Strength in Unity.

Post by **Soapy** » 09 Apr 2021, 23:03

Welcome to the big boy's big boy table, USF. Bulls part of mega conference re-alignment for 2026
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist

When there's a will, there's a way. And when you make enough of a mess at your current conference and are a premiere football program, that will also work.

The Big 12, SEC and ACC released a joint press release to announce an unprecedented swapping of teams (and cash) that will see Miami, Florida State and USF joining the SEC in 2026, UCF and South Carolina joining the ACC in 2026 and Missouri along with Texas A&M joining the Big 12 in 2025.

The ACC will also receive a reported exit fee of $60 million with Florida State and Miami reportedly paying $20 million each and the other SEC teams (excluding USF) splitting the rest of the tab.

The move sees South Carolina rejoin its former conference and the ACC increasing its strength in the Virginia/Carolina region while also still having a Florida team, albeit the lesser of the Power 5 programs in the state.

For the SEC, it's a home run realignment for the once dominant conference. While the SEC has still been king in terms of revenue, they've won just three national championships since 2013 and just one since 2018. Even with the decline since their peak, Florida State and Miami are two of the biggest brand names in the sport and USF has been a perennial top five program since 2018, finishing no lower than 7th in final AP rankings.

Post by **Soapy** » 09 Apr 2021, 23:15

Potential rebuilding year on the horizon as Bulls lose McFarland, Bass, Livingston and Thompson to draft
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer

It might be a good thing after all that USF is not moving to the SEC immediately next season.

QB Mike McFarland, WR Joel Bass, OL Bernard Livingston and safety Ray Thompson all penned a letter to Bulls fans in the school's newspaper to announce their intention to leave for the draft.

While far from surprising, it does leave the Bulls in a tough spot as they are also losing quarterback James Pittman to graduation and a few other key players.

2024 Players Leaving » Career Stats
#9 Mike McFarland (QB, Rs Junior): Declared Early » 422 of 579, 5121 yards, 36 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 152 carries, 109 yards, 7 touchdowns.
#85 Joel Bass (WR, Junior): Declared Early » 97 receptions, 1262 yards, 9 touchdowns.
#72 Bernard Livingston (G, Rs Junior): Declared Early » 42 pancakes, 13 sacks allowed.
#6 Ray Thompson (S, Junior): Declared Early » 197 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions, 8 pass breakups.
#1 Gerald Mitchell (HB, Junior): Medical Retirement » 224 carries, 1347 yards, 12 touchdowns.
#87 Martin Rushing (TE, Rs Senior): Pro Draft » 28 receptions, 237 yards, touchdown, 25 pancakes.
#15 James Pittman (QB, Rs Senior): Graduation » 511 of 702, 6014 yards, 44 touchdowns, 34 interceptions, 274 carries, 1180 yards, 12 touchdowns.
#35 Chris Wade (S, Rs Senior): Graduation » 48 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, interception.
#12 John Dixon (HB, Rs Senior): Graduation » 95 carries, 477 yards, 6 touchdowns.
#79 Brad Jones (G, Senior): Graduation » 32 pancakes, 15 sacks allowed.
#3 Daniel Elliott (DT, Senior): Graduation » 45 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks.
#23 Ronnie Gay (CB, Senior): Graduation » 110 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 pass deflections.
#27 Dan Ross (CB, Senior): Graduation » 39 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass deflections.
#20 Pierre Hodge (S, Rs Senior): Graduation » 4 tackles.

Post by **Soapy** » 09 Apr 2021, 23:35

Despite early snub, Tampa native Harrington includes Bulls in final six
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

Since he could remember, three-star center Jason Harrington has wanted to be a USF Bull. Even as the five-foot-eight chubby freshman started to grow into his man body, the offer just never came.

By the time it did, Clemson and Texas had already been recruiting him for months.

"I was hurt by it," says Harrington in an podcast interview recorded last week when asked about not receiving a USF offer for so long despite being a local kid, "Recruiting is a business so I kind of get it but at the same time, I wasn't really answering them when they finally got around to start recruiting me."

