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Tag: USF Bulls

  • USF’s Golesh says physical toughness should lead to success for Bulls

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Everything you need to know about USF’s head coach is happening on the field.

    There’s fun. There’s inclusion. There’s pure joy. And of course, there’s football. 

    What You Need To Know

    • USF Coach Alex Golesh is entering his third season as the Bulls’ coach

    • Last season, his team went 7-6 and defeated San Diego State in the Hawai’i Bowl

    • Golesh says physical toughness can help the team continue to build on its success

    • Get the latest on the upcoming season with Spectrum Sports’ 30-minute College Football Preview Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday

    Coach Alex Golesh claims Victory Day is his favorite day of the year. And it’s easy to see why. No one was keeping score, but before USF kicked off the regular season, Golesh posted his first W. Everybody won at Victory Day, an annual event when the USF Bulls football team gives back to the community by hosting Special Olympics Florida athletes for an evening of football drills, agility challenges and scoring touchdowns.

    “I get an opportunity to meet so many cool families that are from right here in Tampa — that look forward to this night every year,” Golesh said. “There’s nothing cooler.”

    Golesh, entering his third season with the Bulls, has spent his time at USF building and molding this program. It’s taken on the identity of its leadership, which includes its redheaded head coach.

    “You want to be a physically tough football team. That’s always been who I am, whether as a position coach, an offensive coordinator, certainly as a head coach,” Golesh said. “You want a physically tough team. You should be able to turn the game on and say, ‘Man, like, those dudes are all over the place.’ ” 

    Tough and successful, that’s the goal. The Bulls are coming off a 7-6 season, one that they capped off with an exciting, 41-39 five-overtime win against San Diego State in the Hawai’i Bowl.


    There are exciting times off the field, too, as the school’s on-campus stadium is finally under construction.

    Golesh can see the progress from his office, and he said he’s hoping to see the progress of his team on the football field this season. And that fans take notice.

    “You’re fighting to have a hope, then a belief, then now, a true expectation of winning,” Golesh said. “I want them to walk out and say, ‘Man, that is a really, really physical team that plays together and that won’t quit.’ I think if they walk out and say that, I think we’ve done our job.”

    That’s Victory Day, every day.

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Countdown is on for the kickoff of college football 2025 in Florida on Thursday

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    FLORIDA — The long wait for the start of college football season is over for fans in Florida this week.

    All of Florida’s major teams play over the weekend, and fans can watch at least one team from the state every day of the holiday weekend except Monday.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF and UCF get the 2025 college football season in Florida started Thursday with their home games

    • Bethune-Cookman opens its season Friday vs. Florida International

    • Preseason No. 15 Florida, Florida A&M and Stetson open Saturday, and Florida State hosts preseason No. 8 Alabama

    • No. 10 Miami wraps up the state’s first weekend of gridiron play against No. 6 Notre Dame

    USF kicks off the weekend for Florida teams with a 5:30 p.m. start Thursday at home against preseason No. 25 Boise State.

    That start time just edged out UCF, which plays host to Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. Thursday.

    The most intriguing games for most football fans in the state are Saturday, when Florida State will welcome in No. 8 Alabama, and Sunday, when the preseason No. 10 Miami Hurricanes will play host to preseason No. 6 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m.

    Bethune-Cookman fills the Friday slot, with a road game against Florida International at 7 p.m.

    The traditional Saturday spot is filled with preseason No. 15 Florida at home against Long Island University at 7 p.m., Florida A&M playing Howard in Miami Gardens and Stetson welcoming in Webber International.

    Overall, the Gators might have the most challenging schedule of the season. Based on preseason rankings, which can change significantly, Florida will face seven teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 — Texas, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, Mississippi and Tennessee. If the Gators can perform well against that gauntlet of teams, that should help them at the end of the season with the College Football Playoff Committee, which announced Wednesday it will place more emphasis on strength of schedule this year when determining which teams make the 12-team field.

    FSU’s schedule is no slouch either. Including its opener against Alabama, the Seminoles have four games against teams in the preseason Top 25 — Miami, Clemson and Florida. USF plays three preseason Top 25 teams — Boise State, Florida and Miami.

    At first glance, UCF’s first two opponents might seem to be easier, but it opens Thursday against Jacksonville State, which has a history of knocking off Power 4 teams. On Sept. 13, 2021, the Gamecocks hit a 59-yard field goal as time expired to stun FSU 20-17. That was no fluke, as Jacksonville State on Sept. 4, 2010 scored a touchdown and made a 2-point conversion to edge out Mississippi 49-48.

    Considering the Knights come in with about 70 new players and coach Scott Frost is returning to the program for the first season since UCF defeated Auburn in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 2018, the Knights could have their work cut out for them.

    Spectrum News 13 will have much more on the start of the season for Florida’s teams at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, when it will air a 30-minute College Football Preview Show to take a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the state’s teams.

    For now, here are the schedules for the 2025 season so you don’t miss any games you want to see.

    University of Florida Gators

    • Aug. 30 — Long Island University at Florida, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — USF at Florida, 4:15 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — Florida at LSU, 7:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — Florida at Miami, TBA
    • Oct. 4 — Texas at Florida, TBA
    • Oct. 11 — Florida at Texas A&M, TBA
    • Oct. 18 — Mississippi State at Florida, Start time will be between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. This is Homecoming.
    • Nov. 1 — Georgia vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m., EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville
    • Nov. 8 — Florida at Kentucky, TBA
    • Nov. 15 — Florida at Mississippi, TBA
    • Nov. 22 — Tennessee at Florida, TBA
    • Nov. 29 — Florida State at Florida, TBA
      • Most of the start times for Florida’s games have a flexible start time, either from 3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.

