Strength in Unity.

[Soapy]

Notable Bowl Results
Orange Bowl
#8 Purdue (10-3, 8-2) -- 10
#9 Middle Tennessee State (13-1, 9-0) -- 41

Fiesta Bowl
#7 Alabama (10-3, 7-2) -- 24
#5 Tulsa (11-1, 4-0) -- 42

Cotton Bowl
#21 Tennessee (10-4, 7-3) -- 35
#13 BYU (11-3, 8-2) -- 30

Citrus Bowl
#11 Georgia Tech (11-2, 7-2) -- 44
#10 Ole Miss (10-3, 7-2) -- 41

Outback Bowl
#14 Texas (9-4, 7-2) -- 20
#19 Illinois (10-3, 6-3) -- 41

Gator Bowl
Mississippi State (7-5, 5-4) --24
#20 Penn State (9-4, 6-3) -- 45

Peach Bowl
LSU (7-6, 5-4) -- 27
NC State (11-3, 9-1) -- 34

Liberty Bowl
Florida State (8-5, 4-5) -- 30
#23 Florida Atlantic (10-3, 6-2) -- 16

Music City Bowl
Georgia (6-7, 5-4) -- 23
Virginia (7-6, 3-6) -- 42

Cheez-It Bowl
Miami (7-6, 4-5) -- 37
#15 Virginia Tech (9-4, 7-2) -- 34

Independence Bowl
Texas A&M (7-6, 4-5) -- 24
SMU (6-7, 5-4) -- 21

Duke's Mayo Bowl
Notre Dame (7-6, 6-3) -- 31
Arkansas (5-8, 3-6) -- 24

[Soapy]

Middle TN QB about to be the next Tom Brady at the next level

almost signed him but chose jeff jones instead. happy with our decision still tbh

[Soapy]

Nussmeier to return in 2036 as Bulls offensive coordinator despite NFL interest
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist

USF offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will be staying on as USF's play caller according to a source close to the program.

Nussmeier came under criticism this season from the media, fans and even head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. for his play calling despite leading the offense to a top ten finish. There were concerns around his pro-style offense meshing with USF's offensive talent and his lack of recruiting prowess. In combination with interest from NFL teams in Nussmeier as a coordinator or quarterback's coach, many wondered if his first season at USF would be his last.

What's still unclear is if Nussmeier role in 2036 will be the same. He served as the team's lone play caller last season and it remains to be seen if that is still the case next year. A name to watch as a potential replacement as play caller is running backs coach Brandon Robinson who many internally view as a future head coaching candidate. If Nussmeier didn't accept the job last year, Robinson was viewed as a potential alternative to serve as co-offensive coordinator along with Francois Sr.

[Soapy]

USF DC Butler hired as North Carolina State's next head coach
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

University of South Florida defensive coordinator John Butler has officially been announced as NC State's next head coach,

Butler did formal interviews with Baylor, Tulsa, Syracuse as well before the Wolfpack pulled the trigger on the coordinator for the nation's top ranked rushing defense. Butler inherited an already elite unit and improved upon it despite having two freshmen -- albeit elite prospects -- at safety.

Butler spent just one season at USF and added some minor tweaks to the Bulls defense, particularly running more zone blitzes and having stand up edge rushers even in four-man fronts.

The Wolfpack went 11-3 in 2035, winning the Peach Bowl against LSU before Tim Brown took the head coaching job at Army. Brown was hired following the firing of Tony Levine after a one-win season the prior year. Prior to the Peach Bowl victory, the Wolfpack hadn't won a bowl game since 2024 and hadn't won more than nine games since 2030.

Top candidates to replace Butler include long-time defensive backs coach Thomas Hayes and linebackers coach Philip Humphrey although they've been passed over previously for external candidates. If history does repeat itself, outside names to watch include Tulsa defensive coordinator Thomas Morris, UNLV defensive coordinator Nick Blake and recently fired Michigan head coach Eric Barber.

