From Charlie Strong to Jeff Scott. With any head coaching change, usually not much is expected on early signing day with only a little more than a week into the job. With that being said, we are here to cover the recent signees to the USF Football 2020 Class. Let’s welcome Omarion Dollison, Mac Harris, Christopher Townsel, and AJ Hamilton to the Tampa!!!
WR Omarion Dollison, Gray Collegiate Academy (Columbia, SC)
The Scoop:
After receiving an offer from Jeff Scott on December 13th via Twitter, the Bulls were able to land wide receiver Omarion Dollison (@Omar_ionD) out of Gray Academy in Columbia, South Carolina on December 18th becoming the first WR signee of the 2020 class. The 5-9, 172 LB wife receiver was originally committed to the Old Dominion back in July before decommitting in November. Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Dollison racked up some serious numbers during his senior season with Gray Collegiate Academy, totaling 86 receptions, 1,621 receiving yards, and 21 TDs on the year per MaxPreps. Dollison will be an early enrollee for the Bulls in January.
The Film:
Dollison is a constant threat whenever he’s on the field, showing the ability to win on deep routes down the field or on bubble screens behind the line of scrimmage. Great catching ability that can make contested grabs down the field. Consistently shows the ability to separate from defenders on routes with top end speed and quickness. With the ball in his hands, Dollison shows elite elusiveness, owning the yards after catch category on short + intermediate routes.
The Verdict:
A position that needs depth heading into the future, Dollison was a fantastic grab by CJS on Early Signing Day, bringing in a WR that can win against a defense on all routes. Expect Dollison to be used in a variety of different ways when he sees the field for the Bulls in the future.
S Mac Harris, Villages Charter School (The Villages, FL)
The Scoop:
A Bulls commit since June 22nd, safety Mac Harris (@official_mac7) from Villages Charter School in The Villages, FL signed with USF on the 18th, currently the only safety committed to the 2020 class. Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Harris received offers from programs such as Appalachian State, Rutgers, FIU, Kent State, and Western Kentucky throughout his recruitment. Harris was a do-it-all player for the Buffaloes, throwing for 1,176 yards and 16 TDs including 790 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. Recruited as a safety at the next level, Harris contributed to the Buffalo defense as well by racking up 86 tackles and 4 interceptions on the year according to MaxPreps.
The Tape:
Two-way player that will “out-athlete” most guys on the opposing side of the ball. Shows physicality and aggressiveness on running and passing situations. Flashes the ability to be effective as an in-the-box strong safety and/or as a “center-field” free safety. Excellent in zone coverage at the safety position, showing the ability to read the offense on passing downs. Has the speed necessary to cover sideline-to-sideline with ease. Great ball skills in general, possessing the size and length to win match-ups against taller receivers.
The Verdict:
With Devin Studstill graduating, Mac Harris fills in that void at the safety position, possessing all the necessary tools to be effective in the secondary down the road. With an open opportunity for playing time in the secondary, look for Harris and other current Bulls to make their mark come August when Fall camp opens up.
So Mac Harris, Why Jeff Scott?
“He is an excellent coach and an even better man who stands on solid principles for life and success and I wouldn’t want to be around anyone less than him.”
CB Christopher Townsel, Deerfield Beach HS (Deerfield Beach, FL)
The Scoop:
Next up is Christopher Townsel (@christownsel_) who has been committed to the Bulls since September 25th. Earlier in his recruitment, the 6-2, 176 LB cornerback included the Bulls in his top 4 along with Rutgers, Nebraska, and Iowa State via Twitter. Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, the senior out of Deerfield Beach HS racked up 45 total tackles along with 2 interceptions and 6 passes defended according to MaxPreps.
The Tape:
For his size, does a good job of flipping his hips and getting in and out of breaks. Willing tackler that will step up against the run. Shows the ability to be effective in both man and zone calls. Attacks the ball in the air and will be a mismatch against smaller receivers due to his height + long arms. Great press corner that will give receivers fits. With his size and length, has the versatility to move to free safety as well.
The Verdict:
Similar makeup to former Bull Jaymon Thomas who played free safety and cornerback for the Bulls from 2015-2018, Townsel joins the 2-deep youth movement in the secondary that will look to make an impact for the Bulls in the near future.
A few words from Chris himself…
“Let’s work!”
CB AJ Hamilton, Dunnellon HS (Dunnellon, FL)
The Scoop:
Last but not least, we have CB AJ Hamilton (@yb_hamm) out of Dunnellon HS in Dunnellon, FL who committed to the Bulls back in June. Ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com, Hamilton picked up offers from programs such as Kentucky, UAB, UCF, Florida Atlantic, and Tulane during his recruitment. AJ was a two-way player for Dunnellon HS, putting up 457 yards of total offense (rushing + receiving) along with 4 TDs with 17 total tackles and 6 PDs on defense according to MaxPreps.
The Tape:
Film and combine numbers (4.53 40, 39.9 vertical) show an elite athlete that can match-up with anyone on the field. Two-way player that would find success on either offense or defense at the next level. Has the recovery speed to burn at the position and does a good job of getting back to the ball in man coverage. Not a “face-guard” defender that won’t turn around while the ball is in the air. Undersized at the position, but will make up for it with great leaping ability and ball skills.
The Verdict:
Projects as a nickle corner at the next level with his skill-set and athleticism, Hamilton is a slightly different mold than guys like Townsel and Ben Knox who will more than likely play on the outside due to their size. Similar to Townsel, expect Hamilton to contend for a spot on the 2-deep heading into 2020 with a position that is looking for younger depth down the road.
Other News and Nuggets
OG Khristopher Love flips to Maryland:
Via Twitter… Former USF commit Khristopher Love decommitted from the Bulls on December 15th, flipping to Maryland after being committed to the Bulls since the end of July. This was expected by a number of people that follow USF recruiting, just a matter of when for the most part. With Love out of the picture for the Bulls, the new coaching staff will need to recruit the OL position hard heading into National Signing Day, filling in some holes with starters William Atterbury and Marcus Norman graduating. Regardless, we wish Khristopher nothing but the best at Maryland!
OG Miller Merriweather-Lewis Decommits:
On the same day as Love flipping to Maryland, Miller Merriweather-Lewis decommitted from the Bulls as well via Twitter, leaving USF with only 1 OL commit at the moment in Evan Webster out of Wauchula, FL. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the new staff will have a lot of work to do to bring this position back up to healthy numbers, realistically shooting for 3-4 OL commits for this class, whether coming from HS/JUCO or the transfer portal. We wish Miller nothing but the best in his recruitment process and well wishes in his college career down the line!
Leave your thoughts and comments below and be sure to tune in for Part Two of the USF Football 2020 Early Signing Day Recap next week!