Seeing stars: Bulls find recruiting gems

We've run a recruiting story on each school we cover this week, and for the USF feature, we wrote about how the Bulls have found success by identifying recruits overlooked or undervalued by the major recruiting sites and the rest of college football. They're still going after the four-star kids, but they've also done well with high school stars that aren't highly touted.

USF still has three or four scholarships in play entering its last major weekend for official visits -- the Bulls have the fifth-best class in the Big East, according to rankings from both Rivals.com and Scout.com. They're ranking in the mid-50s nationally, but a last-minute coup or two could vault them into the top three in the conference and one of their highest national rankings ever.

Which of the current USF commitments do you think could be the next Matt Grothe or George Selvie, someone who doesn't have the "stars" on signing day but winds up being a major contributor?

Comments

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I read this story last night. A solid article from an average journalist greg.

Good job.

You might make the Washington Post after all.

[andres]

I have thought this all along... great job greg.... i think this is one of the reasons that FSU and UM have fallen off... they pay attention to all these Recruiting websites and make sure that their prestige is exhibited by how good their recuiting class is.... That is also not saying that i woundnt want some of their recuits... i just woundnt want all of them.

[Mike]

Landi, Taylor, and Hawkins

[Tad]

I like Voss to replace Grothe, and Bedford or Marshall to replace Selvie. Has Tyson Butler got any looks at CB?? He is the "American Dream" after all. I think Kion will be a big impact this year like T-mac was last year. Last, I'm very interested to see Anthony Jones and Demetrius Murray at the Spring game. I'm done.

[Sanjay]

Tad,
Tyson has moved over to CB and has been working there from all reports.
None of the recruits other than Kion Wilson will be at the spring game as they will enroll in May/June. Only those who started USF in the spring can practice with the team in the spring.

[Miles Lamoureux]

Charlton Sinclair will be the next "big" surprise. I believe he was a 2 or 3 star recruit.

[grt]

Grothe is average at best. He makes too many mistakes and he can't run away from everything.

Selvie is solid, but gone after next year!

[Dave W]

I think Popek and Engram are the sleepers. I went to check Scout out for the whole list and saw they moved Popek to 3*. Those sites have to be taken with a grain of salt because they obviously don't evaluate everyone fully. For instance, Lejiste is made out to be big time on ESPN. I like our class so far (my final opinion will be based on BJ Daniels); Bryant will be a good downfield guy and Estenar is HUGE. There should some big time players not named Jones, Bedford or Wilson. Those guys all should be good and are known quantities.

Shields could eventually be a better version of Cedric Hill. Hawkins is the more complete of the two, but Shields is 6'6" and might be able to play WR, too.

I think you are correct about Quavon Taylor, not only about him being a hidden gem but his move to safety. Reggie Nelson (plays for the Jags) was a undersized playmaking LB in high school, who made the switch to safety, and I see Quavon much like him...only maybe strong safety. Moreover, John Lejiste looks like a a hidden gem at safety too. John starts his attack on ball carriers from deep in the secondary, yet still somehow manages to meet most RBs at the line of scrimmage and he brings a decent pop with him as well.

Also, I hope we continue to recruit Murray heavily. I've heard he may go to Southern Miss instead, though that may just be a rumor, but as underrated players go I think he should be a five star. He reminds me a little of Marion Barber, attacking defenders as they attempt to tackle him, but seems a little faster than Marion and he doesn't seem to take as many negative plays either (Barber loses yardage sometimes trying to break tackles in any direction he can). Not to mention the speed at which Murray attacks the line of scrimmage...how he hits the holes at top speed is an amazing thing to see.

Is Streeter visting?

[Tad]

What's the attack on Grothe? May I remind you of Banks and Julmiste??

[Ken]

"Don't count stars, just find them."

Great line, Greg--you're a writer.

[BA]

Dave Lego from Jacksonville Terry Parker. Tough as nails, and a go getter. We need to go after this guy.

[Scott]

Well I have heard some very interesting news and it seems to come from a great friend up north. Grothe to transfer to Mich.

Alton Voss should be the starting QB in 2008.

[G.A.]

I just want a player at USF named Lego, so I can have fun with that. There's a Byron Tinkertoy from Ocala, but I don't know if he can hold it together. And Lego's good, but Billy Duplo's much, much bigger.

Grothe to Michigan? So he'd burn one of his two remaining years of eligibility to transfer for one season halfway across the country with no guarantee of starting, just to get reunited with Rod Smith? I don't know that I'll make calls to chase that one down ...

[Brian]

I can't recall how highly rated Carlton Mitchel was but I'm sure it is well below the level the kid plays at ... he will be an absolute superstar for us by the time he graduates. Great size, speed, and hands. We've always had receivers with 1 or 2 of those three but the kid has it all.

[Simon]

What about the placekicker we signed? I don't remember his name but do recall he is from Central Florida somewhere and was compared by his coach to Bill Gramnatica at that age. A consistent placekicker is needed so Alvarado can focus on punting.

[G.A.]

Simon, you're thinking of Maikon Bonani, from Lake Wales.

[steve oneal]

Good morning, Greg. When is signing day for FB recruits and do you know if USF is having a signing party? Thank you and GO BULLS!