[Soapy]

Bulls finalize staff with promotion of Prince to defensive coordinator
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

The University of South Florida has hired current USF DL coach Gary Prince as it's defensive coordinator.

USF formally interviewed East Carolina defensive coordinator Kevin Parker as well before deciding to go with Prince, a former USF defensive lineman that led the team in sacks his senior season in 2018. Prince was a member of the inaugural recruiting class under head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. and joined the coaching staff in 2021 before being promoted to defensive line coach in 2028.

USF also promoted linebackers coach Philip Humphrey to associate defensive coordinator. The expectations are for Prince to call the plays on gameday with game-planning input from Humphrey. Long time defensive backs coach Thomas Hayes took the defensive coordinator role at Colorado and was replaced by former USF defensive back Ray Hill.

After a two-year NFL career, Hill joined USF's staff as an off-field analyst before being an assistant defensive backs coach at Old Dominion under Dave Doeren, who was Hill's defensive coordinator during his time at USF. Hill returned to USF last season as a recruiting coordinator. Both Prince and Hill coached under Doeren who runs a 3-3-5 defense but it remains to be seen what type of defense Prince will implement.

USF also replaced running backs coach Brandon Robinson who took the offensive coordinator role at Arkansas State with Anthony Clark, a member of the Bulls player development department for the past four seasons.

2036 USF Coaching Staff
Head Coach/WR Coach: Malcolm Francois (24th year)
Associate Head Coach/OL Coach: Jim Michalczik (9th year)
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach: Doug Nussmeier (2nd year)
Defensive Coordinator/DL Coach: Gary Prince (1st yr in role, 15th with program)
Associate Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker Coach: Philip Humphrey (8th year)
Cornerbacks Coach: Ray Hill (1st yr in role, 5th with program)
Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach: Shelton Kent (2nd year)
RB Coach: Anthony Clark (1st yr in role, 5th with program)
Safeties Coach: Ty Maddox (1st yr in role, 3rd with program)
Nickels Coach: Derrick Brown (1st yr in role, 2nd with program)

Notable Head Coaching Changes
Clemson :: Zach Newberry replaces Clay Helton (fired)
Louisville :: Brian Scott replaces Matt House (fired)
N.C. State :: John Butler replaces Tim Brown (left for new job)
Navy :: Scott Hazleton replaces Troy Calhoun (retired)
North Carolina :: Steve Farmer replaces Matt Wells (fired)
Notre Dame :: Kevin Harper replaces Skip Holtz (retired)
Syracuse :: Greg Treangen replaces Sonny Dykes (retired)
-----
Army :: Tim Brown replaces Rod Caragher (retired)
Iowa :: Dave Harris replaces Brian George (retired)
Maryland :: Earvin Singletary replaces Derrick Marshall (fired)
Michigan :: Scott Loeffler replaces Eric Barber (fired)
-----
Baylor :: Rhett Lashlee replaces Pat Narduzzi (retired)
-----
Oregon State :: Art Hall replaces Earvin Singletary (fired)
Washington :: Justin Wilcox replaces Scott Frost (fired)
-----
Oklahoma :: Mike Bloomgren replaces Chase Murphy (fired)

SEC Coaching Staff Changes
Oklahoma OC :: Garrick McGee replaces Danny Foster (fired)
Oklahoma DC :: George Morris replaces Dennis Harrell (fired)
USF DC :: Gary Prince replaces John Butler (left for new job)

[Soapy]

Bulls lose WR Arrington and QB Barr to former assistants
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist

USF lost two players this past weekend to the transfer portal with receiver Michael Arrington heading to N.C. State and quarterback Jared Barr opting to play his final season at Kentucky.

Arrington, a former walk-on, caught 25 passes in 2034 due to injuries at the position. Arrington did not play as much in 2035, catching just six passes before entering the transfer portal and landing at NC State, where former USF defensive coordinator Josh Butler is currently the head coach.

