USF and Head Coach Jim Leavitt Unveil 2009 Signing Class Experts Rate Class Among the Nation’S Top 25 and the Best in the BIG EAST

USF and Head Coach Jim Leavitt Unveil 2009 Signing Class Experts rate class among the nation’s top 25 and the best in the BIG EAST

TAMPA – The University of South Florida football program announced a highly-touted signing class that is filled with defensive standouts and top-flight speed.

In the simplest measure, the class fills holes on the USF roster, which has more returning offensive players than defensive players. The USF staff signed 15 defensive players, 12 offensive players and two standouts that will come in as an athletes.

On the national level, USF’s signing class has been widely considered the best haul in program history. It has been ranked as the best in the BIG EAST by Rivals.com and No. 29 nationally. ESPN.com has the Bulls at No. 24 nationally and second among conference schools, as does Scout.com.

Of the defensive players signed, seven players are on the defensive line, including four defensive ends and four-star recruit Ryne Giddens. Giddens, who attends nearby Armwood high school, is a Parade All-American and a consensus top-100 prospect. Also with a boatload of accolades is Fort Scott Community College product Jason Pierre-Paul, who is rated as a five-star recruit and the sixth best junior college recruit in the country. The class of defensive lineman has been rated as high as No. 2 nationally.

The Bulls have lost three starting linebackers to graduation over the last two seasons, including NFL prospects Ben Moffitt and Tyrone McKenzie, but were able to assess those needs by signing four at the position. Terry Parker high school standout Sam Barrington and Georgia product DeDe Lattimore were among the most highly sought after recruits in the class.

The secondary added depth and elite-speed in high school defensive backs Ricardo Dixon and Kayvon Webster, who highlight the group of four in the incoming class.

Offensively, the Bulls add three running backs to a unit that has only four returning letterwinners in 2009. Marianna native Bradley Battles and local products Adaris Bellamy (Dunedin) and Lindsay Lamar (Hillsborough) bring a range of abilities and a ton of accolades from the national recruiting services.

With the graduation of four senior offensive lineman, Coach Leavitt’s program assessed the need by signing five offensive lineman, including South Broward high-school mauler Steven Jacques and junior college award winner Carlos Savala.

The stocked wide-receiving pool at USF just got deeper with the addition of 6-1, possession-receiver Sterling Griffin and burner Derrick Hopkins - who is among the fastest track athletes in the high school ranks. Hallandale athlete Victor Marc could land at numerous spots on the USF roster, but is expected to get an early look at wide receiver after work- ing as a quarterback and running back in high school.

The class is rounded out with 6-4 quarterback Isaac Virgin, who has a cannon for an arm and deceptively good feet, and Dixie Hollins high school tight end Gerard Atkins.

As usual, the Bulls stayed in their home state to pull from the nation’s deepest talent pool. Of the 29 signees, 27 are originally from the state of Florida, one from Georgia and one from California.

Class Breakdown Offense - 12 Defense - 15 Athletes - 2

Florida - 27 Georgia - 1 California - 1

Quarterback 1 Wide Receiver - 2 Running Back - 3 Offensive Line - 5 Tight End - 1 Defensive Line - 7 Linebacker - 4 Defensive Backs - 4 Athletes - 2 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios

Gerard Atkins Tight End St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dixie M. Hollins HS) 6-5, 225

Ranked 99th best prospect at tight end by Scout.com … Played both tight end and wide receiver, also saw time on defense … Logged five touchdown grabs as a junior … Also recorded two interceptions, returning one 99 yards for a touchdown … Hails from the same high school as Head Coach Jim Leavitt and prolific USF back Andre Hall.

Sam Barrington Linebacker Jacksonville, Fla. (Terry Parker HS) 6-3, 220

Three-star prospect at linebacker … Rated 37th best prospect among inside linebackers by Rivals.com … Ranked 65th best prospect in Rivals.com Florida Preseason Top 100 list … Rated 18th best prospect at middle linebacker by Rivals.com … Ranked 47th best prospect at outside linebacker according to ESPN … A four-year starter that played on both sides of the ball at Terry Parker HS … Logged 1,188 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns on 108 carries as a senior … Selected to play in the 2008 Florida All-Star game … Also added more than 109 tackles, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six pass break-ups while playing multiple linebacker position … Recorded 104 tackles including 74 solo stops, three sacks and three forced fumbles during his junior season … A gifted athlete at the linebacker position that flashes a good burst of speed when closing on the ball vertically … Shows good hands and upper-body strength and utilizes his long wingspan to separate blockers and string the run out to the sideline … Chose USF over Miami, Purdue and Illinois, among others.

