This North Carolina transfer is the head honcho of D.W.A. (Dawgs Wit Attitude) due to his innate leadership skills, prowess for shutting down opposing wideouts, and flair for creating turnovers. I’m certain this Bay Made baller will continue to shine under new defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer in 2020. Mark my words, #𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 is NFL bound.
Without further ado, I proudly present our exclusive USF cornerback KJ Sails official 2019 highlights. (Twitter @KJ2LiVE // Instagram @thareal_k9).
The ‘Future Mayor of Tampa’ posted 42 tackles (34 solo), 3 interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defended, six pass breakups, recovered two fumbles, and forced a fumble for the Bulls in 2019. The 813 native was named to the 2019 Eckrich AAC Defensive Team of the year, a Pro Football Focus 2019 All-American honorable mention, and 2019 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team Defense following his stellar first season back home in Tampa Bay.
“Sails was regularly tasked with guarding the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receiver and was targeted 46 times in the process. While he did allow 28 receptions on the year, he wasn’t beat for a pass longer than 35 yards and made twice as many plays on the ball as he allowed touchdowns, with three interceptions and another five pass breakups with two more forced incompletions due to tight coverage to his credit. He led the conference in run-defense grade and missed just four of the 46 total tackle attempts on the year as he was a dominant player on the outside for the Bulls’ defense.”
— PFF’s Cam Mellor
PFF recently dubbed Sails as one of the top returning players in college football for 2020 and 27th on their top 30 defensive backs returning to college football in 2020. Major love that is well deserved.
Sails committed to defensive coordinator Gene Chizik and the North Carolina Tarheels on national signing day in 2016. After sparingly taking snaps as a freshman, Sails was forced to mature quickly after being thrusted into the starting position as a Sophomore.
Sails welcomed his son King Jeremiah Sails to the world just prior to the 2017 season on August 13th, accelerating the young playmaker’s maturation process. The East Bay High alum responded by breaking up a team-best 13 passes in 2017, which ranked ninth in the ACC.
After bursting on the scene and supplanting himself as a starter, Sails unfortunately was forced to sit for the majority of the 2018 season following a week three injury. Sails entered the transfer portal in 2019 after the UNC coaching staff was fired and losing two family members. Sails chose then Charlie Strong led USF over the Miami Hurricanes and FAU Owls.
Sails was a consensus three star recruit rated 86.53 by 247 Sports, 74 by ESPN, and 5.7 by Rivals. Sails was named the 45th best safety for the class of 2016 by Rivals, as well as the No. 28 class of 2016 cornerback, and the No. 40 class of 2016 recruit in Florida by 247 Sports.
Be sure to keep you eyes peeled for big time plays from number 9 this Fall, this dawg will be all over the field wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Just watch his 2019 highlights, his play speaks for itself.
Stay tuned Bulls faithful, we will continue dropping exclusive highlights that can be only found right here on SoFloBulls.com to help ward off the dreaded off-season blues. Also, be sure to tell your friends to follow us on Instagram (@soflobulls), Facebook (@SoFloBulls) and Twitter (@SoFloBulls).
We’re the source for all things USF Sports, so keep it locked. As always, Go Bulls!
by Matthew Manuri
Publisher & Editor, SoFloBulls.com | @Mcknurkle