We may have gotten caught up in a crazy Thanksgiving week that included the game of the year, but we didn't forget about recruiting and the fact that there's a new member of #Stampede18.

Charlie Strong and his staff received some great news last Wednesday when St. Pete Admiral Farragut defensive tackle John Waller verbally committed to USF football.

DT John Waller

6'4", 310 pounds

Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg, FL

Recruiting Ratings: Listed as a 3-star by 247 and Rivals. 0.8065 Composite score by 247.

Other Notable Offers: Michigan, Mississippi State, Auburn, Indiana, C.

The #BayMade product began his prep career at St. Pete Lakewood High School before joining fellow #Stampede18 verbal commit Zion Roland at Admiral Farragut Academy.

At 6'4", 310 pounds, Waller already possesses the size and physicality to make a quick impact for any defensive line, which is why he was one of USF's top targets throughout the fall and summer. The lineman mostly operated out of the one and two technique. As you can see in his Hudl tape below, though, he could line up at various spots across the line.

With a few players decommiting from this class over the past week, it seems that spots are opening up for some of the Bulls' bigger targets like Waller to come aboard.

The St. Pete native also fields offers from Power 5 schools like Michigan, Auburn, and Mississippi State, on top of heavy interest from C. With Waller deciding to hold off signing until the traditional February signing day, the door is still open for the competition to try to make late pushes at him over the next two months.

We'll try to keep tabs and stay updated on whether Waller remains on board, or flips sometime throughout the winter.

-As alluded to earlier, one of the decommits from this past week was three-star Jacksonville Ribault safety Devon Matthews.

The DUUUUVVVAAAALLL product seems to be leaning towards Cincinnati now, according to 247, but he also has a visit to Indiana scheduled for this week. Matthews has offers from Illinois, Memphis, Mississippi State, and Missouri.

-Three-star Tallahassee Godby defensive end Trey Laing's season ended on November 17, when his Panthers were eliminated from the Class 5A playoffs in a 33-21 loss to Trinity Christian.

According to MaxPreps, Laing finished the season with 37 tackles (24 for loss), 15 sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery.

-Three-star Atlanta Carver quarterback Octavious Battle is one step closer to a GHSA Class AAAAA state championship.

He and his Panthers edged Jones County 26-21 in the state quarterfinals on Friday. At the moment, the ATL native currently has 2,995 yards passing, 713 yards rushing, and 25 total touchdowns on the year.

If he has a good showing versus Warner Robins this Friday and balls out in the state championship game the following weekend, a 3,000/1,000 season isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

-Speaking of QB's, three-star Tampa Plant quarterback Jordan McCloud kept his team's season alive by orchestrating a last-minute drive to defeat Lakeland 13-10 in the Class 7A state quarterfinals.

As of now, the 813 signal caller has 1,992 yards passing, 353 yards rushing, and 30 total touchdowns on the season.

For the state semifinals this Friday, he and his Panthers will go to battle with St. Johns Bartram Trail, who feature another USF verbal commit themselves in three-star guard Brad Cecil.

Cecil and his Bears mauled Fleming Island 38-13 last Friday to advance to the state semis.

As always, don't tweet at recruits.