Recruited by current Kentucky head coach Malcolm Francois Jr. when he was at USF, Barr has thrown just sixteen passes in his career and will get a chance to compete for the starting job in Lexington. Barr was expected to be in competition with rising sophomore Joey Spence had he stayed with the Bulls but was not a likely favorite in the battle with the former five star that threw seven touchdowns in his first and only start last season.

[Soapy]

IMG trio of Jackson, Jones and Iosefo declare early for the draft along with Williams
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

Former IMG teammates Joe Jackson, Jeff Jones and Marques Iosefo have all decided to forgo their senior season at USF and declared for the draft along with two-time Butkus and Bednarik Award Winner linebacker Chris Williams.

All part of the same recruiting class that helped USF win a national championship in 2034, Jones rewrote the record books while at USF and leaves campus as the all-time leader in career passing yards and touchdowns and hold the single-season record for most passing yards and touchdowns.

Jackson was a three-year starter at USF while Iosefo blossomed in the past two seasons as one of the better slot receivers in the SEC. Jones, Jackson and Williams are all considered potential day-one draft picks while draft experts are a little bit more undecided on Iosefo as some view him as a day-two player while others think he's more of a middle round draft pick.

2035 Players Leaving » Career Stats
#1 Jeff Jones (QB, Junior): Declared Early » 1277 of 1797, 15011 yards, 147 touchdowns, 45 interceptions, sacked 79 times, 198 carries, 200 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 fumbles.
#11 Marques Iosefo (WR, Junior): Declared Early » 148 receptions, 2066 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 drops.
#2 Joe Jackson (CB, Junior): Declared Early » 89 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, sack, 4 interceptions, touchdown, 4 PBU, 2 FR.
#55 Chris Williams (LB, Junior): Declared Early » 264 tackles, 57 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 7 interceptions, 5 touchdowns, 4 PBU, 4 FF, 2 FR.
#19 Jared Barr (QB, Rs Junior): Transfer (Kentucky) » 9 of 16, 65 yards, touchdown, interception, 4 carries, 76 yards, touchdown.
#32 Michael Arrington (WR, Sophomore): Transfer (NC State) » 31 receptions, 422 yards, 5 touchdowns, 6 drops, fumble.
#63 Joe Williams (RT, Rs Senior): Pro Draft » 12 pancakes, 11 sacks allowed.
#47 Keith Oliver (TE/FB, Senior): Graduation » 11 carries, 57 yards, 59 receptions, 532 yards, 10 touchdowns, 39 pancakes.
#12 Aaron Bean (DE, Senior): Graduation » 48 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, FF.
#52 Nick Robinson (LB, Senior): Graduation » 141 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 6 PBU, FF.
#96 Pete Ford (DT, Senior): Graduation » 27 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, FR.
#29 William Jones (HB, Senior): Graduation » 203 carries, 966 yards, 9 touchdowns, 2 fumbles, 53 receptions, 341 yards.
#60 Josh Hardy (LG, Rs Senior): Graduation » 3 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed.
#90 Adam Harvey (DE, Rs Senior): Graduation » 15 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 7 sacks.
#87 Gemara Siegel (TE, Senior): Graduation » 25 receptions, 250 yards, 4 touchdowns, 7 pancakes, sack allowed.
#35 Robert Nichols (S, Rs Senior): Graduation » 18 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, interception, PBU.
#73 Martin Cunningham (G, Rs Senior): Graduation » No stats.
#75 Ryan Terrell (G, Rs Senior): Graduation » No stats.

[Soapy]

As final verdict on sanctions loom, LB/S Fred Harris latest to enter the transfer portal
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

University of South Florida linebacker/safety Fred Harris has entered the transfer portal.

The former four-star recruit is the third USF player to enter the transfer portal since the start of the off-season, joining QB Jared Barr and receiver Michael Arrington. Barr ended up at Kentucky while Arrington left the conference to join former USF DC Josh Butler at N.C State.

It remains to be seen where Harris ends up although N.C. State is an early favorite to land his talent. After not playing much as a freshman at safety, Butler came to USF and switched Harris to linebacker where he was on the field in sub packages, particularly passing downs.

