FB group claims they were told it’s a done deal. I got booted from there ages ago so idk lol

“Cabana is getting rid of liquor sales from a reliable source and is only selling beer and Cutwater cocktails. Liquor in stadium club. Also just confirmed that the whole stadium will be selling beer and liquor canned drinks. Same source that told me Cabana is getting rid of liquor drinks.”

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Today is Decision Day for Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola defensive tackle John Walker.

The elite prospect has trimmed his list to five schools: Florida, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State and UCF.

Many believe UCF and Ohio State are the favorites with the Knights trending in recent days.

Walker has visited UCF many times, including in early June for his official visit.

"They're doing some big things," Walker said following his UCF visit. "They're going to the Big 12. They're making some big moves. Big things are happening. Big-time players are coming here. By the time 2023 comes, with this coaching staff and the recruiting, UCF is gonna be big."

The commitment is scheduled for 6 p.m. Walker plans to live stream on his personal Instagram. Rivals will also be there and signal-permitting will live stream via Youtube as well (video above).

As I posted earlier in the evening, it's still kind of weird to me the progression of how this played out in the public eye. Earlier in the afternoon, I heard from a UCF source that there were hopes a deal would be finalized very soon, decision has been made. It was not likely I'd get a name from this source. It was more along the lines of being ready for something to happen soon. I think that was around 4 p.m.

I sat on it for a little while hitting up some coaching community sources. If the offer went to a few names I've been posting about, I was fairly confident I'd get an idea pretty quickly if it was them. A Gus rumor started circulating around that time, that he was the guy, but I had no connections or sources to Gus. I figured he interviewed, but he was the only name I couldn't independently verify ahead of time.

Jason Beede and the Auburn guys at 247 were the first report the offer, then the Sentinel (Bianchi) jumped on it too. I learned that it was definitely a "Gus people" leak (not UCF), maybe from his agent, Jimmy Sexton. Some people have thought it was kind of weird in how the leak was more about Gus getting the offer, but also saying Gus hadn't accepted. Now, few people around here know how TMo operates, but an offer would usually only come after negotiation and verbal agreement has already taken place. So if you let it get that far, you should be accepting. And, it doesn't make sense for Gus and his agent to negotiate publicly because UCF likely is no position to up any sort of offer.

Maybe Gus' people liked the idea of a "offer" being floated publicly before it became finalized to the point of accepting? I don't know. I have no reason to believe he won't accept though.

I never had a great feeling about Lebby due to TMo's comments to the team about "not getting married to one guy." It was understandable he'd say that, but I think he was trying to prep the team for what would become his top choice (Gus).

There was a rumor that did come out on Saturday that TMo was said to prefer a coach with HC experience. So Gus made sense there.

Most of Auburn's 2020 staff has landed jobs elsewhere, so I'm not sure who Gus might have in mind for coaches at UCF. He'll also have a substantially smaller assistant budget than SEC, obviously. He's been around the block at various schools, I'm sure he can put together a good staff. If it was Lebby, I think I already knew pretty much the entire staff.

I am wondering how the players will receive this. Dillon Gabriel, at the top of the list, obviously. We've already seen his social media drama tonight. Gus' offenses don't particularly mesh with DG's skill set. That's a concern for sure. Randy Shannon has been a calming influence. If he departs, that could cause issues as well. That's not my speculation - it's stuff I'm hearing tonight from multiple people connected to players.

But nothing was guaranteed in all of this. I always thought the "We Want Lebby" movement was setting up for disappointment.

The good news if you're the new staff is that players are locked in for this semester. They could always hit the transfer portal now, but they can't physically up and leave school and transfer somewhere else until the summer. So that gives Gus and his staff ample time to win the players over.

I'm sure there's drama almost everywhere when there's a coaching change. But players have more power than they ever have due to the transfer portal and forthcoming immediate eligibility.

If anyone is looking to sell their softball lot passes for the season, please let me know. Looking for every home game. Thanks!

