Darriel Mack Jr. became the first quarterback for UCF football’s 2017 signing class.
He was the third quarterback UCF added to its recruiting class behind Noah Vedral and Marvin Washington, who has since decommitted. 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.
Mack will be in immediate position to compete for a quarterback job in 2017 as the Knights are extrememly thin in that position with earlier transfers from Tyler Harris and Garrett Kruczek.
“We wanted to take at least two quarterbacks in this class and I think we’re going to address those needs,” UCF coach Scott Frost told the Sentinel earlier. “But I think it’s very realistic that a freshman will at least be involved in the competition for the quarterback job along with the guys that we already have on campus.”
UCF just got a lot bigger with defensive end Jeremiah Zio.
Basketball was Zio’s first love standing at almost 6-foot-8 and didn’t start playing football until sophomore year at Admiral Farragut Academy. He is expected to compete for playing time right away at UCF.
Earlier today, the Knights were able to address improving its offensive line as they were able to secure three signees in Samuel Jackson, Julio Castillo and Cole Schneider.
Linebacker T.J. Pitts made his pledge official to UCF Wednesday morning.
Pitts, who hails from Williston, adds much needed depth to the linebacker group, which lost senior leadership from Demeitre Brim, Mark Rucker and Errol Clarke.
Pitts is considered one of the big steals for UCF in this recruiting class, He posted 116 tackles for Williston last season at the middle linebacker spot. He also collected five sacks and 21 tackles for loss and recovered five fumbles.
UCF football added its first offensive lineman of the day in Cole Schneider from Riverdale.
The 6-foot-4, 295 pound lineman registered 47 pancake blocks during his senior season and was named first team Florida Class 7A all-state for the Associated Press. He was also named to the first team all-area by the Fort Myers News Press.
Schneider, who is projected to play center at UCF, is an agile offensive guard who has been timed running a 4.8-second 40-yard dash along with an impressive 365 pound bench and 500 pound squat for Riverdale. He has experience playing on the defensive line as well and was the 2015 Class 2A 285-pound state wrestling champion.
UCF football got its first letter of intent from a defensive back Wednesday in Zamari Maxwell from Largo Pinellas Park.
Maxwell gained 18 pounds headed into his senior season at Pinellas Park and collected 44 tackles, seven interceptions and one forced fumble during his junior season. He also had 183 total yards of offense in 2015.
Defensive lineman Mason Cholewa turned in UCF football’s first national letter of intent Wednesday.
The former high school wrestler can bench up to 315 pounds and added about 40 pounds to his frame headed into his senior season. Cholewa fielded at least 15 offers picking UCF over Temple and Toledo.
UCF football’s fourth signee of the day came from 6-foot-5, 230 pound linebacker Gabe Luyunda.
The three star recruit hails from Garden City Community College and 247sports.com ranks him No. 60 nationally.
Luyunda picked UCF over offers from Arkansas State, Kansas State, Louisville, Memphis and Mississippi State. He collected 55 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception and four pass breakups during his sophomore season at Garden City Community College.
Otis Anderson became the first official UCF football signee on National Signing Day bright and early at 7 a.m.
The 5-11 running back from Jacksonville University Christian is one of three early enrollees on UCF’s campus right now and was the first Anderson was the first commitment in the 2017 recruiting cycle. He was recruited by assistant coach Sean Beckton.
Anderson is known for being a slippery back, he played a large role in helping University Christian post an average of 53 point per game in 2015. He’s been hand-timed running a 4.3-second 40 yard dash.
Defensive back Antwan Collier also made his pledge official Wednesday morning and is an early enrollee along with receiver Emmanuel Greene of IMG Academy.
Entering national signing day, the Knights needed to add more depth to its depleted secondary, which saw all four starters from the 2016 move on in safeties Drico Johnson, T.J. Mutcherson and cornerbacks D.J. Killings and Shaquill Griffin, who was recently invited to the NFL combine.
It will be a challenge for UCF to finish with the No. 1 recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference, but head coach Scott Frost and his assistants are still expected to finish among the top three for the second consecutive season.
Knights ready for signing day
Frost and his staff are pleased with the Tipobet early commitments they landed and are hoping to lock in a few more prospects this morning.
The Knights landed a big pledge the night before National Signing Day from Alabama receiver Marlon Williams and could get more good news today.
We’re posting updates throughout the on UCF’s 2017 recruiting class, so check back often to get the latest news.
Before the first letters arrive, check out where the Knights stood early this morning:
IN THE BAG: UCF’s push to implement a speedy offense should continue to pick up momentum, with three of the Knights’ three early enrollees on the offensive side of the ball. WR Emmanuel Greene, RB Otis Anderson and DB Antwan Collier are already on campus. Anderson was the first commitment for UCF and was recruited by assistant coach Sean Beckton. Known for being a slippery back, Anderson played a key role in helping University Christian average 53 points per game in 2015. He’s been hand-timed running a 4.3-second 40-yard dash.
UP FOR GRABS: UCF wants to keep some things close to the vest, with the school expected to announce between four to five silent commitments today. The biggest area of need for the Knights, of course, is the secondary. All four senior starters moved on after the 2016 season. Outside of Collier, UCF has commitments from two defensive backs, Pinellas Park’s Zamari Maxwell and Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson’s Rennard Bozeman, and will look to add a few more signees today. The Knights will also look to stock up on linebackers, another position hit by senior departures.
OVERALL OUTLOOK: UCF lost eight recruits on the trail but most of the athletes who decommitted were flipped by out-of-state Power 5 schools. Competing in a Group of 5 conference always puts UCF at a disadvantage while going after higher-tier recruits. But if coach Scott Frost and his staff land some defensive backs and linebackers who can help make an immediate impact, they should have another solid year.
Take a closer look at UCF’s 2017 recruiting class »
FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.
FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.
FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.
FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.
Trey Hendrickson, Dieugot Joseph, Tony Stevens, Trey Griffey talk about Shrine Game experience
Trey Hendrickson, Dieugot Joseph, Tony Stevens, Trey Griffey talk about Shrine Game experience
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, could not find each other for the customary postgame handshake following the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Tampa. The two good friends did eventually meet on the field following Clemson’s 35-31 victory. (Swinney video by Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel; Saban video by SEC Country; Photo by Getty Images)
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, could not find each other for the customary postgame handshake following the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Tampa. The two good friends did eventually meet on the field following Clemson’s 35-31 victory. (Swinney video by Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel; Saban video by SEC Country; Photo by Getty Images)
FSU commit Cyrus Fagan of Daytona Beach Mainland talks about nearly decommitting from the Seminoles earlier this season during media day for the Under Armour All-American Game.
FSU commit Cyrus Fagan of Daytona Beach Mainland talks about nearly decommitting from the Seminoles earlier this season during media day for the Under Armour All-American Game.
Daniel Wright of Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson High talks about picking Alabama over FSU during Under Armour All-American week in Orlando. (video interview)
Daniel Wright of Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson High talks about picking Alabama over FSU during Under Armour All-American week in Orlando. (video interview)
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