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USF journal: Is Jimmy Bayes ready to break out?

Related Topics: Eric Mayes, Hamstring, Redshirt

OCTAVIO JONES | Times

At the dawn of his fourth season in the program, Bulls redshirt junior MLB Jimmy Bayes finally looks the part.

A sinewy 175-pounder upon arriving from Immokalee in 2014, Bayes currently is the Bulls' second-heaviest linebacker (230 pounds) behind only Auggie Sanchez (245). Accordingly, he has spelled Sanchez frequently this preseason, logging quality reps -- lots of 'em -- through the first three weeks of camp.

"Jimmy's been working," defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "I'm gonna give him credit."

All of which leads to a far weightier issue: In a season when the Bulls need every capable linebacker they can develop, will this finally be the year when the pounds, potential and planets all align for Bayes?