QB Locklan Hewlett goes in depth on USF commitment, future of the Bulls

St. Augustine (Fla.) High class of 2025 quarterback Locklan Hewlett announced March 24 that he would be backing off his Wake Forest commitment, and a couple weeks later, the 6-1, 180-pounder made a new pledge to USF.

The flip from the Demon Deacons to the Bulls wasn’t one he took lightly.

“Wake is a great option for a quarterback, but I didn’t give other schools — including USF — a fair shot,” Hewlett told On3. “I committed way too early. I should’ve taken more time.”

Wake Forest was the first school that started recruiting Hewlett during his freshman year of high school, and he liked the Deacs a lot from the beginning of his process. He committed to Wake June 2023, but the Bulls didn’t stop recruiting the three-star prospect.

“I took a visit to USF, and after that, I knew it was the spot for me,” Hewlett added. “I reopened my recruitment for a couple weeks — knowing that USF would be the spot most likely. I took a second visit, and I knew that was it for me.”

Hewlett thinks highly of the USF staff and loved what he saw from them during a spring practice visit. He feels comfortable in the offense that’s led by head coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon. Hewlett’s mother went to USF; staying close to home is a bonus for him, too.

“The quarterbacks who Coach Golesh has worked with — he’s sent guys to the NFL,” continued Hewlett. “He did a phenomenal job at Tennessee with Hendon Hooker and worked with Brock Purdy at Iowa State.”

Locklan’s dad is Will Hewlett, who is one of the top private quarterbacks coaches in the country. The elder Hewlett trains Purdy, a former Iowa State and current San Francisco 49ers signal-caller, in the offseasons.

“Brock had nothing but good things to say [to me] about Coach Golesh and how genuine of a person he is,” added Hewlett.

Another Bulls’ staffer who has been key in Hewlett’s recruiting process with USF is director of scouting Alex Fagan.

“Coach Fagan is awesome,” Hewlett stated. “He’s been recruiting me and my receiver, Carl Jenkins, really hard. I have a real relationship with him; we don’t always talk football. He’s genuine and hilarious. My family loves him as well.

“It’s the same thing with Coach Golesh and Coach Gordon — those guys are awesome. They’re phenomenal. You won’t find a better coaching staff in Florida, and it’s one of the best in the nation. They’re going to keep succeeding, and I want to be on that train.”

Hewlett excited about the future of USF

The Bulls went 7-6 in 2023, which was a monumental improvement from the previous three seasons in which USF went 4-29. The offense took a massive step forward, scoring 40+ points in five of its 11 games.

“Explosive plays,” Hewlett said when asked about his thoughts about the Bulls’ offense. “They play with tempo and play fast — that’s my style. It gives me the ability to make plays and take what the defense gives me. That’s the type of player I am — knowing when I need to make a play.

“It’s unbelievable the impact the staff made on the offense from the three years prior. To win seven games last year gives you nothing but excitement, and that was Coach Golesh’s first year. He’s going to continue to improve that, and offense his specialty.

“He’s here to stay with USF, and it’s just perfect.”

USF previously announced that it’ll have a new on-campus stadium and could very well be on the move when it comes to conference realignment as well. Hewlett is fired up about the future of the Bulls’ football program.

“Absolutely — no doubt it’s going to be a top-25 team for a while as long as Coach Golesh is there,” said Hewlett. “They did a really good job with the 2024 recruiting class — so many talented players. There’s a new stadium coming, and the school is supporting the athletic department. Coach Golesh is a big reason for that.

“The future is really bright. People are still sleeping [on USF], but they’ll be awake soon.”

Hewlett, who ranks as the nation’s No. 788 overall prospect and No. 52 quarterback according to the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, has been recruiting his teammate and friend Carl Jenkins, who has the likes of Miami, Texas A&M and Syracuse on his offer sheet. Hewlett and the USF staff would love to keep the impressive pass catcher on their 2025 commitment list.

“We’re really close; him ending up here would be amazing,” noted Hewlett. “USF is high on his list with some other schools recruiting him. I’m going to do my best for him to come here. He’s a great player; no one has seen the best of him yet.”

Miami, Texas A&M, UCF, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Illinois were among the schools that offered Hewlett during his recruiting process.

Hewlett plans to enroll early at USF.