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anyone going?

i'd love to pull a @TheSuitedKnight if someone can get me a signed mini helmet from ROK and bowser, plus some other signed something by RJ and jada?

i don't have 20k to pay someone to drive cross country to be there but if you're going already and they have merch on sale to get signed i'd gladly buy in too.

Who has stood out this summer during lifting and conditioning? We haven't read much so far.

Anyone knocking out 35-40 reps on the bench? Who is the Beast of the Weight Room? Is Matt Lee squatting VWs?

More evidence a recession is coming. Stock market keeps diving too. Housing is debatable if the will retract in some areas. Anything else we can destroy with our leadership?

Yesterday was a big day for Knight fans everywhere with the John Walker decision. I was happy , I mean really happy to see Gus work his magic , for all UCF fans and too read the bitter salty tears of gator fans. That lasted for maybe 20 minutes then I was like I hope he plays here and graduate's from UCF. I hope he stays and doesn't leave at the end of his sophomore year.

In years past when big time players announced you felt they were here for at least 3=years before heading off to the NFL. Now it's like I hope we can keep him 2 seasons . My excitement for recruiting has taken a hit due to the portal seemingly waiting to take our thunder at any minute like a shark waiting to attack from the deep blue.

Anyone else feel like this? I am not trying to project some negative juju here it's just the reality of college football now. How excited do I get about the next 4 star ?

Sons of UCF LIVE #78: Jason Beede, UCF beat reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, on John Walker's commitment to UCF - the highest ranked recruit in UCF Football history. Jason talks about the position battles as Pre-Season Camp gets underway as practice begins next week. Plus, we learn more about Baylor as our Meet the Big 12 series continues with Matt Wilson, co-host of the Between Two Bears podcast.

Just click here to watch.

After hosting 11 official visitors the first weekend of June, four more the following weekend and one player this past weekend, I'm told UCF has put a wrap on OVs for now. Unless something suddenly changes, there are no plans to host official visits this upcoming weekend, which would be final weekend to do so prior to September.

June is obviously the big recruiting month between official/unofficial visits and camps. The dead period begins next Monday, June 27 and lasts through Sunday, July 24. While some recruits are planning July announcements, visits to campuses will not be allowed. This is primarily to allow coaches some vacation time prior to the start of preseason camp.

The final week of July will really be the final splash of summer recruiting with unofficial visits allowed that week, though official visits are not allowed.

The entire month of August is a dead period to allow high school players to focus on their own football teams. The exception would be if there's a late August home football game as recruits are always allowed to visit for games (UCF's season starts on Thursday, Sept. 1.

***

Following the decommitments of DE Isaiah Nixon and TE Javontay Conner, UCF now has four commitments in the 2023 class: DE Kaven Call, LB Troy Ford Jr., OL Jamal Meriweather and QB Dylan Rizk.

UCF continues to feel extremely confident in several of the June official visitors who have yet to announce. It's possible some players may have already decided, but have waited until a strategic time to announce their decisions.

Here's a look at the non-commits who visited:

WR Lamar Seymore - He is still committed to Miami for now, but I've always heard there's a strong likelihood he flips UCF's way. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

DE Joshua Horton - His OVs this month have been to UCF and Auburn and North Carolina is this upcoming weekend. I don't have any solid intel which way he's leaning, but it may be hard to compete with Auburn head-to-head especially if their NIL is involved. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

DT John Walker - He has taken OVs this month to UCF, Michigan and Miami. He goes to Ohio State this weekend. And he has an October OV scheduled to Florida. He plans to announce Oct. 22. I know he really likes UCF and DT coach Kenny Martin, but it may be difficult to pull him from Florida or Ohio State. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

DB Zachary Tobe - He has visited UCF, Boston College and Illinois this month and will visit UNC this weekend. He plans to announce his decision on July 7. I have felt good about UCF's chances, though I'm curious to see how things go at UNC this weekend. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

DB Braeden Marshall - He has visited UCF, Wisconsin and Pittsburgh and will visit UNC this weekend (with Tobe). I have felt really positive about UCF's chances, but same statement as before - I'm curious to see how things go at UNC. He is planning to announce his decision on July 30, which could give him a little bit of time that final week of July to take another visit if need be (though it would have to be unofficial). You can read his UCF visit interview here.

