UCF entered National Signing Day hoping their class would not be raided and some quiet pledges would come through with letters of intent.
While the Knights didn’t win every battle, they got the key pieces they needed to fill out their 2017 recruiting class. Take a closer look at group:
Impact players
Cole Schneider, OL, 6-4, 295, Fort Meyers / Riverdale: A 2015 Class 2A 285-pound state wrestling champion, Schneider has experience playing on the defensive line as well.
T.J. Pitts, LB, 6-1, 235, Williston / Williston: During his senior season, Pitts posted 116 tackles at the middle linebacker. He also collected five sacks and 21 tackles for loss and recovered five fumbles.
Marlon Williams, WR, 6-0, 205, Mobile / McGill Toolen: Williams, who was once committed to Southern Cal, caught 47 passes for 990 yards and 22 touchdowns this past season.
Darriel Mack, QB, 6-3, 205, Norfolk / Norview: Mack is a dual-threat quarterback who passed for 1,532 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 502 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Zamari Maxwell, DB, 6-1, 175, Largo / Pinellas Park: During his senior season, Maxwell collected 28 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups in eight games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
During National Signing Day, Dr. Phillips linebacker Nick Smith signed with University of Florida.
During National Signing Day, Dr. Phillips linebacker Nick Smith signed with University of Florida.
Assessment
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference, according to 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. UCF was able to address one of its biggest needs by restocking on linebackers, signing five athletes to help replace the loss of veteran leaders Demeitre Brim, Mark Rucker and Errol Clarke.
Big catch
While the Knights focused heavily on recruiting Florida, two of the biggest surprise catches came from Alabama in receiver Marlon Williams and Sterling Jones. Jones, who hails from St. James School in Montgomery, was one of a handful of silent commits UCF happily signed Wednesday. He was named the All-Metro Player of the Year by the Montgomery Advertiser.
Got away
Just 24 hours before national signing day, Texas coach Tom Herman swooped in and flipped UCF recruit Jamari Chisholm. Losing the 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman hurt, but didn’t devastate the Knights who already return their entire 2016 starting lineup.
Quote of note
“I think we were able to get a better caliber of player interested in us this year because the momentum of this program. Holding onto them wasn’t always easy, but there was a lot more interest in us. We ended up signing some kids that had offers and chances to go to a lot of places that you might not expect UCF to win. So I think there’s a lot of kids that are recognizing what we’re trying to accomplish and all the things that UCF has to offer.” — UCF coach Scott Frost
From winless to bowl-bound, the UCF football program took a wild ride in 2016 under first-year head coach Scott Frost.
The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Frost to recap the 2016 season, get a sneak peek at the Knights’ progress entering National Signing Day and look ahead to spring football.
From winless to bowl-bound, the UCF football program took a wild ride in 2016 under first-year head coach Scott Frost.
The Orlando Sentinel caught up with Frost to recap the 2016 season, get a sneak peek at the Knights’ progress entering National Signing Day and look ahead to spring football.
Rest of the class
Emmanuel Greene, WR, 5-10, 171, Bradenton / IMG Academy
Otis Anderson, RB, 5-8, 168, Jacksonville / University Christian
Antwan Collier, DB, 6-3, 178, Miami / Southridge
Lionel “LJ” Cummings, LB, 6-3, 210, Bartow / Bartow
Gabriel Luyanda, LB, 6-5, 230, Tampa / Garden City Community College
Jeremiah Zio, DL, 6-8, 225, St. Petersburg / Admiral Farragut Academy
Samuel Jackson, OL, 6-6, 332, Bradenton / Lakewood Ranch
Stephon Zayas, DL, 6-6, 210, Fort Lauderdale / Dillard
Rennard Bozeman, DB, 5-10, 173, Lauderdale Lakes / Boyd Anderson
Noah Vedral, QB, 6-2, 184, Wahoo / Bishop Neumann
Gabriel Davis, WR, 6-3, 205, Sanford / Seminole
Julio Castillo, OL, 6-6, 315, Mayo / Lafayette
Mason Cholewa, DL, 6-6, 255, McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour
Kalia Davis, LB, 6-2, 235, Pensacola / West Florida Tech
Take a closer look at UCF’s full recruiting class »
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