Former Aventura offensive lineman transfers to USF as Bulls continue to rebuild front five
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
Freshman center John Rawlins has transferred to the University of South Florida after spending last fall redshirting at Southern Miss.
Rawlins, a former three-star recruit, is a Florida product from the Aventura area in southern Florida. The six-feet tall center was a mildly recruited prospect as a high school senior before he chose the Golden Eagles over other mainly SWAC and Sun Belt offers. When Rawlins entered his name in the transfer portal this past December, the Bulls coaching staff made contact and ultimately offered him a scholarship.
Rawlins has already been enrolled at USF since the beginning of the spring semester and will look to get an early inside track on the starting center spot for 2029 as he will need to sit out this past season.
Rawlins is the 20th new addition to the Bulls roster and the 21st could be on the way in a few weeks. Tight-end Josh Smith released a top three of USF, Minnesota and Oklahoma State ahead of his National Signing Day announcement. The Connecticut product has been a Bulls target for a while now and his commitment could hep them seal the top class in the nation, a position they currently hold.
2028 USF Recruiting Class
WR Pat Newsome [ATH #2]: 6'5", 218lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 315 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
HB Nigel Medley [ATH #3]: 6'1", 215lbs | Coppell, TX | 5-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 285 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
HB George Harrell [ATH #4]: 5'11", 215lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | 4.34 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
DE Jason Hamilton [ATH #7]: 6'4", 248lbs | Ocoee, FL | 5-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Brent Slaughter [ATH #10]: 6'5", 226lbs | Highland Park, IL | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 295 Bench Press Max, 305 Squat Max
S Fred Jones [S #1]: 6'1", 184lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG Academy] | 4-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 375 Bench Press Max, 365 Squat Max
DE Cornelius Ross [DE #7]: 6'4", 241lbs | Bakersfield, CA | 4-star | 4.72 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
T Ben Brown [T #7]: 6'2, 261lbs | Lawrenceville, GA | 4-star | 4.72 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
G Lamar Felder [G #1]: 6'5", 280lbs | Shaler Township, PA | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 610 Squat Max
DT Chris Mark [DT #4]: 6'4", 266lbs | Corpus Christi, TX | 4-star | 4.98 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 645 Squat Max
S Brandon Benjamin [S #4]: 6'2", 200lbs | Riverview, MI | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 360 Squat Max
TE Lance Fields [TE #8]: 6'4", 242lbs | Jacksonville Beach, FL | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 350 Bench Press Max, 235 Squat Max
ILB Mike Jackson [ILB #11]: 6'1", 234lbs | Hot Springs Village, AR | 4-star | 4.58 40-yd dash, 410 Bench Press Max, 585 Squat Max
CB Andrew Wright [CB #15]: 5'11", 181lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.58 40-yd dash, 275 Bench Press Max, 290 Squat Max
ILB Gary Adkins [ILB #15]: 6'1", 250lbs | Coral Springs, FL | 4-star | USF, Hawaii, Northwestern, Michigan State
DT Kevin Simon [DT #14]: 6'3", 311lbs | Santa Barbara, CA | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 535 Squat Max
QB James Brown [QB #41]: 6'2", 221lbs | Hamilton, OH | 3-star | 4.88 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
QB Todd Woods [QB #58]: 6'2", 210lbs | Mason City, IA | 3-star | 4.96 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 170 Squat Max
QB George Mobley [QB #64]: 6'0", 201lbs | Maitland, FL [JUCO] | 3-star | 4.88 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
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C Jonathan Rawlins: 6'0", 318lbs | Aventura, FL [University of Southern Miss]
2028 USF Recruiting Board
TE Josh Smith [TE #9]: 6'4", 242lbs | Ansonia, CT | 4-star | USF, Minnesota, Oklahoma State
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DE James Bush [DE #10]: 6'6", 255lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Committed to Florida Atlantic
Best in the land; Smith picks Bulls as USF closes 2028 cycle with top ranked class
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
With four-star tight end Josh Smith picking the USF Bulls over the University of Minnesota and Oklahoma State University, the Bulls punched their ticket as having the top class in college football.