OL Elvin Harris - UCF is his one and only official visit. It was expected he would commit on the visit, I think this could be an announcement we see soon. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

OL Keyon Cox - Same story as Harris. UCF is his one and only official visit thus far. Also was expected that he eventually commits. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

WR Daidren Zipperer - He has visited UCF and Pittsburgh this month and was supposed to be in Utah this week to visit BYU. If UCF pushes for a commitment, you would think the Knights are the team to beat. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

DE DeeJay Holmes - Holmes is really an under the radar player that probably should be getting more attention. Maybe that's for the best as UCF is the only Power Five school in the state to have offered him. He has also visited Pittsburgh this month. When I caught up with him, he said he didn't have any other visits planned but was in no rush to make a decision either. You can read his UCF visit interview here.

TE Randy Pittman - Pittman has been committed to FSU for more than a year and has maintained publicly that he is solid with the Seminoles. UCF was his first and only OV this month. UCF loves him, and FSU appears to want to hold on to him, so unless something changes it is what it is.

***

UCF is expected to host Lake Brantley's Harris twins - Andrew and Michael - at a later time. UCF is still very much involved. A June OV was scrubbed because of some family conflicts. They have visited Maryland, Pittsburgh and Michigan State this month. Because they are local, they can swing by any time. UCF didn't host the Henderson twins last summer either as they took their OVs after they had already committed.

***

As I've said in other threads, DE Isaiah Nixon received a sizable "NIL" deal to flip to Florida. TE Jayvontay Conner also reopened his recruitment, perhaps hoping for something similar, but that situation is not over. UCF is still very much in play.

I will post more soon with some of my thoughts about NIL collectives, the portal, how UCF fits into the current landscape, etc.

I love it when people doubt this program. UCF has done really well in the past as the underdog.

Terrible timing but I need to purchase a car, my lease is up in a few months. I'm buying used this time around, three yr old low mileage lease turn in. I know the exact car I want, down to the color and options. I've found 4 cars that fit the bill from across the country. Here is the problem, I've had two different dealers, in different parts of the country refuse to sell me the car because I'm from out of state! First in CA, now just today in MA. WTF! Anyone every heard of this?

What’s the difference? Who does what? What’s service does each provide? I know KZ is a cofounder(?) of Dreamfield and has done some deals with Yuengling. How does it relate to NIL for athletes

Hey everyone! Got an update on top 2024 center Waltclaire Flynn, who discussed UCF as one of his top contenders:


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Sons of UCF EXTRA: As part of the Dreamfield/Mission Control Built by UCF Knight event a portion of the proceeds benefited the Otis Anderson, Jr foundation. In this video Denise Anderson, Otis Anderson Jr's mother, shares her thoughts about Knight Nation, and the inspiration behind the Foundation.

Thanks for clicking here.

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We caught up with UCF men's basketball coach Johnny Dawkins at the recent Charge On Tour in Oviedo. The conversation mostly centered around the incoming transfers.

On the incoming and outgoing players via the NCAA Transfer Portal:

"It's been something different for us. We haven't had that much turnover in our program, but it's happening all over the country. It's something we're getting used to. It's been fine. Our guys have worked really hard and diligent, finding guys that we think can continue enhance our program and our brand. Young men that are going places. We're excited for their opportunities."

Dawkins was then asked to comment on the new players.

Center Lahat Thioune (Utah transfer):

"Lahat is a transfer from Utah. He's an experienced big guy, 6-10. Very versatile. Very similar to Mbacke. Very active. Runs the floor. Can score around the basket. Defensively, he rebounds outside of his area really well too. We're excited to have him part of our program."

PF Michael Durr (usf, Indiana transfer):

"We saw him quite a bit with USF. We were always intrigued by him because we competed against him. He almost averaged a double-double in our conference. 7-footer. He's skilled in the low post. He guards ball screens well. He's a good defender. He brings experience as well. He has one year to play, so I think he brings a wealth of experience from the places he's been. We're excited to have him be part of our program."

