Avonta ‘B.J.’ Crim said Sunday at Nike’s The Opening Orlando regional camp that his decision to commit to play football at UCF was a pretty easy choice.
The 6-foot, 190-pound safety said it “felt like home” during a visit to UCF on Saturday, when he became the Knights’ first commitment to the 2018 recruiting class.
“It felt pretty good. I just liked the environment and the coaches … It felt like home,” Crim said. “I really feel good about it; probably the best decision I’ve made.”
Grim averaged five tackles per game last season for Vanguard, the same school that also sent UCF its most famous football alum — Daunte Culpepper. He also had a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
UCF will be looking to fill several holes left in the secondary following the departures of senior safeties Drico Johnson and T.J. Mucherson and senior cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and D.J. Killings. Redshirts Kyle Gibson and Tre Neal are the likely incumbents at safety, but Crim will offer another option and he’s looking forward to the opportunity.
“I made a big opening for me and I see it as probably one of my biggest opportunities to be able to come out and play as a freshman, or even sitting out one year, it’s a big opportunity for me,” Crim said. “I look forward to doing the same thing [the seniors are] doing … being able to go to the NFL.”
Crim’s recruiter at UCF has been defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, who has had a big influence on Crim.
“He’s the D-coordinator and I’m a head-hunter as a safety, so it will have to be me and him communicating a lot,” Crim said.
He said putting this decision behind him will make things less stressful moving toward his senior year.
“It gets a lot of pressure off me,” Crim said. “UCF is a great school so I don’t have much to look back on. It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.”
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
FSU came out on top while UCF turned in a solid effort. Florida rallied and USF made a huge comback from the bottom of the ladder.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
Five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson announced his commitment to FSU on Wednesday afternoon.
Five-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson announced his commitment to FSU on Wednesday afternoon.
Alabama had the top recruiting class on National Signing Day for the seventh straight year.
Alabama had the top recruiting class on National Signing Day for the seventh straight year.
The University of Florida athletic department reversed field Wednesday and the Gators signed top wide receiver prospect James Robinson.
The University of Florida athletic department reversed field Wednesday and the Gators signed top wide receiver prospect James Robinson.
Chris Hays covers college football recruiting, as well as college and high school football for the Sentinel. Reach him at chays@orlandosentinel.com.
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