Could USF wind up with a scholarship quarterback joining the program this fall after all? After coming up empty in the regular recruiting process, the Bulls could have a new option for their 2013 starting job in quarterback Danny O'Brien, who is leaving Maryland after two seasons.

O'Brien, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound passer who threw for 22 touchdowns as a freshman when he was the ACC's 2010 Rookie of the Year, could see two things at USF: familiar faces in the coaching staff, and a wide-open quarterback job for 2013 after starter B.J. Daniels graduates.

When O'Brien came out of high school three years ago in Kernersville, N.C., one of his final three choices was East Carolina, which had Skip Holtz at head coach and Todd Fitch at offensive coordinator, in the same roles they now have at USF. Both made the three-hour trip to Kernersville in recruiting O'Brien, according to East Forsyth High coach Todd Willert.

"Danny loved Coach Holtz, and ECU was definitely in his top three," said Willert, saying that O'Brien's decision to not go to ECU was led by a belief that Holtz might not be around long in Greenville. ... Read more

USF's Junior Day gathering Sunday helped the Bulls land their first commitments for the Class of 2013, as Immokalee receivers Tshumbi Johnson and Xavier Richardson, second cousins, both committed to USF coach Skip Holtz on Sunday afternoon.

"It was my first choice -- so close to home, so all my people can come up and watch me play," said Johnson, who is 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds and was being recruited by Florida State, Alabama, Georgia Tech and Auburn, though USF was his first offer.

Richardson, much taller at 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, had a scholarship offer from South Carolina and was being recruited by Miami, Florida and Georgia Tech -- he said the campus visit clinched his decision that he wanted to play for the Bulls.

"It is a good school for me, education-wise, socially, and it's close to home," said Richardson, one of seven Immokalee players to attend Sunday's Junior Day event.

Both players said they are firm in their commitments to USF -- "I've made my commitment, and I know this is where I want to be," Johnson said.

USF football's recruiting efforts for 2012 take a big step today as the Bulls host more than 100 recruits on campus for Junior Day, and if the guest list is any indication, the Bulls are being considered by nearly all of the Tampa area's best talents.

Among those scheduled to attend are (UPDATED: 17 now) of the top 18 recruits for 2013 in the Tampa Bay area, from the Times' early top 25 list offered up by writer John C. Cotey two weeks ago. That includes top running back Ryan Green of St. Pete Catholic, Wharton cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, the Armwood trio of safety Leon McQuay III, receiver Alvin Bailey and quarterback Darryl Richardson, and defensive end Jordan Sherit of Hillsborough -- listed by Cotey as the top six prospects in the area for 2013. ... Read more

Two great stories from Times writers today if you have 10 minutes to spare -- first, Joey Knight caught up with former USF quarterback Alton Voss, revealing a sad story of drug addiction that took him away from college football and have him on the road to recovery in Buenos Aires. USF's had its share of problems getting good quarterbacks and keeping them on campus in the last five years, but it's good to hear that Voss is making progress to take control of his life again.

And here's to a prep football story making 1A of today's Times -- Matt Baker has an uplifting story of Dade City's Mike Larry and all the adversity he's overcome to earn a college scholarship, even at a tiny school in North Dakota. Great, great work on both stories, and certainly worth your time.