TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Golesh learned through his first two years as a head coach that it is okay to be picky when it comes to the transfer portal. Given what he has desired to accomplish at USF, building a program with as solid a foundation as possible, being selective is likely the best way to proceed. After all, one bad apple, no matter the player’s talent level, can spread rot through the entire orchard.
“Just as much as the player, the locker room is so critically important,” he said, when meeting with the media earlier this month following the late signing period. “It takes one guy to blow it up, so I think I have probably been more guarded with that than ever.”
READ: USF Lifted The Curtain On Women’s Lacrosse And Put On Quite A Show
Golesh, who was hired in December 2022, prefers high school recruits to build and grow the program. Signing a young man for three or four years is more appealing than reeling in a handful of transfers viewing USF as a mere pitstop. The exception is when there are needs on the depth chart that have to be addressed now.
“I feel like each year we have taken less transfers, though the transfers have been more targeted,” he said, noting there are 13 on board for 2025.
Targeted with not only respect to need, but preferably with a sense of familiarity as well. A young man who played high school football in Florida might have connections to at least one member of the coaching staff, or have a former teammate with the Bulls. Such connections can only be a plus when it comes to understanding whether a player will be a good fit in the locker room.
A prime example was Ta’Ron Keith. With Kelley Joiner slowed by injuries in 2023 and K’Wan Powell banged up in the 2024 spring game, Golesh and coordinator Joel Gordon needed a proven and versatile running back. They landed Keith, who in four years at Bowling Green demonstrated exceptional versatility, including as a kick returner.
READ: USF Must Get Past Disappointing Loss Before Hosting Memphis; Kameren Wright Turning The Corner
One other thing: Keith was a Florida boy from DeLand. He was familiar with USF and was recruited by Charlie Strong. Keith looked elsewhere when Strong was let go following the 2019 season.
“Give me a guy that’s in the portal, who is from Florida, has played a ton of football, can do some unique things out of the backfield and can return kicks,” said Golesh, who considers Georgia, as well as the Sunshine State, as part of USF’s footprint. “(Keith) fit that mold. We went after him and got him.”
Keith did not disappoint while averaging 65 all-purpose yards per game for the Bulls last season.
An example of a targeted portal signing for 2025 is Cartevious Norton. With Keith, Joiner and Nay’Quan Wright having expired their eligibility, the Bulls were again in need of help at running back. They addressed that need in part by landing the Georgia native, who was with conference foe Charlotte last season. Norton also played at Iowa State under Matt Campbell, who Golesh assisted with the Cyclones from 2016 to 2019.
READ: Mitch Hannahs Bringing “Fresh Slate” To USF Baseball
All this is not to say Golesh shuns potential transfers he and his staff may not have a connection to. Rather, having at least some familiarity with a player can help in the decision-making process while also making the player’s transition easier, which is no small detail.
“Although a guy in the portal can come from anywhere in the country, the more you know the less chance you have to miss,” he said.
If Golesh is not sure about a player fitting in, well, he is not interested in swinging and missing. After all, there are plenty of other players to consider.
“I feel like right now we are more confident in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” he said. “If there is one question on a guy, move on. Take the next one.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.