Camp Report: Veteran Jennings Anchors New Look Offensive Line

August 21, 2023

Five different players performing as one cohesive unit.

USF offensive-line coach Tyler Hudanick has been assembling that puzzle for the Bulls throughout training camp. With USF closing in on the Sept. 2 season-opener at Western Kentucky, Hudanick said he likes the ways things are fitting together.

"It's such a unique position because you're never really in the limelight and you've got to do it for the guy next to you and do it for each other,'' Hudanick said. "We have a bunch of new guys, but there are so many great steps taken each day. The way they're working together, you'd think they had been playing together for a long time.

"The leaders and the older guys have welcomed the new ones with open arms. That's really valuable as you put together the puzzle pieces. I've never been part of an offensive line where you didn't need other guys to jump in there (due to injuries). So, my challenge in bringing the room together is finding that second, third, fourth and fifth puzzle piece after the first five.''

Hudanick said he loves having Donovan Jennings (6-foot-5, 333 pounds), in his sixth USF season after suffering a season-ending injury in 2022, installed at left tackle. Jennings has been around so long that he actually played in the same game as his offensive line coach (in 2018, Jennings was a true freshman and Hudanick was a UCF offensive lineman for a clash in Raymond James Stadium).

"Having him back full-go this camp has been a great thing for the room because Dono's energy and effort every single day is never in question,'' Hudanick said. "I've challenged him all camp long to be vocal and be the guy they look at when stuff doesn't go right. He can't flinch. He has done an unbelievable job answering that challenge.''

Jennings said he's simply providing the leadership that he saw from USF veterans when he entered the program.

"I'm blessed to be in this position,'' Jennings said. "Coming into my freshman year, I had veteran guys like Marcus Norman and Billy Atterbury as great examples. I can speak my mind, show everybody the ins and outs, help the young guys with their technique. I honestly didn't think I'd be in college this long, but I'm blessed to have another season and serve as an example for the young guys.''

Jennings, a 2018 graduate of Gaither High School in Tampa, could be playing next to another former Cowboy because junior Andrew Kilfoyl (6-5, 320) has been getting plenty of work at left guard. Kilfoyl played in eight games last season as a reserve and is a 2021 graduate of Gaither, helping the program go 11-1 in his senior season of 2020.

"It's crazy the steps AK (Kilfoyl) has taken from the spring,'' Hudanick said. "We sat down and I said, 'Man, there are some things I need to see changed, like changing your body.' He put his head down and went to work this summer. He has gotten better every single day — right up to the last whistle. He has a chance to be a big part of what we do this year.''

It's a major adjustment not seeing Brad Cecil at center — he played in 53 games from 2018-22 and started 50 before heading to the NFL's Detroit Lions — but versatile senior Mike Lofton (6-2, 315), a UCF transfer in 2022, has assumed that responsibility. Lofton has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Hudanick said it's working well.

"There were growing pains, of course, but the past 10 practices or so, Mike has taken ginormous steps,'' Hudanick said. "He's a guy I trust. Obviously, you've got to have your hand on the ball every play. It's not an easy position with what you ask them (centers) to do.

"But I had a previous relationship with him at my previous stop (UCF). I had chemistry with him from the jump. You start with the ball in your hand. You're making the calls. Everybody will look at you when times get tough. He has done an awesome job responding.''

On the right side, Zane Herring (6-5, 319, Florida State transfer) has been getting work at guard with RJ Perry (6-6, 330, Tennessee transfer) settling in at tackle, while Houston transfer Derek Bowman (6-5, 287) and Virginia Tech transfer Derrell Bailey Jr. (6-6, 305) seeing front line reps as well. Herring and Bowman have three seasons of eligibility remaining while Perry and Bailey have two.

"RJ has done a really good job because he has familiarity with our system (Coach Alex Golesh was at Tennessee last season),'' Hudanick said. "He's sharing his knowledge and he's helping to bring along the young guys.

"Zane, being a guy who came in during the summer, you had to accelerate him as fast as humanly possible, but he has done a great job catching up. With the way he's working and fitting into our room, you don't even think about him being the new guy any more. I think both Zane and RJ, with their exposure to college football at a high level, they will be big parts for us this season. I'm pretty satisfied with them right now.''

Perry said the offensive-line bonding experience will allow USF's offense to click.

"You need each and every piece to build a team, but the offensive line is what makes it all work together,'' Perry said. "I'm grateful to have this chance with my guys. I think we're putting it together and it's going to work well.''

Freshmen Nikola Milovac (6-6, 303) and Cole Skinner (6-5, 326) have made their presence felt as has sophomore Maryland transfer Zach Perkins (6-5, 328) and sophomore center Cole Best (6-4, 296).

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