October 29, 2026 | Football
Born to be a Bull.ย
Wide receiver Bryson Rodgers, who once competed for the Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls in Pasco County, took the long way home. After three seasons at The Ohio State University, which included 22 games and winning the 2024 national championship, Rodgers transferred to play this year for the South Florida Bulls.ย
Rodgers followed receivers coach Brian Hartline to Ohio State. And when Hartline became head coach at South Florida, Rodgers headed home to Tampa.
"It has been a blessing, man,'' said Rodgers, a 6-foot-2, 187-pounder and a four-star prospect coming out of high school. "Every week, I'm seeing new people at the game. I saw my elementary-school teacher with her daughters. It was a surreal moment, something you always dream about, almost like a movie script.
"I feel like I'm living in (a dream) right now with the love I get from the fans and getting to do this in the city where I grew up. It means everything. Moments like that made me go harder. It adds fuel to the fire and keeps me going. I sincerely appreciate all of USF and Bulls Nation. They've been great and I'm looking forward to seeing (them) at the next games when they support us.''
The next opportunity is Saturday afternoon when the Bulls (5-2, 1-2 American Conference) host the UAB Blazers (4-3, 2-1) at Raymond James Stadium, beginning the stretch run of five consecutive conference games.
Rodgers is South Florida's leading receiver with 30 catches for 334 yards (11.1-yard average) and two touchdowns, including a 42-yard score from Michael Van Buren at UTSA, the Bulls' longest pass play of the season.
"Bryson has been great,'' Van Buren said. "Me and him are pretty close off the field, so I feel like that helps with our connection on the field. Just having Bryson in there, being a leader and him playing at a high level and knowing what it takes to be successful, it has been great.''
"Bryson has been much more consistent and I love his demeanor,'' Hartline said. "I think he's really coming along as a player and I hope he continues to stay on the trajectory of where he's at. He knows he has a long way to go, but he has lofty goals. He's chasing them as an individual and a leader on this team. I'm happy he's here.''
Rodgers attended USF football games as a kid. His father recently posted a photo on social media of Bryson wearing USF gear at Raymond James Stadium.
"I remember that whole day really vividly,'' Rodgers said. "Night game. I came up here with my boys (friends). I remember the (USF) players giving us gear. When I see the little kids and youth kids in the stands, I realize that it was once me in their shoes. I truly see that reflection. So, I make sure after the games to give kids a pair of gloves or my wristbands because I was one of those kids a long time ago, just to make their experience more memorable.
"I think the biggest motivation for me was playing in an NFL stadium. I remember telling my dad I was going to play (here) in the big stadium. And now here I am. Being a Bull (Wiregrass Ranch) in high school and now God paving my journey to be a Bull in college โฆ I do feel like I was born for this. This is my path. This is what I was destined for, so I have to maximize it and be the best version of myself.''
From Bull to Bull โฆ with Buckeye mixed in the middle.
"Brian Hartline is how I ended up at Ohio State,'' Rodgers said. "Just the pedigree and pedestal of what Coach Hartline does. It was rocky at first. From then to now, he's more of a father figure to me that I'll go to with anything, even more than football.
"He has changed me as a man, my mindset, just how I think about things and how I attack the day. He was the main reason why I went there and he's a great part of why I came to USF. I'm just living the dream of being home with a coach who's really in my corner and who wants the best for me. No matter what the circumstances are, he's going to push me to be the best version of myself.''
At Ohio State, Hartline coached seven receivers who were taken in the NFL Draft's first round โ Chris Olave (2022), Garrett Wilson (2022), Jameson Williamson (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024), Emeka Egbuka (2025) and Carnell Tate (2026). Rodgers was exposed to that talent level and also their elite practice habits.
"It's all about the details and doing things beyond the statistics to help your team win,'' Rodgers said. "That's what he (Hartline) is teaching here and all of our guys are learning to be better receivers. You might have a big explosive that looks good (to the fans), but maybe you could have a better angle on the safety or do any number of things in a better manner. It's a standard you hold yourself to and everything matters. Whatever you put on film is a product of yourself. No matter what the conditions are, you've got to maintain that standard.''
Bulls receivers coach Myles White said Rodgers' talent is obvious, but he's more impressed by the player's work ethic and approach.
"People in this area obviously know about the talent of Bryson Rodgers, but this is a really polished kid who raises the bar for our room and everyone figures out pretty quickly that they need to work that much harder to maintain that (standard),'' White said.
"Obviously, by being around Coach Hart at Ohio State, Bryson got a three-year head start and he already embodies that championship mentality. He's a shoulder to lean on for our guys. It's comforting to have a guy like that in our room. I know he's really happy to be back in his hometown. Maybe the whole thing was just destined to happen.''
Born to be a Bull.
โ#GoBullsโ
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Joey Johnston
Athletics Senior Writer
