USF coach Skip Holtz continues to build on his 2011 recruiting class, picking up the Bulls' fifth commitment, from Sebring defensive end/linebacker Zack Bullock.

Bullock, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, has played mostly at defensive end at Sebring, but could start his Bulls career as a linebacker until he adds more to his frame.

"I think they're going to try to use me as a hybrid, as a third-down pass-rushing defensive end," said Bullock, who said he committed to Bulls coaches nine days ago, two days after getting a scholarship offer.

Bullock chose the Bulls over offers from Iowa State and Western Kentucky, and he's excited about the chance to play college football in a major conference just 90 minutes from home.

"At all the home games, my family gets to come see me play," he said. "And I love the coaching staff. I really wanted to be there. It's big-time Division I football and you're playing in an NFL stadium."

Bullock was recruited to USF by tight ends coach Larry Scott, a Sebring alum who was on the coaching staff before joining the Bulls staff. Bullock said Scott was a "really big influence" in his interest in USF -- Scott's younger brother, LaVaar, who himself played defensive line at Miami, is Sebring's defensive coordinator.

"Zack is great at disrupting and getting to the quarterback -- and teams run away from him, so with him, we can defend one half of the field," LaVaar Scott said. "Everybody's recruiting him as an outside linebacker, but I think he can eventually get to 6-4, 240. He has the frame to be a good defensive end."

Bullock is another case of USF being ahead of the recruiting curve -- he's yet to be rated by either Scout.com or Rivals.com, and gets a pedestrian grade of 45 from ESPN.com. Bullock is USF's fifth commitment, along with Punta Gorda receiver Alex Mut, Pahokee safety Rontavious Atkins, Stone Mountain (Ga.) running back Willie Davis and Tallahassee safety Chris Garye Jr.