Smith, listed at six-foot-four and 242 pounds, is a good athlete whose able to do a bit of both as a tight end with his run after the catch ability whilst not being a liability in the run blocking department. A potential candidate to play H-back in Rhett Lashlee's power spread offense, it'll be interesting to see where Smith fits in Calvin Magee's spread offense.
Smith joins Lance Fields as the Bulls other tight end in the class, giving them two four-star tight ends that were both ranked in the top ten at their position. Fields is the team's highest ranked recruit at the position since Vincent Everett although he's more Smith than Everett who was a dynamic pass catcher.
Even before Lashlee's departure, some wondered if having Fields and Smith in the same class would be redundant. Lashlee didn't seem to think so, offering and recruiting both until he left. It'll be up to Magee now to answer that question and prove Lashlee right....or wrong.
2028 USF Recruiting Class
WR Pat Newsome [ATH #2]: 6'5", 218lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 315 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
HB Nigel Medley [ATH #3]: 6'1", 215lbs | Coppell, TX | 5-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 285 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
HB George Harrell [ATH #4]: 5'11", 215lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | 4.34 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
DE Jason Hamilton [ATH #7]: 6'4", 248lbs | Ocoee, FL | 5-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Brent Slaughter [ATH #10]: 6'5", 226lbs | Highland Park, IL | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 295 Bench Press Max, 305 Squat Max
S Fred Jones [S #1]: 6'1", 184lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG Academy] | 4-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 375 Bench Press Max, 365 Squat Max
DE Cornelius Ross [DE #7]: 6'4", 241lbs | Bakersfield, CA | 4-star | 4.72 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
T Ben Brown [T #7]: 6'2, 261lbs | Lawrenceville, GA | 4-star | 4.72 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
G Lamar Felder [G #1]: 6'5", 280lbs | Shaler Township, PA | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 610 Squat Max
DT Chris Mark [DT #4]: 6'4", 266lbs | Corpus Christi, TX | 4-star | 4.98 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 645 Squat Max
S Brandon Benjamin [S #4]: 6'2", 200lbs | Riverview, MI | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 360 Squat Max
TE Lance Fields [TE #8]: 6'4", 242lbs | Jacksonville Beach, FL | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 350 Bench Press Max, 235 Squat Max
TE Josh Smith [TE #9]: 6'4", 242lbs | Ansonia, CT | 4-star | 4.66 40-yd dash, 380 Bench Press Max, 285 Squat Max
ILB Mike Jackson [ILB #11]: 6'1", 234lbs | Hot Springs Village, AR | 4-star | 4.58 40-yd dash, 410 Bench Press Max, 585 Squat Max
CB Andrew Wright [CB #15]: 5'11", 181lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.58 40-yd dash, 275 Bench Press Max, 290 Squat Max
ILB Gary Adkins [ILB #15]: 6'1", 250lbs | Coral Springs, FL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 555 Squat Max
DT Kevin Simon [DT #14]: 6'3", 311lbs | Santa Barbara, CA | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 535 Squat Max
QB James Brown [QB #41]: 6'2", 221lbs | Hamilton, OH | 3-star | 4.88 40-yd dash, 390 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
QB Todd Woods [QB #58]: 6'2", 210lbs | Mason City, IA | 3-star | 4.96 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 170 Squat Max
QB George Mobley [QB #64]: 6'0", 201lbs | Maitland, FL [JUCO] | 3-star | 4.88 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
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C Jonathan Rawlins: 6'0", 318lbs | Aventura, FL [University of Southern Miss]
