American · 2026

South Florida

2025 record 9–4 6–2 conference
Postseason Cure Bowl L 10–24 vs Old Dominion
Head coach Brian Hartline Year 1; first HC job
Scheme Spread / Multiple 3-3-5
Conference
B−

9-win shell + #1 portal + Hartline/Beck/Aldridge; first-year HC + starter turnover keep it below Navy

Portal
A−

Portal #1 (volume, league-best points/avg)

Depth
C+

Isaac/Ward/Gramatica/Shrader/Reuben glue; most backups unproven in Tampa

Market odds

To Win AAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 8.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #5 62 commits · 195.87 pts
Portal #1 44 commits· avg 84.86

Roster notes

Leading story

Golesh → Auburn took Byrum Brown and a large roster chunk

QB

Michael Van Buren Jr. (MSU / LSU; 12 career starts)

RB

Alvon Isaac returns (350 rush / 141 receiving)

WR

Mudia Reuben (495) + Kenny Odom (UTEP) / Bryson Rodgers (Ohio State)

OL

Built around LG Thomas Shrader

Defense

Only FS Tavin Ward is a clear returning starter; C.J. Hicks (Ohio State) headlines the portal front

K

Nico Gramatica returns (walk-off FG vs Florida)

Key offense

  1. 01
    Michael Van Buren Jr. QB
    Portal
    • Mississippi State → LSU → USF
    • 12 career starts (8 MSU + 4 LSU). 2025 (incl. bowl) LSU: 94/151, 1,010 yds, 8 TD, 2 INT
    • 48 carries, 129 yds, 1 rushing TD rush
  2. 02
    Kenny Odom WR
    Portal
    • Austin Peay → UTEP → USF
    • 2025 (regular season) UTEP: 62 receptions, 582 yds, 6 TD
    • 2024 UTEP: 46 receptions, 741 yds, 8 TD
    • UTEP-only 108 receptions, 1,323 yds, 14 TD (full NCAA career incl
    • Austin Peay: 137 receptions, 1,641 yds, 17 TD). 2× Second Team All-CUSA
  3. 03
    Alvon Isaac RB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 73 carries, 350 yds, 0 rushing TD (4.8
    • 14 receptions, 141 yds
    • plus return work (6 PR–126, 10 KR–224)

Key defense

  1. 01
    Tavin Ward S
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 60 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 INT–40 yd TD in 10 G — only clear returning defensive starter
  2. 02
    C.J. Hicks DE
    Portal
    • Ohio State → USF
    • Former top-10 recruit (2022)
    • ~42 career tackles across 4 OSU years
    • redshirted most of 2025 (regular season) after 4 games. Reunites with Hartline
  3. 03
    Michael Williams II DE
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): ~19 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 starts after missing the first half (injury)