With QB KJ Jefferson in the fold, UCF's attention now shifts to filling out the remainder of their transfer class. The dead period ends on Wednesday and UCF is expected to bring in several players for visits in the upcoming days.

I am expecting some news as early as today (Wednesday) from Cincinnati LB Deshawn Pace. He visited UCF during one of the first weekends and would complete the trifecta of Cincinnati portal targets. His Bearcat teammates, S Bryon Threats and RB Myles Montgomery, have already committed to UCF.

Pace led Cincinnati with 80 tackles this past season. And Threats was their second-leading tackler with 57.

It will represent a massive pickup for UCF as Charlotte LB Nikhai Hill-Green was recently dropped due to academic concerns.

Once Pace is in the fold, UCF will turn their attention to the rest of their LB portal class. I would think they need at least three total. I've confirmed a pair of linebackers are coming in on visits: Xe'ree Alexander (Idaho) and Jesiah Pierre (Texas Tech).

Xe'ree Alexander, a freshman from Seattle, tells me he is arriving at UCF today. He also has offers from Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon State and several others. He has family in Florida, which could be a plus.

During his first season with the FCS Vandals, Alexander recorded 74 tackles, four TFLs, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He would have three years of eligibility remaining.

Jesiah Pierre, who is originally from Mount Dora, also confirmed he will be visiting UCF. He began his career at Florida, seeing limited action during his first two seasons (2019 and 2020) in Gainesville. He then transferred to Texas Tech and has played the last three seasons in Lubbock. He started to come into his own in 2022, establishing himself as a starter with 40 tackles, 7.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. During this most recent season of 2023, Pierre was fourth on the team with 66 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks. Pierre would have one year left.

Another top target is Jaheim Thomas of Arkansas, who recently hit the portal. He actually began his career at Cincinnati and is tight with Pace and Threats. He led the Razorbacks with 90 tackles while adding 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. He will be in high demand - I haven't been able to confirm his visit plans, though I'm sure UCF would love to have him.

==

UCF is still continuing to recruit offensive linemen. Temple's Victor Stoffel, a native of Sweden, is down to UCF, Cal and Texas A&M per On3. I actually messaged him earlier on Tueday, but never heard back. I would assume he's visiting at some point this week.

Stoffel has been at Temple since 2019 and was their starting right tackle. He earned a 73.6 season grade according to PFF. He missed the first five games of 2022 due to injury - his first game back was Temple's 70-13 loss at UCF (he graded at 52.8 in that game).

==

UCF is recruiting portal WRs in anticipation of losing Javon Baker. As I stated in a prior update, Ohio State freshman Bryson Rodgers will be a focus and I would not be surprised if he's visiting.

==

Louisiana-Lafayette QB Zeon Chriss was originally slated to visit UCF tomorrow. With UCF landing KJ, I figured the visit was canceled but I texted him to confirm. He acknowledged that it was and said he is now visiting Houston this upcoming weekend. It seems South Carolina dropped him too.

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(@Brandon got it first, feel free to delete lol)

I have 2 tickets available for the home game on Wednesday. If you are interested please send me a DM with your name and email so I can forward.

Section 102 Row U seat 4 and 5
Parking: Garage F

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Or TMo.

As I posted a week ago, UCF continues to pursue Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson.

He is believed to be UCF's top target. Who else is in the mix? Miami and TCU were also initially reported. Miami is still waiting on a decision from Cam Ward. I've heard Cal is very interested too.

Prior to Christmas, I heard KJ was slated to officially visit in early January (likely next Wednesday, Jan. 3, which I believe is the first allowable day for transfer visits).

But now today - Wednesday, Dec. 27 - KJ is indeed in Orlando per his IG story. He posted a photo from MCO with the caption that he intends to visit with his former Arkansas teammate, RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders who is from Rockledge (Sanders recently hit the portal and has committed to South Carolina).

