Strength in Unity.

[Soapy]

USF OC Rhett Lashlee returns to the state of Texas, hired by Texas A&M to replace Jeremy Willis
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

USF offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has accepted the head coaching job at Texas A&M, returning to the state of Texas where he spent some time as Baylor's head coach.

Lashlee's second tenure at USF was a short one, lasting one season just as he had done back in 2027 when he left after a year to be the head coach at Arkansas. In both seasons, Lashlee led successful offenses as USF that featured two 1,000-yard rushers on the same team.

Lashlee will be replacing Jeremy Willis at Texas A&M who won just four games last season and five games the year before. The Aggies beat the Bulls in 2039 in the Barstool Bowl as part of USF's seven win season but prior to that, hadn't won more than seven games since 2035.

The move is one that was expected as USF had began interviewing potential replacements as early as last week, even before the Texas A&M hiring as Lashlee took interviews with Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Missouri and Kansas State.

The Bulls have reportedly already interviewed Georgia State head coach Steve Farmer and Western Kentucky offensive coordinator Carl Parker.

A name to watch as Lashlee's replacement is Peter Nicholson who left USF under shaky terms as USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. took issue with Missouri's firing of Brandon Pierre, a fellow black head coach. Nicholson replaced Pierre at Missouri, going 9-4 in his first season but won just four games in back to back seasons. The relationship has since been mended and discussions have been had, informally, regarding a potential return.

Another name to keep an eye on is New Mexico State offensive coordinator Grant Oliver, the former USF quarterback and quarterback's coach. New Mexico State got off to a strong start to the season offensively but finished 6-6. It's unclear if Oliver is one of the names that USF has already interviewed but he's someone that could emerge as a candidate.

[Soapy]

USF starting receiver Brooks Coe follows OC Rhett Lashlee to Texas A&M
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

In a bit of a surprise, USF junior receiver Brooks Coe is transferring to Texas A&M, following recently hired and former USF offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to College Station.

Coe caught 43 passes last season as one of the Bulls starting receiver, improving upon his freshman numbers that saw him catch 29 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Coe didn't play much as a sophomore, reeling in just three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.

With Coe having a career year in Lashlee's offense, he'll hope to do the same as a senior and replicate that performance.

In other transfer news, former USF linebacker Jackson Gold Jr. has committed to Florida and defensive tackle Rahmod Carter is rejoining former USF defensive coordinator Gary Prince at UCLA. Prince was the defensive coordinator at USF when Carter was first recruited and committed to the Bulls.

2042 Players Leaving » Career Stats
#85 Jeff Rutledge (TE, Junior): Declared Early » 149 receptions, 1816 yards, 24 touchdowns, 0 drops, 22 pancakes, 1 sack allowed
#88 Brooks Coe (WR, Junior): Transfer (Texas A&M) » 75 receptions, 958 yards, 5 touchdowns, 7 drops
#82 Tracy Brooks (WR, Junior): Transfer (Wake Forest) » 20 receptions, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns
#83 Mike Thomas (WR, Rs Sophomore): Transfer (Texas State) » 13 receptions, 110 yards
#36 Dominique Shelton (HB, Rs Freshman): Transfer (Georgia Tech) » 11 carries, 31 yards, 2 touchdowns
#56 Jackson Gold Jr. (LB, Rs Junior): Transfer (Florida) » No career stats
#95 Rahmod Carter (DT, Rs Junior): Transfer (UCLA) » No career stats

[Soapy]

USF hires former OC, Missouri HC Peter Nicholson to replace Rhett Lashlee
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist

The University of South Florida has hired former Missouri head coach Peter Nicholson to be the team's offensive coordinator, a role he previously held before coaching the Tigers.

Nicholson spent one season at USF where he led a talented but relatively unexperienced offense to a national championship and a top ten finish. His exit was marred in controversy as USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. publicly spoke out against the firing of Brandon Pierre and at the time, it was reported by the Tampa Bay Chronicles that Francois Sr. did not give Nicholson his blessing to take the job.

The relationship apparently has been mended with Nicholson being hired to lead USF's offense as they attempt to win three consecutive national titles and four in five years.

Lashlee isn't the only assistant USF might have to replace this offseason as tight end's coach Buck Burns recently interviewed for the Miami University offensive coordinator role, joining receiver's coach Marco Mason and running back coach Anthony Montgomery as USF assistants that have interviewed for coordinator roles.