With just six scholarship interior linemen, Harrington is now suddenly a priority for the Bulls and he's enjoying it. Head coach Malcolm Francois visited his home the day before the interview was recorded, just ten days before signing day. Harrington is teammates with Francois' youngest son, J.J., who is a 2026 prospect that plays quarterback for Carrollwood but is projected as a potential tight end at the next level. Harrington helped J.J. Francois rush for over 1,000-yards in each of the past two seasons including scoring eighteen touchdowns on the ground as a junior.

"I have USF posters all over my room," Harrington added, "Been going to games with my dad since I was a kid so they're definitely an option but Texas and Clemson, they've been showing me a lot of love for a bit longer. "

Minnesota has also entered the picture but have yet to offer Harrington. He released a top six of Texas, Clemson, Georgia Southern, Oklahoma State, Northwestern and USF.

The Bulls can't afford to whiff on both Harrington and three star guard Chris Simpson as Bryan McDonald is the only offensive linemen signed to the class.

Other USF targets to watch for on NSD include 7th ranked tight end Blake Grigsby and three-star linebacker Cory Harrison. USF's interest in Grigsby has cooled in recent weeks with the team signing two other four-star tight ends in the class already although Nick Thompson is viewed more as a blocking tight end than Smith and Grigsby. It's important to note that the Bulls will likely be a potential landing spot for J.J. Francois as his two older brothers play for the Bulls and the obvious connection with his father.

2025 USF Recruiting Class
WR/DB Jay Jacobs [ATH #1]: 6'3", 185lbs | Norwalk, CA | 5-star | 4.32 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press, 240 Squat | USF, Washington, UNLV
QB Jed White [QB #6]: 6'5", 239lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.52 40-yd dash, 250 Bench Press, 345 Squat | USF, Georgia Tech, Florida State
DE Jim Horner [DE #11]: 6'1", 240lbs | Druid Hills, GA | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 510 Squat | USF, Akron
TE Tariq Smith [TE #9]: 6'8", 267lbs | North Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 270 Squat | USF, Florida, Auburn, Miami, Florida State
TE Nick Thompson [TE #12]: 6'1", 221lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.86 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 255 Squat | USF, UCF
DE Mike Atkins [DE #22]: 6'5", 237lbs | Delray Beach, FL | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 620 Squat | USF, Texas
CB Pierre Francois [CB #27]: 5'9", 187lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 380 Bench Press, 255 Squat | USF, Ole Miss
DT E.J. Jones [DT #62]: 6'3", 301lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 3-star | 5.00 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 520 Squat | USF, Miami, South Carolina
OLB Kenny Frye [OLB #38]: 6'3", 209lbs | Whitehall, PA (IMG) | 3-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 365 Bench Press, 555 Squat | USF, USC
HB Ronnie Smith [HB #64]: 6'3", 216lbs | La Marque, TX | 3-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press, 290 Squat | USF, Navy, Syracuse
WR Bradley Wilkinson [WR #114]: 6'0", 185lbs | Pembroke Pines, FL | 3-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 275 Bench Press, 265 Squat | USF, FIU, SMU
CB Jonathan Mirvil [CB #35]: 6'2", 166lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 210 Bench Press, 260 Squat | USF, UCF
S Ralph Gray [S #28]: 6'0", 199lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 345 Bench Press, 310 Squat | USF, UCF
T Bryan McDonald [T #71]: 6'6", 313lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.92 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press, 595 Squat | USF, South Carolina, Florida State

2025 USF Recruiting Board
TE Blake Grigsby [TE #7]: 6'6", 245lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Florida, USF, Florida State, Kentucky
OLB Cory Harrison [OLB #32]: 6'3", 241lbs | East Bradenton, FL | 3-star | USF, UCF
C Jason Harrington [C #32]: 6'1", 304lbs | Tampa, FL | Clemson, Texas, Oklahoma State, NIU, USF
G Chris Simpson [G #59]: 6'3", 308lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | FIU, USF, Marshall, UCF
--------------------
HB George Ostrander [ATH #3]: 6'1", 213lbs | Almonte Springs, FL | 5-star | Committed to Minnesota
C Matt Purcell [C #1]: 6'5", 310lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Committed to UAB
HB Stan Dean [HB #10]: 6'1", 202lbs | Wharton, TX | 4-star | Committed to South Carolina
WR Eric Sellers [WR #13]: 6'1", 190lbs | University West, FL | 4-star | Florida, UCF
FB Matt Kennedy [FB #9]: 6'2", 245lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL| 3-star | Duke, Virginia

