USF Athletics

USF Football Alumni Unite With Scott's Staff on National Signing Day

February 13, 2020

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, FEB. 13, 2020 – Jeff Scott continued building a strong bond with former Bulls players on the same day USF football added promising talent for the future.

About 30 Bulls returned to campus to share memories and meet Scott's new coaching staff during the USF Football Alumni Group's inaugural Signing Day Luncheon on Feb. 5.

"I think it's a beautiful thing having these guys back around," said Sam Barrington, a star linebacker for the Bulls from 2009-12 and current USF football radio analyst.

Barrington helped coordinate the event that served as another opportunity for football alums to unite with USF's new head coach. Numerous former program standouts initially showed their support during Scott's introductory press conference on Dec. 11.

"Really, I just want to lock arms with you and I want you to know from Day 1 that our doors are open to you," Scott said to former USF players. "We welcome you back. You're welcome to come to any practices because this is your football program."

Double doors at the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center swung open on National Signing Day, right after USF announced its 2020 class that's up to 17 members. In walked former players representing a 20-year span of USF teams, starting with Otis Dixon, Jay Mize, Marshall Smith, Tony Umholtz and Kevin White from the 1997 season squad.

No matter the years they suited up in Green and Gold, every Bull in attendance was greeted by Scott's entire primary coaching staff. 

"They were so embracing," said Amarri Jackson (WR, 2005-07). "They want to really know you. They're handing you their cards, giving you their cell phone numbers."

Together, Bulls of the past and present had a great time chatting over lunch and Scott made sure to address the entire group in his genuine fashion.

"I think Coach Scott was great. He really impressed me a whole lot," said eight-year U.S. Army veteran Jarriett Buie (DE, 2006-08). "One of the main points that he made was building the program. He wants this to be a kid friendly and alumni friendly environment to win a championship. He thinks if we all come together, then we can win that championship."

"He is showing us a platform of where he knows USF can be," said Cameron Ruff (center, 2014-17). "It's not just gonna take the players. It's also going to take the alumni and the community to help build that up."

Members of the USF Alumni Group are more than willing to help the program reach new heights, and that's a long list of names across the United States. It actually spans all the way back to 1996, when USF practiced for an entire season without a game to lay the foundation for what became the fastest Florida FBS team to reach 150 program wins.

"You've got the support of 23 years of alumni players," Barrington said. "We want to see this place do what so many people have been waiting for it to do. This place is capable of doing that."

Former players plan on taking Scott up on his offer of joining the current team at practices in the near future. Expect to see a large group of alums when the Bulls kick off their annual spring game on Saturday, April 18. More details on the event will follow.

"Everybody is all in. We believe in (Scott) and we're excited," Barrington said. "If you're not at the spring game this year, you're missing out. It's gonna be a special atmosphere. I imagine we'll have 150-plus former players there."
 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22^nd season of football, and 19^th at the FBS level, the USF football program has earned 10 bowl appearances, including a current run of four straight, and owns a record of 6-3 in bowl games. The Bulls have appeared in the national top 25 rankings in each of the past three seasons, including a program record run of 20 straight weeks in the top 25, and in 2018 reached the program's 150^th win faster than any FBS program in state of Florida history. USF has posted a pair of 10-plus win seasons in the last three years, including a program-record 11 wins (11-2) in 2016, and logged 15 winning seasons overall. Since first taking the field in 1997, the USF program has reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings (2007), seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 29 earn first-team all-conference selection.
 
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