ST. PETERSBURG. Fla. — Just as SEC Football Media Days wrapped up in downtown Tampa, American Conference Media Days started right across the Bay on Thursday. The two-day event is being held at the Hilton Bayfront in downtown St. Petersburg.
The opening day had a more informal, fan atmosphere, with pictures being taken before the conference commissioner and coaches were scheduled to take the podium on Friday.
USF coach Brian Hartline and two Bulls players also sat down with former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden for the “Gruden Goes Long” podcast. During the appearance, Gruden put tight end Wyatt Sullivan on the spot by asking him to draw a route on his well-known white board.
“Yeah, it was really cool,” Sullivan said. “I’ve always watched the YouTube videos and the quarterback guru camps, and I’ve always really wanted to be a part of it. I had a dream last night that I was going to be on the board, and I got to be on the board, so that was cool.”
Sullivan said the route he drew was “a vertical seam,” while not giving away too much about the play.
Gruden said Sullivan showed promise while breaking down the route.
“The guy’s a heck of a talent,” Gruden said. “I challenged him off camera, but you can tell the passion he has for the game. He’s getting better and better in terms of coming out of his shell and explaining some of the nuances that he has to learn, but I think he knows that Hartline is gonna have a system of football that will ask the tight ends to do a lot.”
Hartline said Sullivan communicated well during the breakdown.
“Wyatt did a good job,” Hartline said. “I’m glad he picked that play, but no, not a whole lot of critiques besides the way he drew it. It looked like my 8-year-old drew it, but other than that, the communication and the knowledge was good.”
Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard also impressed Gruden, who asked about the origin of his nickname. Howard said he got it in middle school.
“I was the youngest on the field, and coach said, ‘I’m going to call you ‘Pup’ because I know one day you’re going to be a big dog,’ and it stuck ever since,” Howard said.
Gruden told Howard, “You’re not a pup anymore. You’re a big dog.”
Howard called the nickname “humbling” and said it has stayed with him over the years.
Gruden said Howard brings experience and leadership to the Bulls.
“He’s played in the SEC,” Gruden said. “The guy’s a leader. He’s obviously a great communicator, and he’s got to replace a couple great linebackers that we had at USF.”
Gruden also said he is excited about the direction of USF football, mentioning the team’s new stadium and former Florida State linebacker and Tampa Bay Buc Derrick Brooks, the chief operating officer of USF Athletics.
USF made a short trip from Tampa to St. Petersburg for the media days event. The Bulls are nearing the end of their summer schedule before fall camp begins Aug. 5.
Spectrum News Staff
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