UCF head coach Gus Malzahn met with the media Wednesday afternoon to cover the one late high school signing and to go over the transfer class. Here's a recap of the 17-minute interview:
Gus begins by talking about how the February signing day used to be the big one, but now it's an afterthought compared to the December one. Today was mostly about announcing their transfers.
He then talks about the recruits one by one beginning with the lone high school signee (LB Andrew Harris) and then the 10 transfers, nine of whom are already enrolled (Stanford OL Drake Metcalf will arrive this summer). Gus said the transfers filled specific needs. They still need to "build the right way" with high school players.
LB Andrew Harris (Lake Brantley):
Gus mentioned how Andrew was an Under Armour All-American and a "Hometown Hero."
"He was a priority for our staff. We're trying to keep our top players home and building this thing the right way. That is a huge get for us. He's a wonderful player and wonderful person. Very talented."
DB Fred Davis (Clemson):
Gus says he recruited him out of high school.
"Very talented. He's played a lot of football."
OL Amari Kight (Alabama):
Gus recruited him extremely hard while he was at Auburn.
"I know everything about him... I think he has an ability to play right tackle, left tackle. Very talented young man. Very excited about him. He's won a National Championship."
LS Gage King (Arizona State):
"We felt like he was one of the best in the country. Obviously we had in my opinion the best one last year (Alex Ward). Really excited about him. He's a big guy. He covers kicks extremely well. A lot of experience too."
WR Chauncey Magwood (Kentucky):
"Very good with the ball in his hands. Very smart. Very strong. We're going to have him for a few years. We're very excited about what he can bring."
OL Marcellus Marshall (Kent State):
"First team All-Conference at Kent State. Very impressed with him. He was one of Coach Hand's priorities along with Kight. Those two guys we zeroed in on and got them both. This guy has played a lot of football. He's got great upside. Very, very athletic. We're very excited about him. He's got multiple years also."
DB DeJordan Mask (Texas State):
"Your turn the film on and he jumps off the film. He's a very physical guy. He's played a lot of football. A lot of experience. That was an area we needed to shore up. We're very excited about him."
OL Drake Metcalf (Stanford):
"He's got a great motor. He won't be here until May, but very excited about him. You talk about him jumping off the film whether he's playing center or guard. Just a phenomenal player and a great family."
OL Bula Schmidt (Fresno State):
"A center. He's originally from Hawaii. He played at Fresno State. He was an All-Conference with 31 starts. A guy that really, when you turn on the film, what jumps out is his athleticism. Won a conference championship. He knows what it's like to do that. We're very excited about him."
WR Trent Whittemore (Florida):
"Wide receiver from Gainesville. He was a guy I saw play when he was a junior. I was recruiting another player. I got to watch him play quarterback and he also started at safety and I think he was punting. His dad actually played here with Coach Hinshaw, one of the greats. Very excited about him. He's played in some big-time games and played extremely well."
DB Jireh Wilson (East Carolina):
"We know a lot about him. Obviously when we played him this year he was the conference Defensive Player of the Week. He had a pick, a fumble, he was everywhere. He's a real, real player. We're very excited about him."
Gus says the "average ranking" for high school rankings puts UCF around No. 30 nationally. He thanked the staff for doing a great job in this cycle.
He then made a pitch for the Kingdom.
"I really want to encourage our donors to really help us with the collective. The new age of college football, if we want to continue to recruit at a high level we're going to need your help with that. And to keep our top players here. That's a big part of college football. The collective is called The Kingdom. I really encourage our donors to help us with that."
Gus added the Big 12 schedule release yesterday was an "exciting time." He said the players are excited. They had a team meeting today.
"I've been real blessed to be at places where we won the whole thing and won championships. I know what it looks like and feels like. The one thing I can tell you, from a talent base with the guys we have here, we'll have a chance. That's real exciting from a coach's standpoint."
Here are the highlights from the Q&A portion of the press conference.
I asked for more commentary about the Harris twin recruiting process and landing Andrew.
"We're very excited about Andrew. You're talking a phenomenal player. Unbelievably talented. Played extremely well in the Under Armour game. He's a real player. Great person. Like I said, Hometown Hero. That's big for us in a lot of different ways."
