USF Football: Captains named & FIU vs USF Preview

The Bulls have named their six captains for the 2026 season, Michael Van Buren Jr. is officially the starting quarterback, and 247Sports ranks USF as the No. 52 most talented team in the country — the highest-ranked Group of Six program. We break down what those developments mean for the Bulls, including what we’re hearing about new head coach Brian Hartline, why his players have so much respect for him, and how newcomers like C.J. Hicks, Major Dillard and Grayson “Pup” Howard could make an immediate impact. Plus, a deep dive into the USF vs. FIU matchup. The Bulls are 13.5-point favorites, the teams haven’t played in 18 years, and FIU brings a 6-foot-7 quarterback in JJ Kohl and a talented secondary to Tampa. Can USF establish the run with Alvon Isaac and D.J. Crowther? Can the Bulls’ massive offensive and defensive lines gel quickly? And what does it take for Hartline and the Bulls to make a run at the College Football Playoff?