Stampeding Through the 2025 USF Football Roster: #27 S Jermichael Gillis
Happy USF football month! Let's meet one of the highest-rated freshmen in this year's class.
PLAYER: Jermichael Gillis
POSITION: Safety
YEAR: Freshman
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’1”, 178 lbs.
HOW DID HE GET HERE? Gillis spent his first two years of high school at St. Francis Academy in Maryland, and he was a very sought-after prospect: after his sophomore season in 2022, he reeled in offers from a handful of big-time programs, including LSU, Michigan, and Penn State. He transferred to Lakeland High School for his junior season and fought through injuries, which made the recruiting services get a bit cooler on him, giving him mid-to-high three-star status. Still, when he committed to USF somewhat surprisingly in the summer of 2024, he was the Bulls’ highest-rated commit on On3. It was a big moment for Alex Golesh and company.
WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2025? As we’ve said in some of the other secondary previews, I think there are about three rotational defensive back spots up for grabs as the offseason winds down, and I generally think it’ll be difficult for true freshmen to land them. That said, Gillis profiles as the sort of player who could do it. He’s one of the biggest prospects in his recruiting class, and USF’s safeties unit is a little less crowded than their cornerbacks unit. He’s a player to keep a close eye on.