UCF recruiting notebook: All eyes on Lake Brantley's Harris twins, Osceola's John Walker

A crucial month on the reorganized recruiting calendar, June was not particularly kind to UCF.

The Knights did not gain any verbal commits, instead losing two players from their 2023 class. Lakewood edge rusher Isaiah Nixon — the Knights' top-rated player, according to several recruiting services — flipped to Florida, and Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth tight end Jayvontay Conner reopened his recruitment just in time to land offers from both Oregon and Ole Miss.

Such ebbs and flows are normal in the summer months.

However, business might just be about to "boom" once again for Gus Malzahn and his staff.

Several high-profile targets have already set July commitment dates, and that could skyrocket the Big 12-bound Knights from their lowly No. 71 spot on 247Sports' team rankings, smack dab in between Toledo and Colorado State.

Let's break things down, position-by-position, and see where things stand with UCF's most coveted prospects.

Quarterback

Nothing has really changed since mid-April for the Knights as far as signal-callers are concerned.

Dylan Rizk, who guided Cardinal Gibbons to a state championship as a junior, locked in his commitment more than two months ago. He was among the slew of June 3 official visitors, as well.

North Cobb (Ga.)'s prolific dual-threat passer Malachi Singleton, who competed at last week's Elite 11 competition in Los Angeles, was the Knights' other primary target at the position. He remains verbally committed to Arkansas.

Running back

The Knights' running back room is bordering on overpopulated, following the transfer arrival of former Lakeland star Demarkcus Bowman. It remains to be seen whether Bowman will seek a waiver to play in 2022; he's already transferred twice, spending one season apiece at Clemson and Florida.

However, Malzahn's offense is predicated on a powerful ground game, so UCF figures to take at least one running back this cycle. Leading rusher Isaiah Bowser enters his fifth and final year of eligibility.

Norland's Javin Simpkins, a four-star recruit and Under Armour All-American, appears to be the main choice. Simpkins listed UCF in his top-five in early April — along with Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Texas — and indicated a return visit to Orlando could soon be on the cards.

Simpkins saw action in only four games during the 2021 season due to a shoulder injury, but he rushed for 512 yards, caught 11 balls for 115 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Wide receiver/Tight end

On to the pass-catchers, and two receivers listed UCF among their top options this week alone.

Lakeland's Daidren Zipperer, in an exclusive article for The Ledger, said conversations with Malzahn changed his perception on UCF. He visited campus twice in early June, including on an official the weekend of the 10th. BYU, Pittsburgh and South Carolina are among the other contenders for the fast-rising recruit.

Miami Central's Lamar Seymore, a June 3 official visitor, backed off a long-standing commitment to his hometown Hurricanes. UCF is considered one of the favorites, along with Auburn and Pittsburgh, should he elect to flip.

And speaking of flips, UCF could be in the driver's seat for Mosley's three-star tight end Randy Pittman, who recently decommitted from Florida State. Pittman said in a phone interview that he plans to visit both Jackson State and Mississippi State in the fall and will take his time with a decision.

Still, the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder enjoyed the extended one-on-one interactions with UCF's staff as the lone official visitor on June 17, and several Florida State reporters for 247Sports believe the Knights will prevail in the end.

Offensive line

Brunswick (Ga.)'s 6-foot-7, 260-pound tackle Jamal Meriweather is the Knights' only commit along the offensive line at the moment. On3 Sports considers Meriweather a top-300 national recruit, ranking him 23rd in the country at his position.

UCF hosted a pair of underrated OL recruits on June 10, Chaminade-Madonna's Elvin Harris and Phenix City (Ala.) Central's Keyon Cox.

Several other possibilities committed elsewhere. Orange Park's Roderick Kearney, one of the most coveted interior players in the country, chose Florida State, and Hoover (Ala.) tackle Ethan Hubbard chose Duke on Wednesday over the Knights and South Alabama.

Keep in mind that UCF aggressively targeted the portal for linemen for the 2022 cycle, bringing in Jacksonville State's Tylan Grable and Virginia's Ryan Swoboda to fill vacancies at the tackle spots.

Defensive line

UCF could score a truly landmark recruiting victory if Osceola's John Walker chooses to stay home.

Walker would, comfortably, be the Knights' most decorated high school recruit in program history. He ranks 97th among all high school players in the country, per 247Sports' composite.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound force used the first of his four June official visits to see what UCF has to offer. His interest is genuine, a testament to the bonds built with position coaches Kenny Ingram and Kenny Martin.

Ohio State is viewed as the favorite, however. The Buckeyes have ripped through the Sunshine State this cycle, landing six Florida high school recruits already including five-star receivers Brandon Inniss (American Heritage) and Carnell Tate (IMG Academy).

Walker, whose top five also includes Florida, Miami and Michigan, will announce his commitment on July 28 alongside Kowboys teammates Derrick LeBlanc and Ja'Keem Jakckson.

Apopka's Kaven Call, who chose the Knights two days after their victory over the Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl, remains committed and is actively recruiting some of the school's other priority targets.

UCF has eyes on at least two more primary targets, regardless of Walker's decision — Joshua Horton from Langston Hughes (Ga.), and Lakeland's Guerlens Milfort; the latter of whom put the Knights in his top four with Appalachian State, Kansas and N.C. State.

Linebackers/Edge Rushers

UCF's first recruiting battle of the month will be a three-team tussle for Lake Brantley's twin tandem of Andrew and Michael Harris.

A pair of four-star recruits, the Jamaican-born brothers are heat-seeking missiles at the second level. Both are ranked among the country's top 20 linebackers.

In an exclusive video interview for USA TODAY, the twins announced they will select either the Knights, Michigan State or Maryland on Wednesday. Should they pick the Knights, UCF's linebacking group would be set — factoring in the springtime commitment of Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day's Troy Ford Jr.

As for the edge rusher spot, Nixon's flip stings, to be sure. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder's length and athleticism will be difficult to replace.

All is not lost, however.

Pahokee's DeeJay Holmes produced a monster junior year with 92 tackles (25½ for loss) and 19½ sacks. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder, named the Palm Beach Post's Defensive Player of the Year, added 45 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three recoveries, and an interception.

Holmes told reporters that he is a "main target" of Malzahn's staff after his June 10 official visit.

Defensive backs

UCF could pull a third defensive star out of Seminole County.

Lake Mary's Braeden Marshall, a consensus four-star cornerback, has the Knights among his top-five, along with Nebraska, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin. Marshall trains with former UCF secondary standout Drico Johnson, and he recently worked out with current Knights DBs Brandon Adams, Jaiden Francois and Nikai Martinez.

The safety position is a bit more in flux.

Zachary Tobe was a priority target, but the Ocoee rising senior chose North Carolina. Interest has picked up in Lake Minneola's Ethon Cole, but it's seemingly come too late following his commitment to Purdue.

The Knights could pivot and make one more "Polklando" push for Lake Wales' Jaremiah Anglin Jr. — the defensive MVP of the National Combine in San Antonio. Anglin's stock soared after the showcase, but he has UCF in his top eight with Alabama, Florida State, Jackson State, Kentucky, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.

Specialists

UCF reportedly offered a full-ride scholarship in June to a placekicker in its backyard, Boone's Grant Reddick.

Reddick is the No. 1 kicker in the country, according to Kohl's Kicking. He routinely connects on attempts from 60 yards and in. Fifty-one of his 60 kickoffs sailed through the end zone for touchbacks.

He toured a slew of Power Five programs prior to the start of spring ball, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Mississippi State.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF Knights football recruiting notebook: Andrew Harris, Michael Harris, John Walker, Braeden Marshall