USF quarterback Asiantii Woulard had fallen to third on the depth chart before his injury.  ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ

The Bulls’ depth chart took a hit Wednesday, as sophomore quarterback Asiantii Woulard has reportedly fractured his foot and is out indefinitely. Woulard himself first reported the injury via Twitter. 

A university spokesman confirmed the third-string quarterback has a foot injury, and the school is “hopeful the injury is not long term.”

A local product out of Winter Park, FL, Woulard sat out the 2015 season after transferring home from UCLA. The sophomore was the backup for the Bruins to Heisman trophy candidate Brett Hundley in 2014 and looked to be the Bulls’ insurance for starter Quinton Flowers this season. 

Big Brother is always watching

After recording 25 takeaways last season (24th most in FBS), the Bulls return eight starters on defense, including junior linebacker Auggie Sanchez and senior cornerback Nate Godwin. 

The leadership of those veteran starters helping to develop talented underclassmen such as sophomore cornerback Ronnie Hoggins will be vital to building on the success of USF’s “Bull Shark” defense.

“Ronnie Hoggins, that kid wants to be great,” defensive backs coach Alonzo Hampton said at Wednesday’s practice.

“From the very first day he came in here, he worked, he watched film, sat down with the coaches,” Hampton said. “He’s a different kid from most student athletes … he’s just a very instinctive young fella when it comes to playing the defensive back position.”

Hoggins, a three-star recruit out of Coconut Creek High School near Boca Raton, finished his freshman season with 26 tackles and 2 interceptions coming off the bench for the Bulls. Hoggins is primed to start this season at corner opposite junior Deatrick Nichols, who hass made an impact on Hoggins since arriving at USF.

“Deatrick, he’s a great guy to be around,” Hoggins said.

“When I came in, he was actually my ‘big brother’, so it’s good to mold with a guy like that, especially when you have similar playing types. He helped me mold the person I am today, so it’s good to be around him. He’s still a big brother to me.”

Know the foe

With USF fans ready to get the season underway, most are overlooking the Bulls’ opening night opponent, the Colonial Athletic Association’s Towson Tigers. 

Towson, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school (formerly I-AA) went 7-4 last season after making it to the FCS Championship Game in 2013, in which they were defeated by North Dakota State, 35-7.

The Tigers are 1-5 in their last six games against FBS schools, with their last win in 2013 at UConn. 

The Tigers are headed by an established running game, led by senior running back Darius Victor. Victor returns to Towson after rushing for 1,021 yards in 2015.