    Florida State Seminoles

    • Aug. 30 — Alabama at Florida State, 3:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — East Texas A&M at FSU, noon
    • Sept. 20 — Kent State at FSU, TBA
    • Sept. 26 — FSU at Virginia, 7 p.m.
    • Oct. 4 — Miami at FSU, TBA
    • Oct. 11 — Pitt at FSU, TBA
    • Oct. 18 — FSU at Stanford, 10:30 p.m.
    • Nov. 1 — Wake Forest at FSU, TBA. This is Homecoming.
    • Nov. 8 — FSU at Clemson, TBA
    • Nov. 15 — Virginia Tech at FSU, TBA
    • Nov. 21 — FSU at N.C. State, 8 p.m.
    • Nov. 29 — FSU at Florida, TBA

    Miami Hurricanes

    • Aug. 31 — Notre Dame at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — Bethune-Cookman University at Miami, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — USF at Miami, 4:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — Florida at Miami, TBA
    • Oct. 4 — Miami at Florida State, TBA
    • Oct. 17 — Louisville at Miami, 7 p.m.
    • Oct. 25 — Stanford at Miami, TBA
    • Nov. 1 — Miami at SMU, TBA
    • Nov. 8 — Syracuse at Miami, TBA. This is Homecoming
    • Nov. 15 — N.C. State at Miami, TBA
    • Nov. 22 — Miami at Virginia Tech, TBA
    • Nov. 29 — Miami at Pittsburgh, TBA

    UCF Knights

    • Aug. 28 — Jacksonville State at UCF, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — North Carolina A&T at UCF, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — North Carolina at UCF, TBA
    • Sept. 27 — UCF at Kansas State, TBA
    • Oct. 4 — Kansas at UCF, TBA
    • Oct. 11 — UCF at Cincinnati, TBA
    • Oct. 18 — West Virginia at UCF, TBA. This is Homecoming
    • Nov. 1 — UCF at Baylor, TBA
    • Nov. 7 — Houston at UCF, TBA. This is the Space Game.
    • Nov. 15 — UCF at Texas Tech, TBA
    • Nov. 22 — Oklahoma State at UCF, TBA
    • Nov. 29 — UCF at BYU, TBA

    USF Bulls

    • Aug. 28 — Boise State at USF, 5:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — USF at Florida, 4:15 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — USF at Miami, 4:30 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — South Carolina State at USF, noon
    • Oct. 3 — Charlotte at USF, 7 p.m.
    • Oct. 10 — USF at North Texas, 7:30 p.m.
    • Oct. 18 — Florida Atlantic at USF, TBA. This is Homecoming.
    • Oct. 25 — USF at Memphis, TBA
    • Nov. 6 — UTSA at USF, 7:30 p.m.
    • Nov. 15 — USF at Navy, noon
    • Nov. 22 — USF at UAB, TBA
    • Nov. 29 — Rice at USF, TBA

    Florida A&M Rattlers

    • Aug. 30 — Orange Blossom Classic: Howard vs. Florida A&M, 4 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
    • Sept. 6 — FAMU at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — Albany State at FAMU, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 27 — Alabama State at FAMU, 3 p.m.
    • Oct. 4 — Mississippi Valley State vs. FAMU, TBA, in Atlanta
    • Oct. 11 — North Carolina Central at FAMU, 3 p.m.
    • Oct. 18 — Alcorn State at FAMU, 4 p.m. This is Homecoming.
    • Oct. 25 — FAMU at Southern, TBA
    • Nov. 1 — Jackson State at FAMU, 7 p.m.
    • Nov. 8 — FAMU at Arkansas – Pine Bluff, TBA
    • Nov. 15 — FAMU at Alabama A&M, TBA
    • Nov. 22 — Florida Classic: Bethune-Cookman University vs. FAMU, TBA, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando

    Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats

    • Aug. 29 — Bethune-Cookman University at Florida International University, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — B-CU at Miami, 7 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — B-CU at South Carolina State University, 6 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — Edward Waters University at B-CU, 3 p.m.
    • Sept. 27 — Alabama A&M at B-CU, 3 p.m.
    • Oct. 4 — B-CU at Alabama State, 3 p.m.
    • Oct. 11 — Southern University at B-CU, 3 p.m.
    • Oct. 25 — Arkansas – Pine Bluff at B-CU, 3 p.m. This is Homecoming.
    • Nov. 1 — Mississippi Valley State at B-CU. 3 p.m.
    • Nov. 8 — B-CU at Grambling State, 3 p.m.
    • Nov. 15 — B-CU at Jackson State, 1 p.m.
    • Nov. 22 — Florida Classic: B-CU vs. Florida A&M, TBA, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando
      • All home games are at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.

    Stetson University Hatters

    • Aug. 30 — Webber International at Stetson, 6 p.m.
    • Sept. 6 — Warner at Stetson, 6 p.m.
    • Sept. 13 — Stetson at Chattanooga, 6 p.m.
    • Sept. 20 — Harvard at Stetson, 1 p.m.
    • Sept. 27 — Stetson at Dayton, noon
    • Oct. 4 — Davidson at Stetson, 1 p.m.
    • Oct. 11 — Morehead State at Stetson, 1 p.m.
    • Oct. 18 — Stetson at Presbyterian, 1 p.m.
    • Oct. 25 — St. Thomas at Stetson, 1 p.m. This is Homecoming.
    • Nov. 8 — Stetson at Marist, 1 p.m.
    • Nov. 15 — Stetson at Valparaiso, 1 p.m.
    • Nov. 22 — San Diego at Stetson, 1 p.m.

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • WATCH: USF debuts new look at upcoming on-campus stadium

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    TAMPA, Fla. — It’s been almost a year since the University of South Florida broke ground on its on-campus football stadium.

    As the $340 million, 35,000-seat facility rises in the northeastern corner of the campus, school officials are releasing another sneak peek at the stadium, set to be unveiled for the 2027 season. 


    School officials are excited for the new home of the Bulls, saying it will transform game day, from the exclusive student section to premium suites and club areas to a rooftop lounge.

    USF brass is calling the stadium transformative, adding the facility will “provide a unique, vibrant, shared campus experience that will contribute to the culture, spirit and connectedness of the university, not just during fall football games but throughout the year.”

    Here’s a closer look below:  

     

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Michael Kelly leaving USF to become AD at Navy

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    TAMPA, Fla. — University of South Florida Athletic Director Michael Kelly is leaving the school to take the same position at Navy.

    Kelly, 54, is leaving the Bulls after extensive work into the school’s pursuit of an on-campus football stadium. Ground was broken on the $400-plus million facility last fall. The stadium is expected to open for the 2027 season.

    During his tenure at USF, Kelly helped double the department’s athletic budget, as well as hire football coach Alex Golesh, who has led the Bulls to two straight bowl-winning seasons. Kelly also hired Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away after leading USF to its first regular season conference championship in 2024. 

    Overall during his tenure, the Bulls captured 21 American Athletic Conference team championships, including firsts in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and men’s track and field. USF Athletics programs also achieved two divisional titles, two NCAA championships, eight cheer national championships and one cheer world cup, while more than two dozen student-athletes were named All-Americans. USF Athletics also earned more than 30 NCAA postseason berths during his tenure.

    “This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came along at a time that feels right for me and my family,” said Kelly. “This decision isn’t about leaving South Florida—it’s about the chance to serve a place that’s long been meaningful to me. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve built together here and incredibly grateful for the relationships, achievements, and momentum that will continue to carry USF forward. I am confident that with this team—and in alignment with the university—even better days lie ahead for the Bulls.”