2028 USF Recruiting Board
DE James Bush [DE #10]: 6'6", 255lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Committed to Florida Atlantic
247Sports Top 25 Recruiting Class
1. USF
2. USC
3. Texas
4. Alabama
5. Auburn
6. Penn State
7. Georgia
8. Michigan
9. Nebraska
10. Ohio State
11. Notre Dame
12. Clemson
13. Minnesota
14. Wisconsin
15. UCF
16. Ole Miss
17. Washington
18. Florida
19. Army
20. Oklahoma
21. Navy
22. Oregon
23. Maryland
24. LSU
25. Michigan State
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29. Tennessee
33. Mississippi State
49. Florida State
50. Arkansas
69. Miami
77. Vanderbilt
85. Kentucky
Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#1 Vincent Morris [ATH #1]: 6'1", 188lbs | Marysville, MI | University of Michigan
#2 Pat Newsome [ATH #2]: 6'5", 218lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | University of South Florida
#3 Nigel Medley [ATH #3]: 6'1", 215lbs | Coppell, TX | University of South Florida
#5 Johnny Turner [TE #1]: 6'6", 260lbs | Mansfield, TX | Notre Dame University
#6 George Harrell [ATH #4]: 5'11", 215lbs | Miami, FL | University of South Florida
#7 Paul Thomas [QB #2]: 6'4", 212lbs | Roanoke, VA | Auburn University
#8 Josh Rice [WR #1]: 6'1", 218lbs | Santa Maria, CA | University of Alabama
#9 Joseph Gibson [WR #2]: 5'11", 203lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL | Clemson University
#10 Nick Franklin [WR #3]: 6'1", 193lbs | College Park, GA | University of Miami
#11 Victor Fuqua [WR #4]: 6'5", 210lbs | Granger, IN | University of Michigan
#12 Matt Howell [WR #5]: 6'2", 198lbs | San Antonio, TX | University of Texas
#13 Jeremy Brown [ATH #5]: 6'2", 171lbs | Saginaw, MI | University of Michigan
#14 Benny Wilson [ATH #6]: 6'7", 220lbs | Marion, AR | University of Missouri
#15 Jason Hamilton [ATH #7]: 6'4", 248lbs | Ocoee, FL | University of South Florida
#16 Patrick Sapp [ATH #8]: 6'6", 226lbs | Pasadena, TX | University of Nebraska
#17 Timothy Brown [WR #6]: 6'1", 210lbs | Livermore, CA | University of California - Los Angeles
#18 Earl Jones [ATH #9]: 5'11", 208lbs | Lincolnia, VA | University of Alabama
#19 Justin Henderson [QB #3]: 6'1", 196lbs | Villa Rica, GA | University of Georgia
#20 Aaron Osborn [WR #7]: 5'10", 177lbs | Belton, TX | Ohio State University
#21 Titus Bozeman [WR #8]: 6'4", 287lbs | Lake Providence, LA | Penn State University
#22 Tom Harrell [WR #9]: 6'1", 197lbs | Depew, NY | Auburn University
#23 Brent Slaughter [ATH #10]: 6'5", 226lbs | Highland Park, IL | University of South Florida
#24 Jordan Sharp [DE #1]: 6'2", 240lbs | Albany, GA | University of Tennessee
#25 Terrence Williams [HB #1]: 6'1", 205lbs | Terrell, TX | University of Houston
#26 Andy Green [HB #2]: 5'10", 211lbs | Huntington, VA | University of Southern Mississippi
#27 William Smith [ATH #11]: 5'11", 223lbs | Pleasant Grove, AL | University of Alabama
#28 Ken Coley [WR #10]: 6'1", 211lbs | Washington, PA | Penn State University
#29 Brian Anderson [ATH #12]: 6'2", 218lbs | Merced, CA | Stanford University
#30 Shaun Alford [ATH #13]: 5'10", 174lbs | Georgetown, TX | University of Texas
#31 Jeremy Hill [WR #11]: 6'4", 193lbs | Miami, FL | University of Alabama
#32 Robert Sullivan [ATH #14]: 5'10", 192lbs | Marshall, TX | Texas A&M
#33 Scott Brewer [ATH #15]: 6'0", 198lbs | Winnsboro, LA | University of Central Florida
#34 Andrew Cantrell [WR #12]: 6'2", 196lbs | Mansfield, TX | University of Minnesota
#35 Brett Dixon [WR #13]: 5'10", 191lbs | Farmers Branch, TX | Texas Tech University
#36 Randy Hamilton [ATH #16]: 6'4", 225lbs | Silver Spring, MD | University of Alabama
#37 Richard Robinson [WR #14]: 5'9", 191lbs | Marion, IN | University of Nebraska
#38 Justin Frederick [T #1]: 6'6", 296lbs | Lilburn, GA | Auburn University
#39 Andrew Ball [WR #15]: 6'1", 196lbs | Latimer, MS | University of Minnesota
