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.
Capital Sports Network will be your home for Let ’em Run Happy Hour
Let ’em Run is breaking down races at some new venues, and we will continue to expand our horizons with a variety of tracks, as we listen to what our viewers and readers have to say.
We are breaking down interesting races at Laurel Park and Turfway Park (a little nighttime action) that will be run on Saturday. Then we turn our attention to Aqueduct on Saturday, where there is The Remsen Gr2, a Kentucky Derby prep, and the signature race…The Cigar Mile.
Saturday Roundup Reminder
Be sure to tune into the Saturday “Let ’em Run Roundup” at 12:30 where we will bring even more insight after any scratches and other changes. So catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels!!
Race 6 — 2:23 EST — The Maryland Juvenile — 125K — 7 Furlongs (Dirt) Some talented 2 y.o.’s line up for this race, at the always tricky distance for young runners at 7 furlongs. I am going to lean on #3 Sometime 9-2. Was ambitiously placed in the Iroquois against some of the best milers in the division. Breeding out of Take Charge Indy, who came in 1st at The Florida Derby and The Clark Handicap, so the talent is there. The #4 Biker Bailey 4-1 came out of a Md 20k, but took over the field and posted a 70 BSF. Could go to the front and not look back. Bet = $10 Ex Box 3,4 = $20
Saturday 12/6 — Turfway Park
Race 7 — 8:55 EST — The Boone County — 125K — 1 ¼ (Synthetic) Big field to choose from gives us plenty of options and value to boot. Jockey Fernando De La Cruz hops aboard #10 Swift Delivery 5-1, 1 of 2 Mark Casse entrants. A failed turf experiment, in between two Gr3 races on synthetic, make this horse the one to beat. Tough post, but De La Cruz can work out a trip and close on the field. The #1 Funtastic Again 5-1, is the horse for course and surface. Has ran in a steady diet of 6 Graded races last 6x, and now gets relief and a good post to go to the front. Jockey Gerado Corrales is very familiar with this runner.
Saturday 12/6 — Aqueduct (Races 7–11)
Race 7 — 2:11 EST — Alw 88K N1X — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Nice start to the late P5 for Let ’em Run, with a big field of 12 runners. Hard to look past #6 Life and Times 8-5. As a student of pace figures, this runner has an early pace figure of 142!! Out of Justify, and 2nd time out runners for that sire often improve…scary. Likely to have some company up front, but just too fast. Bet = P5 = 6 / All / All / 6 / 2 = $78 (based on current entries)
Race 8 — 2:39 EST — The NY Stallion Series — 500K (Fillies) — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Another full field of 2 y.o. fillies running at 7 furlongs. Going with #12 Daniella Marie 6-1, the entry for the “other Chad”… trainer Chad Summers, who is heating up and excellent with 2.y.o’s. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche stays on, and never really asked her in last, when she won by 9 ¼ lengths. Likely post time fave #10 Hot Currency 7-2, looking to improve with stud jockey Flavian Prat retaining the mount.
Race 9 — 3:08 EST — The Remsen Gr2 — 250K — 1 ⅛ (Dirt)
Kentucky Derby prep race, with 12 runners ready to go. The #11 Talkin 5-1 for trainer Danny Gargan is my top choice. Gargan is looking to hit the Derby trail again with a good one here, out of top Sire Good Magic. Runner beat Further Ado in Maiden, and that runner is labeled as a Derby favorite, so why not this guy. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche has options from a tough post, with interesting Brisnet early and late pace figures both high, and nearly the same (early 106 / late 102). Once again the Flavian Prat runner #2 Paladin 3-1 will get much deserved attention.
Race 10 — 3:37 EST — The Cigar Mile Gr2 — 500K — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Really can’t see anyone beating the fast and talented #6 Phileas Fogg 8-5. Two new wrinkles; with blinkers going on and jockey Joel Rosario taking the mount. Trainer Rodriguez Gustavo gave him a break pointing to this race, and said “it’s showtime“; when asked how he was doing!!
Two notes per Brisnet, lone E speed, and best pace to the 6 furlong distance, by a lot. So should have company early, but will then pull away to the wire.
Race 11 — The NY Stallion Series — 500K — 7 Furlongs
Once again the Big A putting out a big field for bettors. Trainer Butch Reid has #2 Parker Boone 8-5 ready to make some noise. Runner won by 12 ¼ 1st time out and was under wraps early. Naysayers will say “who did he beat”, but runners out of Solomini are often very good, very early. Will have other speed to deal with, but a ground saving post should seal the deal.
Final Notes
Stay tuned as we continue to grow, and tune in on Saturday for our 12:30 Podcast, with scratches and changes affecting our picks. And as the saying goes, Let ‘em Run.
NFL and COLLEGE FOOTBALL – THE sec How Sports Is Saving Broadcast TV: The Rise of Live Programming in a Streaming-Dominated Era
Escalating costs of NFL and MLB renewals, combined with cable decline and streaming fragmentation, are likely to make ESPN, Amazon, Apple, CBS, NBC, Fox, and YouTube more cautious about paying significantly higher college football rights fees. This financial pressure could slow down aggressive expansion and reduce the incentive to add ACC schools like Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, and Miami, especially since their recent on-field performance has weakened their market value.
