Former USF Football Standout Jason Pierre-Paul Is Coming Home

Former USF star and current NFL defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will again play his home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, after being dealt to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a blockbuster trade on Thursday morning.

The Deerfield Beach native played 13 games at USF in 2009, totaling 45 tackles (16.5 for losses), 6.5 sacks, breaking up three passes, forcing two fumbles and had a memorable 18-yard pick-six against Syracuse.

Pierre-Paul notably broke onto the national stage in a USF upset win at Florida State when he had three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries on Seminoles’ star quarterback Christian Ponder.

The accolades poured in for the Bulls’ pass rusher in 2009 as he was named First-Team All-American by Pro Football Weekly and was also named first team All-Big East by league coaches. In week four of the season, he was named the Defensive Lineman Performer of the Week in the College Performance Awards.

In his final collegiate game, Pierre-Paul registered two tackles for loss and one sack in USF’s 2010 International Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.

A first-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 2010, Pierre-Paul has 58.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and two interceptions in eight professional seasons. He was a member of the Giants Super Bowl XLVI team and has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl twice.

Welcome home, JPP!