Junior receiver Chas Nimrod knew South Florida was a fit for him – but that didn’t make transferring schools easy. 

The former four-star recruit spent three years of his college career at Tennessee before coming to USF.

“It was a little difficult to make the decision,” Nimrod said in a spring press conference. “Ever since I got here, it’s been a smooth transition.”

Nimrod will look to be a key piece in a new-look receiving room with the departure of Sean Atkins — the program’s all-time yards leader. 

For Nimrod, embracing former connections and improving from his time in Tennessee will be vital for his success with the Bulls. 

Nimrod’s former coaches would prove an important part of the allure of becoming a Bull. 

USF Head Coach Alex Golesh and Assistant Head Coach Kodi Burns spent a year at Tennessee in 2021, one year before Nimrod would suit up at Neyland Stadium.

“[Nimrod] is a guy that I signed at Tennessee,” Burns said in a spring press conference. “I’m excited to see what he can do.”

Before Nimrod would even take a snap, both coaches had left for other jobs in football. 

Yet for Nimrod, reuniting with Burns had been something that was always on his mind. 

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who have played for him and they talk about how he’s given them the confidence,” Nimrod said. “I’ve always had an interest to play for him.” 

Yet, Nimrod said the emphasis among the Bulls recruiters was on relationships. 

While his eyes were initially on following Burns, he said the Bulls shared a similar focus on the team. 

“I talked to a lot of people when entering the portal,” Nimrod said. “One thing that stuck out to me was that a lot of people mentioned relationships.”

Golesh has spent much of his three-year tenure stressing the importance of building a culture – emphasizing what has come to be known as “the process.” 

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“I am super guarded of our culture,” Golesh said. “That’s why you see the guys that we brought in have truly added to our culture.”

Golesh emphasized the coaching staff felt Nimrod fit because of his connection to himself and Burns.

“Look at Chas Nimrod, Josh Celiscar, Cartevious Norton,” Golesh said. “These are guys we’ve coached at another place that are adding to our culture.” 

Now, as a Bull, taking a step forward for Nimrod will be important as USF looks to replace Atkins. On top of Atkins 781 receiving yards last season, he leaves as the program’s all-time leading receiver with 2,167 yards through his six seasons. 

In the 2024 season, the Bulls similarly looked to a power-five transfer to add production in the form of Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen. 

Yaseen reigned in 21 catches for 254 yards as a Bull, a step down from his 2023 campaign at Purdue, where he grabbed 25 catches for 329 yards.

In Nimrod’s time at Tennessee, he hauled in 29 receptions for 315 yards and 1 touchdown. 

Burns acknowledged the need for Nimrod to take that step up as a pass catcher for the Bulls.

“[He] didn’t have as much success as he wanted to have,” Burns said. “You give him confidence and I think you’ve seen him grow.”  

Nimrod said the Bulls offensive scheme was familiar to him because of his time at Tennessee. 

“It’s a similar offense,” Nimrod said. “So it made for an easier transition.” 

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As Nimrod makes the transition to a Golesh-led offense, acclimating to the Bulls’ quick offense will be necessary. 

In the 2024-25 season, the Bulls ran 74.8 plays per game – good enough for the eighth most in college football that season. 

The fast-paced rate of Bulls play has proved tough for players in the past, but Nimrod says his experience will keep him ahead. 

“Playing on tempo really scatters the defense,” Nimrod said. “I think I bring a lot to the field.”