USF NEW HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
Bryan Hodgson named South Florida head men’s basketball coach
University of South Florida (USF) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bryan Hodgson has announced his first recruiting class with the program, assembling the second-highest composite-ranked recruiting class in school history.
USF’s 2025 class ranks No. 29 nationally according to 247Sports composite rankings — the program’s highest-rated incoming class since their 25th-ranked class in 2013. The class features 13 new players, blending five highly regarded freshmen with eight experienced transfers.
“This class sets the tone for what we’re building at USF,” Hodgson said. “We’ve brought in high-character, extremely talented young men who thrive on competition and embrace the daily work it takes to win. They’re going to help us build on the foundation that’s already in place and push our championship culture forward in Tampa. I’m truly excited about the direction we’re headed.”
Hodgson’s Five Freshmen
USF’s 2025 five-man freshmen class hail from all over North America. From Gavin Hightower’s top talent at Sierra Canyon in Southern California to Caleb Sanders’ experience at North Tampa Christian Academy right here in USF’s backyard. The Bulls are also bringing in three Canadians currently playing for Canada’s U19 team in Switzerland at the 2025 FIBA World Cup: Tristan Beckford, Adriel Nyorha, and Onyx Nnani. With the three’s participation in the tournament, South Florida becomes the only program in the NCAA with three athletes on a U19 international team. The trio of Canadians were all originally committed to Hodgson’s program at Arkansas State, but chose to flip their commitment to follow him to South Florida upon his hiring.
Tristan Beckford (Maple, Ontario, Canada) – 6’5 / 180 lbs / Freshman / Forward Fort Erie International Academy
Canada’s third-ranked recruit and ranked 164th overall nationally by 247Sports, the three-star recruit, starred at Fort Erie International Academy before choosing coach Hodgson’s Arkansas State program over offers from Arizona State, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi State, and Oregon, among others. In March, Beckford followed Hodgson, switching his commitment to South Florida. He is one of three Canadian freshmen to be playing for Canada’s U19 team in Switzerland at the 2025 FIBA World Cup. He also averaged 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over four games at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup, helping Canada win bronze and earning All-Tournament Team honors.
Adriel Nyorha (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) – 6’5 / 175 lbs / Freshman / Guard Winston-Salem Christian School
Ranked the 15th-best recruit in North Carolina and 32nd at his position nationally by 247Sports, the three-star recruit starred for Winston-Salem Christian, where he averaged 11.0 points per game as a senior. He also earned All‑Canadians honors with Canada Topflight Academy. Nyorha is currently playing for Canada’s U19 team in Switzerland at the 2025 FIBA World Cup. He chose coach Hodgson’s Arkansas State program over offers from Arizona State, DePaul, George Mason, and Mississippi State, among others. One day after Beckford, he also elected to follow Hodgson to USF, switching his commitment.
Onyx Nnani (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) – 6’9 / 215 lbs / Freshman / Forward The Phelps School
Ranked the fourth-best recruit in Pennsylvania and 31st at his position nationally by 247Sports, the four-star recruit starred for The Phelps School, averaging 14 points and eight rebounds; he earned all-state second‑team honors, led the Lions to the PAISAA championship with a 20-point, 11-rebound performance, and was named COBL Non-PIAA Player of the Year. Nnani is currently playing for Canada’s U19 team in Switzerland at the 2025 FIBA World Cup. He chose coach Hodgson’s Arkansas State program over offers from Oregon, Penn State, Oklahoma State, Washington, and Kansas State, among others. A week after Beckford and Nyorha, he also elected to follow Hodgson to USF, switching his commitment.
Caleb Sanders (Tampa, Fla.) – 6’6 / 185 lbs / Freshman / Forward North Tampa Christian Academy
Ranked the 27th-best recruit in Florida and 51st at his position nationally by 247Sports, he was ranked 18th-best overall in Florida for the 2026 class before reclassifying for 2025. The three-star recruit was a key catalyst for North Tampa Christian’s first-ever Final Four appearance. He earned multiple regional all-state honors en route to leading the Titans to a 24‑7 record and a dramatic four-overtime semifinal. He averaged 12.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 steals. He chose coach Hodgson’s USF program over offers from Florida State, Boston College, ECU, California, and Mississippi State, after originally committing to Louisiana-Lafayette.