Post by **Soapy** » 09 Apr 2021, 23:50

Amazon Prime enters the college football game; signs exclusive deal with The Bulls Network
Norm Porter -- The Tampa Bay Times Business Columnist

After having success with The Bulls Network and it's freshman roll out on Apple TV and Hulu Live broadcasting a live game last season, the network has found its home for the foreseeable future.

Amazon Prime announced that it had signed The Bulls Network to an exclusive ten-year deal and will be broadcasting live USF games in 2025 and beyond. Prime had tried and failed to get in on the college football TV deal business as FOX and ESPN had long term deals with many of the top conferences. Prime broadcasted Tuesday night MAC games back in 2023 but poor viewership saw the deal come to an end last season.

The USF - Boise State game drew an average audience of 4.1 million viewers on Apple TV and Hulu Live when combined last season. Current projections are for the 2025 numbers to continue to increase as Prime will stream all home games for the Bulls non-conference games and if current reports are accurate, those could be more than the previously scheduled home games against NC State and San Jose State.

As first reported by ESPN, the Bulls aren't planning on participating in Big 12 conference games this season following their tumultuous exit from the conference this spring. USF is set to join the SEC in 2026 but according to the report, the Bulls are actively trying to find non-conference opponents to fill their 2025 schedule which by extension would provide Prime more games to broadcast.

Post by **Soapy** » 10 Apr 2021, 00:25

Florida wars aplenty as Bulls win some, lose some on National Signing Day
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

With Florida, Florida State, Miami and USF all going to be in the SEC by 2026, it promises to add some fire to the already tense recruiting battle for the talent rich area that is Florida, specifically south Florida.

Florida got a commitment from four-star WR Eric Sellers over UCF and USF, Florida State landed four-star tight end Blake Grisby over Florida and USF, UCF landed Cory Harrison over USF and Florida while the Bulls got their two offensive linemen in three-stars Chris Simpson and Jason Harrington.

Simpson and Harington have similar athletic profiles although Harrington is more of a project who will likely sit for three seasons before being an available option at both center and guard. Simpson also projects better at center as he's not as dominant in the running game as Harrington and the Bulls typically prefer more downhill blockers at guard.

An added bonus of landing Harrington is that he is good friends with J.J. Francois, a talented athlete that is Malcolm Francois' son. Harrington served as Francois' center the past two seasons. While Francois Sr. has been able to land his previous two sons, Francois is a notch above as a recruit and figures to have more elite programs on his heels than his older brothers. J.J. is currently listed at six-foot-four and 212 pounds on Carrollwood's roster.

