Legacy prospect Ernest Bright commits to USF as Bulls remain atop team recruiting rankings
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
Ben Bright's college career might not have ended at USF but his son's will also begin there and hopefully end there as well with four-star cornerback Ernest Bright committing to USF over offers from Minnesota, Stanford and Virginia Tech.
Bright is the son of former USF receiver Ben Bright who was USF for two seasons in the early 2020s before transferring to Oklahoma. The fifth ranked corner in this class, Bright is a press-man corner who plays with a bit of an edge. At six-foot-two and 185 pounds with a verified 4.36 time in the forty, the physical traits and athletic profile is there for Bright to be an elite corner at the next level.
He'll need to improve his tackling and short area quickness, especially since he might start as a nickel at USF early in his career, but the tools are certainly there for Bright to be a big time player.
2044 USF Recruiting Class
WR Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 300 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
QB Kevin Meadows [QB #1]: 6'4", 244lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 305 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Paul Mason [OLB #3]: 6'5", 211lbs | Laurel, MS | 4-star | 4.56 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 580 Squat Max
G Mike Miller [G #2]: 6'4", 290lbs | Olney, MD [IMG] | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Will Madison [WR #22]: 6'3", 185lbs | Stillwater, OK | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
TE Matt Jordan [TE #8]: 6'6", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.68 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
OLB Kevin Harris [OLB #10]: 5'11", 180lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press Max, 595 Squat Max
CB Ernest Bright [CB #5]: 6'2", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
DT Dan James [DT #8]: 6'5", 280lbs | Monte Vista, CO | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
T Tim Hill [T #7]: 6'5", 291lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.90 40-yd dash, 435 Bench Press Max, 630 Squat Max
DB Sean Hart [ATH #39]: 6'0", 185lbs | Northbrook, IL | 4-star | 4.38 40-yd dash, 235 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
S Courtney Jones [S #7]: 6'3", 183lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 345 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Ryan Jones [OLB #19]: 6'5", 239lbs | Fairfax, VA | 4-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
2044 USF Recruiting Board
HB Brian Clay [ATH #12]: 5'11", 178lbs | Alvin, TX | 4-star | USF, Stanford
G Tim Williams [G #7]: 6'3", 290lbs | Robinson, PA [IMG] | 4-star | USF, Minnesota, Army
ILB Justin Smith [ILB #7]: 6'2", 225lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | USF, Troy, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Rutgers
DB Michael Williams [ATH #20]: 6'0", 194lbs | Jonesboro, LA | 4-star | USF, Mississippi State
WR Mark Collier [ATH #31]: 6'0", 216lbs | Clute, TX | 4-star | Toledo, USF, LSU
DE Alex Kelley [DE #20]: 6'3", 247lbs | Pecos, TX | 4-star | USF, Army
WR Theo Smith [WR #43]: 6'0", 171lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | USF, Akron, Navy, Kansas, Rutgers
Clarence Sullivan sparks dominant second quarter for Bulls in 49-23 victory over Purdue
USF junior Clarence Sullivan was initially supposed to just play a few snaps in his first game back from suspension. Down a 10-0 hole early in the game following two fumbles from the offense, USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. and defensive coordinator Trai Martinez both made the decision to pull the snap limit and let Sullivan play as long as he could.
The safety made an instant impact, recording two tackles on the next drive to hold Purdue to just a field goal and allowed USF's offense to get back into the game and eventually get going, beating Purdue 49-23 on Saturday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sullivan donned the No. 2 jersey, which is worn by the captain of the secondary and was previously worn by cornerback Travis Jones for the past two seasons. Jones wore Sullivan's No. 26 jersey against Purdue and said after the game it was his idea for Sullivan to wear that coveted jersey.
"He's our leader," Jones told the media, "He elevates all of us so to get to wear his jersey number, that was the honor for me."
Sullivan finished the game second on the team with eleven tackles with six tackles for loss, including the definitive stop in the fourth quarter on a fourth down option play to Purdue running back Lonnie Williams. He also broke up a team high two passes.