Ranked the 24th-best recruit in California and 28th at his position nationally by 247Sports, the three-star recruit helped lead Sierra Canyon to the California Division I state championship in 2025, scoring 15 points in the title game and earning Mission League All-Star recognition. He also earned all-CIF honors at Windward before transferring to Sierra Canyon. In 20 games as a junior, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, including a game-winner in the regional final. Hightower initially committed to Iona but flipped to USF in May, turning down offers from California, Washington State, Utah, New Mexico, and California, among others.
Hodgson’s Eight Transfers
Hodgson, who was named USF’s head coach on March 24, 2025, made an immediate impact in shaping the 2025-26 roster, living up to his reputation as one of the nation’s top recruiters. He signed eight new transfer players to the roster. Two of the eight, Joseph Pinion and Izaiyah Nelson, followed coach Hodgson from Arkansas State.
Transfer from Arkansas State The tallest player on this roster, Izaiyah Nelson, joins the Bulls after three seasons at Arkansas State. As a junior in 2024–25, he appeared in 37 games with 31 starts, averaging 10.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 58.6 percent from the field. He ranked among the Sun Belt’s top rebounders and shot-blockers, earning Third Team All-Sun Belt honors and capping the regular season with back-to-back 20-point, 20-rebound performances that earned him Sun Belt and USBWA National Player of the Week recognition. Nelson recorded 10 double-doubles, highlighted by a 30-point, 21-rebound outing vs. Louisiana. He finished his Red Wolves career with 158 blocks, ranking fourth all-time in program history. He adds elite length, rim protection, and rebounding to USF’s frontcourt.
Joseph Pinion (Morrilton, Ark.) – 6’5 / 200 lbs / Senior / Guard Transfer from Arkansas State / Arkansas
Pinion was a four-star recruit out of high school who began his collegiate career at Arkansas, where he appeared in 45 games over two seasons. He then transferred to Arkansas State for the 2024–25 season, where he thrived under Coach Hodgson, averaging 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 36 games with 25 starts. He shot 42.9 percent from the field, knocked down a team-high 85 threes at a 36.0 percent clip, and shot 88.7 percent from the free-throw line. Pinion scored in double figures 24 times, including five 20-point games, and a career-high 23 points in the Sun Belt semifinal. He brings proven scoring, versatility, and veteran leadership to the Bulls’ backcourt.
Daimion Collins (Atlanta, Texas) – 6’9 / 200 lbs / Redshirt Senior / Forward Transfer from LSU / Kentucky
A consensus five-star recruit out of high school and McDonald’s All-American, Collins began his collegiate career at Kentucky, appearing in 52 games over two seasons (27 as a freshman, 25 as a sophomore). He transferred to LSU in 2023, missing most of the 2023–24 season due to a shoulder injury that earned him a medical redshirt. In 2024–25, Collins started 22 of 30 games, averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20.6 minutes while shooting 58.1 percent from the field—the highest FG percent in the SEC among players with similar volume. He logged 10 double-figure performances, including a career-high 22 points at Oklahoma. He grabbed a season-best 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas, also recording three games with four blocks. Collins adds elite rim-running, efficient scoring, and SEC-tested toughness to USF’s frontcourt.
Josh Omojafo (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) – 6’5 / 200 lbs / Senior / Guard Transfer from Robert Morris / Gannon University
The fourth Canadian on this roster, Omojafo joins USF after a 2024–25 season at Robert Morris, where he started all 33 games, averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest. He earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Tournament Team. Omojafo notched 20 double-figure games, including a season-high 27 points with four threes at IU–Indy and a 13-rebound effort in the league championship, along with 12 points vs. Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. A 20‑PPG scorer in his two seasons at Division II Gannon University, he brings scoring versatility, shooting accuracy, and tournament-tested poise to USF’s backcourt.
