We continue our countdown from #99 to #1 as we prepare for the start of the 2011 season, leading up to Notre Dame. On days like today, when no one on the 2011 Bulls wears a number, we'll make our choice for the best USF player to ever wear that number.
I don't think there is much doubt who should be the Best #62 in USF history. With apologies to Jason Fox, Sean Cassese, and Billy Attix, this man is above and beyond the best to don #62 for the Bulls. The Best #62 in USF history is Sampson Genus.
Genus came to USF as a lightly regarded 2-Star recruit from Columbia HS in Lake City, FL. According to Rivals and Scout, USF was the only school to offer Genus before he committed in November of 2006.
As soon as he arrived on campus in 2007 however, Genus immediately stepped in and played in 6 games as a backup in 2007.
With the departure of Richard Clebert and Allen Cray, USF was forced to switch Genus to defensive tackle in 2008, but Sampson jumped in and found a spot on the two-deep. Sampson played in all 13 games that year at DT, even starting 5 of them. Genus finished the season with 9 tackles before going back to the offseason line for the 2009 season.
The last two years have seen Genus bloom as the bell cow of an experienced offensive line. Sampson started 25 of the 26 games the last two season, and was noted conference-wide as one of the best offensive lineman in the Big East. Sampson earned 2nd Team All-Big East honors in 2009 at center, and was named to the All-Big East team in 2010. Genus was also named as the best offensive lineman at USF in 2009, and was named as the Golden Bull in 2010 for his work in the weight room.
Sampson also did a fantastic job in the classroom as well, earning a degree in criminology in only 3 and a half years. Wherever Sampson lands in the future, I know he will do a great job.