Newly-hired Bulls basketball coach Bryan Hodgson was touted by many as a recruiter.

Thirty-one days into his tenure and five added transfers later — recruiter seems to be an apt title. 

Hodgson, who was hired on March 28 from Arkansas State, gained his recruiting reputation in the world of college basketball during his time as an assistant at Alabama. 

As the deadline to enter the transfer portal came to a close Tuesday, USF’s recruiting class ranked 66th in the country.  The class is the highest ranked since 2013 — when the Bulls came away with the 34th highest ranked recruitment in the nation. 

As the Hodgson era begins, the Bulls activity in the portal shines a positive light on the future after a disappointing 13-19 season. 

Of the 15 players rostered during the 2024-25 season, only senior forward De’Ante Green and sophomore guard CJ Brown remain.

Brown, who initially entered the transfer portal, returned to the Bulls the same day Hodgson was hired.

Related: Bryan Hodgson to lead USF men’s basketball five months after tragedy

Graduate guard Brandon Stroud and sophomore guard Kameren Wright are still in the transfer portal, having yet to reach a destination for the upcoming season. 

As for the recruits making their way to USF, two followed Hodgson from his job at Arkansas State while three others came from around the country.

Senior forward Daimon Collins, the Bulls’ only four-star recruit, was the highlight of USF’s recruiting class. 

Collins averaged 8 points and 4.3 rebounds last season while starting in 22 games for LSU. 

As a high school prospect, Collins was a highly regarded five-star recruit. 

Before committing to play for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020, Collins was ranked as the 14th best prospect in the nation. 

Outside of Collins, the Bulls committed to bolstering the interior with the addition of senior forward Izaiyah Nelson from Arkansas State. 

Related: USF men’s basketball adds Arkansas State transfer, Kasen Jennings enters portal

Nelson, who is 6-foot-10, averaged 10.6 points and 8.9 rebounds for the Red Wolves. 

With the addition of Collins and Nelson’s rebounding numbers, the Bulls -3.5 rebounding margin from last season will look to improve. 

USF’s former leading rebounder, forward Jamille Reynolds, has no remaining eligibility. Reynolds averaged 7.7 rebounds per game. 

In the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, Nelson put up 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Red Wolves to a 103-78 win over SLU.

On the perimeter, Hodgson brought senior guard Joseph Pinion to South Florida as well.

Pinion brings a versatile three-point threat to the Bulls, shooting 38% from beyond the arc last year at Arkansas State.

Three-point shooting was a crucial missing piece of USF’s gameplan throughout last season, as the Bulls shot 31% from downtown. 

Junior guard Xavier Brown adds vital experience to the Bulls lineup, starting in 30 of the 32 games he played for JMU.

Brown averaged 10.7 points per game while shooting 37.8% from the field. 

Hodgson pulled in a highly touted Division II prospect in the form of junior guard Wes Enis. 

Enis averaged 20.3 points per game at Lincoln Memorial University, while shooting 84.7% from the free throw line. 

The Bulls struggled from the line throughout much of last season, converting 72% of their free throws. 

Enis ranked first in the South Atlantic conference in three-pointers made while still shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. 

While the Bulls can still add recruits in the portal, 10 players are rostered currently.