    Kelly will replace Chet Gladchuk, who is retiring after 24 years at Navy.

    “MK has forever changed our campus and our community for the better, and I am proud to call him my friend and to have worked with him to move USF Athletics forward,” said USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman, who has co-chaired the stadium project planning committee with Kelly. “Bulls Nation is stronger thanks to his efforts, and we wish him and the Kelly family nothing but the best in Annapolis.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • USF names Arkansas State coach Bryan Hodgson as new head basketball coach

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida has found its new men’s head basketball coach.

    USF has hired former Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson to guide the Bulls program.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF names former Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson as its new men’s basketball coach

    • Hodgson, 37, is USF’s 12th head coach in program history and comes to the Bulls after two seasons at the helm at Arkansas State

    • He inherited a team that lost 20 games and led Arkansas State’s turnaround in 2023-24, which included its first postseason appearance since 1999. 

    • PREVIOUS STORY: USF makes sure love wins for Coach Abdur-Rahim

    Hodgson, 37, takes over after a 13-19 season under interim coach Ben Fletcher. Fletcher guided the program after the death of Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led the Bulls to a program-first American Athletic Conference regular-season championship in 2023-24.

    USF’s 12th head coach in program history, Hodgson comes to the university after two seasons at the helm of Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference.

    “I am incredibly honored and excited to be the head coach at the University of South Florida,” Hodgson said in a released statement. “From my first conversations with [Vice President for Athletics] Michael Kelly and the USF leadership, it was clear that this place is strongly committed to building a winning culture.”

    Hodgson led Arkansas State to two of the most successful seasons in program history, with back-to-back 20-win seasons.

    He inherited a team that lost 20 games and led Arkansas State’s turnaround in 2023-24, which included its first postseason appearance since 1999. 

    In 2024-25, the Red Wolves finished with a 25-11 record, the best in Arkansas State program history. The season featured a top-20 victory, saw the Red Wolves secure the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, and marked the team’s first NIT appearance in more than 30 years. 

    “We are thrilled to welcome Bryan Hodgson as the next head coach of USF men’s basketball,” Kelly said. “Bryan has been a part of winning programs at every level, demonstrating a remarkable ability to recruit top talent, develop players and build championship-caliber teams.

    “His passion, energy, and vision for USF basketball align perfectly with our commitment to excellence. We believe he is the right leader to take this program to new heights, and we can’t wait to see his impact on our student-athletes and the Tampa Bay community.”

    A western New York native, Hodgson and his fiancée, Jordan, have a son, Jett, who was born in 2024.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • USF Bulls prepared for a tournament run earlier in the season

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    TAMPA, Fla. — USF’s path to the NCAA Tournament has been paved brick by brick.

    And the journey can be traced all the way back to the first two months of the season.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The USF women’s basketball team punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a win over Rice in the AAC Championship game.

    •  The Bulls will face Tennessee in the first round of the tournament. 

    •  Coach Jose Fernandez credits a bulked up scheduled in November and December for getting them to the dance.


    In that span, the Bulls played four ranked opponents, including UConn, South Carolina and Duke. It helped set them up for the road they are on now.

    “I knew all along this was a tournament team, and that’s why we scheduled the way we scheduled in November and December,” Head Coach Jose Fernandez said.

    The strength of schedule has made this team strong at a critical time as they prepare for their first-round opponent, Tennessee. The Bulls drew the No. 12 seed in Region 3 and they open the tournament having won 12 of their last 14 games. It’s the kind momentum that can fuel a long run.

    “I feel like everyone brings so many different things,” USF point guard Mama Dembele said. “And the moment we are all in the same page, I feel like we’re kind of unstoppable.

    The Bulls took three straight days to win three straight games to claim the AAC Championship and secure the automatic berth into the tournament. It’s the 10th time in the program’s history they have punched their ticket to the dance. One thing they’ve never done, advance to the second weekend. USF is seeking its one shining moment.

    “Everyone is going to have their own moment,” Dembele said. “So it’s time to shine, to step up, and to just have so much fun. I think when we have fun is when we’re at our best.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • USF lands 12 seed, NCAA women’s bracket revealed

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    A few days after winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament, USF now knows its tournament fate.

    The Bulls earned a No. 12 seed and will face No. 5 Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Friday.

    The game will be played in Columbus, Ohio.

    This marks the 10th appearance for head coach Jose Fernandez and the USF Women’s Basketball program.

    California schools among number one seeds

    UCLA had one of the best seasons in school history and was rewarded with the top overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament.

    The Bruins were joined by South Carolina, Southern California and Texas as the No. 1 seeds that the NCAA revealed Sunday night.

    It’s the first time in school history that the Bruins are the top team in the tournament. They had two losses on the season, both of which came to the Trojans. One of the victories came over South Carolina. The Gamecocks’ coach, Dawn Staley, felt her team should have gotten the top seed and with it the extra day of rest if they advance to the Final Four.

    “I mean I’m a little bit surprised because we manufactured our schedule and put ourselves in position to be the No. 1 overall seed,” she said. “Do the blind test and put our resume against any other team in the field, you’d pick us. It’s plain and simple.”

    Unlike last year, when the Gamecocks finished off an undefeated season with a national title, this team has three losses heading into March Madness.

    “Two key factors between UCLA and South Carolina. One was the head-to-head matchup,” NCAA selection committee chair Derita Dawkins said. “The other was one of our criteria is competitive in losses and South Carolina suffered a 29-point loss to UConn. Those were the two key differences in those resumes.”

    Staley’s team is looking to be the first team to repeat as champion since UConn won four straight from 2013-16. The Huskies, who are a two-seed, are looking to end that drought with star Paige Bueckers. They’ll have to go out west if they reach the Sweet 16 and a potential rematch with JuJu Watkins and the Trojans could be waiting in the Elite Eight.

    The path won’t be easy for anyone: This year there’s more parity in the sport. This NCAA Tournament will be only the second one in the past 19 years to have no teams entering March Madness with zero or one loss. The other time was in 2022.

    The Trojans and Bruins, newcomers in the Big Ten this season, will try to win the first national championship for the conference since 1999, when Purdue won the lone one. A record 12 teams from the Big Ten are in the field. The SEC has 10 and the ACC eight. The Big 12 has seven.

    The Ivy League received three bids to the tournament for the first time in conference history. Last season, Columbia earned the second at-large bid in league history. The Lions are back again as well as Princeton. Both are 11 seeds and will be competing in play-in games. Harvard, which won the conference tournament, is a 10 seed.

