USF football beats out UCF, West Virginia for 2027 QB James Perrone
On Saturday, the South Florida Bulls accomplished a major feat, defeating the previously No. 13-ranked Florida Gators in the Swamp. And on the following day, head coach Alex Golesh and Co. notched another major victory.
Miami Southridge class of 2027 quarterback James Perrone called the Bulls’ coaching staff to inform them of his decision to commit. He was just at UCF on Saturday, and he held offers from Virginia Tech, Toledo, West Virginia and others, but the 6-2, 170-pounder announced his pledge to USF on Sunday evening.
“It’s the right spot for me,” Perrone told Bulls Insider before announcing his decision. “I love those coaches. It’s close to home too, which is really nice. They’ve been talking to me for a long time. Ever since they offered me (June 2024), they’ve been recruiting me hard. I’ve always really liked USF.”
Perrone’s private quarterbacks coach, Baylin Trujillo, said that Perrone considered committing to USF a couple of months ago, but Trujillo advised him then to be more patient.
But now, it’s the right time for Perrone to make the move.
“They showed the most interest in James from Day 1,” said Trujillo, a former USF quarterback (2011-12). “They communicated with him the most. After they beat Florida, Coach Golesh reached out to James. And my quarterbacks commit to the team that puts them as the No. 1 priority on their board. And that’s what USF did.
“And especially after their big win against Florida, James feels it’s the right time.”
Perrone spoke with Golesh, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon and the rest of the Bulls’ staff when he called to commit.
“I’m psyched about this, and when I called Coach Golesh to commit, he was fired up,” said Perrone. “The whole coaching staff was excited.”
Perrone has been highly productive at the prep level, completing 363 of 602 passes for 5,688 yards with 56 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He’s added 475 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground.
“He’s a dynamic athlete,” Trujillo added. “He’s elusive, has a strong arm and is accurate. James is a gamer and has become an absolute ‘dude.’ He’s the most trending quarterback in Florida. He’s been great in training with me. He’s a great competitor, has a fast twitch and is a natural leader. James is also very humble; he encourages others and looks out for their best interests.”
Perrone is USF’s first commit in the 2027 recruiting class.
