As USF prepares for its American Athletic Conference opener against Tulane, head coach Alex Golesh gave updates on the status of key players, junior quarterback Byrum Brown and senior linebacker Jhalyn Shuler.

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Brown went down early in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s game against Miami with an undisclosed injury.

Golesh said Brown had a productive day with the starters in Tuesday’s practice.

“Byrum took every rep with the ones today and looked really good,” said Golesh.

Although Golesh acknowledged Brown’s improvement, he did not confirm Brown as a starter against Tulane.

Golesh also gave an update on Shuler, one of the team’s best defensive players in 2023. Last season, Shuler led the Bulls with 97 tackles. He also claimed two sacks and five pass breakups.

Shuler hasn’t seen any action since the season opener against Bethune-Cookman, where he sustained a leg injury. 

Shuler returned to practice Tuesday, and Golesh said he was hopeful for his return against Tulane.

Golesh also talked about involving freshman tight end Jonathan Echols more in the offense. The four-star prospect was sidelined most of spring camp after going through surgery in the offseason.  

He said Echols could have played a bigger role against Miami, but the flow of the game didn’t allow for it.

“We had a package this week where we were going to play with him inside the five,” said Golesh. “We never got there, but we were going to play him.”

With other players also banged up, Golesh praised the team’s ability to recover ahead of the weekend’s game.

“I was absolutely ecstatic about how many guys are pushing through some things. I feel like there are some little bumps and bruises… and I hope by Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, they’re at full speed and we’re rolling.

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 South Florida now turns its attention to a road matchup against Tulane – a team Golesh described as well-coached and disciplined in all facets of the game.

“I think they’re really sound in what they do on both sides of the ball,” Golesh said. “They play really hard; that’s a well-coached football team.”

Both the Bulls and the Green Wave have faced tough competition this season, with each team going up against two ranked opponents. Tulane has faced No. 23 Kansas State and No. 21 Oklahoma, losing both matchups.

Saturday’s game will kick off at 11 a.m. in New Orleans, marking USF’s first morning game of the season after four consecutive 7 p.m. starts.