[mvp]

come join us, you as well James. one last chise before the new ncaa

07 ps2?? dont even know where to begin. maybe central mich

take over for miami post coker

pre-ranked #11 rated A+ across the board

[Soapy]

07 ps2?? dont even know where to begin. maybe central mich

take over for miami post coker

pre-ranked #11 rated A+ across the board

-25 AWR rating across the board, problem solved

[Soapy]

Bulls' E.J. Young, Kellen Wright, Ramon Hall and McTaggart declare for the draft
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Four more draft eligible underclassmen joined tight end Jeff Rutledge in declaring for the draft as linebacker E.J. Young, running back Kellen Wright, defensive end Ramon Hall and left tackle Garrett McTaggart declare for the draft.

All third year players, McTaggart is the lone redshirt sophomore to forego his last two years of eligibility after being a one-year starter at USF, earning all-conference honors. Hall might be the biggest surprise of them all as he was never a full time starter during his time at USF.

2042 Players Leaving » Career Stats
#85 Jeff Rutledge (TE, Junior): Declared Early » 149 receptions, 1816 yards, 24 touchdowns, 0 drops, 22 pancakes, 1 sack allowed
#9 E.J. Young (LB, Junior): Declared Early » 159 tackles, 62 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, interception
#3 Kellen Wright (HB, Junior): Declared Early » 413 carries, 2323 yards, 28 touchdowns, 106 receptions, 769 yards, 2 touchdowns, 55 kick returns, 1791 yards, 2 touchdowns, 15 punt returns, 225 yards, touchdown
#74 Garrett McTaggart (T, Rs Sophomore): Declared Early » 12 pancakes, 5 sacks allowed
#93 Ramon Hall (DE, Junior): Declared Early » 39 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
#88 Brooks Coe (WR, Junior): Transfer (Texas A&M) » 75 receptions, 958 yards, 5 touchdowns, 7 drops
#82 Tracy Brooks (WR, Junior): Transfer (Wake Forest) » 20 receptions, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns
#83 Mike Thomas (WR, Rs Sophomore): Transfer (Texas State) » 13 receptions, 110 yards
#36 Dominique Shelton (HB, Rs Freshman): Transfer (Georgia Tech) » 11 carries, 31 yards, 2 touchdowns
#56 Jackson Gold Jr. (LB, Rs Junior): Transfer (Florida) » No career stats
#95 Rahmod Carter (DT, Rs Junior): Transfer (UCLA) » No career stats
#87 Landon Wile (TE, Senior): Pro Draft » 1 reception, 4 yards
#20 Fred Rankin (S, Rs Senior): Pro Draft » 49 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, sack, interception, 4 pass breakups
#55 Noah Wester (LB, Senior): Pro Draft » 108 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups
#90 Matt Langford (DT, Rs Senior): Pro Draft » 15 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, pass deflection, forced fumble
#1 Kyle Locher (LB, Senior): Graduation » 293 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 14 interceptions, 5 touchdowns, 16 pass breakups, 6 forced fumbles, fumble recovery
#98 Will Webb (DT, Rs Senior): Graduation » 1 tackle
#35 Joel McDonald (S, Rs Senior): Graduation » 61 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, sack, interception, touchdown, 2 pass breakups

[Soapy]

Bulls finalize staff as several assistants accept promotions elsewhere
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

The University of South Florida has officially announced their 2042 coaching staff with plenty of additions as USF lost five of their on-field assistants to head coaching and coordinator roles.

USF running back's coach Anthony Montgomery has been hired at Washington to be the team's next offensive coordinator. Montgomery spent eight years in total with the program with the last two as an on-field assistant. Montgomery is replaced by Penn State running back coach Blake Morris.

Tight end's coach Buck Burns was hired by Arkansas to be their offensive coordinator, ending his seven-year run with the Bulls. Special teams coordinator Robert Holland was elevated to tight end's coach and replacing him on special teams is former North Carolina tight end Lorenzo Bell, who previously coached tight ends at UL Monroe.

Receiver's coach Marco Mason was hired at Louisville to be their offensive coordinator. He's replaced by Jimmy Marks, Georgia's passing game coordinator.

Defensive back's coach Ray Hill was hired at UCLA to be their next defensive coordinator under head coach Gary Prince, who Hill worked with when Prince was the defensive coordinator and long time defensive line coach with the Bulls. Replacing Hill is a name old school Bulls fans might remember in Georgia State defensive coordinator Anthony McPherson. McPherson played for Tennessee in the 2020s as a defensive back and was part of the team that snapped USF's 58 game home winning streak.

The Bulls also extended head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. through 2048.

