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TAMPA (February 3, 2010) – On one of the most anticipated days on the college football calendar, National Signing Day, the University of South Florida football program announced yet another highly-touted signing class.

The USF staff signed 15 players on national signing day - 9 offensive players, five defensive and one punter/kicker - to join four early enrollees as newcomers to the 2010 team.

On the national level, USF’s signing class is being looked at as one of the best in the program’s history. Although small, the class is packed with quality players. USF is the only program in the BIG EAST with two players - Todd Chandler (Miami Northwestern HS) and Terrence Mitchell (Hillsborough HS) - ranked among the ESPNU 150, which ranks the top 150 prospects in America.

Chandler, ranked No. 67 in the nation in the ESPNU 150, was given four stars and is ranked the seventh best defensive tackle in the nation by ESPN.com. He was also labeled the 20th-best defensive tackle in the nation with four stars by Rivals.com and the 32nd best prospect in the state of Florida.

Chandler possesses great strength, technique and moves, and brings a lot of intensity and effort to the field. He had 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a sophomore at Miami Northwestern High School. He picked USF over offers from Louisville, South Carolina, Florida State, LSU, Clemson, Syracuse, Kentucky, Miami and Colorado State.

Mitchell, a local Tampa Bay area product out of Hillsborough High School, is listed by ESPN.com as a four-star recruit, the 12th best cornerback in the nation and the No. 144 prospect overall. In addition, he was given a four-star rating by Scout.com and listed as the 12th-best cornerback in the country, and a four-star rating by Rivals.com.

Mitchell, who runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, possesses great hands, closing speed and tackling ability. He recorded 43 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, and was named second-team All-Hillsborough County. He selected USF over offers from Tennessee, North Carolina, LSU, Illinois, Georgia, Florida and Florida State.

As usual, the Bulls stayed in their home state to pull from the nation’s deepest talent pool. Of the National Signing Day additions 10 are originally from the state of Florida, two are from Georgia and one apiece from New Jersey, Alabama and Texas.

The Bulls' class was heavy on talented running backs and offensive lineman. The new backs are Tiger Powell (Columbia HS), Marcus Shaw (DeSoto HS) and juco-product Mike Hayes (Blinn College). Leading the way for the newest USF running backs will be 6-8, 320 Jake Kaufman (St. Peter Prep, N.J.), 6-5, 315 Tony Kibler (Glades Day School) and 6-6, 320 Quinterrius Eatmon (C F Vigor HS, Ala.).

At wide receiver USF added three-star recruit Deonte Welch (Williston HS) and the shifty teammate of Powell, Jamaal Montague (Columbia HS). Both receivers will begin their USF career with quarterback signee Jamius (pronounce jam-eye-us) Gunsby out of Georgia's LaGrange HS.

Three defensive standouts will add depth alongside Mitchell and Chandler. Safety Reshard Cliett of Georgia's Thomas Country Central high school is a big hitter at 6-2, 191. Deland safety Mark Joyce, who was one of the first USF commits, is another big hitter joining the fold. Outside linebacker Han Louis is the final defensive addition and he comes to the Bulls out of Chaminade Madonna College Prep in Hollywood, Fla.

The last member of the class is punter/kicker Chris Veron, who will make the short trip down from Ocala's Forest high school.

All totaled on Wednesday, USF added three offensive lineman, three running backs, three defensive backs, two wide receivers, one linebacker, one quarterback, one defensive tackle, one punter/kicker.

Brandon Wilkinson, Austin Reiter, Claude Davis and Curtis Weatherspoon enrolled in classes in January and are already part of the USF program.

The Bulls will conclude National Signing Day with a free party at Stumps in Channelside from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Members of the USF coaching staff, local radio station 1010 WQYK AM, spirit squads and select members of the 2010 football team will be on hand to partake in the festivities, sign autographs and answer fans' questions.

WE'LL PICK UP YOUR TAB!!
The USF season ticket team will be on hand to sell 2010 seats. If you bring a friend to Stumps and they purchase 2010 season tickets, we'll cover both of your tabs! If you become a first-time season ticket holder at the party, we'll cover your tab too!!