#40 Tim Morales [C #1]: 5'11", 270lbs | Poway, CA | University of Southern California
#41 Adam Mackey [OLB #1]: 6'1", 208lbs | Church Point, LA | University of Alabama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#2 Pat Newsome [ATH #2]: 6'5", 218lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | University of South Florida
#6 George Harrell [ATH #4]: 5'11", 215lbs | Miami, FL | University of South Florida
#9 Joseph Gibson [WR #2]: 5'11", 203lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL | Clemson University
#15 Jason Hamilton [ATH #7]: 6'4", 248lbs | Ocoee, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#31 Jeremy Hill [WR #11]: 6'4", 193lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#45 Fred Jones [S #1]: 6'1", 184lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG Academy] | 4-star | University of South Florida
#56 Neal Williams [ATH #19]: 6'2", 239lbs | Daytona Beach, FL | 4-star | Georgia Southern University
#58 Jon Durbin [OLB #3]: 6'1", 234lbs | Port Richey, FL | 4-star | University of Oklahoma
#62 Tim Godfrey [DE #4]: 6'4", 279lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#63 Justin Spence [WR #20]: 6'0", 213lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#76 Rob Branch [CB #3]: 5'10", 202lbs | Greater Northdale, FL | 4-star | University of Southern California
#78 John Hayden [WR #22]: 6'1", 185lbs | Bloomingdale, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#89 Roshawn Nichols [QB #7]: 6'5", 221lbs | Safety Harbor, FL | 4-star | Florida State University
#95 George Woods [C #3]: 6'2", 292lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama
#98 Wesley Montgomery [DE #9]: 6'2", 254lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Notre Dame University
#101 James Bush [DE #10]: 6'6", 255lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Florida Atlantic University
#103 Mike Johnson [S #2]: 6'2", 211lbs | Coral Springs, FL | 4-star | University of Georgia
#112 Jared Scott [ATH #27]: 6'2", 213lbs | East Bradenton, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#126 Gary Johnson [QB #9]: 6'0", 209lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#139 Von Montgomery [C #6]: 6'2", 308lbs | Coconut Creek, FL | 4-star | Mississippi State University
#142 Bradley Dixon [HB #13]: 6'1", 208lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Florida Atlantic University
#154 Bobby Morales [ATH #33]: 6'7", 211lbs | Rockledge, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#163 Guy Rivers [DT #5]: 6'4", 277lbs | Lehigh Acres, FL | 4-star | University of Virginia
#179 Lance Fields [TE #8]: 6'4", 242lbs | Jacksonville Beach, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#183 Ryan O'Neal [G #5]: 6'2", 266lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#188 Clark Hamilton [WR #42]: 6'1", 192lbs | North Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#194 Brett Malone [WR #43]: 6'2", 217lbs | Stuart, FL | 4-star | Troy University
#201 Oliver Richardson [CB #11]: 5'10", 183lbs | Coral Springs, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#227 James Adkins [WR #51]: 6'3", 190lbs | Kissimmee, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#237 Paul Lucas [T #16]: 6'6", 306lbs | Oak Ridge, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama
#257 David Clarke [QB #13]: 6'5", 207lbs | Oak Ridge, FL | 4-star | University of Washington
#261 Lorenzo Covington [ILB #12]: 6'1", 240lbs | Rockledge, FL | 4-star | University of South Alabama
#266 Keith Heard [S #7]: 6'6", 200lbs | Port Orange, FL | 4-star | University of Minnesota
#274 Jason Koch [DT #13]: 6'1", 319lbs | Kathleen, FL | 4-star | Army
#277 Andrew Wright [CB #15]: 5'11", 181lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#281 Greg Moss [QB #15]: 6'3", 205lbs | Rockledge, FL | 4-star | Troy University