USF Coaching Departures
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Rhett Lashlee (1 year) » Texas A&M Head Coach
Running Backs Coach Anthony Montgomery (2 years in role, 8 years with program) » Washington Offensive Coordinator
Wide Receivers Coach Marco Mason (2 years in role, 5 years with program) » Louisville Offensive Coordinator
Tight Ends Coach Buck Burns (3 years in role, 7 years with program » Arkansas Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach
Defensive Back Coach Ray Hill (2 years in role, 10 years with program) » UCLA Defensive Coordinator

USF Coaching Additions
Former Missouri (fired) Head Coach Peter Nicholson » USF Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach
Penn State Running Backs Coach Blake Morris » USF Running Backs Coach
Georgia Passing Game Coordinator Jimmy Marks » USF Wide Receivers Coach
UL Monroe Tight Ends Coach Lorenzo Bell » USF Special Teams Coordinator
Georgia State Defensive Coordinator Anthony McPherson » USF Defensive Backs Coach

USF Coaching Promotions
Special Teams Coordinator Robert Holland (2 years) » USF Tight Ends Coach

2042 USF Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Malcolm Francois (29th year)
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach: Trai Martinez (5th year)
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Peter Nicholson (1st year)
Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator: Ryan Williams (3rd year)
Running Backs Coach: Blake Morris (1st year)
Wide Receivers Coach: Jimmy Marks (1st year)
Tight Ends Coach: Robert Holland (1st year in role, 3rd year in program)
Defensive Line Coach: Taylor Fletcher (5th year in role, 11th with program)
Defensive Backs Coach: Anthony McPherson (1st year)
Special Teams Coordinator: Lorenzo Bell (1st year)

Notable Head Coaching Changes
Colorado :: Brian Kennedy replaces Jim Harding (fired)
Missouri :: Roger Dunn replaces Peter Nicholson (fired)
Texas A&M :: Rhett Lashlee replaces Jeremy Willis (fired)
West Virginia :: Isaac Kramer replaces Eric Alexander (fired)
---------
Kansas State :: Malcolm Spencer replaces Brian Doucette (fired)
Notre Dame :: Willie Johnson replaces Michael Hart (fired)
Ole Miss :: Keron Fuller replaces David Mosley (fired)
----------
Arizona State :: Larue Olsen replaces Willie Johnson (left for new job)
Nevada :: David Mosley replaces Dave Clawson (retired)

[Soapy]

With Garrett McTaggart's decision to go pro, offensive line no longer just a need but a necessity for the Bulls
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

Even before USF starting left tackle Garrett McTaggart's declared for the NFL Draft, the offensive line was a concern for USF and a big focus of the 2042 class with USF being in play for several of the top prospects, including center Jasper Nobles and guard Kyle Walton.

Nobles committed to Oregon, Walton to USC and McTaggart, as a redshirt sophomore, forego his last two years of eligibility to leave USF with just five scholarship offensive linemen.

USF can improve on those numbers by landing Nick Ryan or Sam Jefferson, preferably both as Jefferson would likely be a day one starter at tackle with McTaggart gone which also isn't completely out of the picture of Ryan either if he's able to beat out redshirt junior Steve Bailey.

The Bulls are also still in the picture for receiver Frank Paris, the five-star out of Texas even with receiver's coach Marco Mason heading to be the offensive coordinator at Louisville. The Bulls WR room took a hit numbers wise with three players entering the transfer portal and the path for Paris to be a day one contributor is a bit clearer.

2042 USF Recruiting Class
HB Justin Thomas [HB #1]: 5'9", 180lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 5-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press Max, 330 Squat Max
WR Joshua Butler [WR #1]: 6'3", 202lbs | Belton, SC | 5-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 240 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
WR Eddie Shaw [WR #4]: 6'2", 225lbs | Greenville, MS | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 245 Bench Press Max, 280 Squat Max
DE John Potts [DE #2]: 6'4", 257lbs | Sidney, NE [IMG] | 5-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
S Mike Mason [S #2]: 6'4", 212lbs | Venice, FL | 4-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 380 Bench Press Max, 390 Squat Max
CB Thomas Felder [CB #5]: 6'1", 180lbs | Bowling Green, KY | 4-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 295 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
DT Brent Craft [DT #14]: 6'2", 280lbs | Sanford, FL | 4-star | 5.08 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 645 Squat Max
CB Lamar McNair [CB #9]: 5'9", 192lbs | Fenton, MI | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 240 Bench Press Max, 240 Squat Max
QB Chris Price [QB #9]: 6'2", 216lbs | Indianola, Iowa | 4-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 375 Bench Press Max, 330 Squat Max
TE Joe Wilson [TE #12]: 6'6", 243lbs | Clearwater, FL | 4-star | 4.68 40-yd dash, 350 Bench Press Max, 295 Squat Max
T Kyle Wilson [T #20]: 6'7", 275lbs | North Druid Hills, GA | 3-star | 5.00 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 585 Squat Max
ILB Eric Robinson [ILB #35]: 6'0", 216lbs | West Palm Beach, FL | 3-star | 4.64 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max
OL Josh Henry [ATH #72]: 6'4", 278lbs | Belle Glade FL | 3-star | 5.04 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 570 Squat Max
QB Justin Ingram [QB #34]: 6'5", 227lbs | Gainesville, FL | 3-star | 5.02 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
T Blake Mitchell [T #65]: 6'3", 288lbs | Delray Beach, FL | 3-star | 4.90 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max