NFL & MLB renewals dominate budgets: The NFL’s Thanksgiving 2025 ratings shattered records, proving why networks will commit billions more to retain rights. MLB’s upcoming renewal adds another heavy obligation.
Streaming entrants already stretched: Amazon, Apple, and YouTube are investing heavily in NFL packages and global sports, limiting their appetite for additional college conference deals.
Cable volatility: Cord-cutting erodes traditional revenue streams, forcing networks to be more selective with rights investments.
College Conference Dynamics
Big Ten & SEC remain secure: Their multibillion-dollar deals ($8B+ for Big Ten, $3B for SEC) ensure stability and make them the only conferences positioned to expand further but only if there is more money to get from the media partners.
ACC locked in: ESPN extended its deal through 2036, giving the conference stability but limiting renegotiation. This makes poaching ACC schools less financially attractive unless ESPN adjusts terms.
Big 12 opportunism: Benefited from Pac-12’s collapse, but future expansion depends on whether networks see value in adding mid-tier programs.
Risks for ACC Schools
Performance matters: Florida State, Clemson, UNC, and Miami have struggled with subpar seasons, reducing their bargaining power. Networks are less likely to pay premiums for underperforming brands.
Revenue-sharing pressures: Following the House v. NCAA settlement, schools must share revenue with athletes, increasing the need for higher payouts. If networks won’t pay more, weaker conferences risk losing schools without replacement value.
Exposure vs. payout trade-off: Streaming platforms may prefer cherry-picking marquee matchups rather than funding entire conferences, further reducing incentives to add schools.
Likely Outcomes
Slower expansion: Networks will prioritize retaining NFL/MLB rights over funding new college realignment.
Selective poaching: Big Ten and SEC may still target top ACC schools if they rebound competitively, but only if the economics justify it.
ACC stability (for now): ESPN’s long-term deal through 2036 makes immediate exits difficult, though lawsuits from FSU and Clemson could test that structure.
Bottom Line
The financial strain of NFL and MLB renewals means networks are unlikely to pay dramatically more for college football in the near term. That reduces the incentive for conferences to expand aggressively, making another Pac-12-style collapse less likely in the short run — but leaving underperforming ACC schools vulnerable if their value doesn’t rebound.
The Breeders’ Cup starts today, and Let ’em Run is on site.
Rear View Mirror Segment Introduction
Let ’em Run continues to improve our product, and we are rolling out our “Rear View Mirror” segment in today’s edition for Sports Talk Florida, where we look back on races we broke down and see where we missed a possible pick and why, and also how we landed on a good pick. In life they say “the windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror so you look ahead, instead of back”. We think in handicapping, a good idea occasionally to look back!!
Friday 11/28 — Churchill Downs
Race 10 – The Mrs. Revere Stakes Looking back on our Podcast, John and I both landed on #4 Classic Q as an upset winner over big favorite #1 Lush Lips. The favorite proved her class and just nipped Classic Q. and a fast closing #10 Pretty Picture.
Race 11 – The Clark Stakes The “Rear View Mirror” told us we should have given a long look at the #9 Magnitude, who took it to the field with the highest U.S. Timeform early pace figure. John made a strong case for #5 Chunk of Gold, who had more company up front than expected. My pick #4 Gosger, had many Brisnet angles that made him strong in my book, but never fired. Keep an eye on this runner next out, odds will surely be worth a look.
Saturday 11/29 — Del Mar
Race 5 – The Seabiscuit Handicap In this race, the “Rear View Mirror” told us the only way (in our opinion) the #4 Call Sign Seven could have been used, was if you used a dart board, no offense to those who picked him!! John and I both landed on #3 Almanderes, who ran in 4th place, as the leader ran away from all in the field.
Race 7 – The Jimmy Durante Stakes Some redemption here as John laid out a Trifecta Key for $20 (4/1,5,6,8,9/1,5,6,8,9) and returned $61.50. Hey, a win is a win. I dropped anchor on the #5 La Ville Lumiere, a long shot at 8-1, with a lot of Brisnet angles to work with. She ran a nice race, but only managed a 3rd place finish.
Race 9 – The Hollywood Stakes Using the “Rear View Mirror”, a case could have been made for winner #4 Salamis. Leading rider Umberto Rispoli jumped aboard for trainer Chad Brown. In the last race he was a tough load, and closed, but too late. He ran back to the 2 back race and took the top spot, not an impossible pick with a closer look.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, Let’emRun is looking to run multiple Podcasts each week in the New Year. Coming up on Friday 12/5/25 Happy Hour at 3PM, we will dive into 2 races being run on Saturday 12/6/25… Race 6 at Laurel Park, The Maryland Juvenile. We will then jump over to Race 7 at Turfway Park, The Boone County. Some interesting races, at some interesting venues.
Upcoming Coverage
On Saturday 12/6/25, we will get back to East Coast racing at Aqueduct, where we will cover Races 7 thru 11, including Race 9 The Remsen Stakes (Kentucky Derby Prep), and Race 10, The Cigar Mile. Two big races each year at the Big A, so be sure to tune in for both shows, and as always Let ’em Run.
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