Former USF offensive lineman RJ Perry (70) in a game against the UAB Blazers during the 2024 season. Perry is now a lineman for the New York Giants of the NFL. ORACLE PHOTO / WILL RAINSBERGER

For every college football player, the dream is the same — to trade Saturdays for Sundays and see years of hard work pay off on a professional stage.

At USF, that dream still finds its way into locker rooms across the NFL.

With the NFL back in full swing, Bulls’ alumni will again be scattered from coast to coast, as they fill roles on active rosters and practice squads. 

47 former Bulls have managed to suit up for NFL teams since the program’s inception in 1997. Out of them, 30 have made it to the league through the draft, the last being Deadrin Senat and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in 2018.

The program’s NFL footprint has shifted, yet each season brings fresh chances for South Florida to add another name to that list.

Here are some former players from USF who currently reside in a premier league in the U.S. 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR (2016-17)

Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been one of the most successful USF alumni in the NFL in recent years.

He began his college career at the University of North Carolina before transferring to USF in 2015. He recorded 1,294 yards in two seasons with the Bulls, placing him 12th in the all-time receiving list. 

His 879 yards in 2017 are the second-most in a single season in program history, only behind Sean Atkins’ 1,054 in 2023.

Valdes-Scantling was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and has played for five different teams since then, earning the distinction of Super Bowl champion twice with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and 2023.

He was elevated to the San Francisco 49ers’ active roster on September 3rd, having signed with the team after failing to make the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster.

Decarius Hawthorne, DT (2024)

Defensive tackle Decarius Hawthorne is one of three Bulls from the 2025 class to sign an NFL contract ahead of the season.

The Alabama native transferred to USF in 2024 after three seasons at Florida Atlantic. 

He suited up for all 13 games in his lone season at South Florida, being a key component of Todd Orlando’s defense in its quest for a second consecutive bowl win.

He went undrafted and signed with the Los Angeles Rams on June 10 after a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills during their rookie camp.

Bayron Matos, OT (2022)

Offensive tackle Bayron Matos’ case is anything but usual, as he was initially a basketball player during his college days before joining the football program as a walk-on in 2022.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Matos moved to Tennessee at the age of 16 to pursue a career in basketball. He was a part of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program before transferring to USF in 2021.

He only saw action in two games during his lone season in the football program as a defensive lineman and kick blocker on special teams.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 2024, Matos suffered an injury during this year’s training camp that would ultimately result in his release from the team. He remains unsigned.

RJ Perry, OL (2023-24)

Offensive lineman RJ Perry transferred to USF ahead of the 2023 season after two seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers, where head coach Alex Golesh was prior.

He was an integral part of the Bulls’ ground attack in 2024, in which the team combined for 2,343 rushing yards and made a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

He signed for the New York Giants in late April as an undrafted free agent.

D’Ernest Johnson, RB (2014-17)

Running back D’Ernest Johnson served primarily as a backup to Marlon Mack during his college days. 

Nonetheless, his contributions to the program earned him a spot on the second-team all-conference in 2016.

He went undrafted in 2018 and had a brief stint in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Johnson joined the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens in early August with hopes of securing the RB4 spot, but failed to do so. He remains a free agent.

Demontrey Jacobs, OT (2020-22)

Offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs transferred to South Florida from Grambling State in 2020 with three years of eligibility remaining.

Under Jeff Scott’s direction in 2021, he became a starter and appeared in all 12 games.

Jacobs went undrafted in the 2023 draft and subsequently signed with the Denver Broncos. He was later waived by the Broncos and signed with the New England Patriots.

He appeared in 15 games for the Patriots in 2024. He was cut from the team on August 26 as part of the final roster cuts and is currently a member of the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.

Nay’Quan Wright, RB (2023-24)

A former Florida Gator, running back Nay’Quan Wright transferred to USF in 2023 and immediately made his presence felt offensively.

He was a part of a USF backfield that combined for 1,728 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, along with Ta’Ron Keith and Kelley Joiner.

He joined the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on August 8.

Donovan Jennings, OT (2018-23)

Offensive tackle Donovan Jennings saw regular playing time at USF, appearing in 55 games over six years.

The Tampa native is tied for seventh-most career starts in program history with 45. His efforts earned him a spot on the second-team all-conference in 2021.

He went undrafted in 2024 and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He had a productive preseason in 2025 and made the team’s 53-man roster ahead of the season.