2042 USF Recruiting Board
WR Frank Paris [WR #2]: 6'2", 196lbs | El Campo, TX | 5-star | Utah, Stanford, USC
G Nick Ryan [G #1]: 6'2", 291lbs | Plymouth, NH [IMG] | 5-star | USC, USF, Miami
T Sam Jefferson [T #6]: 6'4", 272lbs | Thomaston, GA | 4-star | Florida, USF, Georgia, Florida
--------------------
TE Mike Morris [TE #1]: 6'1", 218lbs | Lancaster, OH | 5-star | Committed to Oklahoma
C Jasper Nobles [C #1]: 6'1", 259lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Committed to Oregon
G Kyle Walton [G #4]: 6'1", 267lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Committed to USC
OLB Joe Jackson [OLB #9]: 6'1", 217lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Committed to Oklahoma

[Soapy]

Assessing the personal changes at each offensive group year over year for USF football
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

As National Signing Day approaches, USF already has the bulk of next year's roster on campus with the majority of the recruiting class enrolling early and the Bulls not expecting to take any transfers this season.

With spring football roughly a month away, it's as good of a time as any to get an inside look at how USF's roster is shaping up to be.

Quarterback
Returning: Mark Cunningham (Jr), Jacob Venckus (Sr), Rashard Woodard (So)
Additions: 4-star Chris Price (early enrollee), 3-star Justin Ingram (early enrollee)
Losses: None

One of the few positions where USF is returning not just their starter from last year's natty winning team but the entire room. Mark Cunningham got better as the season went on and with now a full season under his belt as a starter, the sky is the limit for the former highly ranked recruit. Battling for the backup spot last spring was Jacob Venckus, who officially won the job on paper, and Rashad Woodard who was the one to finish the Oregon game when Cunningham left with an injury.

The wild cards are Price and Ingram, two prospects that the Bulls are pretty high on, especially Price whose scouting report is very similar to Cunningham's coming out of high school. While the top end talent might not be quite the level of a quarterback room that had Joey Spence, Jared Chavis and Charlie Cooke, this is one of USF's better quarterback rooms in terms of depth and a combination of a veteran presence (Venckus), a potential star in Cunningham and three prospects in Woodard, Price and Ingram that all have attributes to eventually start at the USF.

Running Back
Returning: Jacob Wheeler (Jr), Victor King (Jr),
Additions: 5-star Justin Thomas (summer arrival)
Losses: Kellen Wright (draft), Dominique Shelton (transfer)

With just two scholarship running backs in the spring, Victor King promises to get a heavy workload as the Bulls are likely going to manage Jacob Wheeler's workload heading into a season where he could touch the ball 300 times.

The Bulls get some replacement for Wright's production with Justin Thomas but he won't be on campus until the summer. Without getting a good look at him, it's tough to project what this unit will look like in 2042 so for now, it's a downgrade from last season as they had two 1,000 yard rushers in Wright and Wheeler.

Wide Receiver
Returning: Scott Price (So), Carl Graham (Jr), Andre Morgan (So), Nick Weiss (So)
Additions: 5-star Joshua Butler (EE), 5-star Eddie Shaw (EE)
Losses: Brooks Coe (transfer), Mike Thomas (transfer), Tracy Brooks (transfer)

Wide receiver is never void of talent at USF and that's the case in 2042 with USF returning its top two receivers in Scott Price and Carl Graham and then adding two more five-stars on top of that with Joshua Butler and Eddie Shaw who enrolled early and will be available in the spring.

Between the two of them, they'll be able to replace the production of starter Brooks Coe and that's before you consider the possibility of adding Frank Paris, a big slot receiver in USF's eyes that would actually improve on the production they got from Mike Thomas and Tracy Brooks as their backup slot option.