2025 USF Recruiting Class
WR/DB Jay Jacobs [ATH #1]: 6'3", 185lbs | Norwalk, CA | 5-star | 4.32 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press, 240 Squat | USF, Washington, UNLV
QB Jed White [QB #6]: 6'5", 239lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.52 40-yd dash, 250 Bench Press, 345 Squat | USF, Georgia Tech, Florida State
DE Jim Horner [DE #11]: 6'1", 240lbs | Druid Hills, GA | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 510 Squat | USF, Akron
TE Tariq Smith [TE #9]: 6'8", 267lbs | North Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 270 Squat | USF, Florida, Auburn, Miami, Florida State
TE Nick Thompson [TE #12]: 6'1", 221lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.86 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 255 Squat | USF, UCF
DE Mike Atkins [DE #22]: 6'5", 237lbs | Delray Beach, FL | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 620 Squat | USF, Texas
CB Pierre Francois [CB #27]: 5'9", 187lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 380 Bench Press, 255 Squat | USF, Ole Miss
CB Jonathan Mirvil [CB #35]: 6'2", 166lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 210 Bench Press, 260 Squat | USF, UCF
DT E.J. Jones [DT #62]: 6'3", 301lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 3-star | 5.00 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 520 Squat | USF, Miami, South Carolina
OLB Kenny Frye [OLB #38]: 6'3", 209lbs | Whitehall, PA (IMG) | 3-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 365 Bench Press, 555 Squat | USF, USC
HB Ronnie Smith [HB #64]: 6'3", 216lbs | La Marque, TX | 3-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press, 290 Squat | USF, Navy, Syracuse
WR Bradley Wilkinson [WR #114]: 6'0", 185lbs | Pembroke Pines, FL | 3-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 275 Bench Press, 265 Squat | USF, FIU, SMU
G Chris Simpson [G #59]: 6'3", 308lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | 4.84-yd dash, 465 Bench Press, 595 Squat | USF, FIU, Marshall, UCF
S Ralph Gray [S #28]: 6'0", 199lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 345 Bench Press, 310 Squat | USF, UCF
C Jason Harrington [C #32]: 6'1", 304lbs | Tampa, FL | 5.14 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 535 Squat | USF, Minnesota, Texas
T Bryan McDonald [T #71]: 6'6", 313lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.92 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press, 595 Squat | USF, South Carolina, Florida State

2025 USF Recruiting Board
HB George Ostrander [ATH #3]: 6'1", 213lbs | Almonte Springs, FL | 5-star | Committed to Minnesota
C Matt Purcell [C #1]: 6'5", 310lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Committed to UAB
TE Blake Grigsby [TE #7]: 6'6", 245lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Committed to Florida State
HB Stan Dean [HB #10]: 6'1", 202lbs | Wharton, TX | 4-star | Committed to South Carolina
WR Eric Sellers [WR #13]: 6'1", 190lbs | University West, FL | 4-star | Committed to Florida
OLB Cory Harrison [OLB #32]: 6'3", 241lbs | East Bradenton, FL | 3-star | Committed to UCF
FB Matt Kennedy [FB #9]: 6'2", 245lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL| 3-star | Committed to Virginia

247Sports Top 25 Recruiting Class
1. Texas
2. USC
3. Penn State
4. Minnesota
5. Stanford
6. Miami
7. Syracuse
8. Michigan
9. Wisconsin
10. Ohio State
11. Notre Dame
12. Alabama
13. Missouri
14. LSU
15. UCLA
16. Georgia Tech
17. Nebraska
18. Clemson
19. Pittsburgh
20. Georgia
21. USF
22. Michigan State
23. Boston College
24. Oklahoma
25. TCU

Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#1 Jay Jacobs [ATH #1]: 6'3", 185lbs | Norwalk, CA | University of South Florida
#2 Jacob Jackson [ATH #2]: 6'1", 228lbs | Lima, OH | University of Southern California
#3 Jack Jenkins [HB #1]: 6'1", 205lbs | Newington, CT | Penn State
#4 Joe Brown [WR #1]: 6'1", 195lbs | College Park, GA | Clemson University
#5 George Ostrander [ATH #3]: 6'1", 213lbs | Almonte Spring, FL | University of Minnesota
#6 Jake Davison [WR #2]: 6'3", 215lbs | River Road, NC | Virginia Tech
#7 Paul Coleman [HB #2]: 6'2", 206lbs | Lyman, WY | University of Southern California
#8 Nik McClelland [DT #1]: 6'1", 295lbs | La Porte, IN | Ohio State University
#9 Michael Daugherty [ATH #4]: 6'1", 192lbs | Uvalde, TX | Louisiana Tech
#10 Lionel Jude [ATH #5]: 6'0", 211lbs | North Ridgeville, OH | Notre Dame
#11 Chris Heinz [TE #1]: 6'3", 220lbs | Euless, TX | University of Wisconsin
#12 J.J. Crowell [ATH #6]: 5'11", 201lbs | Valdese, NC | University of North Carolina
#13 Josh Curry [WR #3]: 6'0", 194lbs | Port Orange, FL | University of Minnesota
#14 Victor Flowers [DT #2]: 6'0", 295lbs | Milwaukee, WI | Vanderbilt University
#15 Kevin Bergstrand [HB #3]: 6'0", 196lbs | River Ridge, LA | University of Nebraska
#16 Antwuan Burnette [HB #4]: 6'1", 205lbs | Pocahantas, AR | University of Miami
#17 Vince Carroll [ATH #7]: 6'2", 188lbs | McGehee, AR | University of Michigan
#18 John Little [TE #2]: 6'5", 273lbs | Borger, TX | Texas Christian University
#19 Jimmy Burns [WR #4]: 6'2", 205lbs | Athens, AL | University of Miami
#20 Cornelis Parker [DT #3]: 6'1", 275lbs | Mineral Wells, TX | Texas Christian University
#21 Joe Berry [HB #5]: 6'0", 215lbs | Bunkie, LA | University of Miami
#22 Sam Carrington [ILB #1]: 6'0", 223lbs | San Ramon, CA | Clemson University
#23 Robbie Taylor [DT #4]: 6'5", 256lbs | Mullins, SC | Clemson University
#24 Robbie Lowe [QB #1]: 6'0", 180lbs | Ithaca, NY | Syracuse University
#25 Alex Davis [ATH #8]: 5'11", 187lbs | Buffalo Grove, IL | University of Florida
#26 Darrell Jones [TE #3]: 6'6", 247lbs | Weddington, NC | Notre Dame
#27 Eric Miller [WR #5]: 6'0", 199lbs | Dillon, SC | University of Pittsburgh
#28 Hayden Stovall [HB #6]: 6'2", 192lbs | Bath, ME | University of Colorado
#29 Kurt Jackson [ATH #9]: 6'3", 219lbs | Westfield, NJ | University of Texas

Florida Recruiting Battle
#5 George Ostrander [ATH #3]: 6'1", 213lbs | Almonte Spring, FL | University of Minnesota
#13 Josh Curry [WR #3]: 6'0", 194lbs | Port Orange, FL | University of Minnesota
#39 Matt Purcell [C #1]: 6'5", 310lbs | Miami, FL | University of Alabama - Birmingham
#40 Brandon Hale [ATH #12]: 6'1", 214lbs | West Pensacola, FL | Arizona State
#42 Robert Black [ATH #13]: 5'11", 184lbs | Miami, FL | University of Michigan
#45 John James [ATH #14]: 6'0", 225lbs | Miami, FL | University of Central Florida
#72 Eric Sellers [WR #13]: 6'1", 190lbs | University West, FL | University of Florida
#118 Joey Ross [ATH #31]: 6'1", 231lbs | Miami, FL | University of Miami
#125 Jed White [QB #6]: 6'5", 239lbs | Miami, FL | University of South Florida
#126 Joe Green [DE #10]: 6'2", 235lbs | Miami, FL | Notre Dame
#150 B.J. Patton [DE #12]: 6'6", 247lbs | Kendall, FL | University of Minnesota
#157 Blake Grigsby [TE #7]: 6'6", 245lbs | St. Petersburg, FL | Florida State University
#169 Tariq Smith [TE #9]: 6'8", 267lbs | North Miami, FL | University of South Florida
#179 Jermaine Kenney [HB #15]: 6'2", 213lbs | Fort Myers, FL | Georgia Southern
#188 Jake Little [ATH #42]: 6'0", 188lbs | St. Petersburg, FL | Boston College
#194 Noah Pearson [ATH #46]: 6'5", 259lbs | Miami, FL | Mississippi State University
#199 Matt Atkins [DT #18]: 6'1", 271lbs | Leesburg, FL | University of South Carolina
#203 Aaron Joseph [OLB #13]: 6'4", 223lbs | Kathleen, FL | University of Wisconsin
#209 Adam Williams [OLB #14]: 6'1", 234lbs | Palm Beach, FL | University of Pittsburgh
#214 Nick Thompson [TE #12]: 6'1", 221lbs | Orlando, FL | University of South Florida
#225 Jimmy Patrick [WR #37]: 6'0", 180lbs | Miami, FL | University of Central Florida
#229 Daniel Lewis [DE #19]: 6'5", 240lbs | Miami, FL | Louisiana State University
#238 Nick Wall [DE #21]: 6'3", 241lbs | Miami, FL | North Carolina State University
#243 Jesse Meade [ATH #49]: 6'2", 284lbs | Orlando, FL | Louisiana State University
#256 Mike Atkins [DE #22]: 6'5", 237lbs | Delray Beach, FL | University of South Florida
#257 Jason Keenan [HB #20]: 5'9", 171lbs | Lakeside, FL | Michigan State University
#265 Joe Smith [DE #23]: 6'1", 240lbs | Sunset, FL | University of Oklahoma
#280 Dave Gandy [WR #44]: 6'0", 186lbs | Miami, FL | University of Miami
#287 Kevin McCoy [DT #24]: 6'2", 273lbs | Miami, FL | University of Florida

