USF hasn't announced it yet, but the website of Iowa Western Community College reports that defensive back Jamie Byrd has signed with the Bulls.
It's been a circuitous route for Byrd. Coming out of Pasco High School in 2011, he verbally committed to Boise State, but signed with TCU, and spent two seasons there. Citing differences with his new position coach, he left TCU for Iowa Western, a top JUCO program (and a new program, having just launched football in 2009). In August, Byrd committed to Arizona, but later visited North Carolina State, and has now joins South Florida.
The recruiting websites generally describe Byrd as a 3-star recruit, one of the top JUCO defensive backs available, and an aggressive, instinctive hitter.
In an interview, Byrd cited playing time as a primary concern. It's hard to believe there wouldn't be opportunities on a 2-10 team. But USF's top returning safeties were true freshmen in 2013, Hassan Childs and Nate Godwin. And the roster is littered with JUCO defensive backs who played off the bench (Torrel Saffold), on special teams (Fidel Montgomery), or not at all (Joshua Brown, Tommie Hankerson).
But Byrd adds to the talent level on the roster, and that's what USF needs right now.