TFA’s multi-talented Brian Dillard taking his skills to Tampa and USF

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Brian Dillard can do many things, but many college football coaches have told the multi-talented star at Orlando’s The First Academy they want to limit his skills. That’s never sat well with Dillard.

That’s why the recognition of his entire skillset by USF coaches has landed a commitment to the Bulls by the standout athlete.

There are plenty of college football coaches who have their own ideas of what Dillard is to their programs. Dillard would rather not be locked into one position. He fancies himself as a quarterback, while most coaches can’t help but fantasize over his skills as a wide receiver. He also plays defensive back and is dynamic in the return game.

Dillard, the No. 2-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2027 Central Florida Super60, wants to do it all.

At USF, the coaches have said, “No problem.” The Bulls want to take advantage of Dillard’s talent at every position. It’s that commitment by the staff that has drawn in the coveted TFA star.

“USF, they are open to me playing a little bit of both (quarterback and receiver) and they’ll have me in the return game, too, so that’s the reason why I was really big on them,” said Dillard, who also likes the school’s close proximity to home in Winter Garden. “Because other schools, they wanted me to play one (position) … and as I got to learning one, I could start learning the other. I think that was one of the big things I was looking at in my recruiting process.”

USF’s commitment to all phases of Dillard’s game was certainly conducive to his desires.

“It makes me feel good. It makes me feel that they are confident in my ability and what I can do,” Dillard said. “I feel like that’s one of the best things. … also being close to home and my family, so that if I miss them, I can always stop by. It’s only like an hour-and-15-minute drive, so that’s good.”

Somewhat surprisingly, a school even closer to home has yet to offer Dillard. UCF recently offered two Orlando-area receivers in Oviedo’s Jordan Donahoo and East Ridge’s Lamar Garrison, but Dillard is yet to hear from the UCF coaches.

In Dillard’s first season at TFA, where he transferred from West Orange last year, he was the Royals main quarterback, throwing for 839 yards and 11 touchdowns, at a completion rate of 60% (53-of-89). He also ran for 508 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry, and caught 13 passes for 183 yards and two more touchdowns. With the emergence of freshman phenom Deuce Woods at quarterback, Dillard is likely to see most of his time at receiver with TFA this year.

He surprised a group of USF coaches on Tuesday, including new head coach Brian Hartline, at a dinner in Tampa during his official visit, announcing his decision, which even surprised his parents.

“Yeah, they didn’t know I was going to commit at that time. They knew I was going to commit sometime, but they didn’t know I was going to do it at that dinner,” Dillard said of his parents. “They were all really surprised. … We were introducing ourselves and at the end I told everybody I was committed, and they were all jumping around and hugging and high-fiving, so it was really special to me, that moment.”

Dillard chose USF over East Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland and UCLA among his final five.

“I’m very relieved that it’s over now. The recruiting process has changed so much. … I won’t say it’s a curse, because it’s not a curse at all. It’s a blessing because there are a lot of kids that want to be in my position tat I am right now,” Dillard said. “But it was a little stressful, and I’m just glad it’s done now.”

Coaches will still be trying to flip his decision, and Dillard knows its not completely finished, but he does feel content with USF.

“My recruitment is probably still going to be open, but I just feel like taking things how things go,” Dillard said.

But he’s happy to be a Bull.

“It feels great. I’m ready,” Dillard said.

Dillard is the third Orlando-area player to commit to USF’s 2027 recruiting class, joining his new teammate, safety Jaziah Battle, a transfer from Bartow, and Bishop Moore tight end Drew Follett.

Chris Hays can be found on X.com@OS_ChrisHays.

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