Without their starting quarterback James McBride once more, the Boilermakers hung tough, even opening the second half with a 47-yard touchdown run by Williams to make it a one possession game. But on the next drive, Rashad Woodard would find a wide open Russell Arrington who trucked one defender and then stiffed arm another into the endzone for the 54-yard score. The rout was on after that.
Woodard finished with 245 yards passing and 111 yards rushing, throwing three touchdown passes with two going to Scott Price. Price was in a highly competitive battle against preseason All-American corner D'Juan Hall. Price ultimately won the matchup with six receptions for 92 yards, adding a late touchdown when the game was already out of hand.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[PUR] R. Jones, 42 Yd FG (6:21)
[PUR] L. Williams, 9 Yd run (5:03)
[PUR] R. Jones, 40 Yd FG (4:04)
[USF] J. Thomas, 4 Yd run (1:52)
Quarter 2
[USF] C. Stokes, 1 Yd run (6:21)
[PUR] R. Jones, 32 Yd FG (3:30)
[USF] S. Price, 8 Yd pass from R. Woodard (1:22)
[USF] J. Thomas, 7 Yd run (0:25)
Quarter 3
[PUR] L. Williams, 47 Yd run (5:27)
[USF] R. Arrington, 54 Yd pass from R. Woodard (4:16)
Quarter 4
[USF] C. Stokes, 3 Yd run (3:16)
[USF] S. Price, 21 Yd pass from R. Woodard (0:34)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #5 South Florida Bulls
QB Rashad Woodard: 20 of 28, 245 yards, 3 touchdowns, 18 carries, 111 yards, fumble (lost)
HB Dave Parker: 16 carries, 51 yards
HB Cameron Stokes: 7 carries, 29 yards, 2 touchdowns
HB Justin Thomas: 6 carries, 39 yards, 2 touchdowns, fumble (lost), 3 receptions, 11 yards
WR Scott Price: 6 receptions, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Eddie Shaw: 3 receptions, 35 yards
TE Russell Arrington: 1 reception, 54 yards, touchdown
LB Julian Harrell: 12 tackles
S Clarence Sullivan: 11 tackles, 6 tackles for loss
LB Joel Espinosa: 3 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
LB Richard Smith: 3 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack
Purdue Boilermakers
QB Leon Butler: 18 of 30, 242 yards, sacked 3 times
HB Lonnie Williams: 23 carries, 141 yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Danny James: 5 receptions, 62 yards
WR Ira McNeal: 4 receptions, 76 yards
S Nate Sanders: 12 tackles
DE Blake Hodge: 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
Week 8 Top Stories
1. Georgia is knocked off by rival South Carolina 26-24.
2. Fresno State rolls on, this time against Pac-12 opponent California.
3. Wolverines are confident after a victory over #6 Georgia Tech.
4. Rutgers holds on to beat Maryland 25-18.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 Champions Division Results
USF 49 - PUR 23 | MICH 45 - GT 33
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 9 Champions Division Schedule
#11 Michigan (3-2, 2-2) at #5 Stanford (5-1, 5-1)
#7 Virginia Tech (5-2, 4-2) at #13 Georgia Tech (4-2, 1-2)
LSU (1-6, 1-4) at Purdue (2-3, 0-2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 9 Notable Games
#25 North Carolina (5-1, 2-1 AAC) at Clemson (5-1, 3-0 AAC)
#23 South Carolina (4-2, 3-2 AAC) at NC State (5-1, 3-0 AAC)
#24 San Diego State (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) at #2 Fresno State (7-0, 3-0 Pac 12)
#18 Oregon (5-1, 3-1 Contenders) at #20 UCLA (5-1, 3-1 Contenders)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions Division and College Football Playoffs Guidelines
- The top four teams from the Champions Division will be awarded an automatic bid into the College Football Playoffs. The remaining four spots are voted upon by the committee and can contain non ANAC members
- Once the teams are selected, the committee votes on the seeding as well
- ANAC members that are selected for the playoffs are automatically promoted or retain their place within the Champions Division for next season
- The bottom team in the Champions Division is automatically relegated and the top team in the Contenders Division is automatically promoted