    Duke, TCU and N.C. State joined the Huskies on the 2-seed line. Notre Dame boasts wins over Texas, USC and UConn but slumped the last few weeks of the regular season and fell to a three-seed.

    William & Mary is one of six teams set to make its first appearance in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The others are Arkansas State, Fairleigh Dickinson, George Mason, Grand Canyon and UC San Diego. Four teams are headed to the men’s tournament for the first time: High Point, Omaha, SIU Edwardsville and UC San Diego.

    The Tribe (15-18) are the first sub-.500 team since Incarnate Word in 2022 to make the tournament.

    Virginia Tech, James Madison, Saint Joseph’s and Colorado were the first four teams left out of the field.

    Payout time

    For the first time in NCAA history, there will be a financial incentive for women’s teams. They will finally paid for playing games in the NCAA Tournament just like the men have for years.

    So-called performance units, which represent revenue, will be given to women’s teams for each win they get. A team that reaches the Final Four could bring its conference roughly $1.26 million over the next three years in financial performance rewards.

    This comes a year after the women’s championship game that saw South Carolina beat Caitlin Clark and Iowa do better TV ratings then the men’s title game.

    Tournament sites

    The top 16 seeds in the 68-team field will host first- and second-round games, with the regional rounds being played at two neutral sites for the third straight year. Spokane, Washington, will host half of the Sweet 16 and Birmingham, Alabama, will host the other eight teams.

    The Final Four will be played in Tampa, Florida, on April 4, and the championship game is two days later.

    Tournament tidbits

    One team that didn’t make the field was Stanford, which ended the Cardinal’s 36-year streak of playing in the NCAA Tournament. It’s the first time since 1987 that Stanford won’t play in the NCAAs. While that streak is over, Tennessee continued its NCAA Tournament run of appearing every year in the field since the first NCAA Tournament in 1982. The Lady Vols are a five-seed.

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    Associated Press

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  • USF women power past Rice for AAC Tournament championship

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    FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Vittoria Blasigh scored 20 points, Carla Brito added 17 and No. 3-seed South Florida defeated Rice 69-62 on Wednesday night to win the American Athletic Conference championship.

    The Bulls will return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence. It will be South Florida’s 10th trip to March Madness.

    South Florida led 47-32 halfway through the third quarter before Malia Fisher scored six points in a 10-4 run that got the defending-champion Owls within 51-42 heading to the fourth quarter.

    Ninth-seeded Rice opened the fourth with another four points and held USF scoreless for nearly four minutes. At that point, Mama Dembele scored twice in the paint to put the Bulls back up by nine.

    Fisher scored in the paint to get Rice within 62-57 with 40 seconds left, then the Bulls closed out the win by making 7 of 8 free throws.

    Dembele had 13 points and eight assists and Sammie Puisis scored 12 points for the Bulls (23-10). Blasigh had six rebounds plus three assists and Brito contributed nine rebounds and three assists. South Florida made 16 of 19 free throws.

    Sussy Ngulefac had 19 points, Fisher 17 and Dominique Ennis 14 for Rice (17-17).

    Brito scored seven points in the first quarter and Blasigh added five as the Bulls took an 18-12 lead into the second quarter. A three-point play by Blasigh put USF up 27-16 with four minutes left in the half and they went on to lead 37-26 at halftime after she closed the scoring with another jumper. Blasigh and Brito led the way with 12 points each in the first half.

    South Florida never trailed and there was one tie at 2-2.

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    Associated Press

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  • USF sparkplug leads Bulls into March Madness

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida’s women’s basketball team opened American Conference tournament play Monday with a 69-59 win over Tulane.

    The Bulls are trying to punch their ticket to the national tournament. USF faces North Texas in the conference semifinals.

    In the middle of that effort is the Bulls’ relentless 5-foot-6 point guard Mama Dembele.

    Click on the video above to watch her story and keep up with the Bulls this March Madness.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • USF’s point guard brings a mother’s instinct to the court

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Everything you need to know about USF’s pint-sized point guard is in her first name.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF point guard Mama Dembele leads the AAC with 2.4 steals per game. She leads her team with 5.4 assists per game

    • Mama was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year

    • This tenacious point guard has the Bulls on track to do great things in the AAC tournament


    Mama Dembele sets a tone for the Bulls with her tenacious, relentless style of play. And just like her namesake, she’s a nurturer. She takes care of her team.

    “It don’t matter how big you are or how small you are, you really have to want it and sacrifice your body for the team,” she said. “I think that’s what really excites me cause then people can see that I really care about the team and I just want to set the tone from the beginning.”

    Mama is 5-foot, 6-inches of pure pride and determination. Born in the West African country of Mali and raised in Spain, she brings a unique perspective and concentrated vision to USF.

    Her American Athletic Conference leading 2.4 steals per game, coupled with her team-leading 5.4 assists per game have put the Bulls in position to make some noise at the conference tournament. Her performance this season earned her AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

    “Not a lot of times they reward little guards playing defense,” Mama said. “It’s more about the blocks and those numbers are more impressive, so of course I was really happy.”

    After transferring from Missouri, where she was the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and SEC All-Defensive Player, Mama’s loosened up on the court. Her new home with the Bulls gave her freedom to really let her game speak for itself.

    “They just let me be myself,” she said. “They were like, we know you like to play defense, you like to gamble a little bit, go for the steals, so just go for it and we have your back.”

    And she’s got the Bulls’ back. And she’s got them on track to make a run at the AAC Tournament, just by being herself and playing her game.

    “Just going out there and giving my all, it might be steals, it might be deflections, I don’t really care,” Mama said. “That is something that I really take a lot of pride in.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • USF caps furious comeback with 5-point win at UTSA

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    SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jimmie Williams led South Florida with 16 points as the Bulls erased a 20-point second-half deficit to defeat UTSA 78-73 on Wednesday night.

    Williams went 6 of 9 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) for the Bulls (13-14, 6-8 American Athletic Conference). Kobe Knox scored 13 points while going 4 of 7 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line and added seven rebounds.

    USF outscored UTSA 49-33 in the second half in the comeback win, ending the game on an 18-2 run. USF tied the second-largest comeback in program history. It is the second-straight season the USF has erased a 20-point deficit.  The USF bench outscored the UTSA bench 33-9. It is the 21st time the South Florida bench has outscored their opponent’s bench this season.

     

    Jamille Reynolds shot 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, while adding six rebounds and three blocks.

     

    Damari Monsanto finished with 22 points and three steals for the Roadrunners (10-16, 4-10). 

