By Five New USF Bulls Who Could Make the Biggest Impact in 2026
TAMPA — Brian Hartline didn’t come to South Florida looking for a rebuilding year.
He came to win.
And if the Bulls are going to contend for an American Conference championship in Hartline’s first season, several new faces will have to become major contributors almost immediately.
USF added 41 players through the transfer portal, a class ranked No. 1 in the American and the best among Group of 6 programs by 247Sports. Twenty-four came from Power Four programs, giving Hartline a roster that looks dramatically different from the one that finished 9-4 last season.
That’s a massive turnover, but it’s also what makes this season so intriguing.
For Bulls fans, there is legitimate reason for excitement. USF isn’t simply plugging holes. Hartline has brought in players who have competed in the SEC, won a national championship at Ohio State and earned all-conference honors elsewhere.
Here are five newcomers who could have the biggest impact on USF football in 2026.
1. Grayson “Pup” Howard, LB
If you’re looking for the potential face of the new USF defense, start with Howard.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Florida transfer has quickly established himself as one of the leaders of defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge’s unit.
Howard started nine games for Florida in 2024 and recorded 37 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack before an ankle injury derailed his progress. Now healthy, he gives USF something it desperately needs in the middle of the defense — size, SEC experience and leadership.
Aldridge has already praised what Howard brings.
“What a great leader,” Aldridge said. “Pup has what coach A.T. calls the ‘gold standard’ in terms of body-fat percentage and size.”
Howard also earned USF’s Iron Bull award during winter conditioning for his dedication, discipline, toughness and leadership.
More importantly, he believes something special is developing in Tampa.
“This program is doing different things,” Howard said. “We’re building something special.”
For a defense looking to take a major step forward, Howard could become its heartbeat.
2. Caleb Cook, OL
Want to know whether USF’s new commitment to physical football is real?
Watch No. 78.
Cook arrives from Georgia Southern as one of the most accomplished players in Hartline’s transfer class. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound graduate student was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2025 after earning third-team honors in 2024.
He has also been named to the 2026 Outland Trophy watch list, an award presented to the nation’s top interior lineman.
USF wants to remain explosive, but Hartline and offensive coordinator Tim Beck also want an offense capable of imposing itself physically.
Cook is exactly the kind of player needed to make that transition work.
Quarterbacks and skill players get the highlights, but if Cook helps USF control the line of scrimmage, his arrival could be one of the biggest reasons the Bulls’ offense succeeds.
3. Michael Van Buren Jr., QB
There is one important disclaimer here: Van Buren still has to win the job.
He and Luke Kromenhoek remain locked in USF’s quarterback competition, and Hartline has made it clear he’s waiting for someone to separate.
“Frankly, it’s up to them to separate themselves,” Hartline said. “When you know, you know.”
But Van Buren’s experience makes him impossible to leave off this list.
He has already made 12 SEC starts between Mississippi State and LSU. In 17 career games, Van Buren has thrown for 2,896 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding six rushing touchdowns.
In 2025 at LSU, he completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,010 yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Replacing Byrum Brown is arguably the biggest challenge facing the Bulls.
If Van Buren wins the job and plays to his potential, USF won’t be starting over at quarterback. It will be handing the offense to a player who has already been tested in college football’s toughest conference.
That’s a pretty good place to start.
4. Ayden Jackson, DB
Jackson could become one of the most important additions to Aldridge’s defense.
The Georgia Southern transfer was a third-team All-Sun Belt selection last season after producing 74 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
That’s production USF can use.
Jackson has played in 34 collegiate games with 18 starts, totaling 115 tackles and three interceptions. At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he brings versatility to the STAR position and can impact the game against both the run and pass.
USF wants to create havoc defensively.
Jackson has already shown he can do exactly that.
Pair him with Howard in the middle of the defense, and suddenly the Bulls have two experienced newcomers capable of becoming difference-makers from Day 1.
5. Bryson Rodgers, WR
This one might be the most fun for Tampa Bay football fans.
Rodgers is coming home.
The former Wiregrass Ranch star was a four-star prospect before signing with Ohio State, where he played under Hartline and spent three seasons surrounded by one of the most talented receiver rooms in college football.
Rodgers caught only 11 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown with the Buckeyes, but opportunity — not necessarily talent — was the issue.
Now he gets his chance.
And Hartline knows exactly what he has.
“Obviously, we’re familiar with Bryson and believe in him,” Hartline said. “He has all the tools to be a great success, and we believe he’s really going to help our USF program.”
Offensive coordinator Tim Beck has also raved about Rodgers’ ability.
“He’s long. He’s fast. He’s elusive,” Beck said after watching Rodgers make a move during spring practice.
Rodgers isn’t thinking small, either.
“We’re trying to go 12-0, conference championship, CFP, those are the goals,” Rodgers said. “Nothing less than that.”
You’ve got to love that if you’re a Bulls fan.
Hartline’s Portal Class Could Define USF’s Season
There is plenty of talent beyond these five.
C.J. Hicks brings Ohio State experience to the defensive front. Running backs D.J. Crowther and Jason Collins Jr. could have significant roles. Kromenhoek could still win the quarterback job. And Hartline has assembled a receiving room loaded with intriguing options.
But Howard, Cook, Van Buren, Jackson and Rodgers have an opportunity to become more than newcomers.
They could become the foundation of Hartline’s first USF team.
That’s what makes the 2026 season so fascinating in Tampa.
This isn’t a roster built to patiently wait for the future. Hartline has assembled experienced players who have been in SEC stadiums, competed at Ohio State and earned all-conference honors.
The Bulls believe they can win now.
And if these five newcomers deliver, September could be the beginning of something awfully interesting at Raymond James Stadium.
