TAMPA, Fla.- USF, like many teams, has seen its share of player transition in this portal era. Below is a list that, while not comprehensive, provides a look at how many of the Bulls who transferred out of the program are faring at their current schools.
Jordan McCloud, James Madison
The Plant and Sickles product, who played 20 games in two seasons (17 starts, 21 TD passes) with the Bulls, is in his first season with the Dukes after transferring from Arizona. He played with the Wildcats in 2021 before a knee injury sustained that October effectively ended his time in Tucson. He entered the portal last October and this year’s opener marked his first action since the injury.
JMU has won nine straight dating to last season and heads into Thursday night’s game at Marshall on the doorstep of the top 25. Because the Sun Belt program is in the second year of a two-year probationary period as it reclassifies to the FBS, James Madison is not eligible to play for the conference title. The Dukes could receive a bowl invitation if there are not enough six-win teams to fill all slots.
In the NCAA’s statistical database, players on reclassifying teams are treated like second-class citizens. McCloud has the nation’s 12th-best passer rating, but he is relegated to a “reclassifying” category and not among all other qualifying QBs. Not that it diminishes his effort, which also includes 14 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
Omarion Dollison, JMU
One of McCloud’s touchdown passes was 54 yards to Dollison against Utah State on September 23. It is Dollison’s only reception this season and one of only three touches in five games.
Timmy McClain, UCF
McClain made nine starts for the Bulls as a true freshman in 2021. He transferred to UCF in August 2022 and, because of the timing, was ineligible to play for the Knights last season. This year, McClain started three games when John Rhys Plumlee was out with a leg injury.
McClain has thrown for nine touchdowns in five games and has the nation’s seventh-best passer rating. The QB immediately ahead of him? Former UCF star and current Oklahoma signal caller Dillon Gabriel, who the Knights will face in Norman this week. Plumlee is slated to start.
Gunnar Smith, UCF
Smith entered the portal in the spring. Like McClain, he is from the Orlando region (Lake Mary) and landed with the Knights. He has yet to attempt a pass in his career.
Jimmy Horn Jr./Xavier Weaver, Colorado
The receivers, who left USF after last season, have combined for 94 receptions and 1,007 yards. Both have caught four touchdown passes with Weaver also scoring twice on the ground. Weaver’s 631 receiving yards are 12th nationally and his 54 receptions are good for 13th.
Weaver, USF’s leading receiver last season (53-718-6), totaled three TDs in the Buffaloes’ collapse against visiting Stanford last week. He has at least seven receptions in five of sseven games. Horn, who had a career-high 180 yards receiving for the Bulls against East Carolina last season, opened this season with a career-best 11 receptions at TCU.
Brian Battie, Auburn
The All-American kick returner for USF in 2021 and 1,000-yard rusher in 2022, is averaging 25.2 yards on 14 kick returns for the Tigers. He has 178 yards rushing, which is third on the team.
Antonio Grier, Arkansas
The linebacker, a heart-and-soul performer at USF, has 17 tackles and one interception in five games for the Hogs. He took the pick 25 yards for a touchdown against Kent State in his Arkansas debut after missing the season opener with a quad injury. The Razorbacks visit the Gators on November 4, meaning Grier will play at the Swamp two straight years. He had 10 tackles against UF for the Bulls last season.
Cade Fortin, Arkansas
Fortin, who transferred to USF from North Carolina in 2020, appeared in three games (136 yards, one TD) and made one start last season for the Hogs. He has not compiled any stats this season.
Holden Willis, Middle Tennessee
Back in his home state, Willis has a team-leading 412 receiving yards on 27 receptions (two TDs) despite missing one of the Blue Raiders’ seven games. The receiver’s nine receptions against Colorado State on September 23 were one more than he had in three seasons at USF.
Spencer Shrader, Notre Dame
The 2021 Lou Groza Award (nation’s top kicker) semifinalist was 28-for-40 in field goals during his four seasons at USF. He is 9-for-14 for the Fighting Irish this season, including a career-long 54-yarder.
Eddie Kelly, Georgia Tech
The defensive lineman has 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Yellow Jackets this season after compiling 19 tackles as a true freshman for the Bulls a year ago.
Chris Carter, Tulane
The tight end has six receptions this season, including two for 36 yards in the Green Wave’s win at Memphis last week. He had 15 receptions and two TDs in five seasons (44 games) with the Bulls.
Demaurez Bellamy, Alabama State
The linebacker has 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in five games for the Hornets this season.
Dustyn Hall, ECU
The guard started 25 games in four seasons at USF, including all 12 last year. He now has 31 career starts having started all six games for the Pirates.
Chris Mottillo, Marshall
The tight end had his first three receptions for the Thundering Herd two weeks ago at North Carolina State and caught one pass last week at Georgia State. Mottillo transferred to USF from Penn prior to last season and caught three passes (one TD) in 10 games.
Ridge Jacobs, Catawba
Did not see action as a freshman at USF in 2021. He transferred to the Division-II school in North Carolina ahead of last season and threw for 900 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has not compiled any stats this season.
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