In a major recruiting win for new South Florida head coach Brian Hartline, the Bulls have landed their first wide receiver commitment for the 2027 cycle. Austin Busso, a standout playmaker from Bergen Catholic in Oradell, New Jersey, announced his decision to join USF, giving Hartline an early and exciting piece for his future offense.

Busso, who measures in at 6-foot and 180 pounds, brings impressive production to the table. As a junior, he hauled in 40 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging a staggering 22 yards per catch. That kind of big-play ability is exactly what Hartline—widely regarded as the top receivers coach in the country during his tenure at Ohio State—is looking to cultivate in Tampa.

“I knew USF was home when I first visited, and I wanna play for Coach Hartline because I know he will develop me into the best player I can be and he will make me a better man off the field,” Busso said after making his pledge. He visited the USF campus twice before committing, clearly feeling the pull of the program’s vision.

The connection runs deeper than just recent recruiting visits. Busso noted the loyalty shown by Hartline and Coach White, who had been recruiting him since their previous stops. “What also made me choose was how loyal they’ve been. They’ve been recruiting me since they were at the schools before USF,” Busso explained. “I also love how honest they have been with me, and I feel like I will excel in that USF offense ran by Coach Beck.”

Busso is set to return to USF for his official visit the weekend of May 29. He becomes the second commitment in USF's 2027 class, joining quarterback James Perrone. For Bulls fans, this is a promising sign that Hartline’s reputation for developing elite receivers is already translating into early recruiting success.