New USF assistant coach Ron Cooper has a pretty good track record when it comes to coaching up defensive backs.
During his three seasons as LSU's secondary coach, Cooper mentored Morris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. All three corners earned consensus All-American honors under Cooper.
That kind of history excites a future USF Bull, Freedom defensive back Nate Godwin.
"When I heard it, I got a little fired up," said Godwin, who switched his commitment from Minnesota to USF last month. "He's coached such talented players and people I look up to. I mean, Tyrann Mathieu, that's a role model and someone I want to be like one day. To know that you have a coach that's been there, done that and has been around those caliber of players, it's great."
Claiborne (Dallas Cowboys) and Peterson (Arizona Cardinals) have both since made it to the NFL. Cooper has spent over 15 years in college football, coaching at programs like East Carolina, UNLV, Notre Dame, Louisville, Wisconsin, Mississippi State, South Carolina and the Tigers. Godwin believes he can learn a lot from Cooper.
"I think he can teach me a lot," Godwin said. "I feel like he's going to expect a lot and he'll push you harder and make you want to be like some of the players he has coached."
The three-star DB will take his official visit to USF this weekend.
Other visitors
Here's the list of visitors to USF this weekend, which includes Godwin. If players are verbally committed, their school is listed. Link is to Rivals.com profile:
- Nate Godwin, Freedom, S (USF)
- Richard Benjamin, Tampa Bay Tech, WR (Louisville)
- Malik Brown, Dwyer, DE (Syracuse)
- Derrick Calloway, Manatee, DL (Louisville)
- Cameron Fraser, Central, Ala., OT (USF)
- Nigel Harris, Hillsborough, OLB
- Bruce Hector, Robinson, DT (USF)
- Keith Kelsey Jr., Gainesville, ILB
- Denver Kirkland, Miami Washington, OT
- Mitchell Wright, Plant, OLB (USF)
- Deadrin Senat, Immokalee, DT
Godwin said he's excited to have this level of talent join him on his visit, and hopes he'll be able to sway some guys.
"It's great to hear some big boys are coming up too, man," he said. "Big boys always help out the secondary and put pressure on the quarterback, which can lead to interceptions. I'll be in them defensive tackles ears all weekend trying to get them to make the decision.
"It's great to have those caliber of players. I believe in Taggart...I feel like the whole city is behind him and I really want to hop on this train and get it going."
Ryan Bass is a reporter for Bright House Sports Network. Find him on twitter, @Ry_Bass.