- The remaining non-playoff teams in the Champions Division will compete in a play-in bowl with top seeded, non-playoff Contenders Division members for the right to play in the Champions Division the next season
- Bottom eight finishers in the Contenders Division are relegated and replaced with the top eight finishers in the Rising Division
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions Division Standings
1. Stanford, 5-1, 5-1
2. Virginia Tech, 5-2, 4-2
3. Alabama, 6-2, 4-2
4. USF, 4-2, 2-2
5. Michigan, 3-2, 2-2
6. Minnesota, 4-3, 2-3
7. Ohio State, 4-2, 1-2
8. Georgia Tech, 4-2, 1-2
9. LSU, 1-6, 1-4
10. Purdue, 2-3, 0-2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contenders Division Promotion Zone
1. BYU, 5-0, 2-0
2. Georgia, 6-2, 6-1
3. Oklahoma, 5-2, 4-1
4. Oregon, 5-1, 3-1
5. UCLA, 5-1, 3-1
6. Michigan State, 5-2, 4-2
7. Missouri, 4-3, 2-2
8. Florida, 4-4, 4-4
9. Texas, 3-3, 2-3
10. Arkansas, 4-4, 4-4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rising Division Promotion Zone
1. Miami, 5-1, 4-0
2. Nebraska, 6-1, 5-1
3. Penn State, 6-1, 3-1
4. Kansas State, 4-2, 3-1
5. Kansas, 5-1, 2-1
6. Indiana, 4-2, 2-1
7. Washington, 4-3, 3-2
8. Florida State, 4-3, 3-2
9. Ole Miss, 4-4, 3-3
10. USC, 3-4, 2-4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Army, 7-0
2. Fresno State, 7-0
3. Stanford, 5-1
4. Southern Miss, 5-1
5. USF, 4-2
6. Alabama, 6-2
7. Virginia Tech, 5-2
8. Ohio State, 5-2
---------------
9. Miami, 5-1
10. Michigan, 3-2
11. Georgia Tech, 4-2
12. BYU, 5-0
13. Minnesota, 4-3
14. Penn State, 6-1
15. Nebraska, 6-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heisman Watch
QB Justin Weeks (San Diego State): W 24-14 vs. Nevada - 22 of 30, 236 yards, 3 touchdowns, 31 carries, 167 yards
QB Matt Carr (Toledo): W 28-24 vs. Northern Illinois - 12 of 25, 157 yards, 31 carries, 175 yards, 3 total touchdowns
QB Michael Butler (Nebraska): W 31-24 at Texas A&M - 8 of 14, 139 yards, 34 carries, 187 yards, 3 total touchdowns
QB Mike Stevenson (Penn State): W 49-14 vs. West Virginia - 15 of 22, 351 yards, 28 carries, 139 yards, 6 total touchdowns
QB Vincent Pleasant (Virginia Tech): W 34-21 vs. Purdue - 18 of 30, 274 yards, 24 carries, 123 yards, 4 total touchdowns
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Mike Stevenson (Penn State): W 49-14 vs. West Virginia - 15 of 22, 351 yards, 28 carries, 139 yards, 6 total touchdowns
LB Chris Walker (Hawaii): W 38-14 at Idaho: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, interception
-------
QB Myron Moore (Minnesota): W 38-35 at Northwestern: 16 of 33, 203 yards, 20 carries, 70 yards, 4 total touchdowns
DE Lance Sherman (Michigan): W 45-33 vs. Georgia Tech: 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, fumble recovery
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#2 Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#3 Anthony Johnson [HB #1]: 6'1", 196lbs | Fountain Hills, AZ | 5-star | University of Arizona
#4 Jeffrey Coleman [WR #1]: 6'0", 187lbs | Escondido, CA | 5-star | Naval Academy
#8 Jeff Jefferson [ATH #5]: 6'3", 189lbs | Lakeville, MN | 5-star | University of Wisconsin
#10 Darius Jenkins [ATH #7]: 6'2", 226lbs | Clinton, TN | 5-star | University of Michigan
#17 Frank Goode [ATH #9]: 6'1", 200lbs | Jollyville, TX | 5-star | University of Oklahoma
#19 Terrance Smith [DE #1]: 6'5", 257lbs | Los Angeles, CA [IMG] | 5-star | University of Texas
#20 James Christian [HB #6]: 6'0", 198lbs | Dale City, VA [IMG] | 5-star | University of Tennessee
#21 Orlando Brown [HB #7]: 5'11", 195lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Florida State University
#22 Jason Barnes [DE #2]: 6'2", 252lbs | Balch Springs, TX [IMG] | 5-star | Ohio State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#2 Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#21 Orlando Brown [HB #7]: 5'11", 195lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Florida State University