While Harris is the third player to enter the transfer portal, he might not be the last as the NCAA is expected to hand down their final verdict regarding its investigation into USF and what it described in the first set of sanctions as a lack of institutional control. Even with USF self imposing a bowl ban this past season, college football analysts expect more punishment to be on the way.

[Soapy]

Bulls emerging as crystal ball favorite to land five-star D.J. Manning, sweep state of Florida
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

As National Signing Day is nearing, USF now holds the most Crystal Ball predictions for them to land five-star receiver D.J. Manning out of Killian High School in Miami, Florida.

If USF is able to land Manning, they'd have signed not only the top three receivers in the country but the top three players in the class altogether, a feat that's never been done in the 247 Sports era. They'd have also signed the only two five-stars in the state of Florida and landed the top three players in the state in Maurice Bennett, Manning and Leroy Richards.

Florida State and Alabama are still well and alive in the recruitment with many picking Florida State to land Manning towards the end of last season. The Seminoles were unable to close the deal during the Early Signing Period, allowing the Bulls and head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. to apply full court pressure on a player they really want. Francois Sr. have a real good track record of closing the deal, especially with the top in-state receivers.

2036 USF Recruiting Class
WR Maurice Bennett [WR #1]: 6'4", 206lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 270 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
WR Brian Harris [WR #3]: 6'1", 180lbs | Columbia, TN | 5-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 295 Bench Press Max, 195 Squat Max
CB Tyler Matthews [CB #1]: 5'11", 169lbs | Thomaston, GA | 5-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 250 Bench Press Max, 280 Squat Max
C Leroy Richards [C #2]: 6'2", 292lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 5.04 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 640 Squat Max
DE David Richardson [DE #5]: 6'3", 240lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.64 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 555 Squat Max
C Brad Bonner [C #4]: 6'2", 290lbs | Bradenton, FL | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 435 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
LB Brett Freeman [OLB #12]: 5'11", 207lbs | Vero Beach South, FL | 4-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 375 Bench Press Max, 535 Squat Max
T Dane Clay [T #22]: 6'3", 321lbs | Winter Haven, FL | 3-star | 4.84 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 580 Squat Max
S Brady Johnson [S #9]: 6'5", 208lbs | Boca Grande, FL | 3-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 285 Squat Max
G Brandon Jones [G #47]: 6'5", 275lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | 4.84 40-yd dash, 465 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
S Adrian Bolden [S #33]: 6'3", 219lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 315 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
FB/TE Antoine Frank [FB #5]: 6'2", 236lbs | Bloomingdale, FL | 3-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 305 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
FB Obadiah Denman [FB #28]: 6'1", 249lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 3-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 365 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max

2036 USF Recruiting Board
WR D.J. Manning [WR #2]: 5'10", 181lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Florida State, Alabama, USF

[Soapy]

University of South Florida football learns verdict on NCAA sanctions
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

USF has won part of its appeal on NCAA sanctions related to the post-season ban but its scholarship restrictions remains in place.

The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee released its verdict Thursday, accepting the Bulls' appeal of a post-season ban. The committee accepted the Bulls' self imposed 2035 bowl ban, keeping USF eligible for this year's post-season after it had previously issued a three-year post-season ban.

The NCAA case against USF is now officially closed.

"As leaders at the University of South Florida, we are sorry for what the Bulls family has endured throughout this long, arduous process," USF school president Rhea Law and athletics director Joanne Morris wrote in a joint statement. "Our resolve has been tested many times in our history, and we have prevailed by staying true to our core values combined with the amazing support of the Bulls family. This challenge will not define us, and we will be stronger because of it."

When it comes to the specific allegations against USF, the committee ruled the following: Violation IV.P alleging lack of institutional control was affirmed. That committee concluded that it "did not abuse its discretion" when doling out the first year of USF's bowl ban for 2035, arguing the case involved multiple Level 1 violations and involved multiple staffers over a five-year span.

With the scholarship restrictions still in place, USF will be limited to just 60 scholarship players on their roster for the next three seasons.