TAMPA, Fla. – Offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick was in his office in the Selmon Center at 6:15 Thursday morning. He noticed Byrum Brown was already in the quarterback room preparing for the Bulls’ second preseason practice, which began about three hours later.
Such is the commitment USF’s junior quarterback brings to the program. What Hudanick observed before the sun came up was not a blip on the screen. Rather, it is par for the course for a young man who goes about his work without any fanfare and with a high level of consistency.
“He is the same guy every day,” said running back Nay’Quan Wright. “He will come in (to prepare) early, do what he has to do.”
Read: USF Bulls Going About Their ‘Daily Business’ Before Season With High Expectations
What Brown is being asked to do is lead the Bulls to heights that go beyond last year’s 7-6 showing, which followed a three-year stretch in which they were in the depths of the Football Bowl Subdivision going 4-29 while winning one of 23 conference matchups.
Brown and LSU’s Heisman winner Jayden Daniels were the only quarterbacks to pass for at least 3,000 yards and rush for at least 800 last season. The Raleigh native totaled 4,101 yards, which was good for eighth nationally. He was the first quarterback in USF history to pass for 3,000 yards, and his 26 touchdown passes represent a program record.
Many people are taking notice of what Brown did in 2023. That includes the folks at the Maxwell Football Club, which named him to the Maxwell Award watch list. The award is given to the individual who is recognized as college football’s most outstanding player.
Read: American Conference Predictions: Where We Picked USF Bulls In 2024
Brown appreciates such recognition, which also includes second team All-AAC in every major preseason publication. Alas, his focus is on continuing to elevate a program with which he is the face of.
“It is truly a blessing to be named to the (Maxwell watch list),” said the junior, who bulked up to 229 pounds, 20 more than last preseason. “Those are awards you dream of, but the work has to be put in. It’s preseason and I have to go out there and do what I know I can do. Wherever the chips fall is where they fall. I am just focused on what we have to do today.”
Such a reaction comes as no surprise, certainly not to coach Alex Golesh.
“I am proud of how he portrays himself and how he portrays this football team,” he said. “It is fascinating to listen to him talk because it is never about him, and it is easy in this day and age to make it about you. He has never made it about him. It is about his teammates and the guys in the locker room. He is a special cat.”
Read: Three USF Undrafted Free Agents Made NFL Teams Since Program Last Had Player Drafted
Brown, who turns 20 on September 29, has an easy and friendly demeanor. Center Mike Lofton noted that Brown is a “good looking dude” and receiver Sean Atkins said his QB has a “million-dollar smile.”
“Everything you want in a quarterback,” is how Lofton described his teammate. “Great on and off the field. He commands the huddle really well and he does a good job of picking us up when we are down.”
If anything, Brown needs to speak up more often.
“I didn’t do a lot of talking last year, which is an area that coach Golesh challenged me in, to be more vocal,” he said. “I feel that I have done a better job this year, getting the guys to follow me.”
The line behind him is lengthy.
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