Jamar Bass Offensive Guard Apopka, Fla. (Hutchinson C.C., Kan./Apopka Senior HS) 6-4, 290

Ranked 62nd best junior college prospect in Rivals.com Junior College Top 100 … Projects at either left guard or left tackle for USF … Redshirted at Fort Scott C.C. after graduating from Apopka Senior HS … Transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College the following year before landing at Hutchinson C.C. as a redshirt sophomore … Earned All-Jayhawk Conference honors in 2008 … Benches presses 385 pounds and squats 615 … Chose USF over Illinois, UAB, Southern Mississippi and Middle Tennessee, among others.

Bradley Battles Running Back Marianna, Fla. (Marianna HS) 5-9, 179

Rated 16th best prospect among athletes by Rivals.com … Ranked 192nd prospect in Rivals.com Rivals250 … Rated 26th best prospect in the Florida Preseason Top 100 by Rivals.com … Ranked 64th best prospect at running back by Scout.com … Rated 22nd best prospect at running back by ESPN … A tough, rugged runner with a nice blend of power, speed and quickness … Has a thick sturdy build, displays lateral quickness and does a good job securing the ball … Saw action on both sides of the ball and on special teams at Marianna HS … Scored 15 touchdowns as a senior … Also recorded 54 tackles and two interceptions while playing safety … Logged 2,100 yards rushing on 275 carries with 25 touchdowns during his junior campaign … Also had 11 catches for 133 yards and two receiving scores … Defensively had 70 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a junior … Also recorded seven punt returns for 150 yards and two touchdowns and four kick returns for 120 yards … A Class 2A first team selection at defensive back following his senior season … Voted first team All-State as a junior … Runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash … Boasts a 35.5-inch vertical leap … Recruited by Assistant Coach Mike Canales … Chose USF over Louisville, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Colorado, among others.

Adaris Bellamy Running Back Dunedin, Fla. (Dunedin HS) 5-10, 214

First commit of USF’s 2009 recruiting class … Four-star prospect … Ranked 43rd best prospect at running back by ESPN … Rated 73rd best prospect at running back by Scout.com … Second-best inside runner among running backs according to Rivals.com … Ranked the 46th best prospect in Florida by Rivals.com … Rated 26th best prospect at running back by Rivals.com … One of the nine best prospects in the Tampa area according to the St. Petersburg Times … Possesses good size and is powerful and explosive through the hips and lower body … Displays deceptive lateral quickness and excels at shaking off defenders … Scored six touchdowns on eight carries in a game against Osceola during his senior season …Rushed for 1,950 yards and 22 touchdowns during his junior campaign … Garnered class 5A All-State, first team All-County and second team All-Sun Coast honors as a junior … Chose USF over Ole Miss, Florida, Iowa State and Clemson … Hails from the same high school as rising senior wide receiver Theo Wilson. 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios

Ricardo Dixon Cornerback Hallandale, Fla. (Hallandale HS) 5-11, 168

Three-star prospect at cornerback … Ranked 13th best prospect at cornerback by ESPN … Rated 33rd best prospect at cornerback by Scout.com … Ranked 67th best prospect in the Florida preseason Top 100 according to Rivals.com …Rated 49th best prospect at cornerback by Rivals.com … Displays good transitional quickness and great vertical speed … Has a good burst of speed to get under the ball on deep throws and is a reliable open-field tackler … Logged 52 tackles, 12 pass breakups and six interceptions returning one for a touchdown as a senior … Recorded 50 tackles, one interception and 30 pass breakups during his junior season … Selected to play in the Hawaii All-Star Football Classic as well as the Dade/Broward and Under Armour All-American games following his senior campaign … Also a first team all-state selection and a second team Reebok Florida Phenom honoree… Runs a 4.4 forty-yard dash … Chose USF over Ole Miss, Rutgers, Tennessee, Auburn and West Virginia, among others … Hails from the same high school as fellow 2009 signee Victor Marc.