    Reynolds scored eight points in the first half and USF went into halftime trailing 40-29. Williams scored 14 points in the second half.

    UP NEXT: USF hosts North Texas Sunday.

    Information from the Associated press was used in this report.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • USF makes sure love wins for Coach Abdur-Rahim

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    TAMPA, Fla. — This one was for Coach.

    This was the kind of game former University of South Florida head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim would have loved.

    What You Need To Know

    • The University of South Florida (USF) and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) honored their late basketball coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim, during the Bulls’ double overtime victory against Temple.

    • The AAC named Abdur-Rahim the honorary Coach of the Year and also presented a $15,000 check to the Future Foundation
    • The AAC will also annually present the Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award to a men’s basketball player.

    •  Abdur-Rahim passed away unexpectedly last October


    It was gritty. It went into double overtime. It was emotional. No way would USF lose this game.

    “Every guy was locked in before the game and we did a good job of preparation throughout the week,” USF guard Kobe Knox said. “So we knew what coming into this game and winning the game meant for everybody.”

    This was for Coach Abdur-Rahim. On the same night USF defeated Temple, the Bulls’ former coach was honored by the American Athletic Conference. First, with the AAC’s honorary Coach of the Year award, presented to his family. Then, with a check for $15,000, his contracted bonus for Coach of the Year recognition, made out to the Future Foundation.

    Family members of USF basketball head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim accept the Coach of the Year award on his behalf. (Spectrum Sports 360)

    “I think it’s the least we can do,” AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti said. “He’s had a short-term permanent impact on the American and he deserves to be honored in this way forever.”

    Coach Abdur-Rahim had spent only a year in the AAC, but he left an indelible mark. And when he passed away unexpectedly in October, just before the start of the season, the league wanted to find ways to honor him.

    His legacy will continue with the annual AAC Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award, given to the men’s basketball player who best exemplifies fair play and leadership.

    “To see the impact that he had, to see that being recognized beyond even his basketball acumen, but to the impact he made on so many,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly said.

    You still see Coach Abdur-Rahim everywhere. He’s in the student section that bears his name. He was on t-shirts with his Love Wins mantra. And he was on the court. These Bulls are playing for the man who taught them to dream big. The man who brought pride back into the USF program.

    “He did something here in one year that this school hadn’t done in over 50 years, in terms of winning a regular season title, and that shows his basketball acumen,” Kelly said. “But he did it by connecting people.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Late USF basketball coach Abdur-Rahim to be honored Thursday night

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The American Athletic Conference is honoring the University of South Florida’s late basketball coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim. 

    Abdur-Rahim is being awarded Honorary Coach of the Year honors.


    As part of the award, the AAC will donate $15,000 to Abdul-Rahim’s favorite charity, the Future Foundation.

    Abdur-Rahim was 43-years-old when he passed away in October 2024, a huge loss the Bulls’ basketball program that was finding recent success.

    USF Athletics Senior Writer Joey Johnston, also the school’s radio broadcast analyst, spent more time with Coach Abdur-Rahim than most, traveling with the team every game.

    “It was kind of just a master class in him teaching us all how to be connected and use our talents in the best way, and how to be accountable and responsible,” said Johnston.

    Johnston said Abdur-Rahim made it priority to give his players lessons in life, and he says those messages translated to on court play. Johnston mentioned a defining moment for him shortly after Abdur-Rahim became USF Bulls Basketball coach.

    It was on a trip out of town for a game.

    “As we had a team meal inside the hotel ballroom, he said nobody picks up your plate,” Johnston said. “When you’re done with your food you take your plate. You don’t have anyone serve you, don’t have anybody take your plate.

    “So that became a big thing where everybody protects their plate, they didn’t want anybody to take their plate, none of the servers. So he wanted to make sure these kids were humbled, that they knew how to work, they knew how to properly conduct themselves, and that was the start of it.”

    Abdul-Rahim’s family will accept the honorary Coach of the Year award on Thursday night during the game against Temple.

    Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at Yuengling Center on campus at USF.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • American Athletic Conference to honor late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

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    TAMPA, Fla. —  The American Athletic Conference is honoring the memory of USF’s late head basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.

    The conference is permanently naming a postseason award in Abdur-Rahim’s honor. 

    Abdur-Rahim died Oct. 24 of last year while undergoing a medical procedure at an area hospital. He was 43 years old. 

    What You Need To Know

    • American Athletic Conference is honoring the memory of USF’s late head basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

    • The conference is permanently naming a postseason award in Abdur-Rahim’s honor

    • Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will be presented annually to the men’s basketball student-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship 
    • PREVIOUS STORY: USF community morns basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

    The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will be presented annually to the men’s basketball student-athlete who, as determined by the league’s head coaches, best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, fair play and leadership.
     
    “Coach Amir had a positive and lasting impact on the young men he coached, the South Florida community, the game of basketball and the American Athletic Conference,” said Pernetti. “We are so proud to name him Honorary Coach of the Year this season and to support the Future Foundation, which is so important to the Abdur-Rahim family. The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will ensure his legacy, forever, by recognizing student-athletes who exemplify the traits that made Amir so special.”

    The league also has named Abdur-Rahim the Honorary 2024-25 American Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

    His family will join Commissioner Pernetti at USF’s February 6 home game against Temple for the presentation of the award.

    The American will also donate $15,000, the amount of Abdur-Rahim’s contracted bonus for winning the Coach of the Year honor, to the Future Foundation, a nonprofit organization that was close to Abdur-Rahim and his family’s hearts. 


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • USF women’s basketball showing some serious puppy love

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Every dog has its day.

    That’s why the USF Bulls are dedicating a game day to the dogs.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The USF women’s basketball team is hosting Temple on Saturday at 7 p.m. for their annual Dog Adoption Game

    •  There will be several local pet rescue and shelter organizations on hand with information about adoption

    •  Fans are also encouraged to bring pet food and supplies to be donated to the various shelters


    The women’s basketball team was treated to some special guests at a recent practice — the Bulls opened up their practice court to pair of puppies.

    At Saturday’s game against Temple, they’re opening up the Yuengling Center to the dogs, to shine a spotlight on several Tampa Bay pet rescue and animal shelters, a cause near and dear to USF head coach Jose Fernandez.

    “I think there’s an incredible need, not only in the Tampa Bay community, but all over the United States to get these guys a nice home,” Fernandez said.

    Coach Fernandez and his wife, Tonya, have opened their home to rescue dogs. They currently have eight dogs.

    Eight dogs that were unwanted and abandoned, until the Fernandez’s opened up their home and their hearts.

