USF Flips Backyard 2017 Toledo Commit CB Bentlee Sanders
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Bulls added another area talent on Thursday when Tampa Catholic all-around athlete Bentlee Sanders verbally committed.
Sanders jumped on recruiting boards after showcasing his overall athleticism during his junior season. The 5-8.5, 164 pound, speedster got time in on offense pulling down seven passes for 64 yards and carried the pigskin six times for 55 yards with a score. His open field abilities were highlighted on special teams with 10 kickoffs returned for 373 yards with a long of 80 while adding another 99 yards with punt return duties off 10 attempts.
Where Sanders perhaps made his biggest impact was on defense at cornerback. He tallied 56 total tackles, 36 solo, while stopping two plays behind the line of scrimmage. When 3A Florida opposition tried coming his way, Sanders broke up four pass attempts and picked off three racking up 101 return yards scoring five total touchdowns on the season.
Sanders racked up a wide array of scholarship offers from Arizona, Middle Tennessee, Bowling Green, South Alabama, Eastern Michigan, Akron, Utah State, and Marshall. On July 9, Sanders committed to Toledo but by Aug. 25 had a change of heart deciding to stay in the area for college.
In mid-July, Sanders visited USF leading to his commitment with the Bulls. He made his decision official via Twitter posting:
USF absolutely burned up the recruiting trail from mid-July through August. Whatever the recruiting plan was during the spring netted just one recruit, receiver Jernard Phillips. Since Kelvin Pinkney committed on July 18, the Bulls have added 14 additional verbal pledges over that time period highlighted by four-star prospect Bruce Judson.
South Florida Bulls 2017 Football Commitment List (16)
CB Nick Roberts, 5-10, 170, Oakleaf HS, Orange Park, FL
CB Bentlee Sanders, 5-8.5, 164, Tampa Catholic, Tampa, FL
SS Mekhi LaPointe, 6-2, 180, Armwood HS, Seffner, FL
LB Michael Scott, 6-3, 220, North Florida Christian, Tallahassee, FL
DE J’Bril Glaze, 6-3, 250, Jefferson HS, Tampa, FL
DE Darrien Grant, 6-4, 220, Southeast HS, Bradenton, FL
DT Kelvin Pinkney, 6-2, 287, Booker HS, Sarasota, FL
OG Jean Marcellus, 6-3, 295, Jefferson, Tampa, FL
OT Jeremiah Stafford, 6-3, 294, Trinity Catholic, Ocala, FL
RB Duran Bell Jr., 5-11, 170, Hillsborough HS, Tampa, FL
WR Daewood Davis, 6-2, 170, Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Hollywood, FL
WR Randall St. Felix, 6-1, 191, Dr. Michael Krop HS, Miami, FL
WR Emare Hogan, 5-11, 156, Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, FL
WR Jernard Phillips, 5-10, 165, Miami Central, Miami, FL
ATH Demetri Burch, 5-11.5, 181, Apopka HS, Apopka, FL
ATH Bruce Judson, 5-9, 203, Cocoa HS, Cocoa, FL
Photo credit: twitter.com; Bentlee Sanders at USF
Photo credit: tampabay.mycapture.com; No. 20 Bentlee Sanders drags a defender