Roster update: We can report that another freshman is expected to join USF's football program as a preferred walk-on this fall: Colton Madill, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound offensive lineman from Tavares.

Madill was expected to play tight end at Tavares last fall, but missed his senior season due to a fractured vertebra in his neck. He's been cleared by his own doctors to return to football and is now waiting for results from medical tests by USF's team doctors to verify the same. If all goes well, he'll join the team with the rest of the incoming freshmen at the end of this month.

Madill had drawn interest from programs such as Central Florida, Florida Atlantic and Troy a year ago before his injury, but after missing last season, was choosing between Division III offers and the chance to walk on at USF of FAU. He chose the Bulls, liking the history USF has with walk-on offensive lineman -- Jake Sims is already on scholarship and expected to start, and Chaz Hine is challenging for a starting job as well.

Madill is impressively strong -- he can bench 440 pounds and competed in the state weightlifting meet, as well as in track with the discus, even though, as he says, "I just kind of chuck it."

Tavares runs a Wing-T offense, so the bulk of Madill's experience is in run-blocking and not pass-protection. Tavares coach George Sneed said he believes Madill "can be a devastating run-blocker," and said he'll pick up pass protection schemes quickly once at USF. As for his strength, Sneed said Madill is "one of the strongest kids I've ever had."

A few other roster notes -- we'd mentioned how it was curious that QB Isaac Virgin had been given jersey No. 39 (a number more befitting a tight end) but Virgin has now been switched to No. 19 ... running back Lindsay Lamar will now wear No. 5, linebacker Chase Griffiths No. 53 and safety JaQuez Jenkins No. 30.
And walk-on receiver Justin Wilkins, who missed last season with a serious shoulder injury, is no longer with the Bulls.