CENTRAL FLORIDA'S FINEST: 10(ish) UCF recruiting targets from Orlando area high schools

Gus Malzahn made it clear, from the moment he arrived at UCF, that he wanted to pursue the premium talent Orlando — and its surrounding areas — had to offer.

"We're going to recruit Florida like nobody else. We're going to recruit like our hair's on fire," Malzahn said in his introductory press conference. "We're going to go after the best players in America, and we're not backing down to anybody."

He and his staff delivered on that promise in Year 1, producing UCF's highest-ranked recruiting class ever, according to 247Sports' composite score — 40th overall when factoring in high school and JUCO players, in addition to the NCAA transfer portal.

From the high school ranks, the Knights pulled in 11 Sunshine State prospects — all but one from within a 2-hour drive of the university's East Orlando campus. That includes a trio from 2020 Class 8A champion Seminole, and a four-star cornerback from 2021 8A runner-up Apopka.

Will that trend continue in 2023, however?

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That's the major question as the Knights prepare to enter the Big 12, and Central Florida boasts arguably its greatest amount of high school football talent in a decade.

Surely UCF will have to fend off the usual suspects who poach Orlando's stars, but the Knights have no fewer than a dozen high-end targets within Orange, Seminole, Brevard, Osceola and Polk counties alone.

Already, the Knights have secured four verbal commitments in this cycle. Lakewood's Isaiah Nixon and Apopka's Kaven Call are on board along with Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day linebacker Troy Ford Jr. and Brunswick (Ga.) offensive tackle Jamal Meriweather.

Let's take a look at 10(ish) — OK, it's 12, but it's easy to understand the grouping upon reading — more players in the 2023 class coveted by Malzahn and his staff, arranged in order of each player's composite rankings from 247Sports and On3 Sports

Cedric Baxter Jr., Edgewater

Position: RB

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds

Composite scores: 247 — 0.9792 (No. 4 RB in country); On3 — 94.67 (No. 3 RB)

Buzz: Regarded by some as the top running back in the country for 2023, Baxter can go wherever he so chooses. Known as C4, Baxter's explosiveness fits the billing. He's got breakaway speed and changes direction effortlessly. Baxter gained 1,651 yards and scored 22 touchdowns on 199 carries during his junior year. Down to five unnamed schools in consideration, Baxter mentioned UCF as potential suitor during his interview with the State of Florida Recruiting H.Q. Podcast in the fall. Alabama, Florida, Florida State and USC are also among the contenders.

Derrick LeBlanc and John Walker, Osceola

Position: DL

Height/Weight: Walker 6-3, 310; LeBlanc 6-4, 270

LeBlanc composite scores: 247 — 0.9612 (No. 8 DL); On3 — 93.55 (No. 8 DL)

Walker composite scores: 247 — 0.9558 (No. 13 DL); On3 — 92.83 (No. 11 DL)

Buzz: Two of the nation's best in the trenches line up next to another on Friday nights in Central Florida. Walker and LeBlanc are physical specimens and destructive forces of nature, combining for 21 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in 2021. Walker is viewed as a nimble, athletic three-technique, and LeBlanc has the frame and power to line up inside or outside at the next level. Defensive line coach Kenny Ingram made an impression on the pair, and both listed UCF as top choices earlier this year — Walker in his top-5, and LeBlanc in his top-7.

Aidan Mizell, Boone

Position: WR

Height/Weight: 6-2, 180

Composite scores: 247 — 0.9354 (No. 21 WR); On3 — 92.47 (No. 16 WR)

Buzz: UCF got in early on Mizell, giving him his first FBS offer on Oct. 25, but most of the nation's bluebloods have since hopped on board. And it's easy to say why, factoring in Mizell's blazing speed and productivity at Boone. He ran one of the outdoor season's 10 fastest national 400-meter times at the UF Relays (46.99 seconds) last month. On the football field, Mizell caught 47 passes for 1,003 yards and 18 touchdowns. Mizell spent Saturday in the Bounce House for the Knights' spring game, but Florida is viewed as a favorite considering both of his parents ran for the Gators' track and field team.

Tyler Williams, Lakeland

Position: WR

Height/Weight: 6-5, 190

Composite scores: 247 — 0.9227 (No. 25 WR); On3 — 91.78 (No. 24 WR)

Buzz: Another guest on hand for the Knights' spring game, Williams takes the top off of opposing defenses. He's a deep-ball specialist, able to zip past corners and safeties and win contested catches if necessary. Williams averaged 29.3 yards per catch for the Dreadnaughts with 11 of his 21 receptions going to the house. He's also a D-I basketball recruit, posting a stat line of 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. UCF pulled pass-rusher Keahnist Thompson out of Lakeland last year, but it will have to fend off Florida, Georgia and others for Williams.