Post by **Soapy** » 10 Apr 2021, 01:04

Highlights from USF's first week of spring ball
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

Since winning the national championship in January, USF has spent more time in the headlines for non-football related news but on Monday, things got back to normal as the Bulls hit the practice field for the first time as defending national champions.

Freshman QB White is the real deal
USF has had its fair share of big time quarterbacks that came in with a lot of hype, including the latest one that led them to a national championship. Four-star QB Jed White, however, was a bit different despite not being ranked as high. He looked the part, ran the part and flipping the Miami commit was just icing on the cake. The cake itself, however, has been his play. Since arriving on campus in the spring, White has been a workout warrior and his play this week has led many to wonder if Nick Williams, who threw five touchdowns and for 413 yards last season, is the unquestioned starter.

Williams isn't very mobile while for White, that's his biggest asset. You also can't forget about Jay Jackson, the redshirt freshman that turned heads in spring and summer workouts. He's another mobile, twitchy athlete at the position and with a new play caller in Walt Wells, it remains to be seen how he will run the offense. USF's spring game will be interesting to watch, that's for sure.
-
New faces all around the secondary
USF lost three safeties to graduation and the draft in Ray Thompson, Chris Wade and Pierre Hodge. Thompson was a three-year starter and in Dave Doeren's 3-3-5 defense, they had adjusted last season by deploying two traditional safeties -- Thompson and Jake Lott -- and using three corners in Ray Hill, Ronnie Gay and Sid Robinson. With Gay also graduating, Hill and Robinson are now the two top corners and along with Lott, the only returning starters.

Five-star Jay Jacobs had been primarily recruited as a receiver but in his first week of practice, the top player in the country has played exclusively at free safety, moving two-year starter Lott to strong safety. The fifth defensive back has been a rotation of safety Corey Johnson, cornerbacks Cody Johnson, Jonathan Mirvil and Pierre Francois and perhaps the most interesting one, linebacker Skyler Wilson.

Wilson, listed at 209 pounds, has been the team's backup Mike linebacker for the past two seasons. In his final season of eligibility, Wilson's path to playing time is not at linebacker with three All-Americans returning but instead in a patchwork defensive backfield.

Doeren had high praises for Wilson, calling him a natural fit.

"You can't really tell he hasn't played the position," said Doeren, "He's a guy that we've always liked, real instinctual and does good things but just hasn't found that right fit and I think at safety, it works for him."

A name to watch is Francois who has been described as a feisty and fiery players by other Bulls. Doeren called him their best press corner but has work to do in his understanding of zone coverages and concepts.
-
USF to compete in 2025 as Independent
In some non-football news, the Bulls formally announced what many had reported which was that the team will not be a member of the Big 12 in 2025 and instead play their final season before joining the SEC as an Independent. They've agreed to games with Florida State and Alabama although no dates have been finalized. The 2025 schedule is likely to be filled with SEC teams with Notre Dame always being a possibility as well as UCF.