While in-person visits with coaching staffs are not allowed until Jan. 3, nothing is stopping him from swinging by campus and having a look around if he so desires. It's not any different than COVID year recruiting and the perpetual Dead Period - players could "visit" on their own dime and walk around the school even while on the phone with coaches.

Is KJ attempting to accelerate his decision timeline with an advance visit to UCF?

For the most part, UCF's retention of the current roster is nearly complete with RJ Harvey and Javon Baker announcing their intent to return. Kobe Hudson is also believed to be in that category, but he has yet to announce.

While NIL remains a primary consideration for most players, UCF would appear to be the best fit for KJ in terms of offense and proven returning talent.

==

I know all the "buzz" is centering around KJ, especially with On3's Pete Nakos' public linkage of UCF, but don't sleep on Louisiana Lafayette QB Zeon Chriss. I've heard UCF really, really likes him and the feeling is mutual. I wouldn't discount this possibility.

I posted more about him last week.


==

UCF DE Josh Celiscar hit the portal after Christmas. This was always expected. Remember in early December when I posted about two defensive starters leaving? Corey Thornton didn't waste any time in hitting the portal, but the other one I was referring to was Celiscar.

I think UCF was ready to move on. While he certainly logged a lot of reps over the last two years especially (he played almost every snap in 2022), I think UCF wants to get more speed at that position.

Celiscar has already reported offers from North Texas, Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, UConn and Minnesota.

==

The biggest remaining position of need is obviously linebacker. UCF has one commitment from Nikhai Hill-Green (Michigan/Charlotte) but clearly needs more experienced players at the position.

Cincinnati's Deshawn Pace has been a target.

UCF also recently offered New Mexico State Keyshaun Elliott, though he quickly committed to Arizona State. Another recent offer was Idaho's Xe'ree Alexander, though it may be tough to pull him away from the Northwest (Washington has offered and he's a UW legacy).

Other LBs to watch: Bangally Kamara (Pittsburgh), Deuce Caldwell (UNC), Cashius Howell (Bowling Green), Ozzie Nicholas (Princeton).

That Miami is shifting their QB search from the likes of:

Cam Ward
KJ Jefferson
DJ Uiagalelei
Will Howard

To none other than Reese Poffenbarger. Yes, that’s a real name. Gaby thinks they are competing with Western Kentucky and Cincinnati for his services. 😬

Hey Yall:
Looking for a winter weekend away in the mountains ? There may or may not be snow ,but we can make it rain for you!

If you book now you can save 15% with the code HAPPY2024, but wait there's more! I told my people at Watershed I want to give my UCF group an additional 10% . So, you get 25% off of your stay!

Just call Watershed after you book and tell them you're from the Dungeon and they will apply the additional discount!

He was initially linked to his first UCF staff, but was never hired. Might have had a usf buyout issue. And he was also rumored as an early OC candidate this past year.

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At this point are most happy with the combination of recruiting class plus transfers? Getting a 4-star CB transfer is sweet.

Also, how does anybody keep up with how many scholarships we have anymore? It's like trying to keep up with the federal budget debt which changes daily.

Hell yeah!

Daniels talked about the GREAT atmosphere at Kansas State...even though campus is closed as classes still don't start for 9 days after the game was played.



Also...KSU gives their students SIDELINE seats...same as they do in Football when they put them behind the visitor's bench:

UCF's offensive line is getting some tackle help.

Wes Dorsey, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound right tackle at Western Kentucky, announced his commitment to the Knights late Sunday night.

A member of the high school Class of 2019, Dorsey spent five years in Bowling Green, Ky., developing into a starter by his latter seasons. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

In 2022, Dorsey played in 11 of WKU's 14 games, starting six. He became a full-time starter in 2023, appearing in all 13 games including the bowl game.

He becomes UCF's second offensive line transfer commit and 10th overall.

