USF football flips three-star Mississippi athlete from Liberty
Alex Golesh and the South Florida Bulls hosted a few flip targets in the 2026 class last weekend, and those prospects saw USF dismantle Florida Atlantic, 48-13.
The No. 18 team in the country, per the AP Poll, has landed one of those flip targets. On Wednesday night, Jackson (Miss.) Hartfield Academy class of 2026 athlete Kaden Catchings informed Golesh of his decision, and the three-star prospect announced the news Thursday.
Catchings originally committed to Liberty back in June. He was scheduled to officially visit USF but committed to the Flames before making the trip. And a few days after his commitment, he added an offer from Michigan and made a trip to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines’ staff remained in contact with Catchings this fall, but the 6-1, 205-pounder is set to take his talents to Tampa.
He will play linebacker for the Bulls. Catchings ranks as Rivals’ No. 30 “athlete” in the country and the No. 44 player in Mississippi for the 2026 class.
During his junior season with Hartfield Academy, he took 127 carries for 1,065 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Defensively, he logged 37 total tackles (12 solo) over 13 games to go along with 6 defended passes and 1 sack.
He also held offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Memphis, Toledo, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Old Dominion.
USF is up to 34 commitments in the 2026 class with Catchings’ pledge. The group ranks as the No. 1 class in the AAC.
