College football Largo RB McCluster commits to the Bulls By Times Staff Writers Times Wires Published October 14, 2005 TAMPA - USF's first commitment of the 2006 recruiting class is one of Pinellas County's best players: Largo High running back Dexter McCluster, who has rushed for 1,094 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in six games, has decided he'll play for the Bulls next season. "I just followed my heart," said McCluster, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior who committed to USF coaches on Tuesday night. "I knew it was the place I wanted to go. It's an up-and-coming school, and it's close enough to home that my mom and dad can always see me play." McCluster chose the Bulls over offers from Mississippi, Rutgers, Akron and Eastern Kentucky, and said he has liked USF since his sophomore year. Largo coach Rick Rodriguez said the Bulls have a future star on their hands. "He's the best back I've seen in 27 years of coaching," said Rodriguez, whose team has a key district game against Seminole tonight. "He's a special kid, the kind that always makes something happen for you." He earned first-team Times All-Suncoast honors as a junior, rushing for 1,252 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns while totaling 43 tackles and two interceptions on defense. USF's first commitment comes at a key position. With starter Andre Hall graduating after this season, the Bulls only have three other running backs on scholarship, with redshirt freshman Ricky Ponton and sophomore Chad Simpson the leading candidates to take over for the record-setting Hall in 2006. THIS AND THAT: Former Plant linebacker Donte Spires, who signed with USF in February but did not qualify academically, could be back with the Bulls sooner than expected. Spires had planned to attend Pearl River Community College in Mississippi, but returned home to Tampa, where he's working to improve his test scores with the hopes of enrolling in January. ... USF often rewards redshirt freshmen with a spot on the travel squad, and this week, that honor goes to defensive lineman George Selvie of Pensacola. - GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/14/Sports/Largo_RB_McCluster_co.shtml