But the real reason why this room might upgrade in 2042 is because of Price and the jump that he might make. As the year went on and he built chemistry with Cunningham, Price turned into one of USF's best playmakers regardless of position and has an outside shot of even wearing that No. 1 jersey.

Tight End
Returning: Earl May (So), Taylor Smith (So)
Additions: 4-star Joe Wilson (EE)
Losses: Jeff Rutledge (draft), Landon Wile (graduation)

The coaching staff is high on Earl May and Taylor Smith with May showing some flashes last season as an H-back threat in the passing game but expect a big drop off after losing Jeff Rutledge, one of the best tight ends in the country.

They add another prospect in Joe Wilson who could compete for a starting spot but even with that addition, this might be the most drastic drop off from year to year as it went from a strength to probably the biggest weakness in the entire roster.

Offensive Line
Returning: G Steve Bailey (Jr), G Ray Anderson (Sr), T Cole Britton (Sr), C Kyle Jones (Jr), Jake Thompson (Jr)
Additions: 3-star T Kyle Wilson (EE), 3-star T Josh Henry (EE), 3-star T Blake Mitchell (EE)
Losses: T Garrett McTaggart (drafted)

OL coach Ryan Williams helped the depth by signing three guys in the early signing period that are all healthy and on campus for the spring but the offensive line was in bad shape depth wise and while the depth is slightly better, the top talent is taking a dip with Garrett McTaggart gone.

They return four of the five starters however and the fifth might be Jake Thompson, the former five-star that has been Kyle Jones' backup for two seasons. The knock on Thompson has been his size so can he cut his teeth at one of the interior spots, kicking Bailey or Anderson to tackle? Or is he a left tackle, even at six-foot-one and just 282 pounds?

The wild cards are the two offensive linemen still on the board in 5-star interior lineman Nick Ryan and four-star offensive tackle Sam Jefferson. They will help raise the floor of the unit if they commit but asking them to raise the ceiling from day one as starters is a tough ask.

[Soapy]

Former Tampa Jesuit teammates, USF's Wheeler and Price ready to take center stage
Sean Caesar -- The Athletic Writer

Jacob Wheeler's decision as a sixteen year old to transfer from Tampa Catholic to rival Tampa Jesuit wasn't an easy one. The talented running back had rushed for over 2,000 yards in back to back seasons for the Crusaders, ending their fifteen-year losing streak to the Tigers with a 273 yard performance as a junior. It could have been more as Wheeler's game clinching first down run would have been a touchdown if not for the outstretched arms of a sophomore safety, Scott Price.

"It was unheard of," Wheeler says of Price tracking him down, "I thought I tripped or something, I didn't believe it until I watched the tape."

Worried about the punishment he was taking behind Tampa Catholic's young offensive line, Wheeler transferred to Jesuit the following spring as one of college football's top recruits, joining a star studded roster. Once he got there, however, it was clear to Wheeler who was the team's biggest star.

"He didn't really say much at first," Wheeler recalls of Price, "It was fun to watch because every practice, every week, you saw him just get more confident and confident and then he's leading the stretching lines, calling guys out, challenging guys in the weight room, on the field. I saw him become a monster, it was dope to see."

Wheeler followed Price to Jesuit and Price followed Wheeler to USF, committing to their hometown Bulls a few months apart as Wheeler signed with USF in February 2040 and Price, a class behind, was one of USF's first commits of the 2041 class, committing in August. Since then, Wheeler has led the team in rushing in his first two seasons while Price, as a true freshman, led the team in receiving last season.

"We want to go over [2,000] yards for sure," Price says, "No one's done that at USF, not at the same time on the same team so he's going to run for 2,000 and I'm going to catch for 2,000."

As two five-star recruits that chose to play close to home and deal with the pressures that come with that, lofty expectations aren't something they run from but run towards. It's what makes them special according to head coach Malcolm Francois Sr.

"I think great players come in different molds and mental process that they each have and possess," Francois Sr. said of Price and Wheeler when speaking to a group of high schoolers at a camp this past weekend, "But what they all have is the ability to push themselves, the ability to go beyond just what's required or what some people place on them as their limitations. If you decide you're only doing ten pushups today, you might do nine, you might do seven, but I guarantee you're not doing eleven. Those guys do a great job of setting the bar so high and they're so determined with their work ethic that they don't have a choice but to try to meet it."

Both players will compete in spring this season for the honor to wear the No. 1 jersey at USF that has been vacated by linebacker Kyle Locher, one of the team's best players in recent history. Prior to him, it was worn by receivers Maurice Bennett and Joseph Moses, two Tampa natives.