UCF recruiting levels up under Gus Malzahn in Big 12 Conference

When Gus Malzahn was introduced as the UCF coach in February 2021, he laid out his plan for recruiting. He made it clear that he and his staff would put an emphasis on keeping top talent in Orlando and that the Knights would make national noise on the recruiting trail. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” With two full recruiting cycles under his belt and a third well on its way, the Knights coach has kept his word. The results speak for themselves. From 2007-20, UCF signed 10 4-star prospects from the high school and junior college ranks. When including the 2024 recruiting class, UCF has either signed or received oral commitments from 10 4-star prospects in just three years under Malzahn. Although the ‘24 recruits can’t sign their national letter of intent until December, it’s clear that UCF has jumped a level in recruiting with Malzahn at the helm. “Recruiting is in a great spot,” Malzahn said in the spring. “We’re in a different spot now than any time I’ve been here. We’re on the verge of some really special things.” UCF continues recruiting windfall with commitments of 4-stars from Georgia Not only has having a coach like Malzahn, who spent seven years in the SEC at Auburn, helped the Knights but UCF’s move to the Big 12 Conference has changed things, too. When conducting interviews with the media, recruits continually mention the school’s new Power Five status as a factor. While UCF has landed local prospects such as Apopka 4-star cornerback Nikai Martinez and Osceola defensive lineman John Walker — the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with the Knights — Malzahn also has dipped into the talent pools in Georgia and Texas. Recent commitments in the ‘24 cycle include a handful of 4-star prospects from Georgia include Grayson tight end Kylan Fox, his high school teammate offensive lineman Waltclaire Flynn Jr., Langston Hughes safety Jakob Gude and Troup County linebacker Qua Birdsong. Those four are joined by 4-star St. Thomas Aquinas running back Stacy Gage and a number of other highly rated 3-star prospects, including Armwood receiver Kason Stokes, Dr. Phillips defensive back Jashad Presley and Sanford corner Chasen Johnson. “Gus Malzahn [is] causing problems in Florida,” 247Sports national college football analyst Carl Reed Jr. recently wrote online. “UCF is a major factor.” The success goes beyond the current class. When looking in the future, the Knights already have secured 4-star commitments in the 2025 recruiting class as well. Following UCF’s spring game in April, Osceola running back Taevion Swint announced his pledge to Malzahn. Swint is viewed as the nation’s No. 100 overall prospect, according to 247Sports. This month, Swint was joined by 4-star Cedar Grove (Ga.) quarterback EJ Colson, who if he signs with the Knights would become the highest-rated high school quarterback to do so. With Malzahn guiding the program and UCF officially in the Big 12, recruiting is heading the right direction for future success on the football field at the Power Five level. Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.