Julius Forte Defensive End St. Petersburg, Fla. (Boca Ciega HS) 6-2, 235

Three-star prospect at defensive end … Rated 47th best prospect at defensive end by Scout.com … Ranked 42nd best weak side defensive end by Rivals.com … Tough and productive defensive end that displays good quickness to the ball … Displays solid straight-line speed and short-area change-of-direction skills … Recorded 95 tackles, 34 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, three caused fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown as a senior … Finished his junior season with 50 tackles, 11 sacks, four caused fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one blocked field goal for a touchdown … Saw action at defensive end, defensive tackle and offensive tackle for Boca Ciega HS … Garnered second team Class 4A honors as a receiver following his senior season … Benches 315-pounds and squats 415 … Has a 35-inch vertical leap … Has a 3.5 core GPA … Also lettered in basketball … Chose USF over Louisville, Kentucky, Ole Miss and North Carolina State, among others.

Ryne Giddins Defensive End Seffner, Fla. (Armwood HS) 6-4, 235

Four-star recruit at defensive end … Ranked fourth best weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com and 61st best prospect overall … Rated 12th best defensive end according to Scout.com … Ranked fifth best defensive end by ESPN … Rated second in pass rushing among defensive ends by Rivals.com and was the 15th best Florida prospect in Rivals.com preseason list … One of the nine best prospects in the Tampa area according to the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times … Plays out of a low sprinters stance and can be explosive off the ball … Displays lateral quickness and an ability to slip around the block to make an inside charge … A solid wrap-up tackler with good closing speed … Three-year starter and team captain at Armwood HS … Coached by Sean Callahan … Recorded 75 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two fumble returned for touchdowns, 21 quarterback hurries, 10 pass breakups and 18 tackles for a loss as a senior … Compiled 98 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and 21 sacks as a junior becoming Armwood High School’s all-time sack leader … First team Reebok Florida Phenom selection as a senior … Earned CSTV National Defensive Player of the Year , USA Today and Parade Magazine first-team All-America honors following his senior campaign … Also named to the 2008 EA Sports All-America team … Selected for the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Two-time first team all-county selection by both the Times and the Tribune … Also voted a two-time defensive player of the year by the Times … Named Bright House Sports Network Defensive MVP of the Year as a junior and was a Class 4A first team All-State and All-Sun Coast selection …Runs a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash … Received more than 70 scholarship offers, chosing USF over USC, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Clemson, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Sterling Griffin Wide Receiver Opa Locka, Fla. (Miami Monsignor Pace HS) 6-1, 174

Rated 135th best prospect at wide receiver by Scout.com … Ranked 70th best prospect at wide receiver by ESPN … A three-year starter at wide receiver for Miami Monsignor Pace HS … Caught 37 passes for 779 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior … Finished his junior season with 35 catches for 970 yards and 10 touchdowns … Also saw time at safety recording 35 tackles and one interception in his high school career … Named one of the Top 25 Players in Miami-Dade County by the Miami Herald in 2008 … A tall, lean wide receiver with long arms and smooth athleticism … Has good initial quickness off the line and possesses solid top-end speed … A polished rout runner who does a good job of creating leverage by attacking defenders … Carries a 3.7 GPA … Runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash … Also lettered in track where he finished second in the FHSAAA Championships in the 400m (48.47) … Chose USF over Mississippi, Pittsburgh, Purdue and Kansas State, among others. 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios

Chase Griffiths Inside Linebacker Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian HS) 6-3, 213

Ranked 43rd best prospect at strong side linebacker by Scout.com … Rated 73rd best prospect at inside linebacker by Rivals.com … Fundamentally sound and does a good job maintaining gap integrity on the inside … Displays above average redirection skills in mirroring backs between the tackles and possesses good coverage skills … Has played both linebacker and defensive end … Had 120 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, four sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior … Led North Florida Christian to the 2007 state championship game … Garnered first team Class 1A honors as a senior … All-Big Bend Honorable Mention following his junior season … Runs a 4.6 forty-yard dash … Carries a 3.7 GPA … Chose USF over Rutgers, Auburn, Florida State and N.C. State.

