Most of the talk about USF's running game has centered on senior Ben Williams and sophomore Mike Ford, who each had more than 100 carries last season. Offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said Monday that another contender has stepped up in recent days, with sophomore Richard Kelly making a compelling case for carries with the top two returning backs and sophomore Jamar Taylor.

"The running back position is still a very intense competition between four guys," Gregory said. "Kelly stood out in the scrimmage, and he stood out again (Monday) morning. Kelly has thrown himself right into the heat of the battle. He's moved fast. He's playing extremely well. Big body, hard to tackle. He's pounding it. ... We don't know who No. 1 is yet."

Kelly, who had just one carry for 1 yard as a freshman, is the biggest of USF's backs, but not nearly as big as he was last year. Kelly said he weighed 255 pounds after two-a-days last year, but he's down to 238 pounds and quicker and more confident as a result.

"It's a battle between all the backs, so I'm trying to compete with them," Kelly said. "I'm real comfortable now. I've got more experience, and I have all the plays in my head now. The first game, everybody gets a little nervous. I'll be nervous, too, but excited as well."

Gregory said Monday's morning practice was "by far our best practice of the year," building off a strong scrimmage Saturday for the offense. Gregory said junior quarterback Matt Grothe on Saturday "played as well as he has played in a scrimmage since I've been here."

Sophomore tight end Trent Pupello, the transfer from Florida, continues to impress coaches, as Gregory said he is now a "co-starter" with senior Cedric Hill. "He's physical. He can knock you around," Gregory said.

Gregory has been pleased by the competition for starting positions at receiver. Sophomore A.J. Love is challenging sophomore Carlton Mitchell for a starting position, and sophomore Dontavia Bogan is pushing senior Taurus Johnson for another spot. Redshirt freshman Patrick Richardson is pushing junior Jessie Hester, with senior Marcus Edwards the most secure as a starter. True freshman Daniel Bryant, praised by coaches in the first two weeks of camp, is trying to keep a spot in the two-deep.

"Bryant's kind of hit the wall a little bit, as a lot of freshmen tend to do," Gregory said. "At some point, he'll get it all back together, but we've got a lot of receivers who can play. He's got a skill level where at some point it'll all catch up mentally."