Recruiting: Naquan Renalds chooses USF

WINTER GARDEN Willie Taggert, the head coach for the University of South Florida, continued a strong recruiting run in Central Florida this week when Naquan Renalds became the latest standout to declare his intention to suit up for the Bulls in college. 

Renalds, a senior wide receiver for West Orange High, verbally committed to USF this week, choosing the Bulls over offers from Syracuse, Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and Tennessee, among others. 

The speedy wide receiver for the Warriors — known for his big-play ability — had a breakout season as a junior in 2015 and scored twice for West Orange in its spring game against Gainesville. 

Renalds joins three others Central Florida standouts in helping to bolster USF's 2017 recruiting class. On July 27, Dr. Phillips' Emare Hogan joined Apopka's Demetri Burch and Cocoa's Bruce Judson in announcing for the Bulls.

Renalds' committment is all the more triumphant for the local teen considering he was the victim of gun violence June 3 — just a week after the spring game. Shot in the neck as a bystander during a drive-by shooting, Renalds' speedy recovery and path back to gridirion is documented HERE.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].