#284 Brian Williams [OLB #14]: 6'2", 204lbs | Melbourne, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#288 Gary Adkins [LB #15]: 6'1", 250lbs | Coral Springs, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#307 David Howard [T #23]: 6'6", 324lbs | Boca Grande, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
With new blood in the WR room, Malcolm Francois Sr. ready to put them to work
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist
USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. has an extra pep in his step these days as he jogs -- borderline sprints -- onto the practice field. You don't have to scan across the Bulls practice field too many times to figure out why.
Since 2015, the program's head honcho has also served as their WR coach, initially as a promise to former five-star recruit Zac White. Even when White left for the NFL with the USF record books rewritten, Francois Sr. has remained as the team's positional coach at wide receiver. He's coaches his fair share of talented receivers and talented WR room with last season being the exception where the position struggled outside of true freshman Corey Montgomery.
Francois, who has installed a deep culture of competition throughout the entire Bulls program, wasn't going to stand idle by. Five-star recruit Nigel Medley, who many expected to play running back this spring, was poached. Sophomore Jeremiah McCullough, another former five-star, got a call from Francois Sr. at 10pm just a few nights before the start of spring. He was returning to offense, where he excelled at in high school, after spending one season as a defensive back.
"We've got a good group of guys this spring," says Francois Sr, "It's very competitive and right now, everyone is fighting for jobs and those are the best parts of camp."
They're also very big. True freshman Pat Newsome has been playing a lot of snaps with the first team offense and he's listed at six-foot-five and 218 pounds. Opposite of him is often James Harper, whose a more filled out version of Newsome at 234 pounds and now a redshirt senior, his body sculpted by the Bulls strength and condition program. Even Medley is a thick six-foot-one, 215-pound option that has primarily played in the slot. Brent Slaughter has rotated at both receiver and tight end with his 6'5", 226 pound frame which looks to have room for even more growth.
"They're a physical group," says junior cornerback Marcus Hodge. Like a lot of the Bulls corners, Hodges is listed at five-foot-eleven and there is a noticeable difference when the Bulls receivers line up against their smaller counterparts.
What the Bulls corners lack in size, they make up for it in experience. Cornerback Pierre Francois is a three-year contributor entering his senior season as one of the better corners in the SEC. Senior Jonathan Mirvil recorded six interceptions last year, returning three for touchdowns. Hodge was a special teams ace last season with 24 tackles while Burke was an all-conference selection in the nickel as a true freshman and if he can cut down on the penalties, could elevate his game to the next level.
"There's a lot of questions that need to be answered in that [WR] room," Francois Sr. admits, "I think we have the guys in the room to answer those questions but until you get that piece of paper and start jotting something down, it doesn't mean anything."
The Bulls will host their spring game on March 26th at 12PM and will be open to the public at Raymond James Stadium. The scrimmage will be broadcasted exclusively on Prime TV.
The ultimate viewing guide for what promises to be an intriguing spring game for USF football
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles
USF will host their annual spring game this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, giving fans the first look at the 2028 roster with the bulk of the past recruiting class being early enrollees.
