CENTRAL FLORIDA'S FINEST: 10 UCF 2024 recruiting targets from Orlando area high schools

In consecutive signing classes, Gus Malzahn and his staff have reeled in a high volume of "Hometown Heroes."

Four of UCF's five highest-rated recruits in 2023 hailed from high schools in its own backyard: Osceola defensive lineman John Walker, Lake Brantley linebacker Andrew Harris, Lake Mary defensive back Braeden Marshall and Apopka defensive lineman Kaven Call. In fact, three of those players appeared on this list last year.

'PROGRAM CHANGER':Osceola All-American John Walker becomes UCF's highest-ranked signee

LOCKED IN: Apopka's Kaven Call, committed since Christmas 2021, leads UCF signing class

So, which local standouts are on the Knights' radar for 2024?

For the purposes of this article, we'll stick to programs within (roughly) an hour from UCF's campus — Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Flagler, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, Sumter and Polk counties.

Had we expanded the I-4 corridor, Tampa Catholic's trio of offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis, wide receiver TJ Moore and defensive lineman Xavier Porter likely would have made the cut; as would Hudson edge rusher Elias Williams. Similarly, further north up I-95, Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo has emerged as a primary target of both Malzahn and new offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw.

Let's look at 10 players, listed in order of their composite scores on recruiting services 247Sports and On3 Sports, who could become the Knights' next "Hometown Heroes."

Brandon Jacob, Evans

Position: Safety

Height/Weight: 6-2, 175

Composite: 247 — 0.9170 (No. 20 S); On3 — 90.44 (No. 25 S)

Buzz: Trusted as the last line of defense often in Kenard Lang's scheme, often in single-high looks, Jacob flashed his abilities as a ballhawk in 2022. He picked off five passes, returning a pair for touchdowns, and broke up another 10. He's got length, fluidity and instincts — all of which helped him earn high marks from Rivals at the Under Armour Next Series Camp in Orlando on March 5. Jacob has been a frequent visitor to UCF over the last year, and the Knights sit in good shape despite potential head-turning offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M.

Rodney Hill, Flagler Palm Coast

Position: Linebacker

Height/Weight: 5-11, 205

Composite: 247 — 0.8923 (No. 28 LB); On3 — 89.04 (No. 39 LB)

Buzz: Linebacker has been a major recruiting need for the Knights in each of the last two cycles, and new position coach Ernie Sims already secured a 2024 commitment from Tallahassee Lincoln's Sam Robinson. Hill, who could be the first Power Five signee in his school's history, has the Knights near the top of his list. He's a downhill thumper (102 solo tackles) who holds his own in coverage, as demonstrated by his coast-to-coast pick-six against Nease last year that secured FPC's district championship. Hill visited UCF on Sunday after earning MVP honors at the Under Armour camp.

Sincere Edwards, Wekiva

Position: Defensive line

Height/Weight: 6-2, 240

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8865 (No. 45 DL); On3 — 88.27 (No. 44 DL)

Buzz: Last year, this list omitted Apopka's Kaven Call due to his prior commitment, locking in his future on Christmas Day of 2022. Edwards surpassed Call as the Knights' earliest commit ever, giving his verbal pledge in August, a full 16 months before he can put pen to paper. He posted monster numbers as a junior for Wekiva, leading the team in solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (27) and sacks (16). He can blow a play up with his power or his quickness, and with his hand in the dirt or standing up off the edge. Colorado, Duke, Georgia Tech and Maryland are among the programs to offer Edwards since the conclusion of his junior year, but his commitment to UCF remains solid.

Jalon Thompson, Olympia

Position: Safety

Height/Weight: 6-0, 180

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8759 (No. 43 S); On3 — 87.83 (No. 46 S)

Buzz: Defensive back might be the deepest position in the greater Orlando area for this cycle, and Thompson is another player UCF has long had its eyes on. Not only did Thompson pick off two passes during his junior year, but he was also a weapon on special teams — returning a punt for a touchdown and blocking two others. He attended the Friday Knight Lights event in late January, just before picking up another trio of Power Five offers: Cincinnati, Louisville and Ole Miss.

