clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

#20Strong: USF Football Gets a Verbal Commitment from Three-Star Columbia HS Dual-Threat QB Jordan Smith; Plus a Chat With Three-Star WR Prospect Tyree Saunders About His Recruitment

#20Strong is gaining some momentum heading into the summer season.

Stony Brook v South Florida Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images

The South Florida Bulls football team has wrapped up spring practice, but it’s always recruiting season and the Bulls were able to pick up a commitment from three-star Lake City Columbia HS dual-threat QB Jordan Smith Monday night. They the Bulls also earned a spot in the top six for three-star wide receiver Tyree Saunders on Sunday.

QB Jordan Smith

6’1”, 180 pounds

Columbia High School, Lake City, FL

The 6’1”, 180 lbs quarterback is rated as the 34th best dual-threat prospect in the 2020 cylce. Smith led Columbia to a 10-2 record and a regional semifinal berth last season.

He also threw five touchdowns and threw for over 200 yards in the first half alone in the preseason game versus IMG Academy’s “A-team”.

With senior QB Blake Barnett graduating after this season, head coach Charlie Strong and new offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell landed a prospect with a lot of talent and gives the Bulls four scholarship QB’s heading into 2020.

Smith had offers from Central Michigan, Western Kentucky, Bowling Green, and FAU among others.


First Coast WR Tyree “Showtime” Saunders Has USF in His Top 6

With the news that USF is in the running for three-star (.8600 per 247sports) WR Tyree Saunders (6’0”, 174 lbs) out of #DUUUUUVAALLLL, #TDS reached out to him to see what has put the Bulls on his radar heading into his senior season.

TDS: What sold you on USF?

Saunders: The family enviroment. When I took my visit I sat in on the meetings with coaches and meetings for the wide receivers and I felt like I was already playing, [I] just needed a playbook and a [Powerade] Ed. Note: USF is a Coca-Cola school, so the company name was redacted.

I feel at home and it reminds me a lot of my school and how we are.

TDS: Who are your primary recruiters?

Saunders: WR coach Charlie Williams and DE coach Paul Spicer. They move their areas around, but both coaches just kept me as a priority.

TDS: How were the WR meetings?

Saunders: They were laid back, but focused and fun. It’s not super serious the whole time, there’s a joke here and there to keep you going.

TDS: What’s your best asset on the field?

Saunders: My speed.

Saunders tells TDS that his 40-yard dash hand time is 4.46, and his laser time is 4.57. For a junior in high school, that’s #FAST. He caught 54 passes for 937 yards (17.35 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns as a junior.

TDS: What wide receiver did you grow up watching? Is there a guy you try to mold your game around?

Saunders: Growing up, it was Calvin Johnson. In Pop Warner, they used to call me Megatron because I would high-point the ball well for my age and I was usually taller than the defensive backs.

But, now, I try to mold my game around Odell Beckham, Jr. and [2019 NFL prospect] Marquise Brown.