4:34 p.m.: Well, it’s been a long day for both UCF and myself, but National Signing Day has finally come to a close. UCF finished with 23 signees according to head coach George O’Leary and they are still getting constant calls from players interested in signing. Here is the final list.
I am currently in the process of uploading the video from today’s press conference and audio links to the press conference and my phone interview with offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe.
All in all, this is arguably the best recruiting class UCF has ever had. They secured two four-star prospects, numerous three-star commits and also filled needs at numerous positions. They have a play-making quarterback in Godfrey, a prototypical QB in Bortles, beef on the offensive line in Jose and Wilson, talent at the WR position in Reese and Akins and help on defense in Richardson and multiple 6-foot cornerbacks. There should be a lot of competition heading into the Spring and it will be exciting to see this team develop heading into the fall.
I want to thank you all for following my coverage, as it’s been a long and tiresome day for myself. I ask for your feedback and thank you for everything!
12:23 p.m.: Just got off the phone with Miami Central head coach Telley Lockett. He talked about Jose Jose’s commitment to UCF and also talked about a pipeline that is starting to build between UCF and Miami-Dade county. Here is a transcript of our dialog:
Q: On Jose Jose’s commit:
“I talked to him on Signing Day. He was walking around with a South Florida hat on, but when he signed his letter of intent he pulled the UCF hat out and he said he will be carrying the University of Central Florida.”
Q: Shocked by his deception?
“It was kind of shocking. It was 50/50 between South Florida and Central Florida. For him to pull it off like that, it was a surprise to me because he came to school with a South Florida hat on, so I said he was locked. He pulled out a UCF hat and it was very interesting. I think UCF today has made their recruiting class one of the best in Conference USA.”
Q: Have you heard from Brandon Gainer? Any word on why he switched?
“He never gave me a reason why he switched. He said he just thought it was a better fir for him. Me, myself I am just honored to give the kid an opportunity to sign and do what he was supposed to do and he signed with the University of Kentucky.”
Q: What does Jeffrey Godfrey bring to the UCF program?
“I think, right now, he is going to bring a lot of leadership to the program. He is a very, very hardworking kid in all possible aspects of the game. He wants to win, so UCF got a good quarterback and a good leader.”
Q: Talk to me about LeBrandon Richardson. What can he contribute to UCF?:
“LeBrandon brings a no-nonsence type of attitude to the defensive line. He is a very speedy end and a disciplined guy and he is going to work hard. I think he will help UCF right away.
Q: Is there a pipeline between UCF and Central?:
“I think so because I had a lot of my young guys in the audience watching these guys choose their colleges and they predominatly choose UCF. They also heard the big capital of Miami Northwestern, Torrian Wilson, will be attending UCF, so UCF is starting a really good pipeline in the innercity, which is Liberty City.”
11:14 a.m.: Just an update on this morning’s signings. Quenton Brown was the first one to get his letter in just past 7 this morning with Oviedo QB Blake Bortles just minutes behind. UCF also secured Miami Central prospects Jeffrey Godfrey, Joshua Reese and Jamar McClain.
10:54 a.m.: According to the Miami Herald, Central OL Jose Jose has committed to UCF.
A couple of surprises came for UCF on National Signing Day Wednesday afternoon.
Highly-touted Union Grove WR Jordan Akins picked UCF over Georgia, Tennessee and other programs Wednesday morning, while Miami Central RB Brandon Gainer, who was rumored to be leaning towards UCF, chose Kentucky over both the Knights and USF.
UCF did however scoop up another South Florida product in Miami Northwestern four-star OL Torrian Wilson, who decided to sign with the Knights after verbally committing to Louisville.
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