RECRUITING: USF Adds First WR in Brian Hartline Era

If anyone needs a reminder, as a wide receivers coach with the Buckeyes, Coach Hartline developed Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Emeka Egbuka, Terry McLaurin and Carnell Tate. Next in line will be Jeremiah Smith. That is a Pro Bowl roster full of NFL wide receivers.

While Austin Busso will have to do a great deal to reach these standards, he has been on Coach Hartline’s radar for quite some time. Coach Hartline was well aware of Busso at Ohio State, which made him a priority when he arrived at USF. The ongoing relationship made Busso’s decision much easier.

At 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, Busso held multiple P4 offers, including from Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Syracuse. USF didn’t offer until Coach Hartline oversaw the program.

Busso, who plays for Bergen Catholic in Oradell, New Jersey, already had multiple offers before a junior season that saw him finish with 40 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. Since then, he saw his process hit a new level.

Eyes will be on Busso in the coming years to see if his trajectory is similar to those of the many Ohio State receivers who are now in the NFL. However it ends up for him, he’ll have the best coaching that is available.