USF Signs Five JUCOs and Other Notes

Skip Holtz added 5 new players to the roster yesterday (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

From Greg Auman - USF signed 5 JUCO players yesterday as the Bulls look to bolster the recruiting class and add depth and experience to a roster that was depleted at the end of the year.

Offensive linemen Lawrence Martin, Chandlor Mathews-York, defensive backs Fidel Montgomery, Josh Brown, and defensive end Tevin Mims all signed for USF and will enroll in the Spring semester.  Enrolling early allows them to get a full semester of classes in and also allows them to participate in spring drills with teammates.  As Holtz stated, the football season begins in January, not in the fall camps. The signing of the JUCOs is a big step for the team that is loaded with young players and not a lot of experience at key positions.  Each one of these JUCOs could battle for a starting job or will play a key role this season. 

Holtz stated he sees both Mathews-York as an interior lineman, playing at either guard or center (two spots wide open for the Bulls) and Martin as either a guard or tackle.  Mathews-York will be one of the three players that the coaching staff looks at for the center spot along with Thor Jozwiak and Austin Reiter who slightly has the lead for the position going into the Spring (look for David Simon as a 4th option as well). 

Holtz added that JaQuez Jenkins will most likely be the 3rd safety, behind Jon Lejiste and Mark Joyce, but could slide over to cornerback if needed.  A lot depends on the health of incoming freshman Chris Bivins who suffered a knee injury during his senior season.  He will not participate in the spring drills, but if healthy, he could compete for playing time during the season (hard to keep a talented young man like him off the field). Depending on the corner position, Montgomery could move to safety to help add depth at that position, but a lot is left to be determined as Holtz sees the depth and talent at the positions. 

An additional note is freshman defensive tackle Marquis White is no longer with the program after academic issues.  Yet despite losing depth at the tackle position with White's departure, Holtz stated that sophomore defensive tackle Todd Chandler had an outstanding fall with his academics.  Chandler was suspended all of last season due to grade issues, but it would appear he is getting it straightened out.  The former 4-star recruit would be a nice addition to the defensive line depth and could be an impact player if he gets on the field.