    “It’s unconditional love. You can have whatever day that you have, whether it’s good or bad, and when you come home, the excitement,” he said.

    That’s what the Bulls are hoping their annual Dog Adoption Awareness Game on Saturday will showcase — the importance of adopting, not shopping.

    With so many available dogs in shelters all over the Bay Area, especially after back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc and landed many more animals in the shelters, the need for forever homes is paramount.

    “Anything we can do to help these guys find a home, these little guys and gals find a home,” Tonya Fernandez said. “There’s just so many. There’s so many dogs out there who need homes.”

    There will be several local shelter and rescues organizations at the game, including:

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    Katherine Smith

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  • USF tops San Jose State in 5 OTs to earn Hawaii Bowl win

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    HONOLULU (AP) — Bryce Archie found Keshaun Singleton over the middle to give South Florida the lead in the fifth overtime and Mac Harris batted down a pass in the end zone to give the Bulls a 41-39 victory over San Jose State on Tuesday night in the Hawaii Bowl.

    It was the longest FBS bowl/postseason game since overtime was established in 1996. Previously four games had gone three overtimes.

    USF (7-6) has won back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2016-17. San Jose State (7-6) was seeking its first bowl victory since 2015.

     

    Trailing 27-24, USF started its final drive of regulation at midfield with 43 seconds left. Archie had two completions for first downs to set up John Cannon’s 41-yard field goal to tie it.

     

    The Bulls began overtime with a 23-yard catch by Payten Singletary and Ta’Ron Keith followed with his second touchdown of the game. Walker Eget sparked SJSU’s 11-play drive with a 12-yard sneak on third-and-12 and Matthew Coleman scored on fourth-and-goal from the 4.

    SJSU elected to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line in the second overtime and Kyler Halvorsen made the short field goal for a 37-34 lead. USF was not able to pick up a first down and Cannon made a 36-yard field goal to tie it.

    The Bulls scored first in the third overtime on Archie’s shovel pass to Payten Singletary. SJSU appeared to tie it at 39-all on Eget’s sneak but it was called back for a holding call. Then, USF was whistled for pass interference in the end zone to give SJSU the ball at the 2. Eget found Coleman wide open in the corner of the end zone to tie it again.

    Neither team scored in the fourth overtime.

    Archie was 24 of 35 for 235 yards for USF. Sean Atkins made 11 catches for 104 yards.

    Eget threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns for San Jose State. Coleman filled in nicely for SJSU, which was without star receiver Nick Nash, by making 12 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown.

     

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    Associated Press

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  • South Florida ‘can’t wait to play’ in Hawaii Bowl after long travel to islands

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    HONOLULU — South Florida receiver Sean Atkins had to check over his shoulder at the scenery and glance at the geolocator on his phone a couple times to make sure that present circumstances were, in fact, reality.

    The 5-foot-10 Atkins walked on at the Tampa-based school in 2019 and over the course of six years built himself into an all-conference target at slotback, all with the same Bulls program — a rare tale in modern times of college football.

    What You Need To Know

    • South Florida, a 6-6 team out of the American Athletic Conference, emphasized how much it wanted to be in the Hawaii Bowl to face San Jose State upon arrival in the islands this week

    • The Bulls are attempting to become the third straight team from the South to win the Hawaii Bowl against an opponent from the Western U.S.

    • San Jose State will be without All-America receiver Nick Nash for the 3 p.m. Tuesday game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as he focuses on his pro career

    • USF receiver Sean Atkins, a six-year player and former walk-on, can become the Bulls’ career receiving yardage leader with a big game

    Looking out over Waikiki Bay at the Hawaii Bowl introductory press conference at The Royal Hawaiian on Friday, Atkins smiled as he took stock of how far he’d come, in both figurative and literal senses.

    This was the payoff.

    “It means everything to me,” Atkins, of Viera, Fla., told Spectrum News. “You go play college football for experiences like this and starting out from the bottom, I just appreciate everything. I never thought I would be here (in Hawaii), especially from football. Being able to have such an impact on the field in the game. Super grateful for grateful for that and to be here.”

    That stands in contrast to San Jose State’s consensus All-America receiver Nick Nash, who announced on Wednesday he was opting out of the game to focus on his pro career. SJSU is also without two cornerbacks and its backup quarterback.

    Atkins has 2,063 career receiving yards and needs 74 in his career finale at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Clarence T.C. Athletics Complex to become USF’s career leader.

    He became the first 1,000-yard receiver in program history in 2023 as an All-American Athletic Conference second-teamer and posted 677 this season to make the third team.

    In an age of postseason portal transfers and bowl opt-outs, Atkins stressed that the Bulls (6-6) wanted to be here to face San Jose State (7-5) in an ESPN-televised game.

    “I don’t feel like a lot of people ended up leaving. And I just feel like all the guys really enjoy playing football with one another and just kind of playing for Coach (Alex) Golesh, I feel like we have a unique group and can’t wait to play.”

    Golesh said he admires SJSU’s first-year coach Ken Niumatalolo, the winningest all-time coach at Navy who enters this game mere days after the passing of his father.

    USF seeks to become the third straight team from the South to make the long journey to the islands (over 4,600 miles in USF’s case) and prevail over a Western U.S. team in the Hawaii Bowl; Middle Tennessee beat San Diego State 25-23 in 2022 and Coastal Carolina topped San Jose State 24-14 last year.

    Golesh, the Bulls’ second-year coach, said managing the travel via a 12-hour direct flight from Tampa and associated logistics were one of the program’s biggest emphases heading into the trip.

    USF, treating the game as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even added a second plane so some athletic department staff members didn’t get left behind. The Bulls were all business in the Boca Raton Bowl last year, blanking Syracuse 45-0.

    “The travel piece was probably what we spent a lot of time working through,” Golesh said. “We’ve got a really, really good operations team. It’s their second time here in the last two weeks; they came out a week and a half ago just to make sure logistically it was all set up right.”

    Golesh said USF would try to replicate a normal game week after the Bulls arrived on Wednesday. They treated Thursday as a typical game week Monday and got in a practice Friday at Farrington, where they will train until gameday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

    The weather in Florida is similar, Golesh pointed out, aside from the humidity.

    “I think the adjustment now is over,” Golesh said. “We’ve got to go to work and prepare as we would for a normal game.”

    Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.

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    Brian McInnis

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  • Leaving Behind a Legacy At USF

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    TAMPA, Fla. 

    The game of golf is all about routine. It’s doing the little things that could make the biggest difference.

    USF Senior Jake Peacock has separated himself as one of the best golfers in the country. This fall the Georgia native tee’d up his senior year with a win and two top ten finishes to help the Bulls crack the NCAA top 25.

