Analysis: Rivals 3-star Kendall Sawyer picks USF
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USF picked up Rivals three-star DB Kendall Sawyer from Lehigh Acres (Fla.) East Lee County High School.
Sawyer, ranked No. 89 in the FlaVarsity Top 100 - the Rivals High School site for the state of Florida.
The 5-foot-11, 175 pound two-way player is rated as the 54th best corner in the country, according to Rivals.com
"I picked USF because I had a good relationship with the coaches, the head coach Willie Taggart and Raymond Woodie," said Sawyer. "They want to give me the chance to make an impact."
Sawyer picked the Bulls over Florida State, Louisville and Miami, but in the end, it was between the 'Noles and the Bulls.
"I just had a better relationship with the coaches from USF," Sawyer said. "I learned a lot when I was in Tallahassee, but I like that Tampa is closer."
Sawyer lives with Peter and Carolyn Gooden, his legal guardians since he was in eighth grade.
"They've helped me so much, I was having problems in school and in life," Sawyer said. "If they hadn't taken me in, I don't know where I'd be."
Carolyn Gooden said that although Sawyer isn't a blood relative, he's 'family' all the same.
She also had high praise for recruiter Raymond Woodie.
"I have to give coach Woodie a lot of credit," she said. "His first comment was that he wanted someone who was of academic and strong character - and football was not the priority. That's a man who I can trust Kendall with. He made us feel like he was becoming a part of our family also."
"We are so happy for him," Carolyn Gooden said."
Sawyer participated in Saturday Night Live in June and will be in Tampa Oct. 26 for the Louisville game.
"I'll be up there when they play Louisville. The Cardinals are recruiting me too, but I'm solid for USF."
Sawyer is the seventh defensive back to commit to USF, a position the Bulls recruited heavily last season. He plays wide receiver as well as cornerback.
He is the third prospect from the Southwest Florida area - which is recruited by linebackers coach Raymond Woodie
Sawyer joins Devin Abraham (Tarpon Springs East Lake), Chris Jones (Jacksonville Sandalwood), Mazzi Wilkins (Tampa Plant) and Deatrick Nichols (Miami Central) - all are cornerbacks and have committed to USF.