Todd Orlando is on a mission. The University of South Florida defensive coordinator has a clear message for his team this season: every play matters, and every inch is worth fighting for. His mantra, “playing every down like it’s fourth and inches,” isn’t just a slogan slapped on a workout shirt. It’s a mindset, a way of life, and the driving force behind the Bulls’ defensive identity.
For Orlando, this is about mastering the details. “Fourth and inches is doing all the little things at an elite level,” he says. “It’s going into meetings prepared, writing things down, and digesting concepts. It’s being elite in school. It’s all of that.” He doesn’t sugarcoat it either. The “little things” are non-negotiable. They’re what sets a good team apart from a great one.
But this philosophy comes with a sense of urgency, one that hits home for any player dreaming of the NFL. “Time is the enemy,” Orlando says bluntly. “Guys with NFL dreams only have a short window to make it happen. Are they willing to sacrifice distractions and zero in on the things that actually make them better? That’s the question.” And those who can’t? Well, Orlando doesn’t leave much room for excuses.
The Bulls aren’t taking the message lightly. Cornerback De’Shawn Rucker summed it up perfectly. “The biggest thing with fourth and inches is one play,” Rucker says. “Intensity. Focus. Everyone zeroed in. The challenge is taking that intensity and making it every play, not just the big ones.”
USF already has receipts to back this up. Take last season’s Hawaii Bowl, a five-overtime marathon where the Bulls proved the mantra is more than words. Late in regulation, defensive lineman Michael Williams stopped a third-and-inches run cold, giving the Bulls a shot to send the game into overtime. Then, defensive back Jarvis Lee forced a critical fumble on the goal line, turning a sure touchdown into a touchback. That’s fourth and inches. It’s the little moments that shift outcomes, and the Bulls are leaning into that reality.
Orlando’s approach doesn’t stop at preparation or motivational soundbites. The guy expects his team to hold each other accountable. “Players grabbing younger guys and saying, ‘No, that’s not the way we do it. Do it again,’” he explains, is how you build true leaders. Safety Tavin Ward is one of them. “I don’t take it for granted,” Ward says. “The defense kind of relies on me back there. I’ve got to help my brothers out and make sure we pull off a successful mission.”
It’s brutal. It’s relentless. It’s exactly what the Bulls need. Orlando is embedding a culture where details aren’t overlooked, and effort isn’t optional. His defense isn’t just playing to win; they’re playing every down like the game depends on it. Because in his world, it does.
The Bulls open their season with a challenging slate against Boise State, Florida, and Miami. Perfect testing grounds for a philosophy based on grit, intensity, and accountability. It’s not just about the big plays; it’s about owning every moment. With Orlando leading, this USF defense isn’t just showing up; they’re coming for every inch.