Andrew Harris and Michael Harris, Lake Brantley

Position: LB

Height/Weight: Andrew 6-1, 200; Michael 6-1, 190

A. Harris composite scores: 247 — 0.9238 (No. 11 LB); On3 — 90.85 (No. 15 LB)

M. Harris composite scores: 247 — 0.9094 (No. 20 LB); On3 — 90.17 (No. 20 LB)

Buzz: UCF has done well when targeting twins. Jordan and Justin McCray (Miami Southridge) protected Blake Bortles and tasted Fiesta Bowl glory. Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin (Lakewood) were defensive stars on the Knights' undefeated 2017 squad and drafted into the NFL. Ja'Cari and Demari Henderson (Seminole) were two of the top recruits in Malzahn's debut class. Can the Knights do it again with the Harris brothers from nearby Altamonte Springs? Andrew notched a team-high 103 tackles with 14 for loss; Michael missed five games but finished with 48 tackles and nine TFLs.

Jordan Castell, West Orange

Position: S

Height/Weight: 6-2, 195

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8903 (No. 32 S); On3 — 89.22 (No. 31 S)

Buzz: Safety is more of a projection for Castell because most of his snaps in 2021 came at corner, opposite Washington State commit Javon Robinson. Castell snagged two interceptions as a junior but took both back for touchdowns. He added 36 tackles and four pass breakups. A long-term target of UCF, Castell picked up his verbal offer 11 months ago. The Under Armour All-American has topped 30 offers and recently visited Florida.

Braeden Marshall, Lake Mary

Position: CB

Height/Weight: 5-11, 185

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8904 (No. 36 CB); On3 — 88.78 (No. 38 CB)

Buzz: Marshall's stock rose significantly in September, playing a pivotal part in the Rams' upset of Lake Gibson and defending Florida State signee Sam McCall. Marshall picked off three passes, broke up another 11 and made 28 tackles as the Rams went two rounds deep into the 8A playoffs. He took an unofficial visit on April 7 and trains with former Knights cornerback Drico Johnson. Marshall told The News-Journal he will unveil his top 10 list on his birthday (May 10).

Jaremiah Anglin Jr., Lake Wales

Position: S

Height/Weight: 6-2, 176

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8678 (No. 45 S); On3 — 87.83 (No. 49 S)

Buzz: Soaring up recruiting boards, Anglin held just one FBS offer prior to January. Then, he put everyone on notice by earning Defensive MVP honors at the National Combine in San Antonio. Anglin can play free safety in single-high looks or as a boundary corner with his size and 4.46 speed. He registered 64 solo tackles and made five interceptions for the Highlanders. Anglin visited UCF on March 24 and has since taken trips to Florida State, Florida and Tennessee.

Bryce Lovett, Rockledge

Position: OL

Height/Weight: 6-6, 330

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8577 (No. 60 OT); On3 — 85.83 (No. 74 IOL)

Buzz: UCF addressed its offensive line holes, mostly, through the portal in 2022. The Knights brought in FCS All-American tackle Tylan Grable from Jacksonville State and 6-foot-10 tackle Ryan Swoboda, a two-year starter at Virginia. Caden Kitler, who played both center and tackle at John Paul II in Plano, Texas, was the lone high school recruit in the class. Lovett is a mauler of a right tackle, driving blockers to the second level and flattening a fair few to the turf. In the last six weeks, Lovett has made trips to UCF, Arkansas, Florida and Iowa State — four of the 13 schools that have offered him.

Zachary Tobe, Ocoee

Position: S

Height/Weight: 6-2, 180

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8527 (No. 62 S); On3 — 86.50 (No. 64 S)

Buzz: Ocoee fields an intriguing crop of seniors, including edge rusher Calvin Smith and wide receiver Asaad Waseem, who transferred in from nearby West Orange. Tobe could be the best of the bunch, a two-way contributor who made 31 tackles, picked off two passes and both forced and recovered a fumble. Planning to commit on July 7, Tobe picked up an offer from Mississippi State on Monday. Iowa State, North Carolina, Tennessee and UCF are considered the front-runners.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 10 UCF football recruiting targets from Orlando area