Here's what Bulls fans should be keeping an eye on this spring with their updated roster sheet in front of them:
The inside track on the 2029 QB battle
USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. hasn't been coy about who his starting QB will be in 2028 and fans shouldn't either as we know its going to be redshirt senior Jay Jackson who might be Francois Sr's best recruiting job to keep him in Tampa for four years as a backup after a standout spring as a true freshman.
There'll be two true freshmen trying to make a similar impact on the coaching staff this time around in Ohio's James Brown and Iowa's Todd Woods. Two early enrollees from the past recruiting cycle with very similar playing style, Brown and Woods' limitations as athletes are often hidden in the setting of spring football where quarterbacks don't get touched and won't be asked to do a whole lot in terms of mobility and creativity.
This will allow them to actual compete with redshirt freshman Antonio Whitehead who is a plus-athlete and a talented passer, who many are picking to win the starting job next season running away. You can't forget about JUCO transfer George Mobley who Louisville also wanted.
It might be Whitehead's job to lose but it doesn't mean that the other three players will roll over.
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Constant mix and matching impacted consistency at receiver position, will it continue in 2028?
For all intents and purposes, USF only had two true starters at receiver last season in Ryan Wagner and Corey Montgomery. Derrick Byrd, Andrew Rivas and James Harper rotated at Z in Rhett Lashlee's offense. By the end of the season, Lashlee had expressed a bit of an admission that this caused some chemistry issues with quarterback Jed White at times.
Even with a new offensive coordinator in Calvin Magee, we all know that Francois Sr. makes the calls for the receiver position. He saw fit to use a rotation, will he keep it up in 2028 with three five-stars added to the mix in Pat Newsome, Nigel Medley and converted defensive back Jeremiah McCullough.
Francois Sr. has done an outstanding job of stocking talent at the position with six five-stars at the position and the other three players being four-stars. Can that talent actually turn into production?
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How quickly can the defensive line get up to speed?
USF's improvement on the defensive side last season was due to the surprising play of its front seven which many thought would be an area of weakness last season.
William Levine and Kyle Swain helped shore up things on the inside, giving the Bulls the top ranked rushing defense in college football. They're in the NFL now and USF will have at least two new starters on its front three.
Sophomore Nate Stewart got plenty of burn last season but failed to make his presence felt while redshirt senior Marcus Smith recorded just one sack. Opposite of them at weakside are two true freshmen in Cornelius Ross and Jason Hamilton who look like future studs in their first few practices but are still true freshmen.
It'll be a fun rotation at defensive end to watch with all four aforementioned players being involved as well as former four-star Justin Young but without the calming presence of Levine in the middle, the Bulls can't afford to get non-impact production at the position.
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Former five-stars trying to avoid the dread 'b' word
Junior linebacker Marcus Rhoden is likely to be the team's starting Mike linebacker after being a rotational piece his first two seasons. Rivas will try to win a starting spot at receiver after having 28 receptions in the past two years.
Both players headlined a 2026 recruiting class and have yet to make their impact felt on the field. Rhoden has played the most, starting four games due to injuries at linebacker but has been a largely forgettable player in the middle of the defense with 32 career tackles and two interceptions, both coming his freshman season.
The top of the 2026 class has largely been unimpressive with the top six of the class, edge rusher Greg White, receivers Jimmy Ingram and Bobby Arnold along with defensive tackle Rodney Williams failing to make an impact.
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Who will wear #1 this season?
The front runner to wear the coveted number one jersey has to be running back Dion Rogers although Rogers' soft spoken nature could lose some him some leadership points which plays a factor into the decision. Nevertheless, Rogers rushed for 1207 yards last season as a redshirt freshman and is arguably their most productive offensive player returning.
Quarterback Jay Jackson is another candidate as he checks the leadership box but is largely unproven. Dark horses include edge rusher B.J. Patton and tight end Jean-Jacques Francois.
Safety Paul Williams, the Bulls best overall player, has already been given the number two jersey, an honor bestowed upon the team's best defensive back.
