Here's stating the obvious: A quarterback makes all the difference in college football. UCF has some skill talent, but it's an elite quarterback like McKenzie Milton that's allowed the Knights to become one of the nation's top teams.
That being said, Heupel and crew are cognizant of the fact they need to continue to bring in QB talent so there's no hiccup when Milton graduates after 2019.
In last year's class, the staff put their best foot forward in hopes of landing the "best available" remaining quarterback in Arizona's Brock Purdy, who settled in on a final three of Iowa State, Alabama and UCF before choosing the Cyclones. By the way, just checked Iowa State game notes (they also had their game cancelled this weekend like Nebraska) and none of the true freshmen they brought in, Purdy or Re-al Mitchell, were on the two-deep at QB.
UCF did bring in Jones QB Quadry Jones as a walk-on and he has really impressed, so much so that there's a belief he has a real chance to be that QB of the future.
In this current 2019 cycle, Heupel made early offers to two Florida QBs, Brian Maurer and Charlie Dean. Dean committed on the spot, but it hasn't been a good 2018 for him since then. He left Tampa Catholic and transferred to Plant because he wanted to graduate early, but couldn't win the starting job at Plant (granted, the guy who did is going to be a solid 2020 recruit). So Dean resurfaced at Hillsborough, but hasn't had the best start to his season.
UCF continued recruiting Maurer as his profile began to take off. West Virginia was always in the picture, then schools like Tennessee and Texas A&M offered after Maurer earned Elite 11 status. His final two were Tennessee and UCF, but he ended up choosing the Vols during the summer.
UCF has always been focused on taking another QB in this class. An intriguing option has emerged and it sounds a lot like McKenzie Milton 2.0. Tell me if this sounds familiar:
-He's about 5-11, a playmaker who can make things happen with his arm and legs. McKenzie like.
-Current offers include Hawaii, Navy, Air Force and Army. That pretty much mirrors KZ's recruitment.
-This player is also from Mililani, Hawaii.
Yep, UCF has legitimate interest in Dillon Gabriel, Milton's replacement at Mililani, who started four games as a freshman in 2015 when Milton went down with an injury. He will be a three-year starter (2016-18) when it's said and done and has a chance to break Hawaii's career passing record which is currently held by Tua Tagovailoa. He helped lead Mililani to a state championship in 2016. Gabriel is left-handed, just like Heup.
Gabriel committed to Army in June.
McKenzie has been pushing him and there's mutual interest. No official action has been taken yet, but it is definitely something to watch. San Diego State is also getting in the mix.
Mililani just flew to California and played the nation's No. 1 HS team, St. John Bosco, on Friday night and lost 52-14. St. John Bosco is full of stud athletes, including a five-star QB in the 2020 class. Due to the hurricane, Mililani wasn't able to play a week earlier and had many practices washed out. They are 3-1 now - their season actually starts at the beginning of August.
Some stats and a breakdown following his first three games (not including St. John Bosco) via Hawaii Prep World:
http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/nerdpod-mililani-qb-dillon-gabriel/
Here are Gabriel's highlights in the St. John Bosco game, fresh off the HUDL presses:
His season opener vs. Kailua:
Second game vs. Farrington:
Third game vs. Kamehameha Kapalama:
Junior highlights:
That being said, Heupel and crew are cognizant of the fact they need to continue to bring in QB talent so there's no hiccup when Milton graduates after 2019.
In last year's class, the staff put their best foot forward in hopes of landing the "best available" remaining quarterback in Arizona's Brock Purdy, who settled in on a final three of Iowa State, Alabama and UCF before choosing the Cyclones. By the way, just checked Iowa State game notes (they also had their game cancelled this weekend like Nebraska) and none of the true freshmen they brought in, Purdy or Re-al Mitchell, were on the two-deep at QB.
UCF did bring in Jones QB Quadry Jones as a walk-on and he has really impressed, so much so that there's a belief he has a real chance to be that QB of the future.
In this current 2019 cycle, Heupel made early offers to two Florida QBs, Brian Maurer and Charlie Dean. Dean committed on the spot, but it hasn't been a good 2018 for him since then. He left Tampa Catholic and transferred to Plant because he wanted to graduate early, but couldn't win the starting job at Plant (granted, the guy who did is going to be a solid 2020 recruit). So Dean resurfaced at Hillsborough, but hasn't had the best start to his season.
UCF continued recruiting Maurer as his profile began to take off. West Virginia was always in the picture, then schools like Tennessee and Texas A&M offered after Maurer earned Elite 11 status. His final two were Tennessee and UCF, but he ended up choosing the Vols during the summer.
UCF has always been focused on taking another QB in this class. An intriguing option has emerged and it sounds a lot like McKenzie Milton 2.0. Tell me if this sounds familiar:
-He's about 5-11, a playmaker who can make things happen with his arm and legs. McKenzie like.
-Current offers include Hawaii, Navy, Air Force and Army. That pretty much mirrors KZ's recruitment.
-This player is also from Mililani, Hawaii.
Yep, UCF has legitimate interest in Dillon Gabriel, Milton's replacement at Mililani, who started four games as a freshman in 2015 when Milton went down with an injury. He will be a three-year starter (2016-18) when it's said and done and has a chance to break Hawaii's career passing record which is currently held by Tua Tagovailoa. He helped lead Mililani to a state championship in 2016. Gabriel is left-handed, just like Heup.
Gabriel committed to Army in June.
McKenzie has been pushing him and there's mutual interest. No official action has been taken yet, but it is definitely something to watch. San Diego State is also getting in the mix.
Mililani just flew to California and played the nation's No. 1 HS team, St. John Bosco, on Friday night and lost 52-14. St. John Bosco is full of stud athletes, including a five-star QB in the 2020 class. Due to the hurricane, Mililani wasn't able to play a week earlier and had many practices washed out. They are 3-1 now - their season actually starts at the beginning of August.
Some stats and a breakdown following his first three games (not including St. John Bosco) via Hawaii Prep World:
http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/nerdpod-mililani-qb-dillon-gabriel/
Here are Gabriel's highlights in the St. John Bosco game, fresh off the HUDL presses:
His season opener vs. Kailua:
Second game vs. Farrington:
Third game vs. Kamehameha Kapalama:
Junior highlights:
