in Iowa, could see significant action on special teams this fall, Leavitt said.

ANOTHER LIVE CHAT! Apparently this live chat thing on GoUSFBulls.com Wednesday was such a hit with the college kids, that GoUSFBulls.com will hold another LIVE CHAT! from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday for even more in-depth discussion about student football tickets.

If you’ve figured out how to get your student tickets, you should still visit the LIVE CHAT! and partake in a new drinking game. During Thursday’s LIVE CHAT!, every time the phrase “Loyalty Points” is used, you do a shot. One bit of advice: just make sure you don’t have to regain consciousness until at least sometime Saturday afternoon.