Saturday proved to be the perfect opportunity for Michael Scott to make his first visit to UCF.
Already set to be in Orlando to participate in the Rivals Camp, the Tallahassee (Fla.) North Florida Christian linebacker swung by campus afterward for an unofficial visit. He had been offered a couple weeks back.
"As soon as I got there all the coaches came out to greet me," Scott said. "I sat down in a meeting and they all told me about themselves and their mission as a coaching staff and what they wanted to do, where I would play and things of that nature. They talked to my parents about the program and how it's going to change now they're there. They told me a lot of things I wanted to hear.
"After the 45-minute meeting, we saw the campus. Pretty much every place on a golf cart. We looked at the dorms, the student union, places like that. That was really nice. It's a pretty big campus. After that we looked at the football facility, the weight room, the locker room, the indoor facility which is huge. We went on to the field. They had my jersey set up with some gloves to take pictures."
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander is his recruiter.
"I talked the most with Coach Chinander and Coach (Jovan) Dewitt," Scott said. "I had already talked to Coach Chinander on the phone. We have a pretty good relationship now. When I was there, they said they really wanted me and could use me in a lot of different ways. I can play some true d-end if I gain weight or linebacker. They'll run multiple packages. It all depends on how my transition would be. It seemed like they really cared about me."
Scott Frost was out of town, but the head coach still made sure to check in.
"They put him on the phone with me," Scott said. "I had a quick conversation. He basically said, 'Welcome to UCF,' and asked me if I liked it. He told me about the upcoming things they have planned with uniforms and the program itself, stuff like that."
In fact, the No. 1 thing Scott likes about UCF is the coaches themselves.
"Pretty much I love the coaches," he said. "They're honest, down-to-earth people. They've made it like a family environment. Not just the coaches, but I met (Director of Player Development) Marcus (Castro-Walker) who talked to me about being a leader. He said he would teach me how to be a man, a lot of different things. He was really motivational. That made me feel at home."
His early offer list includes Cal, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Illinois, Iowa State, Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Memphis, South Alabama, South Florida, Temple, Troy, Tulane, UAB and Utah. Scott said he didn't have a favorites list yet.
"I definitely want to make my decision before the season, but I don't want to rush it," Scott said. "I know some guys are making their announcements at the high school media day in Tallahassee (in late July). Antwan (Owens) may be doing it that day. I might hop on board."
A return visit to UCF is likely in store for the April 16 spring game.
"I heard the spring game is going to be at night so I'm pretty excited to see what that's like," Scott said.
As a junior, Scott recorded 80 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks playing primarily defensive end. He was named second team All-State and All-Big Bend.
"I had a pretty good year," Scott said. "This year I'm trying to step it up even more."
