Firing may impact USF football recruiting

The University of South Florida's decision to fire football coach Jim Leavitt came at a crucial point in the recruiting process.

National Signing Day (Feb. 3) is less than a month away, and the uncertainty surrounding the program could put USF in a tough position when it comes to keeping its current recruits and luring new ones, according to Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg.

"I would imagine USF is probably going to take a hit (in recruiting)," Newberg said.

USF has 16 reported commitments for the 2010 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. That group stood Friday as the nation's 49th best class, and third-best in the Big East Conference, in rankings listed by the national recruiting website. Whether or not Carl Franks, who was named interim head coach, and the rest of USF's assistants can keep the class intact and improve upon it remains to be seen.

"I do know this for a fact: that all is fair in recruiting and the recruiters will use (this situation against USF) for the players that are in limbo," said Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia, whose standout defensive back, Terrence Mitchell, is among USF's top recruiting targets. Mitchell is making an official visit to FSU this weekend.

Newberg said the committed recruits are likely to display three trains of thought.

"You're going to have a few kids that say, 'I am committed to USF and not just to Jim Leavitt.' Then you're going to have a faction of kids that are going to open things back up. Then you're going to have other kids that say I am done with USF and I'm going to this (other) school," Newberg said. "Most will probably open things back up and take a wait and see approach."

That's exactly what two of USF's prime recruiting targets - Bradenton Manatee teammates Brion Carnes and Ace Sanders - are doing, according to Manatee coach Joe Kinnan. Kinnan said he spoke to both Carnes, a quarterback who previously verbally committed to USF, and Sanders, an uncommitted prospect who listed USF among his potential suitors, after the news broke of Leavitt's firing. Both players have decided to open up their recruitment, including taking official visits to other programs next weekend instead of a scheduled trip to USF.

"They're stunned," Kinnan said. "Any time something like this happens, it's going to affect recruiting."

Mike Hayes, the latest reported Bulls commitment, also was stunned to hear the news of Leavitt's dismissal, especially considering he met Wednesday with the ousted coach during a recruiting visit. However, Hayes, a running back from Blinn Community College in Brenham, Texas, said Friday he is standing firm in his commitment to the Bulls, so long as USF honors his scholarship offer.

Newberg said while USF could take an initial hit in recruiting because of the recent events, the key is for the program to think long term and find the right fit, no matter how long it could take. Swiftness in that search, however, could be a key in terms of the 2010 recruiting class.

"Obviously the program has to be in a little bit of disarray," Kinnan said. "(Finding a new coach) has to happen sooner rather than later."