Donte Massey, USF running back, arrested early Friday morning
Johnny Murray -- The Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist
USF running back Donte Massey likely won't be playing in tomorrow's spring game.
The second-year running back was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana early Friday morning, according to Hillsborough County Police.
Massey, who redshirted last season, was stopped for a traffic violation along with another unnamed person shortly after 2 o'clock in the morning. The school has yet to comment on the situation.
A former four-star recruit, the south Floridian native was expected to be battling for the backup running back spot along with true freshman George Harrell, redshirt junior Ronnie Smith and redshirt freshman Joe Marshall.
The best and most notable moments at Bulls spring game
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles
USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. challenged his receivers throughout the spring to make impact plays and on Saturday, second-year man Derrick Byrd answered the door.
Byrd scored the spring game's winning touchdown for Team Rocky, catching a pass over cornerback Pierre Francois, surviving through Francois' tackle attempt to lunge into the endzone on the 55-yard touchdown.
It was Byrd's third catch of the day and it sealed what was an impressive game for him and quarterback Jay Jackson, who threw two touchdowns for Team Rocky to beat the Antonio Whitehead/George Mobley lead Team Bulls.
Team Rocky seemed to feature the first team offense paired with backups on defense while Team Bulls had the majority of the established starters on defense. Whitehead struggled early on, throwing two interceptions in the first half but finished strong.
Whitehead's second interception was the catalyst for perhaps the most noteworthy moment of the spring game and it occurred on the sidelines. Whitehead overthrew tight end Tariq Smith and was intercepted by safety Ralph Gray. Smith appeared to be unaware that it was a live ball and started walking off the field, allowing for Gray to get significant yardage on his return.
Smith was confronted by Francois Sr. on the sideline and the two engaged in a shouting match that lasted the entire next drive. Smith had to be restrained by his teammates before slamming his helmet on the field. He did not enter the game on Team Bulls next possession before heading into the locker room and not returning. Francois Sr. and other coaches and players refused to comment on the situation.
On the field, other notable players were receiver Nigel Medley who looked natural at the position despite never playing it. He caught six passes from Whitehead, including two across the middle with a defender coming down on him.
Bobby Arnold also stood out in the slot as the team stuck to a more intermediate passing attack with very few throws down the field. This didn't bode well for true freshman Pat Newsome who did not have a target the entire game.
On defense, B.J. Patton and Greg White took turns wrecking the oppositions' rushing attack. George 'Pookie' Harrell was able to string a long run of 47-yards in the first half but outside of that, the running game was mainly hit and miss for both teams. Harrell rotated with running back Dion Rogers on Team Rocky, a sign that the true freshman might have started to establish himself as the team's second running back.
Former four-star recruit Tariq Smith enters transfer portal following spat with coach
Cooper Byrd -- Dynasty Sports Staff Writer
USF senior tight end Tariq Smith has entered his name into the transfer portal and announced his decision via social media to leave the Bulls football program.
Smith, who caught 44 passes as a freshman, had spent the past three seasons as a backup for the Bulls. His role decreased in 2026 following Vincent Everett's return from injury, catching just nine passes after being a finalist for the Mackey Award as a true freshman.
In last Saturday's spring game, Smith was involved in a very public shouting match with Bulls head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. Following the altercation, Smith did not re-enter game, staying on the sidelines for one more drive before entering the tunnel without an escort and did not return with the rest of the team for the second half.
He caught 17 passes as a junior but was once again a backup, this time to then-sophomore Jean-Jacques Francois, Francois Sr's youngest son.
In his career at USF, Smith has 70 receptions for 800 yards and nine touchdowns, making him one of the hotter candidates in the transfer portal. Smith is expected to graduate this summer, making him immediately eligible as a graduate transfer next fall. Florida, Auburn, Miami and Florida State were all heavily involved in his initial recruitment and should be interested in his services this time around as well.