Anthony Hill Defensive Tackle Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola HS) 6-4, 301

Joined the USF program in spring 2009 … Three-star recruit at defensive tackle … Ranked 91st best prospect in Florida in the 2008 recruiting class according to Rivals.com … Rated 51st best prospect at defensive tackle in the 2008 class by Rivals.com … Rated 37th best prospect at defensive tackle in the 2008 class by Scout.com … A solid blocker that moves well laterally and displays good use of his hands … Has solid tackling skills and can be a consistent threat as a pass rusher … Had 65 tackles and eight sacks during his senior season …Recorded 70 tackles and 9.5 sacks as a junior while battling a shoulder separation … Named to the 3A All-Star game following his junior season … Garnered PrepStar All-Region honors as a senior … Hails from the same high school as rising junior nose tackle Terrell McClain.

Derrick Hopkins Wide Receiver Opa Locka, Fla. (Miami Monsignor Pace HS) 5-7, 160

Ranked 149th best prospect as an athlete by ESPN … Recorded 22 receptions for 350 yards and two touchdowns as a senior … Also returned one kick for a touchdown … Has played on both sides of the ball and on special teams … Returned four punts for touchdowns and two kickoffs for touchdowns during his junior campaign ... Scored a total of 10 touchdowns and added two interceptions playing primarily defensive back … Dynamic return specialist and slot receiver with blazing speed … Possesses sudden change-of-direction and lateral agility skills … A two-time first team All-Dade County selection … Also lettered in track running a 10.25 in the 100-meter … Posted the nation’s best 200 time with a 20.97 to capture the Class 2A title … Runs a 4.3 forty-yard dash … Chose USF over Kansas State, Auburn, Texas A&M and LSU among others, also heavily recruited by many major programs as a track athlete.

Steve Jacques Offensive Guard Hollywood, Fla. (South Broward HS) 6-4, 280

Ranked 49th best offensive guard in the country by Scout.com and 51st best offensive guard prospect by Rivals.com … Ranked 99th best prospect in Florida by Ri- vals.com … Broward County’s 16th best prospect according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel … Powerful offensive lineman with impressive upper body strength … Three year starter at South Broward High School … Coached by Alan Held … Saw action at both offensive guard and defensive tackle … As a senior anchored an offensive line that allowed South Broward to rush for 1,937 yards and average 273.4 yards of total offense per game … Garnered first team Class 6A honors in 2008 … First team all-county selection and a second team Reebok Florida Phenom selection during his senior campaign … Second-team all-county selection as a junior … Bench presses 405 and squats 575 … Boasts a 3.7 grade point average … Also lettered in wrestling qualifying for the state tournament in the heavyweight division after finishing his junior season with a 36-6 overall record …Recruited by USF Assistant Coach Larry Scott … Chose USF over Auburn, West Virginia and South Carolina. 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios

Jaquez Jenkins Safety St. Petersburg, Fla. (Lakewood HS) 6-2, 177

Ranked 73rd best prospect in the Florida Preseason Top 100 by Rivals.com … Rated 36th best prospect at safety by Rivals.com … Has played safety, wide receiver, quarterback and saw time as a return specialist … Played mostly quarterback his senior season … Recorded more than 1,300 yards passing with 19 touchdowns and rushed for 500 yards and five scores in seven games as a senior … Also had 28 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble through seven games during his senior campaign … Compiled 700 yards passing, 400 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving and 200 yards on kick returns as a junior …Also logged 50 tackles and one interception on defense … A Class 4A honorable mention selection as a senior … Quick on run support and a physical tackler at safety … Tremendous leaping ability and timing make him an interception threat.

Kamran Joyer Center Zephyr Hills, Fla. (Wesley Chapel HS) 6-3, 317

Rated 65th best prospect at offensive guard by Rivals.com … Rated 50th best prospect at offensive guard by Scout.com … A solid offensive guard that uses his hands well in all phases of blocking … Excels in pass protection … Has played offensive guard, offensive tackle and center … Recorded between 60 and 70 pancake blocks during his junior campaign … One of the nine best prospects in the Tampa area according to the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times … A third team Reebok Florida Phenom selection during his senior season … Named first team all-conference and second team all-state as a junior … Benches 425-pounds and a 295-pound power clean… Also lettered in weightlifting and track and field.

