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Like we did a little over a week ago, we’ll use today’s player profile countdown to highlight another batch of incoming freshmen, starting off with a quarterback who just so happened to be assigned the #16.
#16 QB Octavious Battle - Freshman, 6’2”, 207 pounds
Octavious Battle with 5-yard TD toss to Mathis, who is eligible for ‘18 @USFFootball @BPS_Football
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) August 12, 2018
How he came to USF: Another product of USF’s growing pipeline to Georgia, Battle flew relatively under the radar in a strong Peach State QB class that featured elite signal callers like Harrison Kennesaw’s Justin Fields (Georgia), Cartersville’s Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), and Heard County’s Emory Jones (Florida). As a senior, the Carver Atlanta gunslinger amounted over 3,200 yards passing, 713 yards rushing, and 25 touchdowns total as he led his team to the Class AAAAA state semifinals.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by Rivals, 247, and ESPN.
Follow him on... Twitter @NSC_Qb1.
DT Tyrone Barber - Freshman, 6’3”, 260 pounds
How he came to USF: Part of a loaded defensive line class for USF, Barber earned first-team Class 7A All-State honors as a senior by helping Venice to a state championship. During his senior campaign, he posted 137 tackles (13 for loss) and 6.5 sacks. He chose USF over offers from Iowa State, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Tulane among others.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by 247 and Rivals.
Follow him on... Twitter @tyronebarber44, although he’s not very active.
DB Eugene Bowman IV - Freshman, 6’0”, 169 pounds
How he came to USF: Continuing the pipeline out of Jacksonville Lee for USF, Bowman posted 32 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior in a Generals secondary that also featured fellow #Stampede18 signee Vincent Davis Jr. He chose USF over offers from Cincinnati, Purdue, UConn, and Tulane among others.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by 247 and Rivals.
Follow him on... Twitter @EugeneBowman2.
TE Chris Carter Jr. - Freshman, 6’4”, 251 pounds
How he came to USF: The first verbal commit to #Stampede18, Carter Jr. (no relation to the NFL Hall of Famer, he he is a cousin of fellow USF tight end Fred Lloyd, Jr.) hauled in 22 receptions for 419 yards and five touchdowns as a senior for South Dade. He chose USF over offers from Auburn. Illinois, Tulane, and FAU among others.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by 247 and Rivals.
Follow him on... Twitter @chriscarterjr_.
C Brad Cecil - Freshman, 6’4”, 290 pounds
How he came to USF: The Jacksonville Bartram Trail product was the top-ranked center in the state according to 247. Cecil helped the Bears reach the Class 7A state championship game, where they lost to the aforementioned Tyrone Barber and his Venice squad. He chose USF over offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia, Boston College, and Memphis among others.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by ESPN, Rivals, and 247.
Follow him on... Twitter @BradCecil75.
Safety Jajuan Cherry - 5’9”, 182 pounds
How he came to USF: A two-way player at Okeechobee, Cherry amounted 12 touchdowns on offense as a senior. As a junior in the secondary, he posted 64 tackles and three interceptions. He chose USF over offers from Georgia Tech, FAU, and Purdue among others. If you still haven’t gotten the chance, read up on his story by Jon Santucci of the TC Palm.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by 247 and Rivals.
Follow him on... Twitter @cherry3jajuan.
LB Randal Copeland - Freshman, 6’0”, 207 pounds
How he came to USF: The Gadsden County product posted 86 tackles as a senior in high school. He chose USF over offers from Appalachian State and Southern Miss.
Recruiting Rankings: Rated as a three-star by 247.
Follow him on... Twitter @_RJ57.