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What would you do with $1.5 million dollars? $125,000 a month in gross salary? What is that, like $75k a month net, assuming he actually pays taxes?



Edit thanks to @CommuterBob - thread updated. Wow congrats to Coach Dawkins!!!!!!!

PAY HIM MORE!!​

Came across this on an FSU board. Don’t think it’s identifying anything and thought it was interesting given all the discussion on here about NIL.

Enlightening conversation last night on the state of college football from the perspective of someone who gets a lot of phone calls asking for “support” for UGA’s football program.

Some key takeaways:

• UGA and Bama’s of the world not throwing around as much money as some think.
• Not sure how much longer Saban will want to keep doing it due to NIL and portal
• Tennessee, TAMU, and Auburn biggest spenders in SEC (at least in football). Not a surprise given lack of success in those programs. Though Tennessee not as aggressive this year as on the past two
• A lot of bigger boosters already pulling $ from NIL collectives. Not enough ROI, and tired of the schools constantly asking for money as players/families assume pot is limitless
• NIL “agents” often will call coaches/NIL collective after kid has a good game wanting to renegotiate. Especially if the kid is a backup and has a good game when a starter is injured
• “Agents” already getting kids to sign over parts of their NIL deals
• Ignore the rumors of players getting multiple millions. Very few kids getting over six figures, most not getting six figures.
• Most profitable NIL situations are for “cute blondes (Livy Dunne/Cavinder twins), not QBs or DEs”
• Cost for a top ten HS QB $300-$600k cash a year, plus other things like title of car/truck + title to house/townhouse
• Cash deposited weekly. So kid getting $400k/yr gets roughly $8k a week
• This is a “lose, lose situation” for coaches and NIL collectives. Average fans are very misinformed as to how it works, and rules seem to change constantly, can’t keep up
• It’s a matter of when, not if will the whole system collapse.

HUGE NFL Playoff game this weekend...only available via streaming on Peacock.

NBC Peacock paid $110 Million to the NFL to stream just ONE playoff game.

Peacock to exclusively stream Chiefs-Dolphins wild-card game

Peacock paid the NFL an estimated $110 million to air the Jan. 13 playoff game on Jan. 13, according to figures confirmed by The Athletic.

theathletic.com

Will cost a minimum $5.99 for those that haven't yet signed up for Peacock.

Hope some can make their lunch plans to be at Burger U this Wed as this is how many thought NIL was suppose to be (corporate sponsors for public events).

Yes or No? Is it worth installing. Do I really need something else tracking everything I buy?

8. Arizona
12. Kansas State
15. Oklahoma State
19. Utah
23. Kansas
25. West Virginia

If you guessed Nebraska and Miami, you win! Some harsh but truthful description of both programs:

"Nebraska surprises me a little bit because Nebraska has real fans... Miami has fake fans," Finebaum said. They just can't get it done and there are a lot of reasons for it, but the Nebraska that we knew growing up, and even as recently as twenty years ago, doesn't exist anymore for the 17-year-olds... They don't know anything about Nebraska."

Paul Finebaum Says Two Iconic College Football Programs Will Never Return To Greatness​

Assumptions : 1. We add a few more transfers of quality 2. KJ stays healthy 3. We keep Javon or add a slight level below him.

8-4 record in 2024 with potential for 9-3 if we beat the Gators. I expect alot of parity in our league with narrow spreads. I predict a loss on the road in week 4 after the Gators either way (win or lose).

New Hampshire W
Sam Houston W
at Florida L (+3)
At Arizona State L (+3)
At Iowa State W (-3)
At TCU W (-6)
Arizona L (+7)
BYU W (-10)
Utah L (+7)
Colorado W (-3)
Cincinnati W (-10)
At West Virginia W (-3)

Full slate, lots of implications. I got Bills ML and ATTD parlay with Jonathan Taylor, Mike Evans, Ceedee, and Diggs.

How are YOU getting ready for the last day full football day of the year?