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USF Football Early Signing Period Primer: Salvaging a Class

Amid coaching upheavel over the past two weeks, the class once known as #20Strong has dwindled. Despite that, there’s still primary pieces who will sign their name on the dotted line come Wednesday.

By Nick Simon
Mac Harris, AJ Hamilton, Jordan Smith and Levontae Camiel posing during their official visit last weekend.
Jordan Smith’s Twitter Account (@kingjrow21)

We’re less than 24 hours away from the start of college football’s three-day early signing period and for USF, well, this year’s early signing period is an exercise to see what they can salvage after weeks of internal upheaval.

The firing of Charlie Strong (and eventually his entire staff) unsurprisingly led to a bevy of decommits from what was setting up to be a promising 2020 recruiting class. With new head coach Jeff Scott taking the job only a week ago and having other urgent needs to immediately address upon arrival, it became clear that his approach would be to take what he could get this week and try to fill spots through the transfer portal and the traditional February signing day with a new staff in tow.

But all is not lost Bulls fans as in spite of all the upheaval, there’s still a handful of talented 2020 prospects who remain locked in and ready to don the Green and Gold. And Scott didn’t completely punt on the ESP as a powerful duo from the Palmetto State may have Tampa on their minds.

Who’s In (for now)

  • Tampa Gaither LB Chance Coleman: First verbal commit of 2020 class. Hasn’t indicated whether he’ll sign tomorrow or in February.
  • Sarasota RB Brian Battie: Took official visit this past weekend and will sign on Wednesday even after news broke that all of Strong’s assistants had been let go.
  • Lake City Columbia QB Jordan Smith: Lone quarterback commit of the class (for now) who got to meet Jeff Scott during his official visit over the weekend. Will most likely sign during ESP.
  • The Villages Charter School DB Mac Harris: Another one of the handful of commits who enjoyed their campus visit last weekend. No official word on if he’ll sign during the ESP.
  • Dunnelon DB AJ Hamilton: The Marion County product also visited campus last Saturday and will sign with USF first thing on Wednesday morning.
  • East Los Angeles DT Sione “John” Tuitupou: Made his official visit to USF a few weeks ago before defensive line coach Paul Spicer and the rest of the staff got the axe. The JuCo transfer will most likely stay in California and flip to San Jose State after visiting their campus on Sunday.

Possible Late Additions

As I alluded to earlier, Jeff Scott didn’t completely punt on bringing aboard new talent just in time for the ESP. Reaching into his bag of connections throughout the state of South Carolina, he offered wide receiver Omarion Dollison and quarterback Hunter Helms out of Gray Collegiate Academy in West Columbia.

According to his Hudl, the 5’10”, 175 pound Dollison had a ridiculous senior season for the War Eagles, hauling in 88 receptions for nearly 2,000 yards receiving and 22 touchdowns. He also has an offer from Cincinnati.

Throwing to him was Helms, his quarterback and a former Holy Cross commit. The 6’2”, 205 pound gunslinger completed 77% of his passes and threw for over 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior.

Both represented the North squad at the Touchstone Energy Bowl in Myrtle Beach on Saturday.

Finally, let’s get you caught up with who has departed from the 2020 class.

Who’s Out