PREVIEW: Bulls' commits, big-time targets to visit Raymond James for USF home opener vs. Bethune Cookman

USF has more marquee home games ahead, such as when Miami comes to town Sept. 21, but the Bulls will host a strong batch of visitors at Raymond James Stadium Saturday when Bethune Cookman comes to town for the season opener.

On3’s Mike Singer takes a look at the names to know due in for Alex Golesh and Co. It should be noted that these are prospects who are expected to visit, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the group listed below will have a 100 percent attendance rate.

THE COMMITS

The Bulls should have a strong group of commits at the game Saturday, including an out-of-state recruit. Raleigh (N.C.) Rolesville EDGE Jayden Fry, who comes from the same high school as USF star quarterback Byrum Brown, will make it to Tampa. Bulls’ quarterback pledge Locklan Hewlett, a three-star passer and former Wake Forest commit out of St. Augustine (Fla.) High, is due in as well.

USF has one commit in the 2026 class; Auburndale (Fla.) High linebacker Elijah Dias will check out the Bulls Saturday night.

The highest-ranked commit of USF’s 2025 class — Lakeland (Fla.) High’s Jermichael Gillis — will make the short drive over to Tampa. Gillis is the No. 504 overall prospect and No. 44 safety in America according to the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.

Kissimmee (Fla.) Tohopekaliga EDGE Andrew Hines, Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva safety Jabari Smith, Riverview (Fla.) Sumner safety Jeremiah Jones, Bradenton (Fla.) Braden River kicker Brunno Reus and Venice (Fla.) High EDGE Eli Jones are all expected to see USF face Bethune Cookman as well.

THE USF TARGETS

There are over a dozen uncommitted prospects armed with USF offers who On3 expects to visit for the game Saturday, and while most are in the 2026 class, there’s one 2025 target who will be there. And that’s Jacksonville (Fla.) Providence EDGE Sam Hayward, who has not announced an offer from the Bulls, but we believe he’s received one. USF seems full on the defensive line, but Hayward will be one to keep an eye on.

One of the Bulls’ early 2028 offers will in town — Blountstown (Fla.) High linebacker Cyion Smith.

The rest of the offered targets are in the 2026 class, including Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) Choctawatchee Academy linebacker Ellis Alloway. He’s a prospect the Bulls’ staff is excited about.

The Bulls will host several defensive backs as well. At the cornerback spot, USF will have Tampa (Fla.) Blake’s Jadarian Collins, Kingsland (Ga.) Camden County’s David Coleman Jr. and Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day’s DJ Williams in attendance.

Williams ranks as the nation’s No. 330 overall player and No. 50 wide receiver in the land. The impressive two-way talent holds offers from Florida State, Miami, Michigan and many others.

Two 2026 safety targets will check out the Bulls — Cocoa (Fla.) High’s Okece Battle and Tarpon Springs (Fla.) High’s CJ Cresser.

Moving to the offensive side of the ball, USF will have the chance to impress a couple impressive 2026 offensive lineman in Clearwater (Fla.) Calvary Christian’s Michael Ionata and Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes’ Benjamin Corhei.

There will be a few pass catchers in Tampa, including Raleigh (N.C.) Rolesville tight end Davis Brown, who is making the trip with high school teammate Jayden Fry. At the receiver position, the Bulls will host Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin’s Ethan Sherman, Lake Wales (Fla.) High’s Gabriel Legrand and Riverview (Fla.) Spoto’s Jesse Harden. The receiver trio all hold power conference offers.

Two 2026 running back targets are expected in Raymond James Stadium Saturday night — Community School of Naples (Fla.) High’s Jayvian Tanelus and Tampa (Fla.) Catholic’s Joshua Balloon.

MORE NAMES TO KNOW

Below is a list of other prospects who we expect to visit for the USF game Saturday. These recruits do not yet hold an offer from the Bulls.

Clearwater (Fla.) Central Catholic LB Tyrique Harris (2026)
North Atlanta S Tobi Adewoyin (2025)
Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale ATH Darion Thomas (2026)
Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic ATH Justin Weatherall (2026)
Clearwater (Fla.) High QB Jaylen White (2026)
Sarasota (Fla.) Booker RB Tyren Wortham (2026)
Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson WR Adonis Cuyler (2027)
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons WR Dawson Quarterman (2026)
Douglasville (Ga.) South Pauling OL Tyler Chukuyem (2026)