Xavier Brown (Williamsburg, Va.) – 6’2 / 183 lbs / Senior / Guard Transfer from James Madison
Brown brings three years of Sun Belt experience from James Madison, capping his junior season by averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals across 32 games with 30 starts. He logged 29.0 minutes per contest and knocked down 60 threes at a 34.5 percent clip, highlighted by a career-high six triples at Georgia Southern. Brown recorded 21 double-digit scoring games, including a season-high 23 points against Ohio and a 21-10 double-double in the Sun Belt title game. He led JMU with 46 steals (ninth in the conference). He earned Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team honors. With his combination of scoring, playmaking, defense, and proven leadership, Brown adds depth and poise to USF’s backcourt.
Isaiah Jones (Nashville, Tenn.) – 6’7 / 229 lbs / Senior / Forward Transfer from Oakland / Detroit Mercy
Jones comes to the Bulls having played one season at the University of Detroit Mercy before transferring to Oakland for two seasons. As a junior in 2024-25 at Oakland, he started 25 of 28 games and averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He ranked second on the team with 36 steals. He was a member of the Horizon League Champion Oakland team, which knocked off No. 3 Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In high school, Jones played for Speights Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jones adds size, defensive instincts, and versatility to USF’s frontcourt as a veteran two-conference performer.
Wes Enis (Conover, Ohio) – 6’2 / 200 lbs / Junior / Guard Transfer from Lincoln Memorial
Enis arrives after two stellar seasons at Division II Lincoln Memorial, where he scored 20.3 points, grabbed 4.6 rebounds, and dished 2.9 assists per game in 2024-25 — ranking tied for 36th nationally in scoring while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three-point range. Enis led his team with 99 threes and an 84.7 percent mark from the free-throw line last year. A two-time South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, Enis tallied 28 double-digit outings, 18 games of 20+ points, and three 30+ point games, finishing with 1,022 career points at Lincoln Memorial. He brings elite scoring ability, off-ball threat, and high-level shooting to USF’s backcourt.
Devin Haid (Wooster, Ohio) – 6’5 / 190 lbs / Senior / Guard Transfer from Central Connecticut / Notre Dame College (OH) / Cuyahoga CC
Haid arrives after a decorated NCAA career, most recently playing for Central Connecticut State in 2024‑25. He started 30 of 32 games, averaging 14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. Haid was a Riley Wallace Award finalist for the most Impactful Division 1 transfer. He tallied a season-high 29 points in the NEC semifinals, produced 25 double‑figure games, and recorded two double‑doubles. Prior to CCSU, Haid earned All-Mountain East Conference second-team honors at Notre Dame College after averaging 15.9 points and 5.6 rebounds, and starred at Cuyahoga Community College, where he posted 20.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He brings efficient scoring, perimeter-defensive instincts, and versatile playmaking to USF’s backcourt.
Returners Rounding Out The 15-Man Roster
Coach Hodgson only inherited two players on this 15-man roster, both of whom first came to USF ahead of the 2024-25 season.
CJ Brown (Marietta, Ga.) – 6’2 / 175 lbs / Sophomore / Guard
USF
The late Amir Abdur-Rahim recruited Brown to South Florida as a four-star recruit, ranked the 114th-best recruit in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports. He was named to the 2024-25 AAC All-Freshman Team and appeared in 31 games, with 23 starts. He finished the season with 38 steals, which is tied for the eighth most in program history by a freshman. He shot 75.6 percent from the free-throw line, which is the ninth-best mark by a freshman in USF history. He also dished out 78 assists, which ranks as the 10th most in USF history by a freshman. Brown finished second on the team with 17 blocks as a guard. He was named AAC Freshman of the Week three times.
