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We're inching closer and closer to next week's early signing period. Between official visits and new recruits being targeted with offers, there has been tons of activity on the USF recruiting front.
But for a few prospects, there were still games to be played. Three #Stampede18 members competed in their respective state championship games this past Friday.
-Three-star Hollywood Chaminade Madonna guard Sebastian Sainterling is a state champion. The 6'3", 356-pound big man helped his Lions clinch the Class 3A crown in a 31-28 thriller over Oxbridge Academy.
Congrats to the #ChaminadeMadonna #Lions for winning the 3A State Championship! @Nadeboyz @Dameon8 @V8Blazing @getfreshcam @Koolie_1k @cw1era_d1 @TecoryC_16 pic.twitter.com/bDSTubkRsd
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) December 10, 2017
As indicated by our friend Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times, Sainterling along with three-star Okeechobee ATH Jajuan Cherry could be heading to Tampa sooner rather than later.
I can also tell you @cherry3jajuan & @S_Sainterling70 have confirmed to me they plan to sign with #USF during the early period. Still trying to nail down who else will sign early. https://t.co/lX9c0lRjAW
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) December 12, 2017
-One week after knocking off perennial state power St. Thomas Aquinas, three-star defensive tackle Tyrone Barber and his Venice Indians took home the school's first state championship since 2000 by toppling Bartram Trail, 37-24 in the 7A title game.
That feel good moment that you know your have that championship and ring in the bag! Venice is your 2017 @FHSAA Class 7A State Champions! @VeniceIndianFB pic.twitter.com/KyMEqs3uH4
— Florida HS Football (@FlaHSFootball) December 9, 2017
Quick update....it’s real! #StateChamps #ItsAlwaysGreatToBeAnIndian #RollTribe pic.twitter.com/AU5do0dAnU
— Tim Weidlein (@Tdutch1984) December 10, 2017
Of course on the losing end of the championship game was another Class of 2018 verbal commit, three-star Jacksonville Bartram Trail guard Brad Cecil.
Batram Trail senior offensive lineman @bradcecil75 holds up the 7A runnerup trophy pic.twitter.com/9dmWJTLE7z
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) December 9, 2017
Now that the games are officially over, let's get to other notables:
-Four-star Hampton (Georgia) Dutchtown defensive back Trey Dean decommitted from the tire fire in Knoxville Tennessee last week, and guess who waited absolutely no time to swoop in with an offer.
I want to Thank GOD for allowing me to be offered by USF @HamiltonESPN @ChadSimmons_ @Mansell247 @RivalsWoody @Rivals pic.twitter.com/ETzfRgYpPt
— Trey Dean (@__TD3) December 7, 2017
The Atlanta-area product is currently leaning towards Kentucky, and indicated that he will make his decision on the December 20 signing date. We'll see if defensive coordinator and USF's main Georgia recruiter Brian Jean-Mary can pull off some magic before then.
-The coaching staff is also making a heavy push for three-star St. Petersburg wide receiver Jalynn Williams.
The Bay Area product currently has interest from Power Five schools like Florida, Miami, North Carolina, and Iowa State.
Had a good in house visit with USF GO BULLS pic.twitter.com/oUg9D0SC6a
— Jalynn Williams (@jalynn_will5) December 7, 2017
-Toombs County (Georgia) running back Keshawn Morgan narrowed his choices down to three schools, with USF being one of them.
Listed at 5'11", 225 pounds, the big back seems to fit the mold of what Strong and offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert are looking for.
Top3 pic.twitter.com/Z0gRw3pvfT
— Keshawn Morgan (@kdm_6) December 11, 2017
-A handful of prospects also made their official visits over the weekend.
Here's three-star St. Pete Admiral Farragut wide receiver Zion Roland hanging out at practice with some guy named Quinton Flowers...
Real recognize Real mad respect for the big homie pic.twitter.com/HAZIHtx5lq
— 9⃣:‼️Ⓜ️ (@Zr913) December 9, 2017
Here he is posing with three-star Tampa Bay Tech QB and Tennessee verbal commit Mike Penix Jr., who the Bulls have been really trying to pry away from Rocky Top...
(9️⃣on9️⃣)
— 9⃣:‼️Ⓜ️ (@Zr913) December 9, 2017
Da Real Keep me Sane pic.twitter.com/IQw0py7ZY2
Here's the aforementioned Cherry...
Great to be a Bull‼️ @CoachStrong_USF @CoachSeanCronin @CoachAdamsUSF! #Incharliewetrust pic.twitter.com/d2CQK6wXgh
— Jajuan Cherry3️⃣ (@cherry3jajuan) December 10, 2017
And here's three-star Tampa Plant quarterback Jordan McCloud taking a picture with Charlie Strong...
The man himself @CoachStrong_USF pic.twitter.com/qeyTUlhmwO
— Jordan McCloud4️⃣ (@jmccloud3423) December 9, 2017
A few verbal commits decided to shut down the recruiting process completely and pledge their 100% allegiance to the Green and Gold.
Three-star Port Charlotte defensive tackle Devin Leacock...
3-star DT Devin Leacock, a #USF commit, shuts down his recruitment and schedules official visit with @CoachStrong_USF's program.
— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) December 9, 2017
(VIP) https://t.co/MvURC7M5Cu pic.twitter.com/rSaXaLQAbV
And the very first 2018 verbal commit, three-star Homestead South Dade tight end Chris Carter Jr...
1,000% Committed . pic.twitter.com/v87BvIbmqI
— C.Carter Jr 1️⃣1️⃣™ (@stayblessed_11) December 7, 2017
A few more in-home visits were made this past week by the Bulls' coaching staff. Assistant coaches Shaun King and Charlie Williams paid a visit to three-star St. Pete Admiral Farragut defensive tackle John Waller.
Great spending Time with People that care about you @realshaunking @CoachWilliamsWR @Bulls247 @USFFootball pic.twitter.com/IONM8jORsa
— JAW (@John_Waller58) December 7, 2017
And Panhandle recruiter Justin Burke went up to Pensacola to visit three-star West Florida Tech safety Keyon Helton.
Great In Home Visit With My Man Coach Burke #Stampede18 pic.twitter.com/KAK9VJP79O
— KHELTON6 (@k__helton) December 7, 2017
Finally, Class of 2019 defensive end Kyler Laing out of Tallahassee Godby decided to decommit. He and his older brother Trey both committed way back in June.
Gods Plan .... pic.twitter.com/nzAzPv44jv
— K.LAING (@Kyler_Laing) December 7, 2017
As always, don't tweet at recruits.