Gus talked about developing a "true relationship" as it pertains to recruiting, which can help later on during the transfer process. He enjoys getting to know the young men and their families.
OL was a big focus in the transfer portal. He alluded to losing Matt Lee, so there was a real need to add experience especially at center.
"We'll still be looking at positions moving forward in the spring, but offensive line we feel great about."
Why do recruits choose UCF?
"This is a great place. Transfers that come here have been ultra successful. Even before I got here. We'll continue to do that. The NIL will be more important than ever before. That's why I said that (earlier). But this is a great spot."
The transfer process is super accelerated. You have to make quick decisions on offers and developing relationships.
"Everything is sped up. It's a challenge... We're also looking for the right type fit as a person. Not just the player."
How deep is this roster?
Gus says they feel great going into the spring. They'll evaluate then and see where they are.
"Right now with the guys we have in our team room, we feel really good about the talent level."
I asked more about Gus making the public comment about donating to the Kingdom.
"It's a new age of college football. It's a new normal. It's about keeping your top players you don't want to lose. It's about educating our fanbase and donors of the new age in college football. Keeping our best players here and if we're going to continue to recruit at a high level or take it up a notch that's going to be a big part moving forward."
Gus has no comment about Justin Hodges.
"He's no longer with us. We'll talk about the guys that are."
There was a question about the NCAA beefing up their NIL infraction investigations.
"That's a good thing. It's a free for all right now."
How many spots does UCF have left?
"We're good now. We're gonna go through spring, re-evaluate where we're at and there may be some positions that we need to shore up."
How does Gus like the makeup of the inaugural Big 12 schedule?
"I like the way it sets up with the home and away. I like where off date is. Obviously we're going on the road for five games and home for four. I guess that's what you get when you're the new kid on the block. You add Boise State on the road and that's no treat either. It's a real schedule, there's no doubt. Our coaches and players are excited about it."
Gus was asked if there were some teams he wanted to see on the Big 12 schedule and he said it doesn't make a difference because they're all quality teams.
Right now the players are working out with strength coach Chris Dawson. Doing the team building and building a foundation. They won't start spring until after spring break. I heard March 20 is the start date. The players can work with the coaches two hours a week. They'll have a little extra time to work with the new coordinators.
How did the Big 12 move benefit recruiting?
"I'm going to bet there's a handful of guys that if we weren't going to the Big 12 wouldn't have signed with us. That's fair to say. Each class I think we've been here I think we've gone up a notch. We'll continue to do that. Like I said, the big thing is the collective, moving forward with that."
Tom Brady retired today. Again.
"I guess he's the best ever to do it. It's hard to argue that. I've enjoyed watching him. I have a lot of respect for him. He's brought a lot to the game. One of the icons. I hate to see him go to be honest with you."
The new influx of transfers means you have to integrate them into the team culture and it's important to develop chemistry.
"The type of young men we brought in, they're men of character. They're really talented football players and they want to win. That makes my job easier."
I asked about Ernie Sims being hired as linebackers coach.
"Ernie was the No. 1 overall player in the country coming out of high school. He can relate to the top guys. He was a top 10 draft pick. Played in the NFL. And he's a super person. He's got that personality. He lights up a room. He's one of the guys that he's a superstar in the making. Everybody knows it. If you're around him for two minutes, you'll see that. Our linebackers are in really good hands."
How has Coach Hinshaw been working to transform the offense?
"He is just a worker. He loves this place. You can feel it. He's got off to a great start. He's a relationship guy. He's met with every offensive player. He's hit the ground running. He's done a good job recruiting too."
How will John Rhys Plumlee manage baseball and spring football?
"John Rhys is gonig to go through most of spring. We're still kind of working through that. He's committed to doing that. We're committed to making that work. I expect him to be a part of most or all of spring."
Does he like the prime time Friday night spring game?
"Yeah. How do you like it? It was noon the last two years, 90 degrees and smoking hot. I said we aren't doing this again. That's how it went down. I'm excited about Friday night. I didn't have a clue before I got here April 15 would be 90 degrees. But hey, you live and learn. I think our players are excited about it too."
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