#42 Kevin Meadows [QB #1]: 6'4", 244lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#81 Blake Wright [ATH #24]: 5'10", 205lbs | Oakland Park, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#98 Chris Wesley [WR #16]: 6'2", 175lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Virginia Tech University
#110 Travis Elliott [OLB #8]: 6'2", 219lbs | Melbourne, FL | 4-star | Michigan State University
#121 Shaun Wright [WR #23]: 6'0", 200lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | Notre Dame University
#131 Matt Jordan [TE #8]: 6'6", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#141 Jared Phillips [G #9]: 6'5", 289lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#142 Steven Engel [G #10]: 6'3", 296lbs | Mulberry, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Virginia Tech University
#148 Kevin Harris [OLB #10]: 5'11", 180lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#175 Ernest Bright [CB #5]: 6'2", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#193 Tim Hill [T #7]: 6'5", 291lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#212 Robert Myrick [OLB #13]: 6'0", 229lbs | Cape Coral, FL | 4-star | University of Texas
#248 Courtney Jones [S #7]: 6'3", 183lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#255 Jared Ryan [HB #37]: 6'2", 210lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama - Birmingham
The Bullpen: Clarence Sullivan is back and here to make an impact in the most pivotal portion of the season
Jonathan Bright -- BullsNation.com Football Reporter
It didn't take long for USF safety Clarence Sullivan to make his impact felt on Saturday, recording a tackle on his first snap and after sparingly playing in the first two drives, Sullivan would play the rest of the game and finish with six tackles for loss and make some of the biggest plays on defense as USF was able to beat Purdue 49-23 after falling into an early 13-0 deficit.
"He brings everyone energy," USF senior cornerback Travis Jones told the media after the game, "He changes the dynamic of the entire defense."
Sullivan was the story heading into the game after his suspension came to an end and he's the story after it as he looked like the team's best player on the field that night. It's unclear if the snap count limit is officially off of Sullivan or if the Purdue game just called for it to be removed but with a bye week coming up, the Bulls will have time to continue to acclimate Sullivan back into the defense and get him going.
‣ Freshman linebacker Oliver Colvin a full participant in Sunday scrimmage, practice
It's looking like USF might finally have freshman Oliver Colvin back on the field after he's been a game-day scratch for the past few weeks as he's recovering from a strained quadricep.
For the first time since his injury, Colvin was a full participant in Sunday's scrimmage of backups and freshmen and continued to be a full participant in Tuesday and Wednesday's practice which included live hitting according to defensive coordinator Trai Martinez.
Colvin had four tackles and a tackle for loss in the start against Southern Miss but has missed time since then with an injury. He figures to fit into the rotation at outside linebacker along with Richard Smith (14 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and Joel Espinosa (21 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks).
‣ Four-star prospect Brian Clay to make commitment on Friday
One of the country's top prospects, Texas' Brian Clay, will make his commitment on Friday during halftime of Alvin High School's game against Shadow Creek.
Clay is the nation's 12th ranked athlete and 25th ranked overall player according to the 247 Sports Composite ranking. Clay will be picking between USF, Stanford and Alabama with the Bulls and the Cardinal viewed as the favorites to land his signature. On the season, Clay has accounted for 957 yards of total offense with fourteen total touchdowns.