Lindsey Lamar Running Back Tampa, Fla. (Hillsborough Senior HS) 5-9, 160

Amassed more than 3,300 yards in his high school career as a starting running back and return specialist … Projects at running back, slot receiver and kickoff/ punt return specialist at the collegiate level … Ranked 57th best prospect at wide receiver by Scout.com … Rated 21st best all-purpose back by Rivals.com … A versatile athlete that shows good vision finding the seams and great acceleration slicing through the defense… Excels at making defenders miss with great stop- start and jump-cut skills …Rushed for 1,319 yards and 18 touchdowns on 121 carries as a senior, averaging 11-yards per carry … Also logged eight catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns during his senior campaign … Rushed for 938 yards and eight touchdowns while battling a knee injury as a junior … Garnered first team All-Hillsborough County honors as a senior … Also a Class 4A third team selection as a senior … Lettered in track where he won the regional championship in both the 100-meter (10.35) and 200 (21.41) events as a junior .. Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds… Boast a 3.4 GPA … Chose USF over South Carolina, Michigan, Louisville and Boston College, among others.

Devekeyan “DeDe” Lattimore Inside Linebacker Athens, Ga. (Cedar Shoals HS) 6-1, 225

Ranked 15th best prospect at strong linebacker by Scout.com … Rated 13th best prospect at inside linebacker according to ESPN … Rated 66th best prospect at inside linebacker by Rivals.com … Ranked 71st on Rivals.com Georgia Postseason Top 75 list … Played on both sides of the ball at Cedar Shoals HS as a running back and linebacker … Finished his senior season with 46 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, four sacks and four forced fumbles … Named to the 2008 Georgia All-Star team and the All-Northeast Georgia team … Also garnered Defensive Player of the Year honors in Region 8-AAAA … Rushed for 631 yards and six touchdowns on 88 carries as a junior … Also had 118 total tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries in 10 games … Does a good job of pressing seams and closing on the ball … A solid tackler with the ability to make plays down-field … Bench presses 315-pounds and squats 475 … Has a 31-inch vertical jump … Runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash. 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios

Victor Marc Athlete Hallandale Beach, Fla. (Hallandale HS) 5-11, 208

Ranked 71st best prospect in the Florida Preseason Top 100 by Rivals.com … Rated 55th best prospect among athletes by Rivals.com … Ranked 19th best prospect at running back by ESPN … Ranked the 63rd best prospect at running back by Scout.com … Played primarily quarterback in high school … Boasts a strong arm with good accuracy at quarterback … Rugged and sturdy as a back but also has smooth, fluid change-of-direction skills … Extremely quick and has a proven ability to make defenders miss … Threw for 854 yards with eight touchdowns completing 42-percent of his passes (45-of-107) … Also recorded 478 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 83 carries while leading Hallandale HS to a 6-3 record during his senior campaign … Selected to play in the Under Armour All-American game following his senior season … Runs a 4.4 forty-yard dash …Also lettered in baseball … Chose USF over Rutgers, Kansas State, Boston College, Clemson and West Virginia, among others … Hails from the same high school as fellow 2009 signee Ricardo Dixon.

John McGhin Offensive Tackle Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida HS) 6-3, 291

Rated 142nd best prospect at offensive tackle by Scout.com … Ranked 80th best prospect at offensive guard by ESPN … Helped lead Florida HS to an 11-2 record in 2008 … Anchored an offensive line that aided the Seminoles in amassing 2,009 yards passing for 18 touchdowns and 3,321 yards rushing for 45 scores as a senior … Garnered first team Class 2B honors and was a first team all-district selection following his senior season … Named Big Bend Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2008 … A third team Reebok Florida Phenom selection … Finished his junior season with a 12-1 overall record, helped Florida HS to 1,507 yards passing and 10 touchdowns through the air as well as 3,797 yards rushing and 41 rushing scores as part of the offensive line … Can play any position on the line and projects to contribute to the left side at either guard or tackle … Solid pass protector with good upper body strength … Coached by Jarrod Hickman … Boasts a 3.5 GPA … Chose USF over Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Georgia Tech.

