USF Football: 2026 Spring Game Recap

The USF Bulls football team had their highly anticipated spring game this past Sunday, and it was the programs’ first public showing under head coach Brian Hartline. Fans flocked to USF’s Corbett Stadium for an afternoon filled with music, vendors, and of course the main event, Bulls football. The annual spring game may have been formatted differently compared to previous years but still provided plenty of insight to the depth of USF’s 2026 roster.

Let’s dive into some of the highlight moments, who stood out, and what to look out for next as this spring season officially comes to a close.

USF Football: Spring Game Main Takeaways

Highlights

It’s important to first note that no official stats were recorded from this game. The emphasis was solely placed on being able to evaluate players and seeing how they perform in a game-like setting, showcasing what they have learned throughout the spring.

The format was offense versus defense with the majority of the roster participating.

The quarterback duties were primarily split between Luke Kromenhoek and Michael Van Buren Jr., with Jayden Bradford also seeing the field in the fourth quarter. Both Kromenhoek and Van Buren performed well throughout the day, showcasing their abilities to move swiftly. It’s safe to say the quarterback competition will not be put to rest anytime soon.

From a foundational perspective, it all starts at the line of scrimmage, and trenches looked solid altogether. Both the offensive and defensive lines are strong, physical groups and tested well against each other.

For the wideouts, Jaron Glover became a popular target for Van Buren. He’s a player who has a lot of noticeable potential for the Bulls and can quickly emerge as a go-to option on the field.

In terms of the run game, this running back unit is intriguing. Three of Sunday’s touchdowns came from running backs Chase Garnett, Connor Matthews, and Jason Collins Jr. Garnett, Collins, and DJ Crowther were explosive all over the field, especially in finding multiple ways to break through the line.

On defense, it was difficult to keep your eyes off the secondary as well. The unit was dynamic and consistently flocked to the football causing disturbances and making it difficult for both quarterbacks to execute properly. Cornerback Jair Murphy could have been up for player of the game with a diving interception he had just got a grasp of early on in the game. Cornerback Masiyah Limehouse is another standout who had multiple pass breakups and became a problem for the offense rather quickly.

Trips to the end zone were also made by WR Jaron Glover, WR Cam Seldon, and TE Kade Caton.

Standout Players

• WR Jaron Glover
• WR Kenny Odom
• TE Evan Dangler
• RB Chase Garnett
• RB Jason Collins Jr.
• RB DJ Crowther
• CB Masiyah Limehouse
• CB Teddy Foster
• CB Jair Murphy
• CB JR Rosenberg
• DT Ryan Jenkins
• LB Christian Smith

Recap and What’s Next

Based on the scoring that was used, the spring game concluded with the offense defeating the defense by a score of 39-34.

In the postgame press conference, head coach Brian Hartline remarked on there being a huge emphasis on recruiting. He also mentioned how the football program wants the players who really want to be at USF. The efforts in that regard will also be supplemented with the transfer portal.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this is only the spring. Nothing is solidified and there is plenty of competition among the skills positions that are far from being settled. Many fans are eager to know who the starting quarterback will be. However, the naming of QB1 will not come for quite some more time; and Hartline wants to continue seeing both guys compete and enhance themselves.

Hartline also remarked on the fan turnout and the support felt at Sunday’s spring game.

“Yeah, I think the uh most exciting part at least for me, was the turnout. I mean, it was awesome. The fans came out. Bulls Nation came out. It was a blast out there. From vendors to food to excitement to a buzz, music playing. It was a great time. And, uh can’t thank Bulls Nation enough.”

As for spring practices wrapping up and looking forward, there will be some time to go over film, evaluate what worked and what didn’t in the spring before it’s straight back to the weight room in preparation for fall camp.

Yes, there may be many differences and adjustments to get used to but the Bulls had a fairly successful first showing, and with so much more in the works, fans have plenty to be excited about.