It’s been four long seasons, since linebacker Nigel Harris played his first game for the Bulls in 2013.
“I remember most?” said Harris thinking back on his freshman year. “Losing.”
The low point came in his very first game against McNeese State. A 32-point blowout loss to an FCS team.
“I thought to myself, I really came here for this?,” said Harris. “That’s when I thought we really have some work to do.”
“They choose USF off of faith,” said 4th year USF head coach Willie Taggart. “This is where they wanted to be and they wanted to turn this program around and they said that’s what they were going to do.”
The Bulls suffered a 2-10 season, but the bright-eyed defender from Hillsborough High stayed true to his college commitment and his hometown team, even when the rest of Tampa wasn’t on board.
“One thing I don’t like, say we were out somewhere in the town and somebody from Tampa had on a Florida State shirt or a Florida shirt,” said Harris. “We some more of those guys wearing some USF shirts. We not only trying to have us as a program be all in, but we need the whole city with us.”
A disgruntled fan base patiently watched the seniors go from 2-10 their first year, to a record 10 victories as seniors.
Harris, once embarrassed, now elated.
“That's my first time really holding a team trophy in college,” said Harris after being rival UCF. “If felt great. That’s what people come to college to do.”
The Bulls believed when no one else did.
“When things didn’t necessarily go right, (they) never waivered. Never quit. Our guys saw it through and now they’re reaping the benefits from it.”
“What he mainly sold us on, making history, and turning this thing around and being a center stone for the guys in the future,” said Harris.
The senior class has one chapter remaining for their lasting legacy.
The No. 22/25-ranked Bulls (10-2) will face the South Carolina (6-6; 3-5 SEC), at 2:00 p.m. (ET) live on ESPN. The game is Thursday, Dec. 29 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.