TAMPA, Fla. — The definition of “senior” has changed somewhat in the post-COVID, transfer portal era of college athletics. 23 USF football players will be recognized before Saturday’s game against Tulsa, as most of them run onto the Raymond James Stadium field for the last time.

Recipient Sean Atkins, a PhD student, has exhausted his eligibility. So it’s definitely the last ride for the former walk-on.

“I feel like it’s really hard to understand what that moment is going to feel like until I’m out on the field,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “Just being there with my parents, it’s going to be super special. I’m sure I’m going to feel all the emotions with it being the last time at Ray Jay.”

Atkins received a scholarship and went on to break several program records, including the mark for most career receptions – 176, and counting.

“Just having that underdog mentality and then going out and proving to everybody that I belong here. Just doing my job, honestly,” he added. “Do whatever I can to help this team win. That’s all I really want.”

Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler is also playing his final game at Ray Jay. He injured his right leg in the season opener after intercepting a pass against Bethune-Cookman. He missed the first half of the season, but he found a way to contribute without stepping on the field.

“I figured out a lot of things about myself, like different ways of leading – it’s not on the pitch,” he explained. “For the most part, that’s all it was. Making sure they step up to be the leading gladiators at that point.”

Shuler stepped up in a big way last week against Charlotte. He recorded a sack and a forced fumble on the same play in the third quarter of the Bulls’ 59-24 win. The fumble was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Shuler’s friend and fellow linebacker Mac Harris.

“I told (Harris) it’s one of my favorite plays I’ve ever been a part of,” Shuler laughed. “Just the fact that he was able to go pick it up and score … that’s probably one of my favorite plays. It’s also a really cool shot of us hugging in the air.”

Harris, a graduate student with one more year of eligibility remaining, said sharing the field with someone who also excels at making big plays is not possible.

“Having a person who loves and respects the game as much as you do is just a really comfortable feeling,” Harris said after practice. “It feels like we’re out there together, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.”

The Bulls (5-5) lost starting quarterback Byrum Brown to a leg injury Sept. 28 against Tulane. Head coach Alex Golesh has not named a starting quarterback, but if Brown is unable to play, Bryce Archie would likely make his sixth straight start. A win would make the Bulls bowl eligible for the second straight season, but Golesh doesn’t like to discuss the postseason during the regular season.

“We haven’t once talked — and you can ask (the players) — about a bowl game,” Golesh said bluntly. “Literally, just try to be the best version of us, week to week.”

USF’s second-year head coach said he understands the importance of the full ball experience, but his hope is that the program continues to move toward a position where it competes for championships.

“There is no profit amount that is the goal. For us, the goal is really to be the best version of us today.”

USF and Tulsa kick off at Raymond James Stadium tomorrow at 3:30 p.m