Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes defensive lineman Joshua Horton's very first offer arrived from UCF in March 2021, just a few weeks after Gus Malzahn and staff arrived in Orlando. It was only fitting the Knights would end up becoming his first official visit.
"We weren't even in spring practice yet," Horton said, reflecting on that first offer. "We were just lifting at the time. My coach told me to go down to the track so I could talk to the head coach. He said, 'You've got an offer from UCF. We want you.' Now we're here."
Dozens of offers would follow, including Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, West Virginia and Mississippi State.
Horton said he really enjoyed his time in Orlando for Bounce House Weekend.
"It was really good," Horton said. "I enjoyed myself the whole time. It was a good atmosphere being around the coaches and players. I really liked it."
Who did he hang out with?
"My host was Keenan Hester and I was also with Ricky Barber," Horton said. "They were really down to earth. Everybody around here seems real. They don't sugar coat anything. They tell you how it is."
What stands out the most about UCF?
"Everything," Horton said. "It's in Orlando. Orlando is Orlando. The people around here are great. Everybody is happy. Even when it was raining yesterday, everybody still had energy and were joking around."
His favorite part of the visit was seeing UCF's stadium, the Bounce House.
"I really enjoyed that," he said.
UCF sees him as a future defensive tackle. His primary recruiter is Kenny Martin.
"It was really cool (getting to know Coach Martin)," Horton said. "He's a young coach, just getting into coaching. We were talking about how we can boost each other up."
This was the first time he met head coach Gus Malzahn.
"He had a lot of energy and was happy all the time," Horton said. "Just a great person."
Horton has other official visits scheduled to Auburn (June 10) and North Carolina (June 24). He may go somewhere the June 17 weekend, but wasn't sure where that might be.
What will be the most important factor in his decision?
"Player development," Horton said. "How can they help me get to the NFL? How can they develop me as a man? Academics too, I want to get a good degree."
