Six months ago, Sampson Genus was a backup offensive lineman. Now his transition to defensive has gone so well that USF is listing the sophomore as the starting nose tackle, ahead of fellow sophomore Terrell McClain.

"(Genus) probably is going to start," coach Jim Leavitt said Tuesday at the Big East preseason media gathering in Newport, R.I. "If Sampson's going to be on defense, he's going to play for us."

Genus, who played sparingly at offensive guard last fall, is one of the strongest players on the team and is still learning the technique and nuances of playing on defensive line. McClain, meanwhile, will cross-train at both nose tackle and at "three technique," the other interior d-line position, where junior Aaron Harris is a returning starter. Leavitt said coaches will give a long look in preseason to true freshman Danous Estenor, who could push for a spot on the two-deep as well.

-- USF's new media guides are out, and the preseason depth chart shows a few new insights. The biggest would have been Delbert Alvarado not being listed at kicker -- it shows senior Justin Teachey and freshman Maikon Bonani -- but Leavitt said that listing is incorrect. Alvarado will be his kicker and punter until someone can come in and unseat him. Bonani and freshman punter Justin Brockhaus-Kann will have a chance in the next month to prove themselves.

-- Other depth-chart tweaks? The top backups at both tackle spots are true freshmen, with Mark Popek backing up Jake Sims at right tackle and Damien Edwards behind Marc Dile at left tackle. Senior Carlton Williams is listed as the starting strong safety, ahead of Danny Verpaele, and redshirt freshman Jerrell Young is listed as the top backup to Nate Allen at free safety. If I have time later, I'll type in a full depth chart for you guys to see ...