De’Ante Green (Asheville, N.C.) – 6’9 / 210 lbs / Senior / Forward USF / Florida State
Abdur-Rahim also recruited Green to the Bulls in the summer of 2024 after two seasons at Florida State, playing in 55 games. He was a four-star recruit out of high school and ranked the 119th-best recruit in the 2022 class according to 247Sports. He averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds over 31 games for the Bulls in 2024‑25, missing time due to a season-ending injury. A strong, versatile forward with SEC experience and efficient scoring, Green brings depth, rebounding, and toughness to USF’s frontcourt.
Wanted: Someone with deep pockets who loves women’s soccer located in a city with a ready to go soccer stadium, a good corporate base and a good media market contact Jessica Berman for details. The National Women’s Soccer League is now looking for an 18th franchise. The league awarded Home Depot co-founder and owner of the National Football League Atlanta Falcons franchise and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC franchise, Arthur Blank, the league’s 17th franchise in Atlanta. Blank’s team will begin play in 2028. “It is our intention to admit Team 18, and we are targeting a 2028 launch,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said during an appearance in Atlanta one day after announcing the league’s 17th franchise in November. Arthur Blank did not bid for a franchise.
“I think the philosophy around our shift in strategy as it relates to expansion remains true, which is that we will now admit teams as we and a potential bidder deem is ready and appropriate, and really use a slightly different filter so that we can make decisions more on a case-by-case basis,” Berman said. “With that in mind, we’re definitely working on expansion. It will likely always be, at least for the foreseeable future, going on in the background, and when and if we determine that a deal is ready to be presented to our board and move forward, we’ll be able to add Team 18.” In January, 2025 the National Women’s Soccer League awarded its 16th franchise to the Denver market. Denver got the nod beating out Cincinnati and Cleveland. Presumably those two cities are in the mix for that 18th team along with places like Nashville, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Jacksonville. It has been a long road for professional women’s soccer leagues in the United States to find success. That may be changing.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles Opens Up to Dan Sileo: Cutdown Day, Baker Mayfield, and Buccaneers Legacy
Todd Bowles walked into the postgame press conference knowing the truth: his future in Tampa Bay now rides on the final three games of the season. The Buccaneers blew a 28–14 fourth‑quarter lead and handed the Atlanta Falcons a 29–28 win, a collapse that mirrored the team’s month‑long freefall. Bowles didn’t hide his frustration, and his message hit harder than any hit delivered on the field.
Mike Evans returned from a broken clavicle and played like a man determined to drag the Buccaneers forward. He caught six passes for 132 yards, drew multiple penalties, and showed visible disgust as he walked off the field after the loss. Bowles praised him with purpose.
“He played winning football. He cares,” Todd Bowles said. “He’s one of the guys that cares. He gave his heart. He gave his all.”
Todd Bowles didn’t need to say the rest out loud. His tone made it clear: not enough players match Evans’ urgency. When pressed on who lacks that edge, Bowles backtracked, but the message already landed.
“They all care. It’s just a matter of execution,” Bowles said. “There’s nobody out there trying to mess it up. But at some point you’ve got to get it right. This is a player‑driven team in the last four or five weeks. You’ve got to execute. They’ve got to hold each other accountable.” (Reporting supported by NFL.com’s transcript of Bowles’ comments NFL and USA Today’s coverage of his postgame remarks USA TODAY.)
Mayfield Takes the Blame and Challenges the Locker Room
Baker Mayfield didn’t dodge responsibility. He threw a late interception and owned it immediately. He also echoed Bowles’ challenge to the roster.
“We have talent. Talent doesn’t get you anything,” Mayfield said. “Doing the work and executing on game day does. We didn’t do that.”
Mayfield didn’t sugarcoat the stakes.
“We have to win out to get to the playoffs. To win the division, we have to win out. If the guys don’t handle this the right way, then we have a much deeper issue.
What’s Working: The Run Game Shows Life
The Buccaneers produced 88 yards on 22 carries and created opportunities to control the clock. They didn’t lean on the run game enough, especially with a late lead. The ground attack gave them balance, but Bowles and the offense never fully committed to it.
