USF football recruiting win: coveted receiver Austin Busso chooses the Bulls

Brian Hartline's reputation as a superior recruiter and developer of wide receivers seem to have been a major factor in the verbal commitment by three-star receiver Austin Busso to join the Bulls in 2027.

Busso was among the recruits who made an official on-campus visit last weekend. The Bulls had made him a recruiting priority.

Bulls247.com reported that Busso, a 6-0, 185-pound three-star receiver from Bergen Catholic in Oradell, N.J. chose USF over over offers from Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, Wake Forest, West Virginia and SMU, and other programs.

"It was the best fit for me, and from the moment I walked in that building, I just knew it was home," Busso told 247Sports. "The major factors were the relationships I built. Coach Hartline, Coach (wide receivers coach Myles) White, and Coach (Tim) Beck (offensive coordinator). They all have been very honest with me. Another thing was how well I'll fit in their offense. I feel like I could really excel in that offense that Coach Beck has."

He is ranked as the No. 30 player in New Jersey.

According to the 247Sports scouting report, Busso is a precise route-runner with a knack for reading coverages and knowing how to adjust

"Busso has built his reputation on technical refinement rather than raw measurables. His route running is his defining trait, consistently allowing him to win early in reps and create separation at all three levels of the field. He shows an ability to beat press with clean releases, using upper‑body deception and footwork to avoid jams and stay on schedule in timing‑based offenses," the report said.

"Once into his stem, Busso gets skinny through traffic, snaps routes off efficiently, and displays a strong understanding of leverage, traits that make him a natural fit in modern spread systems. His feel against zone coverage is equally advanced. He identifies soft spots, settles with discipline, and transitions smoothly into yards‑after‑catch opportunities, showing both awareness and tempo beyond his age. Production-wise, Busso has delivered against top competition, including out‑of‑state powers, and posted a strong 2025 season with 40 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns."

Bergen Catholic is a traditional powerhouse high school program. The Crusaders are often nationally ranked and love to schedule highly regarded out-of-state teams.

"I want to play for Coach Hartline because I know he will help develop me into the best receiver I can be," Busso said. "I know he will also help me grow into a better man off the field."

He told 247 that his relationship with White was a major factor.

"He has been recruiting me since he was at Syracuse," Busso said. "After everything that happened with him, he told me wherever he goes, he was going to come get me, and that was exactly what he did. Coach White and I have built an amazing relationship."

Verbal commitments, even ones as solid as Busso's seem to be, are not official until a recruit signs his scholarship papers in December.

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