USF took some hits in recruiting as the Early Signing Period opens

Considering the events of the last few days, USF came through the first day of the Early Signing Period in relatively good shape.

They signed 17 incoming freshmen despite seeing Alex Golesh, the coach who recruited them, take the same job at Auburn. They did lose at least six players who flipped their commitments from USF to other schools, including three to Auburn.

Those moves came before the news broke that Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will replace Golesh. The Early Signing Period runs through December 5, so there is time for more recruits to sign.

Hartline will remain with the Buckeyes for the duration of their playoff run.

On3.com ranked USF's overall class on the first day at No. 77 nationally, down 10 spots from its original ranking. The Bulls now have the fourth-ranked class in the American Conference after entering at No. 1.

One intriguing thing to watch is the next move by 5-star wide receiver Chris Henry, regarded as perhaps the best receiver prospect in this class. He was committed to Ohio State but didn't sign on Wednesday amid speculation he could go to Oregon or follow Hartline to USF.

For what it's worth, Henry "followed" @USFFootball on X, presumably to check out the new home of the coach who successfully recruited him to Ohio State.

Meanwhile, the coaching change did cost USF coveted quarterback Rhys Brush of Tampa''s Armwood High School. Brush flipped his USF commitment to Auburn.

Brush said the transition from USF to Auburn didn’t come with uncertainty, because Golesh made his intentions clear almost immediately.

“Coach Golesh let me know the night he got up there that I was his guy and that he wanted me to come along with him. It meant a lot because it’s a crazy world out there, and it shows you how loyal he is," Brush told On3.com.

“What makes Coach Golesh special is that he truly and deeply cares about his staff and players. He brings energy and juice every day to whatever he is doing. At the end of the day, he is the ultimate players’ coach. He’s the guy you want to fight for and win for.”

Tight end DJ Broughton and offensive lineman Mykall Lundy-Foster also flipped their USF commitments to Auburn.

“When he left (South Florida), it was an easy decision for me to go with him,” Broughton told AL.com. “I was just waiting on his call, telling me that he wanted me, that he was gonna bring me. So he called me, he said, ‘You want to come with me?’ I said, ‘You know I do.’

Also, 3-star LB Ellis Alloway signed with Liberty, and On3.com reported that edge rusher Jaemin Pinckney signed with FSU after originally committing to the Bulls. Noah Mercer, a 3-star defensive linemen, flipped from USF to UCF.

Following the Early Signing Period, the next thing to watch is the Transfer Portal from January 2-16.