Cai Bates, Edgewater

Position: Athlete

Height/Weight: 6-2, 175

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8652 (No. 77 ATH); On3 — 87.44 (No. 85 WR)

Buzz: A player whose stock has soared since January, Bates recently pulled in offers from Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. He caught 17 balls for 241 yards and one touchdown as a junior, but Bates' future appears set at cornerback, especially after a star-making performance in Edgewater's 28-24 regional semifinal win over Tampa Bay Tech. That night, Bates snagged three interceptions and broke up a further three passes in man coverage. College programs are constantly seeking length and height on the perimeter, and the 6-foot-2 Bates more than fits the bill.

Tye Hylton, Oviedo

Position: Offensive lineman

Height/Weight: 6-5, 270

Composite scores: 247 — 0.8600 (No. 77 OT); On3 — 86.00 (No. 56 OT)

Buzz: Most of UCF's recruiting at the offensive line spots has come via the portal, but Herb Hand brought in a pair of prospects for 2023: Johnathan Cline (Cartersville, Ga.) and Keyon Cox (Phenix City, Ala.). The Knights lost out on Brunswick's Jamal Meriweather when national champion Georgia came calling in December. Hylton received his first D-I offer from UCF on May 1, 2022, and other schools — including in-state rivals Florida, Florida State and Miami —took notice this winter. Hylton's junior tape shows him pushing edge rushers downfield like a tackling sled. He is a huge reason why the Lions averaged 364.5 yards of total offense per game.

Josh Alexander-Felton, Edgewater

Position: Defensive line

Height/Weight: 6-4, 250

Composite: 247 — 0.8600 (No. 73 DL); On3 — 86.00 (No. 77 DL)

Buzz: UCF cleaned up along the defensive line of scrimmage in its 2023 class, adding edge-rusher Isaiah Nixon (Lakewood) and interior lineman Andrew Rumph (Palmetto) from the western side of the state to Walker and Call. Alexander-Felton, the second Edgewater athlete on this list, has been a target since earning his offer at a camp last June. He made an expected leap as a junior, registering 12.5 TFLs, four sacks and two pass breakups. The Knights will have competition from the likes of Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Liberty, Marshall, Maryland, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, UAB, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Western Michigan for his services.

DJ McCormick, Rockledge

Position: Linebacker

Height/Weight: 6-1, 195

Composite: 247 — Not ranked; On3 — Not ranked

Buzz: Georgia commit Jaylen Heyward might be the biggest name in Rockledge's defense, but UCF is also high on the relatively unheralded McCormick. He's an all-action player with instincts and serious closing speed. Over the last two seasons, McCormick has collected more than 200 tackles, eight interceptions and six forced fumbles. He attended Duke's junior day festivities in late January, and visited UCF this past weekend.

Vernon Woodward, University

Position: Cornerback

Height/Weight: 6-2, 180

Composite: 247 — Not ranked; On3 — Not ranked

Buzz: Volusia County is talent-rich for 2024, and UCF is in on Class 3S runner-up Mainland's touted trio of defensive lineman LJ McCray, defensive back Zavier Mincey and offensive lineman Elijah Walker. However, the Knights have also locked onto one of its fastest risers in Woodward, who secured offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue and Oregon State in February. He's got the desired length and physicality, particularly in run support. It will not be much longer before Woodward earns his stars on the major recruiting services.

Jordyn Bridgewater, West Orange

Position: Wide receiver

Height/Weight: 6-0, 170

Composite scores: 247 — Not ranked; On3 — Not ranked

Buzz: One of the most recent athletes to receive a UCF offer, Bridgewater burned opposing secondaries to the tune of 22.2 yards per catch in the fall. The primary target for talented 2024 quarterback Trever Jackson, another UCF possibility, Bridgewater caught 40 balls for 886 yards and nine touchdowns. He's got explosive measurables, according to Hudl, including a 4.47-second time in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical leap. In addition to the Knights, Bridgewater has grabbed offers from Florida Atlantic, Liberty, Iowa State, Miami, Pittsburgh and Tulane since December.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football: 10 Orlando area recruits targeted for 2024 class