After years of plucking some of the top recruits from Florida, Brian Hartline will be calling the Sunshine State home.
Hartline, who has been the wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator at Ohio State, has signed a six-year contract to become USF's new coach according to Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementESPN's Pete Thamel and CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer first reported Hartline leaving Ohio State for USF.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline laughs after hearing jeers as he walks onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025.Hartline replaces Alex Golesh, who left USF for Auburn on Nov. 30.
USF will be Hartline's first head coaching job. He's been an assistant at Ohio State, his alma mater, since 2017.
What will Brian Hartline mean for USF recruiting?
It's almost impossible to undersell how massive Hartline has been for Ohio State's recruiting over the past several years. Just look at some of the players Hartline recruited from the state of Florida.
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe list includes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Chaminade-Madonna), wide receiver Brandon Inniss (American Heritage), wide receiver Carnell Tate (IMG) and Bryson Rodgers (Wiregrass Ranch).
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.Smith arguably is the most talented wide reciever in the nation. Tate is on track to be a first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Hartline's national list includes quarterback CJ Stroud (currently with the Houston Texans), wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Obviously recruiting talent to USF won't be as easy as Ohio State, but Hartline is an outstanding recruiter and his reputation as a producer of top wide receivers will go a long way.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat will Brian Hartline leaving mean for Ohio State?
This is the question that remains to be seen, but it's tantalizing (for other colleges) to play the "What If" game?
What if Jeremiah Smith enters the transfer portal? Smith would immediately become one of, if not the, biggest player ever in the transfer portal. He would certainly be on the short list with players such as former Heisman Trophy winners Caleb Williams and Travis Hunter.
Miami, which came very close to flipping Smith during the early signing period in 2023, would love a second chance to get Smith to Coral Gables.
Inniss, who drew the attention from noted Ohio State fan LeBron James after his touchdown celebration against Michigan on Nov. 29, also would have plenty of suitors.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's obviously not a certainly that any of these players would leave Ohio State — the defending national champion and current top-ranked team in the country — but Hartline leaving definitely opens the door for players to look for other opportunities.
It's also likely that Hartline will try to tap into Ohio State for immediate help at USF.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Why Brian Hartline hiring could mean recruiting boost for USF football
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