G/F Brandon Suggs (East Carolina transfer):

"We're looking forward to having Brandon being part of our roster. Right away it's going to add defensively for us. He's one of the best defensive players in our conference on the perimeter. That always excites me. Someone we can put on any perimeter player and he'll do a good job against them. Offensively, he's very skilled from the standpoint he knows who he is as a player. He can make the open shot. He's good running the lane and finishing in transition. We're happy to have him."

G Ithiel Horton (Pittsburgh transfer):

"Ithiel is a terrific player from a standpoint of being a really good shooter. Can really score the basketball. He had some really big games in the ACC. He's played at a high level. We know he brings that experience also. He has a number of years under his belt. Again, another player who's been out there in the trenches. We think his transition won't be as difficult. I think he really does a good job of giving us a player that's dynamic and can really shoot the basketball.

PG Jayhlon Young (Baton Rouge CC signee):

"Jayhlon is a player who is a true point guard. We have Darius Johnson who was terrific for us. He'll be a sophomore. Excited to see what he continues to do. We wanted to make sure we brought in another point guard, a true point guard, so he can make other guys on the team better. A good facilitator capable of making shots. His job is to take other guys better and defend well."

F Taylor Hendricks & G Tyler Hendricks (HS signees):

"It's so exciting. I was just texting them a second ago. They're graduating high school. Very excited about both of those young men. Tyler is a shooter. He can shoot the basketball, but he's also long and rangy. He can guard multiple positions. As he gets stronger, I think he's going to be terrific in our program.

"Taylor is a unique prospect. I think he was ranked 54th in the country. The highest prospect other than C.J. Walker in the history of UCF. We're real excited about having him be part of our team. He's going to bring a dynamic flair with his game. He's versatile, can go inside or outside. I'm real excited to start coaching him. I think he's going to help make us better."

Dawkins was also asked about Darius Johnson, who was named to the American's All-Freshman team this past season. He said he needs to continue to work hard and improve because other teams will have a full year scout on him.

He also said C.J. Walker has been working really hard and being a leader. He's a senior now. They're looking for another jump from him. "His best basketball is still ahead of him."

It seemed there were a good amount of AAC to AAC transfers. UCF was the recipient of two (Brandon Suggs and if you count Michael Durr). Jamille Reynolds left UCF to go to Temple. The AAC Player of the Year, Kendric Davis, transferred from SMU to Memphis. Tyler Harris went from Memphis to usf. Landers Nolley II went from Memphis to Cincinnati.

"I was a little surprised because I didn't expect to see as much lateral movement. I expected to see up or down. We weren't sure that would happen, but as we started getting into the portal and recruiting guys we recognized guys were interested in moving from one team in the conference to another. We were able to find some pieces could really continue to enhance what we want to do."

I posted this last week, but I also asked Dawkins about next season's non-conference schedule.

He confirmed FSU is returning the game at UCF. He also repeated that a home-and-home with Ole Miss begins this year with the first game on the road. Also said UCF is participating in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise vs. TBD.

He also dropped a couple nuggets we hadn't heard previously:

UCF will complete in the "Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship" in Nassau Nov. 18-20. It's a four-team field (so everybody plays each other). Dawkins said DePaul and Oklahoma State are among the other teams and a fourth team is TBD. Last year was the first year for this particular tournament. The Battle 4 Atlantis has been the big-name Bahamas tournament that has been in existence for about 10 years now.

Dawkins also said they're on the verge of signing a home-and-home series with a Power Five team that would begin this season in Orlando.

"I think it'll be really good and our fans will be excited," Dawkins said about this series.

Friends coming in town. Doesn't matter where in the Cabana, we stand by the opening and get drunk.

TIA.

Coach Martin just exploded on the nationwide recruiting map as Walker didn't make it a secret on just how important Coach Martin was in his recruitment.

Guess the salary range Coach Martin is making this season?

Can someone shed some light on this classification and where UCF stands in regards to achieving this? I don't know much about it.

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