UCF loses commitment from top pass-rusher Isaiah Nixon. Where do Knights turn next?

UCF suffered its first major blow in the 2023 recruiting cycle Monday.

Isaiah Nixon, a consensus four-star pass-rusher from Lakewood High in St. Petersburg, backed off his commitment to the Knights. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Nixon was UCF's top-rated recruit, earning top-200 composite scores according to 247Sports and On3 Sports.

Nixon essentially declared his intentions Sunday in an unexpectedly punchy Instagram post, a caption accompanying  photos from his official visit to Florida.

"In the swamp feel like I'm a gator, riding with the Gators this ain't no Knight," Nixon wrote.

In his actual decommitment post onto social media Monday, Nixon called UCF an "awesome school with a great staff that treated me and my family with the (utmost) respect."

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Nixon committed to UCF during the second half of the team's April 16 spring game, and officially visited again on June 3. However, SEC programs — particularly Florida and Auburn — continued to pursue Nixon throughout the spring evaluation period.

Entering the weekend, UCF held a very slight edge on Florida in 247Sports' team rankings. The Knights were 46th nationally, and the Gators were 47th — with each program landing six verbal commits.

Nixon's loss is a significant blow, of course, but UCF's cupboard is not bare in the pass-rushing department for this class. Apopka's Kaven Call committed on Christmas Day, and some outlets classify Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day's Troy Ford as an edge defender. UCF, however, views him in more of a stand-up, off-ball linebacker role.

There is little substitute for premium talent, but UCF will have to move on to new targets at one of the game's premium positions. Here are three potential pass-rushing recruits worth monitoring.

DeeJay Holmes, Pahokee

The Palm Beach Post's Defensive Player of the Year, Holmes has already walked through the doors at UCF on an official visit (June 10). Speaking with reporters afterward, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder believes he is a "main target" of Gus Malzahn and his staff.

Looking at the stats, it's easy to see why.

Holmes led the Blue Devils with 92 tackles (25½ for loss) and 19½ sacks. He added 45 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three recoveries, and an interception.

Power Five interest ramped up for Holmes this spring with Indiana, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Penn State, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Georgia Tech reportedly offering. As of now, it's shaping up like a two-horse race between UCF and Pittsburgh, where Holmes officially visited the first weekend of June.

Monteque Rhames, Sumter (S.C.)

Expect UCF to circle back on consensus four-star recruit Rhames in a big way, but it might be too late in the process.

The Knights already twice made the cut for one of South Carolina's top prospects, including Rhames' top-eight list released on June 2. Alabama then entered the fray the next day.

In his junior year, Rhames recorded 20½ tackles for loss and seven sacks — both figures tied for the lead on a Sumter squad which went 10-2.

Over the weekend, though, Rhames hinted that a commitment could be "coming soon." South Carolina is the reported favorite to keep hold of the in-state standout, who also named Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, N.C. State and Virginia Tech as finalists.

It would be a significant boost for the Gamecocks, who failed to sign any of the Palmetto State's top-five recruits, per 247Sports' composite rankings, in both 2021 and '22.

Gavin Hill, Buchholz

Here's another defensive lineman that could be at the center of a tussle between the Knights and the Gators.

Hill is a different build, possessing a much thicker frame (6-3, 255) than the previously mentioned candidates. However, he is a disruptor with his hand in the dirt in a three-man front.

Hill saw action in seven games for Class 7A state semifinalist Buchholz last fall, registering 18 total tackles, eight TFLs and three sacks. Spending time on UF's campus this weekend, Hill landed what he described as a "dream offer" from the Gators.

Buchholz, coached by former UCF wide receiver Mark Whittemore, has been a hotbed for both schools recently. UCF snagged wide receiver Quan Lee in its 2022 class, and the Gators triumphed for Mark's son, 2023 athlete/slot receiver Creed Whittemore, earlier this spring.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Isaiah Nixon nixes UCF commitment after Florida visit. Now what?