Post by **Soapy** » 10 Apr 2021, 03:16

Francois not letting evasive fourth-star spoil recruitment process
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

When Jean-Jacques Francois arrived at Carrollwood Day School, the team was coming off a winless season where the Patriots had to replace a senior laden team that had made it to the state quarterfinals just the year before. Francois, nicknamed J.J. or 'Nique (middle name Dominique), had three goals in mind. Win a state championship, break the school's touchdown record and be a Top 247 recruit.

He accomplished all three as a junior but when the updated rankings came out this past spring, Francois lost out on that fourth star.

"I'm not going to lie and say I don't care about the rankings," says Francois, whose had a more public recruiting process than his two older brothers who are currently at USF, "I know saying stars don't matter is the trendy thing but whenever there's a competition, a list, a ranking, I want to be at the top."

Francois the top ranked tight end in the state of Florida, a position he's never played before. After playing receiver on varsity as a freshman, Francois earned the varsity starting quarterback spot the spring heading into his sophomore season.

"We were still sort of figuring things out offensively after losing so much talent," says head coach Maurice DeLuca, "We figured we'd stick our best athlete at quarterback and let him figure it out."

Francois had played quarterback sparingly in youth football but excelled at Carrollwood Day. He'd rush for eighteen touchdowns as a junior, shattering the school's record books and tossing eight passing touchdowns for good measure en route to a state championship. Schools, besides his father's, started poking around and Francois seemed poised to be a heralded recruit.

A foot injury hampered Francois' ability to perform in the 7v7 spring and summer tournaments as well as cut his track season short. College coaches had wanted to see Francois line up at receiver or tight end -- some schools even liked him at running back -- as well as get some verified time on him. The lack of tape at the position(s) that Francois will end up playing at the next level led to a dip in his rankings.

Francois says USF, Arkansas and USC are the schools recruiting him the most right now. He admits that USF is the clear leader but insists it's not an open and shut case.

"I'm my own man," says Francois, "So I'm not just going to go there because of my dad and my brothers, it has to be the best spot for me. I've met most of the guys on the team already and we have a relationship so it'd be great but it's definitely something I'm approaching with eyes and ears open."

2026 USF Recruiting Board
ILB Marcus Rhoden [ILB #2]: 5'11", 234lbs | Berea, SC | 5-star | Clemson, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Georgia, USF
ATH Andrew Rivas [ATH #8]: 6'6", 218lbs | Hurst, TX | 5-star | USF, Minnesota, Wake Forest, NC State, Virginia Tech
DE Greg White [DE #3]: 6'5", 247lbs | Pecos, TX | 4-star | USF, UCLA, Syracuse
T Tyler Moore [T #3]: 6'5", 310lbs | Belle Glade, FL | 4-star | Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Miami, USF
S Paul Williams [S #3]: 5'11", 205lbs | Bradenton, FL | 4-star | Nebraska, Michigan, Florida State, Alabama, USF
DT Rodney Williams [DT #13]: 6'1", 261lbs | Palm Beach, FL | 4-star | FSU, Miami, Florida, Clemson, USF
OLB Ben Keller [OLB #8]: 6'1", 223lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Iowa, Minnesota, UCLA, Wisconsin, USF
CB Casey Coe [CB #12]: 6'2", 171lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 4-star | Florida, Miami, Florida State, Georgia, USF
CB Marcus Hodge [CB #14]: 5'11", 182lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Miami, USF, Florida, UCF, FAU
ATH Lamar Mitchell [ATH #19]: 6'0", 196lbs | Elmont, NY | 4-star | USF, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Michigan
WR Jimmy Ingram [WR #12]: 5'10" 187lbs | Jacksonville, AR | 4-star | USF, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Missouri, Texas
WR Bobby Arnold [WR #22]: 6'2", 210lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | USF, Florida, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia
TE Jean-Jacques Dominique Francois [TE #23]: 6'3", 235lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | USF, Arkansas, USC
G Stephen Brown [G #40]: 6'4", 321lbs | 6'4", 321lbs | Sweetwater, FL | 3-star | USF, Florida State, Miami
ILB Reggie Harper [ILB #27]: 5'11", 244lbs | Cocoa, FL | 3-star | USF, Florida, North Carolina, Florida State, NC State
OLB Brent Anderson [OLB #44]: 6'2", 234lbs | Panama City, FL | 3-star | FAU, South Carolina, USF, SMU, UTEP
OLB Jason Lindsey [OLB #75]: 6'1", 227lbs | 6'1", 227lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | USF, Florida State, Miami, UCF, South Carolina
CB Sam Harris [CB #85]: 5'11", 197lbs | Bradenton, FL | UCF, USF, FAU, Louisville
HB Dion Rogers [HB #65]: 5'11", 211lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | Florida State, UCF, Miami, Florida, USF

