#20Strong Last Update Before Early Signing Day!

The last and final update before Early Signing Day, here’s a substantial update for you Bulls fans covering all news and updates from November 17th – December 13th. Without further ado, let’s get after it!

USF Offers 2020 RB Marcus Carroll

Via Twitter, the USF coaching staff extended a late offer to RB Marcus Carroll out of Hapeville Charter, GA on November 26th, less than a month away from Early Signing Day (ESD) beginning on December 18th. As expected, the coaching staff is looking to fill some holes at the position with Jordan Cronkrite and Trevon Sands graduating at the end of the year. The 2020 class currently has one RB committed in Brian Battie who fits the Johnny Ford/Kelly Joiner Jr. mold in the backfield. I believe that decommit Taron Keith would be welcomed back to the class if he decided to re-commit at some point, but the coaching staff is still in need of a “bigger” back for short-yardage/goal-line situations. As of now, Carroll seems to be leaning towards Georgia State and Georgia Southern, having official visits with both programs on November 22nd and 29th respectively. Whether this class finds a RB or two at the HS or JUCO levels, expect another commit at the position by the time that National Signing Day (NSD) arrives in February.

Here Come the Decommitments…

With Coach Charlie Strong out, the decommitments come in. After the news broke about Strong’s firing, WR Marquez Bell was the first decommit on December 1st via Twitter, leaving the 2020 class with zero WRs as of 12/13. Just a day later, OLB Frankie Burgess from Pahokee, FL decommitted via Twitter, a recruit that the coaching staff would’ve had to fight for against Washington State if he was still committed to the class. These are the only 2 decommitments since the firing of CCS which is a good sign for the majority of the class that remains committed.

LB Duo Hit Pause Until February

Via Twitter, OLB Levontae Camiel, (teammates with QB Jordan Smith and WR Marquez Bell) announced that he will sign in February, forgoing the option to sign with a program this month. However, just a day later, Camiel tweeted that he will take an official visit to USF on the weekend of the 13th (via Twitter), making it possible that Camiel could sign with USF early depending on how things go during the OV. I expect Camiel to hold off until February to evaluate his other options, but wouldn’t be too surprised to see him sign on the dotted line come the 18th if all things go well.

Along with Camiel, Tyler Berrong announced via Instagram that his final 2 schools will be USF and FAU come February 5th when National Signing Day kicks off. This is a good opportunity for Coach Jeff Scott and Co. to seal the deal with Berrong over the next 2 months, but also allow other programs to enter/re-enter the picture as well. Until then, heed my recruiting advice: Follow the official visits if/when they happen to determine where a player could end up at the end of the day.

More Offers Go Out Before ESD

Better late than never right? Don’t forget that we still have NSD in February, a period that the new coaching staff will tackle with reckless abandon once ESD ends on the 20th. Just recently, the USF coaching staff offered OLB Danthony Jones from Long Beach City College (JUCO) on December 2nd and OT TyKeem Doss out of East Central Community College (JUCO) on December 5th. Both would be welcomed additions to the class, but it remains to be seen whether or not the new staff can/will reel these two in by ESD.

Bulls Lose Out on JUCO WR

As mentioned in my previous article back in October, the USF coaching staff (at the time) was hot on the trail searching for another WR commit to add to the class with only 2 receivers committed. Now with zero WR commits in the 2020 class, you would believe that the new coaching staff will make this priority #1 when it’s all said and done come February. What doesn’t help is losing out on JUCO WR Nathaniel Dell out of Independence Community College (#DreamU) who committed to the Houston Cougars on December 9th via Twitter. This was a recruit that I felt like the Bulls had a good chance to add to the class, but with staff turnover + the late offer by Houston, this might’ve been enough to pull Dell to the Coogs among other things. Nonetheless, the show must go on and on it shall as the coaching staff looks to insert several WRs to the class whether it be through the high school, JUCO, or transfer portal markets.

Tate Rodemaker Decommits from USF

Once Tate Rodemaker pulled an offer from FSU on December 11th via Twitter, the writing was on the wall at that point. According to 247Sports.com, Rodemaker actually had an official visit scheduled with Baylor on the 14th, but pulled the trigger with the Seminoles on Friday the 13th. With Rodemaker out of the picture for the Bulls, the new coaching staff will look to add another QB to the 2020 class, whether through the high school, JUCO, or transfer portal markets. USF still has QB Jordan Smith committed who flashes the dual-threat ability that USF fans have come to know at the position. I love his potential at the next level, but the position still needs more depth for the future. Regardless, we wish Tate nothing but the best with FSU!