USF Bulls head coach Alex Golesh visits with key 2026 quarterback target

Monday was the first day that college coaches could hit the road to recruit, and unlike in other years, January is a contact period when staffers are able to have full “contact” with players, rather than only being able to “bump” into them.

And according to sources, South Florida Bulls head coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon spent their day visiting with a prospect who very well may be USF’s top quarterback target in the 2026 cycle.

That player is Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School quarterback Stephen Cannon, who is currently unranked and holds offers from USF, Appalachian State, Virginia, Miami (Ohio) and Central Michigan. Golesh and Gordon had a home visit with Cannon Monday night after spending time at his high school earlier in the day.

Cannon stands at 6-3, 195 pounds and reports a 4.0 GPA and a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash.

His first offer came from Miami (Ohio) back in the summer of 2023 after he impressed the RedHawks staff at a mega camp at Mercer. Offer No. 2 didn’t come until almost a year later when the Bulls entered the mix.

This past season was his first year as a starter, as Cannon was behind Luke Kromenhoek, who finished the cycle as a five-star prospect per On3, a year ago.

USF offered Cannon when he only had 14 varsity passes to his name, and the staff liked what they saw from him as a junior in 2024. He missed a few games due to injury, but in six contests, Cannon connected on 76 of 128 passes for 1,237 yards with 10 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. On the ground, he added 107 yards and 3 touchdowns on 36 rushing attempts.

Cannon has already logged three USF recruiting visits. He made it to campus June 18, returned at the end of July for Bay Day and was at Raymond James Stadium last September for the Miami game.

USF has offered over a dozen quarterbacks in the 2026 class, but Cannon is one to keep a close eye on.