National Signing Day 2013 was an exciting one for the Bulls. From scouts and coaches waiting on pins and needles for their targets to announce their commitments to a sold-out party celebrating the incoming class, the USF community was buzzing with anticipation over what the future of Bulls football is shaping up to be.
In just two short months, Coach Willie Taggart has put together one of the strongest recruiting classes in the history of USF football. Here is a look at a handful of the 23 recruits that hopped on Coach Taggart’s bus this past Wednesday:
Name: Derrick Calloway
Height/Weight: 6 feet 1 inch, 300 lbs.
Position: Defensive Tackle
Primary Strength: Size
Received offers from: Florida, Ohio State, Ole Miss, USC
Why USF? “The coaches, the players, and the atmosphere” as well as it being “a program that is turning around.”
Name: Deadrin Senat
Height/Weight: 6 feet 1 inch, 311 lbs.
Position: Defensive Tackle
Primary Strength: Power
Received offers from: LSU, Oklahoma, FSU, South Carolina
Why USF? He Told the Naples Daily News, “to stay close to my father”, who is battling lung cancer, and because of “the chance to play right away.”
Name: Jeremi Hall
Height/Weight: 6 feet 2 inches, 293 lbs.
Position: Offensive Guard
Primary Strength: Quickness
Received offers from: Texas Tech, Tennessee, Virginia Tech
Why USF? “The coaches there are fantastic,” and the opportunity to play with fellow Tri Cities High School recruit Threatt.
Name: Lamar Robbins
Height/Weight: 6 feet 3 inches, 188 lbs.
Position: Cornverback
Primary Strength: Range
Received offers from: West Virginia, Auburn, Nebraska
Why USF? “Because everyone is leaving the state of Florida, when all the greatest schools are right here. No need to leave.”
Name: Eric Mayes
Height/Weight: 6 feet 4 inches, 240 lbs.
Position: Defensive End
Primary Strength: Strength
Received offers from: Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi State
Why USF? “I chose USF because from the moment I met and talked to Coach Taggart, I felt like I was home.”
Name: Nigel Harris
Height/Weight: 6 feet 2 inches, 200 lbs.
Position: Outside Linebacker
Primary Strength: Tackling
Received offers from: Wake Forest, Indiana, Vanderbilt
Why USF? “They have great facilities I can use, good resources to better myself as a person, and I love the coaches.”
Name: Dominique Threatt
Height/Weight: 6 feet 2 inches, 293 lbs.
Position: Offensive Guard
Primary Strength: Build
Received offers from: Georgia, Louisville
Why USF? “When I went on my visit, everything just blew my mind!”
Name: Sta’fon McCray
Height/Weight: 5 feet 11 inches, 205 lbs.
Position: Running Back
Primary Strength: Durability
Received offers from: Boise State, Boston College, NC State
Why USF? “They changed the whole offensive style to favor the run game. I expect to play right away.”
Samantha Ouimette is the sports editor of The Crow’s Nest. She can be reached at sports@crowsneststpete.com.
Photos contributed by USF Athletics.
