They played their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and were led by first-year head coach Charlie Strong.

In late March 2017, senior USF defensive back Hassan Childs was dismissed from the team after being involved in a road rage incident in which he was shot three times.

[4] In early May, another USF player was arrested, this time defensive end LaDarrius Jackson, who was charged with assaulting a female in student housing.

[5] Judge Margaret Taylor, of Hillsborough County, criticized head coach Charlie Strong's lack of control over his players, saying that she was "ashamed of being an alum."

Coach Strong had only been employed at the school for five months at the time of Jackson's arrest and had not recruited either of the players in question.