    “I’m just focusing on what I can control, said the Bulls Senior, how I can get better and I think that’s going to give us the best chance of punching our ticket to the national championship”.

    Jake has had a club in his hand since he was 15-months old, sort of, his parents handed him a snorkel and he started swinging it like a golf club and soon he was hitting pennies off the carpet against the wall with it.

    Competing since he was 7 years old, the Bulls senior has become one of the most accomplished golfers in school history. Last year he became just the fifth player in the programs history to capture an Individual Conference title.

    He’s a solid ball striker from tee to green, said his head coach Steve Bradley but on the greens he’s superior and that will be ultimately what he will have success with and making it as a professional golfer”.

    Jake, like the rest of his teammates is using this time to prepare for the big spring season ahead. One which will include defending a conference and individual title with the ultimate goal of a 4th trip to the national championship.

    No matters what happens this fall, Jake Peacock has made his mark on the Bulls Golf program that will be remembered for a long time.

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    Mike Cairns

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  • USF Education Day finds new fans and future players

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The screams were deafening at times.

    This wasn’t your usual basketball crowd.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF women’s basketball team hosted its annual Education Day.

    • Students from all over the Tampa Bay area filled the Yuengling Center. It was the largest home crowd in program history.

    • For Charlotte Ketcham, a fifth grader from Lamb Elementary, it was her first game in person. And now she wants to play basketball.


    The USF women’s basketball team had never had this many eyes on them at home. Students from Tampa Bay area schools filled the Yuengling Center to check out the Bulls in action.

    What happens when you host thousands of school kids? You get the largest home crowd in program history. Education Day at USF filled the stands and hopefully hooked some future Bulls.

    “What you want, is hopefully, some of these kids go home and they talk to their parents and loved ones that they had a great time and they want to come back,” Head Coach Jose Fernandez said.

    That’s exactly what happened to Charlotte Ketcham. She attended her first USF basketball game with her Lamb Elementary School fifth grade class. The trip to the Yuengling Center was a reward for perfect attendance.

    After seeing the Bulls up close and personal, Charlotte isn’t just a USF fan. She’s a basketball fan too. And her first live game has sparked an interest in becoming a participant, not just a bystander.

    “I feel like it will be a really fun sport for me to play,” Charlotte said. “The team, USF, it looks really fun.”

    There’s been a surge in women’s basketball interest. Thanks in part to Caitlin Clark, attendance is up and TV viewership is up. Last year, for the first time, the Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship Game TV audience outdrew the men’s title game – not just by a little, but by more than four million viewers. That interest is trickling down to the youth.

    It’s how the sport can grow, from not just a moment, but to a movement. And that’s why USF hosts its annual Education Day game. Because they might just find a future Bull.

    “Hey, you know what, I want to be a basketball player one day,” Coach Fernandez said. “You know where I want to study, the University of South Florida.”

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    Katherine Smith

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  • Florida lands state’s strongest recruiting class on Early Signing Day

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    FLORIDA — In terms of sheer numbers among Florida’s college football teams, USF came out on top Wednesday, Early Signing Day, with 25 signees, but Florida got 23 players to formally commit and was ranked No. 11 nationally, seventh in the Southeastern Conference and No. 1 among the state’s teams by 247sports.com.

    Miami was close behind, ranked No. 15 nationally and first among Atlantic Coast Conference schools, and Florida State was 27th nationally and third in the ACC by 247sports.com.

    On a national level, USF was ranked No. 62 nationally and No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference.

    UCF, with just nine signees, was No. 72 nationally and No. 16, dead last, in the Big 12. Early Signing Day came just four days after Gus Malzahn resigned as head coach and was named offensive coordinator at Florida State.

    Rankings can be subjective but are based upon the strength of the rankings of individual players as well as the number of recruits signed. 

    Here are the recruits signed by each program

    University of Florida signees

    • Vernell Brown III, Orlando Jones, 5 feet 11, 175 pounds, wide receiver
    • Waltez “Duke” Clark, Tampa Plant, 6 feet, 3/4 inch, running back
    • Hayden Craig, Mercier, Quebec, Canada Bridgton Academy, 6 feet 1, 223 pounds, punter
    • Tavaris “TJ” Dice, College Park, Ga., Langston Hughes, 6 feet 3.75 inches, 302 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Chad Gasper Jr., Katy, Texas Katy Jordan, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 208 pounds, running back
    • Ben Hanks III, Overtown Booker T. Washington, 6 feet 1, 170 pounds, defensive back
    • Lagonza Hayward, Lyons, Ga., Toombs County, 6 feet 1, 200 pounds, defensive back
    • Ty Jackson, Fort Lauderdale Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 1.5 inches 205 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Myles Johnson, Brewton, Ala. T.R. Miller, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 213 pounds, inside linebacker
    • Micah Jones, Madison, Miss., Madison Central, 6 feet 4, 252 pounds, tight end
    • Tramell “TJ” Jones Jr., Jacksonville, Mandarin, 6 feet, 180 pounds, quarterback
    • Byron Louis, Miramar American Heritage, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 206 pounds, running back
    • Joseph Mbatchou, Loganville, Ga. Grayson, 6 feet, 4 inches, 283 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jeramiah McCloud, Sylvester, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet, 2.75 inches, 289 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Jahari Medlock, Atlanta Charles Drew, 6 feet 5 inches, 281 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Naeshaun “Nae” Montgomery, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 178 pounds, wide receiver
    • Evan Noel, Bay St. Louis, Miss. St. Stanislaus, 6 feet, 1/4 inch, 154 pounds, kicker
    • Daniel Pierre-Louis, Royal Palm Beach, Seminole Ridge, 6 feet, 4.25 inches, 332 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Stephon “Trell” Shivers, Humboldt, Tenn., Brentwood Academy, 6 feet 4 inches, 384 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Drake Stubbs, Jacksonville Mandarin, 6 feet, 1 inch, 187 pounds, defensive back
    • Muizz Tounkara, League City, Texas Clear Springs, 6 feet, 3 inches, 196 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee James Rickards, 6 feet, 4 inches, 257 pounds, edge rusher
    • Jayden Woods, Shawnee, Kan., Mill Valley, 6 feet, 3 inches, 229 pounds, edge rusher