Ivan Nicholas Safety Jacksonville, Fla. (Robert E. Lee HS) 5-10, 180

Ranked 133rd best prospect at safety by Scout.com … Younger brother of former USF star and two-year NFL veteran Stephen Nicholas … Played mostly safety but saw some action at linebacker for Robert E. Lee HS … A playmaker on the defensive side of the ball … Finished his senior season with 84 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two punt blocks and two fumble recoveries … Logged 98 tackles, four interceptions, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a junior … Named to the first team All-First Coast team as a senior … Coached by Randy Glass and Myrick Anderson.

Jason Pierre-Paul Defensive End Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Fort Scott C.C.,Kan./Deerfield Beach HS) 6-6, 265

Five-star prospect at defensive end … Ranked sixth best junior college prospect according to Rivals.com … Amassed 49 tackles, 14 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a freshman at College of the Canyons … Earned first team All-WSC and All-America honors following his freshman season … Transferred to Fort Scott C.C. in Kansas after his freshman year … Teammate of fellow signee Jacquain Williams at Fort Scott … Finished his sophomore season with 70 tackles, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Named Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 unassisted tackles, two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in one game … Garnered first team All-Jayhawk and first team All-America honors following the 2008 season … Runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash … Chose USF over Florida, Miami, Florida State, Kansas State, Arizona and Nebraska and Oklahoma State.

Luke Sager Defensive End Niceville, Fla. (Niceville HS) 6-4, 240

Rated 54th among weakside defensive ends by Rivals.com … Ranked 54th among defensive ends by ESPN … Ranked 134th best prospect at defensive end by Scout.com … Saw action across the defensive line … An active defender with good size and ability … Uses his hands well and moves well laterally … Projects 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios at the 3-technique or defensive end in college … Recorded more than 40 tackles and nine sacks as a senior … Finished his junior season with 45 tackles and eight sacks … Selected to play in the North/South All-Star game in 2008 … Honorable mention All-County selection as a junior … Runs a 4.8 forty-yard dash … Benches 345 pounds and squats 500 … Has a 29-inch vertical leap … Carries a 3.1 GPA .

Carlos Savala Offensive Tackle Fontana, Calif. (College of the Desert/Kaiser HS) 6-6, 310

Entered the military out of Kaiser HS and served a short stint in the Navy ... Two-time all-state and all-conference performer at the College of the Desert … Desig- nated a preseason All-American in 2008 and opened his sophomore season by not allowing a sack in his first four starts … Garnered second team all-conference honors and was named to the JC All-American All-Star game as a sophomore … Helped the Roadrunner amass 1,751 yards rushing for a conference-best 29 rushing touchdowns … Named to the Region III All-California first team as a freshman … An All-CIF Division III selection at Kaiser HS as a senior and a first team All-Sunkist league honoree following his junior season.

Leslie Stirrups Defensive Tackle Tampa, Fla. (East Mississippi C.C./Hillsborough HS) 6-3, 275

Four-star prospect at defensive tackle… A high speed defensive tackle capable of making tackles anywhere on the field … Played at Mississippi’s Pearl River Com- munity College for one season recording 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble … Rising seniors Theo Wilson and Kion Wilson and rising junior Craig Marshall also played at Pearl River Community College before starting their careers at USF …Transferred to East Mississippi Community College in 2007 … Recorded 71 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal at East Mississippi … Earned JUCO defensive player of the week honors after recording eight total tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, one pass breakup and one blocked PAT in one game … Named to the first team All-MACJC team in 2008 … Named to the Rivals250 by Rivals.com in 2006 … Ranked 10th best prospect among defensive tackles in 2006 by Rivals.com … Rated 20th best prospect in the state of Florida in 2006 according to Rivals.com … Ranked 30th best prospect at defensive tackle by Scout.com in 2006 … Finished his senior season with 57 tackles, four sacks and six tackles for a loss … Recorded 56 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and six sacks as a high school junior … First team All-Sun Coast selection as a senior.

