With apologies to Jarrett Buie, Ramon McCollough, and James Hamilton, there was really only one choice for the historical #90 today.
#90 DE Jason Pierre-Paul
2009, 6'6", 260 lbs.
Career Stats: In his single season at USF, Pierre-Paul played in all 13 games and rolled up 45 tackles, 16.5 TFL, and 6.5 sacks. He broke up three passes, forced two fumbles, and intercepted a pass against Syracuse, running it back for a touchdown. And of course, he beat Kion Wilson in a backflip contest at the International Bowl with 13.
How He Came to USF: Jason had a very long road to USF. He originally was a basketball player only at Deerfield Beach High School. The football coaches convinced him to come out for the team, and he was good enough to get an offer from C.Florida. He couldn't go there because of academic issues, so Jason spent his freshman year at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. Then because of financial concerns, he moved to Fort Scott Community College, a JUCO where Jim Leavitt found a number of players for his USF teams over the years. (Jason's future NFL teammate Jacquian Williams also came from Fort Scott.) He committed to USF's 2009 recruiting class and came in as a junior.
Recruiting Rankings: Pierre-Paul is one of only two five-star recruits to ever sign with USF. (Mike Ford is the other.) Scout gave him five stars; Rivals and 247 gave him four.
His Best Game: It was his best game and arguably USF's worst up to that point. Pierre-Paul had six tackles, 2.5 TFL, and two sacks in a brutal 31-0 loss to Rutgers. He left the game injured, then returned and made three more tackles even though there was no way in hell the Bulls were coming back to win.
NFL Stats: Jason Pierre-Paul was picked 15th overall by the New York Giants in the 2010 NFL Draft, the highest pick in USF history. In his six NFL seasons, JPP has 311 tackles, 43 sacks, eight forced fumbles, six recoveries, a safety, a blocked field goal, and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns. In 2011, Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks, was named an AP All-Pro, and would have gone to the Pro Bowl if he hadn't been busy winning a Super Bowl ring.
Going into 2016, though, Jason has a lot to prove after last year's fireworks accident. His NFL trajectory probably hinges on how well he can still rush the passer following his injury. But JPP's made a career out of overcoming obstacles. Don't count him out just yet.