    Miami signees

    • SJ Alofaituli, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 6 feet, 3 inches, 280 pounds, offensive line
    • Jaboree Antoine, New Iberia, La., Westgate, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, defensive back 
    • Max Buchanan, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 4 inches, 275 pounds, offensive line
    • Demetrius Campbell, Orlando Christian Prep, 6 feet, 6 inches, 300 pounds, offensive line
    • Chris Ewald Jr., Sunrise Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 165 pounds, defensive back
    • Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami Christopher Columbus, 6 feet, 1/2 inch, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Luka Gilbert, West Chester, Ohio Lakota West, 6 feet, 7 inches, 233 pounds, tight end
    • Hayden Lowe, Los Angeles, Calif. Oaks Christian, 6 feet, 4 inches, 242 pounds, defensive line
    • Ezekiel Marcelin Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 208 pounds, linebacker
    • Josh Moore, West Broward Miami, 6 feet, 4 inches, 205 pounds, wide reciever
    • Mykah Newton, Gainesville Newberry, 6 feet, 2 inches, 255 pounds, defensive line
    • Luke Nickel, Milton Ga., Milton, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, quarterback
    • Girard Pringle Jr., Seffner Armwood, 5 feet, 10 inches, 182 pounds, running back
    • Brock Schott, Leo (Ind.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Herbert Scroggins III, Savannah, Ga., Benedictine Military School, defensive end
    • Donta Simpson Jr., Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep, 6 feet, 3 inches, defensive line
    • Malachi Toney, Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 182 pounds, wide receiver
    • Daylyn Upshaw, Phenix City, Ala. Central, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Amari Wallace, Miami Central, 5 feet, 10 inches, 172 pounds, defensive back
    • Jaden Wilkerson, Orlando Edgewater, 6 feet, 6 inches, 330 pounds, offensive line

    Florida State signees

    • Shamar Arnoux, Carrollton (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 175 pounds, defensive back
    • Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa High School, 6 feet 1 inch, 200 pounds, wide receiver
    • Tyeland Coleman, Terry (Miss.) High/Northwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 4 inches, 285 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Darryll Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 5 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Mandrell Desir, Miami Norland, 6 feet, 4 inches, 240 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Tae’ Shaun Gelsey, Jacksonville Riverside, 6 feet 4 inches, 215 poundsm wide receiver
    • Ousmane Kromah, Leesburg, Ga., Lee County, 6 feet 1, 215 pounds, running back
    • Chase Loftin, Omaha, Neb., Millard South, 6 feet, 6 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Teriq Mallory, New Haven, Conn., Cheshire Academy, 6 feet, 5 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Mario Nash Jr., De Kalb, Miss., Kemper County, 6 feet, 4 inches, 280 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Sean Poret, Atlanta Riverwood, 6 feet, 5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Ethan Pritchard, Sanford Seminole, 6 feet, 2 inches, 205 pounds, linebacker
    • Max Redmon, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, defensive back
    • Brunno Reus, Venice High, 6 feet, 190 pounds, punter/kicker
    • Jordan Scott, Appomattox County High School/Southwest Mississippi Community College, 6 feet, 7 inches, 215 pounds, wide receiver
    • Kevin Sperry, Denton, Texas, Guyerm, 6 feet, 1 inch,  200 pounds, quarterback
    • Zae Thomas Jr., Fort Lauderdale American Heritage, 6 feet, 2 inches, 190 pounds, defensive back
    • Kevin Wynn Jr., Greensboro, Ga., Greene County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 320 pounds, defensive lineman

    USF signees

    • Colin Bellomy, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 6 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • DeAngelo Bowden, Washington, D.C. St. John’s, 6 feet, 1 inch, 215 pounds, linebacker
    • Khalil Collins, Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County, 6 feet, 3 inches, 288 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Tayte Crable, Massillon, Ohio, Archbishop Hoban, 6 feet, 5 inches, 215 pounds, tight end
    • Chase Garnett, Argyle (Texas) Liberty Christian, 5 feet, 8 inches, 200 pounds, running back
    • Jermichael Gillis, Lakeland High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 170 pounds, safety
    • Luke Goater, Melbourne, Australia, ProKick, 6 feet, 2 inches, 195 pounds, punter
    • Gerrick Gordon Jr., Tampa Carrollwood Day, 6 feet, 3.5 inches, 270 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Caleb Harris, St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 feet, 4 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Locklan Hewlett, St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 1 inch, 175 pounds, quarterback
    • Gavin Jenkins, Lake Butler County, 6 feet, 2 inches, 168 pounds, cornerback
    • Jeremiah Jones, Riverview Sumner, 6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds, safety
    • Eli Jones, Venice High, 6 feet, 4 inches, 245 pounds, defensive end
    • Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs (Miss.) High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 185 pounds, running back
    • Jeremiah Koger, Baltimore St. Francis Academy, 6 feet, 4 inches, 190 pounds, wide receiver
    • Brandon Kubay, Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More, 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds, tight end
    • Gavin Leach, Newburgh (Ind.) Castle, 6 feet, 2 inches, 200 pounds, linebacker
    • Christian Neptune, Cantonment Tate, 5 feet, 11 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Herlin Perry Jr., Miami Central, 5 feet, 11 inches, 165 pounds, cornerback
    • Kory Pettigrew, Perry (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 180 pounds, wide receiver
    • Christian Smith, Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison, 6 feet, 3 inches, 230 pounds, linebacker
    • Jabari Smith, Apopka Wekiva High, 5 feet, 10.5 inches, 155 pounds, defensive back
    • Brooks Williams Jr., St. Lucie West Centennial, 6 feet, 6 inches, 220 pounds, defensive end
    • Marcus Williams, Valdosta (Ga.) High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Khalil Walker, Coffeyville Community College, 6 feet, 5 inches, 310 pounds, offensive lineman

    UCF signees

    • Malakhi Boone, Bushnell South Sumter, 6 feet, 1.5 inches, 235 pounds, linebacker
    • Waden Charles, Somerset Academy Canyons, 6 feet, 2 inches, 185 pounds, wide receiver
    • Santonyo “Kozy” Isaac, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11.5 inches, 165 pounds, wide receiver
    • Carl Jenkins Jr., St. Augustine High, 6 feet, 2 inches, 177 pounds, wide receiver
    • Jaquez Joiner, Cocoa High, 6 feet, 3 inches, 260 pounds, offensive lineman
    • Waymond Jordan Jr., Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, 5 feet, 10 inches, 205 pounds, running back
    • RyShawn Perry, Covington (Ga.) Newton, 6 feet 3, 275 pounds, defensive lineman
    • Rukeem Stroud, Tampa Bay Tech, 5 feet, 11 inches, 160 pounds, defensive back
    • Tony Williams, Miami Central, 6 feet, 1 inch, 190 pounds, defensive back

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    Spectrum Sports Staff

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