ORLANDO — UCF’s primary task over the next month is fitting more than 40 new pieces into a Big 12 football championship puzzle.
More than half of the additions come from the transfer portal, highlighted by captains KJ Jefferson and Ethan Barr. But the Knights also signed 17 freshmen in the 2024 recruiting cycle, with consensus blue-chippers comprising nearly half of the record-setting class.
UCF finished with the No. 34 overall recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and the No. 39 high school class. The seven consensus four-star signees surpassed the amount UCF acquired between 2015-23.
UCF football opens fall camp: 5 position battles to monitor before New Hampshire opener
Freshmen traditionally wait their turn in college football, but the NCAA’s rule changes permitting athletes to compete in four games before burning their redshirt and the portal’s looming presence accelerates the developmental clock. In 2023, five true freshmen — defensive tackle John Walker, defensive back Braeden Marshall, tight end Randy Pittman Jr., defensive end Kaven Call and linebacker Andrew Harris — played in at least 10 games.
Here is a look at five youngsters poised to provide immediate contributions to the Knights this fall.
TE Kylan Fox
UCF experimented with Fox at receiver for portions of the spring, but ultimately his role will be to stretch the field and create physical mismatches up the seam. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds, Fox caught 28 passes for 384 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season at Grayson High in Loganville, Ga.
A consensus four-star, top-300 national recruit, Fox has a shot at quickly vaulting up the depth chart at tight end behind sophomore Randy Pittman Jr. Redshirt sophomore Grant Stevens missed the previous two seasons due to injury, and Michigan State transfer Evan Morris is expected to be used heavily as an extra blocker.
CB Jaylen Heyward
UCF’s No. 5 all-time recruit, based on 247Sports’ composite scores, Under Armour All-American Heyward flipped his commitment from Georgia and enrolled over the summer. Heyward (6-0, 185) played defensive back, running back and wide receiver at Rockledge, and he can fill multiple roles within the Knights’ secondary.
Heyward will get a chance to stick on the perimeter as a cornerback, but recruiting services viewed him as a potential safety or nickelback given his frame and physicality. During his senior year, he picked off two passes, forced three fumbles and secured three fumble recoveries.
CB Chasen Johnson
Few players boosted their stock more during spring ball than Johnson, whom the Knights flipped from Pittsburgh during the last recruiting cycle. Ranked 15th among UCF’s 17 high school signees per 247Sports’ composite scores, he regularly ran with the first- and second-team secondary units during practices and the spring game.
Given that UCF added Mac McWilliams and Tre’Quon Fegans from the portal after spring camp concluded, it’s reasonable to believe Johnson (6-1, 180) will require a bit more seasoning before being thrust into a major role. But head coach Gus Malzahn and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Addison Williams value Seminole High’s athletes and how they are prepared for the next-level jump.
Speaking of jumps, Johnson recently flashed a 44.1-inch vertical during a workout session at Seminole. That explosiveness and his length make him a real prospect for UCF’s future.
S Christian Peterson
UCF’s safety competition is wide open, particularly in light of Demari Henderson’s extended injury absence (knee). Ladarius Tennison, Bryon Threats and Sheldon Arnold have plenty of college ball under their belts, but Peterson impressed after enrolling early and could factor into the rotation and special teams coverage plans.
Peterson (5-9, 175) has plenty of ball skills, catching four touchdowns and snagging a pair of interceptions in his senior year at Westlake in Atlanta — the same alma mater as position coach Williams. He came up with a deflected pick in the spring game and returned it 22 yards into plus territory.
“I can tell, once he gets the system, he’s going to be a great player,” Marshall told reporters following a March 30 scrimmage.
WR Bredell Richardson
Malzahn made a point of it to mention he personally recruited Tampa native Richardson during his post-signing day press conference. And it did not take long to understand why when he pulled down a pair of spectacular contested catches on the first day of spring camp.
UCF steadily rose to the forefront of Richardson’s recruitment after LSU, Michigan, Michigan State and Oregon were among the original finalists. He recorded 133 receptions at Carrollwood Day, totaling 2,576 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Similar to the defensive back spots, UCF sought immediate depth at wide receiver in the portal with the springtime…
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