Central Florida Knights Add Multiple July Commitments

Photo: Prep Redzone

Matt DeBary July 6, 2023 @ 07:58 PM

Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn is invading the peach state. He's helped the Knights land four major commitments this month alone in the 2024 class, and he's looking to add more over the next several months.   The Knights are now part of the Big 12, and they are using it to their advantage on the recruiting trail.   Their first commitment in July came from four-star offensive lineman, [player_tooltip player_id='220731' first='Waltclaire' last='Flynn Jr.'] A multi-year starter for the Grayson Rams, Flynn Jr. is one of the top center prospects in Georgia for the 2024 class with some versatility to his game. The thick, compact 6-foot-2 300-pounder is fundamentally sound and consistently does his job each and every play. Whether he's run blocking or protecting the quarterback, this young man can be relied upon. He's a pancake machine and has been extremely dependable for several years now. This was a massive commitment for UCF as the rising senior had a very impressive offer list.   On July 2nd, Central Florida added a commitment from one of the top defenders and linebackers in West Georgia in Troup County standout, Qua Birdsong. A four-star defender, Birdsong is a quick, explosive, versatile linebacker who can line up on the edge or behind the defensive line in space. He's a sure tackler, he gets into the backfield with ease, and he's put together physically at 6-foot-2 195-pounds. He can be incredibly quick off the ball and can be a game-wrecker at times, blowing up plays and ending drives with big TFLs. As a junior last year, Birdsong made 49 tackles, 12.5 TFLS, caused two fumbles, and blocked two punts. Look for him to make a big impact on special teams as well down in Orlando.   Their next commitment came from one of the top two-way players not only in Gwinnett County, but across the 7A class in TE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='321447' first='Kylan' last='Fox']. A physically put together weapon at 6-foot-4 210-pounds, Fox is a long, physical athlete and a complete modern-day tight end. He's an excellent run blocker on the edge or on the perimeter, opening up running lanes all over the field for backs or receivers on the outside. He's also a big-play weapon as a pass-catcher due to his frame and ball skills. He's a long-strider who picks up yards in a hurry when he's running down the field and can be tough to bring down by just one defender. He's a competitor who loves to work, and he's going to make an early impact for the Knights the second he gets to campus. Fox committed to UCF over Florida State, Georgia Tech, among others.   Then came four-star safety, [player_tooltip player_id='627637' first='Jakob' last='Gude'], who chose the Knights when he had offers on the table from Alabama and Auburn. The former Sandy Creek star who will play his senior season with the 6A state champion Langston Hughes Panthers, but at Central Florida, he'll give the Knights a hard-hitting defender with a promising frame and easy playmaking ability. The 6-foot-0 180-pounder is a natural in coverage who closes well and uses his long frame to break away passes from opposing receivers. He plays the ball well in the air and can catch it at it's highest point, making him an impressive playmaker out of the secondary. A physical run defender as well, Gude doesn't shy away from contact and shows the ability to come down and strike the ball carrier. He gets off blocks and can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's a weapon in the blitz game who can get after the quarterback and leave a bruise when he hits the ball-carrier. This was a gigantic recruiting win for Malzahn and the Knights this week.

Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn is invading the peach state. He's helped the Knights land four major commitments this month alone in the 2024 class, and he's looking to add more over the next several months.