Kenton "KJ" Kirkland, one of UCF's top secondary targets, was among the recruits who visited recently for Hometown Hero.
The Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines star is the brother of UCF track athlete Kai'lyn Kirkland.
"I came to the UConn game and my sister goes here as well so it's easier to get over here and talk to the coaches," Kirkland said. (Hometown Hero) was getting closer to the coaches. My position coach, Coach Addison (Williams), we sat down and talked. We talked about personal relationships, just how to be better as a man on and off the field. He said everything I needed to hear. It was a great overall experience."
The relationship with Coach Williams has been developing over the last several months.
"We talk on the phone, he came to the school and we talk in person," Kirkland. "That's what stood out to me the most. Some colleges recruit you over the phone, tell you you're their guy, but when you see them in person it's like they don't even know you. There were a lot of people here, and Coach Addison was still making sure he was talking to me out of everybody else. That means a lot to me and my family."
Favorite part about the day?
"The most fun part was probably playing dodgeball," Kirkland said. "But really just talking with Coach Addison. That meant the most for me coming here."
What stands out about UCF?
"It's actually close to home," Kirkland said. "My sister goes to UCF. She tells me a lot of good things about the school. I asked other players about how they feel and they say the support system is probably the strongest thing here. That's one thing I'm looking for. If you've got a good support system, I'm not sure why you wouldn't come here."
Kirkland also took notice of UCF's recent win against Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl.
"As soon as I walked in, they had the Florida game playing on replay," he said.
UCF, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Florida State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU, Nebraska, Michigan and Cincinnati are among the schools that have offered.
The 6-foot-2 Kirkland is being recruited by most schools to play corner.
"(My strengths that I hear from coaches are) my length, my speed, ability to win off press and ball skills," Kirkland said. "But I like when coaches don't just tell me the things I'm good at, but the things I need to work on. I'm working on my change of direction, which is one of the things that's a weak area. If I get that together that will set me apart from other DBs. There's not too many 6-2 DBs with speed, maybe a select few and I want to be the best of that select few."
Kirkland says he'll probably return to UCF for spring practice, or maybe even earlier if they're down to visit his sister on a weekend. He also visited Florida State and Georgia during the month of January. No favorites yet.
"It's too early to decide," Kirkland said. "I'm just waiting on whichever school fits me the best... Wherever I feel the most at home and have the best relationship with the coaches, that's where I'll go."
When might a decision come?
"Whenever I get that gut feeling, that's when I'll be ready to commit," Kirkland said. "But I don't have a set time right now."
