There is plenty of focus these days on how money has changed college football, particularly when it comes to recruiting. Like every other program, USF has had to adapt to the new reality.
However, some things haven’t changed.
Players may want to get paid, but they also want to be appreciated. Relationships with the coaching staff and in the locker room still matter, and you might be a little surprised at how much difference that can make.
Case in point: new USF receiver Chas Nimrod.
He transferred here from Tennessee after last season, and a big reason was the relationship he had with head coach Alex Golesh and co-offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Kodi Burns.
Both were involved in recruiting Nimrod out of high school for Tennessee. He committed to the Vols, but then Golesh left for USF and Burns joined the New Orleans Saints.
“I talked to a lot of people prior to entering the portal, and one thing that really stuck out to me was a lot of people mentioned relationships,” Nimrod said.
“Coach (Burns) mentioned he recruited me to Tennessee. “I’ve talked to a lot of people who have played for him and they talk about how he’s given them the confidence,” Nimrod said. It was similar with A.G. (Golesh), so it was an easy transition.”
The culture club that Golesh and his staff have created with the Bulls ensured Nimrod would be instantly accepted into his new home.
Burns’ experience as a player and coach at Auburn, then at Tennessee, and followed by a stint in New Orleans, gives him extra credibility with his players.
“With them knowing my background, where I've come from, some of the guys that I've helped along the way, and who I've really developed. And, you know, they see some of those guys in the NFL and what they're able to do. It goes back to relationships,” he said.
“There are certain guys that they can call who will tell them how I am, how I developed them, and how I empowered certain guys to give them confidence to go out there and be great and really be who they are.”
Burns is a fast and inviting 6-foot-2 target. He is one of the most important off-season signings as the Bulls rebuild their receiver room. Three of USF’s top four receivers from a year ago are gone, including record-setter Sean Atkins.
“Everybody's done a really good job of welcoming me and helping me, and just being there for what I need and stuff to make the transition smooth,” he said.
“I definitely thought about it a lot when making that decision to come here. I trust my gut a lot when I’m making a big decision. I feel like my gut leads me in the right direction. When I got here with A.G. (Golesh) and K.B. (Burns), I just felt comfortable.”