Demi Thompson Defensive Tackle Longwood, Fla. (Lake Mary HS) 6-1, 245

Ranked 124th best prospect at defensive end by Scout.com … Rated 44th among weakside defensive ends by Rivals.com … Ranked 31st among defensive end prospects by ESPN … A productive player that does a good job of using his hands … Moves well laterally and is a solid tackler … Had 27 solo tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in six games of action during his junior season … Selected to play in the Central Florida All-Star game following his senior campaign …Coached by Scott Perry… Bench presses 335-pounds and squats 515 … Boasts a 3.4 GPA … Chose USF over Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Purdue, among others … Hails from the same high school as rising sophomore linebacker Michael Lanaris.

Kyrhi Thornton Nose Tackle Longwood, Fla. (Hargrave Military Academy, Va./Bay Senior HS) 6-3, 300

Three-star prospect at defensive tackle … Ranked 16th among prep school prospects according to Rivals.com … Rated 73rd best defensive tackle in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com … Ranked 20th best prospect at defensive tackle in 2008 by ESPN … Good sized defensive tackle with solid straight line speed … Displays the ability to take a smart pursuit angle and can be a productive pass rusher … Saw action at both fullback and defensive tackle …Recorded 678 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns as a high school senior … Also had two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown … Made 49 tackles including 46 solo stops, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during his senior campaign … Named to the Orlando Sentinel Top 100 following his senior season…Runs a 4.8 forty-yard dash … Benches 365 and squats 400. 2009 USF Football Signing Day Bios Isaac Virgin Quarterback Fort Pierce, Fla. (Westwood HS) 6-4, 235

Rated 91st athlete prospect by ESPN … Rated 68th best prospect at tight end by Scout.com, but projects at quarterback for USF … Possesses good foot speed and agility … Shows good downfield strength and throws well on the run and off balance … Amassed 2,811 yards passing in his high school career …Threw for 1,641 yards and 15 touchdowns with only four interceptions as a senior … Also rushed for 317 yards and seven touchdowns … Led Westwood HS to the District 13-4A title as a senior ... Saw action at both quarterback and tight end … Earned Class 4A honorable mention as a senior … Has the ability to throw the ball close to 70 yards flat-footed … Coached by Waides Ashmon … Also lettered in basketball.

Kayvon Webster Defensive Back Opa Locka, Fla. (Miami Monsignor Pace HS) 5-11, 181

Rated 28th best prospect among safeties by Rivals.com … Ranked 29th best prospect among safeties by Scout.com … Ranked 71st on the Rivals.com Florida Preseason Top 100 list … Rated 32nd best prospect as an athlete by ESPN … Saw action on both sides of the ball and as a return specialist for Miami Monsignor Pace HS … Caught 30 passes for 500 yards and eight touchdowns during his junior season … Also recorded 65 tackles, four sacks, seven forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries … Returned a kick for a touchdown as a junior … Two-time first team All-Dade selection … The entire package when it comes to versatility in a football player … Has good size and plays bigger than his physical dimensions … Quick on run support from the safety position and drives through the ball carrier or receiver when making tackles … Has the speed to catch a play from behind and flush the quarterback out of the pocket in blitz coverage … Runs a 4.4 forty-yard dash … Has a 33-inch vertical leap … Carries a 3.0 GPA … Also lettered in track … Chose USF over Miami, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Syracuse, Florida and Auburn, among others.

Jaquian Williams Outside Linebacker Riverview, Fla. (Fort Scott C.C. ,Kan./Riverview HS) 6-4, 225

Recorded 72 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, an interception and a forced fumble at Fort Scott in 2008 … Was named KJCCC Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight solo stops, three assisted tackles, one tackle for a loss, an interception and five solo tackles on special teams to lead Fort Scott to the first shutout against Coffeyville Community College since 1998 … Garnered NJCC first team All-America honors following his sophomore season … Logged 60 tackles including 11 tackles for a loss as a freshman at Fort Scott … Runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash.

Kevin Williams ATH St. Petersburg, Fla. (Los Medanos College / Gibbs HS) 5-10 175

One of the top Juco corners and punt/kick returners in the country … In 2007, made 38 tackles in 10 games, also had three interceptions and 21 pass breakups … Last year at Los Medanos he registered 27 pass breakups, four interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and had one fumble recovery … He also had 34 kick returns, averaging 40.3 yards, and scoring two touchdowns … All-Pinellas player in high school at Gibbs High … Has been clocked at 4.34 in the 40.