Post by **Soapy** » 10 Apr 2021, 03:32

A behind-the-scenes look at the battle for USF's No. 1 quarterback job
Sean Caesar -- The Athletic Writer

Malik Rosier has worked with Daniel Jones and Derrick Williams, trained former University of South Florida quarterback Michael Harrell and tracked the development of true freshman quarterback Jed White since he was an eight grader.

In Rosier's eyes, White is simply way ahead of all of them.

"When we first started in Miami, we were still sort of learning the landscape and embedding ourselves in the community. We had an open workout for high school quarterbacks," said Rosier, who had a long list of pro, college and high school quarterbacks he works with at QB Country, "The kids start showing up, they have to register, all of that. The woman that runs this stuff for us calls me over and Jedeveon is standing in front of the registration area and I'm thinking he's some college, JUCO tight end that was trying to catch some balls and technically, the workout is just for high school kids and she wants to make sure it's okay. I get over there and find out he's in middle school and a quarterback, my jaw dropped before I even saw him make a single play and it's remained on the floor since."

"I don't get how he wasn't a five star, there weren't five quarterbacks better than Jed White in the country last season because if that was the case, we'd have six Heisman winners in one class. They don't make kids like that, few humans. He's a super athlete at quarterback with an insane processor. I think people pigeon hole him in as this running quarterback because of his athleticism and his size. Does he have the most dynamic arm I've ever seen? No but he's light years ahead of where Michael [Harrell] was at when I first got with him and Jedeveon is just a true freshman. He's going to be a star."

If you ask USF linebacker Travis Hughes, White already is one.

"I'm going to support whoever the starter is," said Hughes, the Bulls star linebacker who was White's teammate at Northwestern High School, "Jed is different though, that boy is special."

A long time Miami commit, White started flirting with USF when Hughes committed to the Bulls and found success as a true freshman. He's hoping to do the same despite redshirt sophomore Nick Williams having the advantage of having now three springs under his belt along with five quarters of playing time.

Williams is another heralded recruit who was the fourth ranked quarterback in his class. He threw for 413 yards and five touchdowns last season, including 360 yards and four touchdowns in the Bulls 48-27 win over Texas Tech. His experience and stellar play gives him the nod over White and redshirt freshman Jay Jackson but with a new offense being installed under offensive coordinator Walt Wells, head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. feels like it's a level playing field.

"Nick has done it before and that's a big thing," said Francois on the QB battle, who he says will be an open competition through the spring, "I've learned over the year that's a big thing because a lot of guys need to get over that hump, over that barrier to be able to gain that confidence. Jay and Jedeveon are special athletes though and with it being a new offense, it's probably more of a reset for all because Jay isn't a year behind Nick and Jedeveon isn't a year behind Jay so they're all going through the learning curve at sort of the same rate."

While the rest of USF's schedule is the subject of many debates and potential lawsuits with the Big 12 threatening to sue the Bulls if they don't participate in conference play, we know they begin their season at home against N.C. State. Who will be at quarterback?

Post by **Captain Canada** » 11 Apr 2021, 13:23

You've really done well to build up suspense for a post-National Championship season. Good shit, for sure.

RoyalTy · Post by **RoyalTy** » 11 Apr 2021, 16:55

Interested to see the schedule for the upcoming season, freshman QB is going to have a spotlight on him from the jump

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