What Needs Help: The Defense Collapses Again
The defense failed in every critical moment. Tampa Bay couldn’t pressure the quarterback, couldn’t cover tight ends, and couldn’t tackle in space. Atlanta faced third‑and‑28, gained 14 yards, and then converted fourth‑and‑14 on the game‑winning drive — a sequence that defined the night.
The Bucs surrendered 365 passing yards and recorded only one sack on an immobile Kirk Cousins. The numbers matched the eye test: the defense broke when it mattered most.
Stock Up: Mike Evans
Evans returned with fire, production, and leadership. His 132 yards and emotional edge set the tone. He played like a captain trying to save a season.
Stock Down: The Offensive Line
The offensive line allowed five sacks and constant pressure. The unit never settled, and its struggles disrupted the rhythm of the offense throughout the night.
Injuries Continue to Pile Up
The Buccaneers lost CB Zyon McCollum (hip) during the game. LG Ben Bredeson remained out after landing on injured reserve. DB Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (hip), TE Cade Otton (knee), and CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) all missed the matchup.
Next Steps: A Season on the Brink
Tampa Bay travels to Carolina next, while the Panthers play at New Orleans on Sunday. The Buccaneers still control their playoff path, but control means nothing if they can’t finish games.
The Final Word: Bowles and the Bucs Still Hold Their Fate — But Time Is Running Out
The Buccaneers created this crisis, but they also hold the power to escape it. Bowles’ future, the team’s playoff hopes, and the direction of the franchise all hinge on the final three games. The ship hasn’t sunk yet. The question now is simple:
Under the bright lights of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, the New York Athletic Club formally presented the 2025 Heisman Memorial Trophy to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The redshirt junior from Miami stood at the podium on December 13, 2025, visibly emotional as he became the first Cuban American and the first Hoosier in history to win college football’s most prestigious award. The ceremony marked a defining moment not only for Mendoza but for Indiana University football as a whole.
Mendoza’s journey to the Heisman was nothing short of remarkable. In his first season as Indiana’s starting quarterback after transferring from California, he guided the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and their first Big Ten Championship since 1967. His statistics were equally impressive: – 2,980 passing yards – 33 touchdown passes (nation’s best) – 71.5% completion rate – Only six interceptions
These numbers not only shattered school records but also placed Mendoza among the elite quarterbacks in college football. His ability to deliver in clutch moments—such as Indiana’s 13-10 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game—cemented his reputation as a leader and playmaker.
The Voting and Competition
The Heisman race featured a competitive field, including Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Mendoza, however, claimed 2,362 first-place votes, outdistancing his rivals by a wide margin. His victory also ended a long drought for the Big Ten, making him the first conference quarterback to win the award since Ohio State’s Troy Smith in 2006.
In his acceptance speech, Mendoza thanked his teammates, coaches, and community, saying: “If you told me as a kid in Miami that I would be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I would have laughed or cried, just like I am now. I accept this award with humility and gratitude.”
Indiana’s Rise to National Prominence
Indiana’s football program, long considered an underdog in the Big Ten, has now ascended to the pinnacle of college football. Mendoza’s leadership has transformed the Hoosiers into the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, earning them a quarterfinal matchup in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. The team’s offensive surge under Mendoza broke program records for touchdowns and points, signaling a new era for Indiana football.
Closing Thoughts: Mendoza and the CFP Playoffs
As Fernando Mendoza hoisted the Heisman Trophy in New York City, he not only etched his name into college football history but also carried the hopes of an entire program into the postseason. Indiana, undefeated and brimming with confidence, now turns its attention to the College Football Playoff, where Mendoza’s arm and leadership will be tested against the nation’s best. For the Hoosiers, the Heisman is more than an individual honor—it is a symbol of their arrival on the national stage, with Mendoza at the helm of a team chasing a championship.
Politics8 years ago