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There are many different ways the recruiting experts will break down the success of a school’s recruiting class. One way I like to do it is by seeing what other schools wanted the same players. Sure, a kid may be a 2-star or 3-star recruit but if some big name programs are going after him, there has to be something the film shows that the stars don’t.
Below, I break down how many times UCF beat out a Power 6 school for a recruit strictly based on those who signed their National Letter of Intent yesterday. This will not reflect Cam Goode (Virginia Tech) and Jordan Hayes (Duke) who both committed to UCF as transfers.
Power 6 Offers to UCF Signees by School
| School | # of Offers | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| School | # of Offers | Conference |
| South Florida | 8 | AAC |
| Cincinnati | 4 | AAC |
| East Carolina | 4 | AAC |
| Tulane | 4 | AAC |
| Boston College | 4 | ACC |
| Pittsburgh | 4 | ACC |
| Baylor | 4 | Big 12 |
| Temple | 3 | AAC |
| Georgia Tech | 3 | ACC |
| North Carolina | 3 | ACC |
| Syracuse | 3 | ACC |
| Nebraska | 3 | Big 10 |
| Auburn | 3 | SEC |
| Georgia | 3 | SEC |
| Kentucky | 3 | SEC |
| Tennessee | 3 | SEC |
| Southern Methodist | 2 | AAC |
| Tulsa | 2 | AAC |
| Clemson | 2 | ACC |
| Florida State | 2 | ACC |
| Louisville | 2 | ACC |
| Miami (FL) | 2 | ACC |
| North Carolina State | 2 | ACC |
| Wake Forest | 2 | ACC |
| Maryland | 2 | Big 10 |
| Minnesota | 2 | Big 10 |
| Rutgers | 2 | Big 10 |
| Iowa State | 2 | Big 12 |
| Mississippi | 2 | SEC |
| Missouri | 2 | SEC |
| Texas A&M | 2 | SEC |
| Houston | 1 | AAC |
| Navy | 1 | AAC |
| Duke | 1 | ACC |
| Virginia Tech | 1 | ACC |
| Illinois | 1 | Big 10 |
| Purdue | 1 | Big 10 |
| Kansas State | 1 | Big 12 |
| West Virginia | 1 | Big 12 |
| Arizona | 1 | Pac 12 |
| Arizona State | 1 | Pac 12 |
| USC | 1 | Pac 12 |
| Florida | 1 | SEC |
| Mississippi State | 1 | SEC |
| Vanderbilt | 1 | SEC |
The list is highlighted by UCF taking 8 recruits away from rival South Florida. In terms of recruiting, they’re UCF’s biggest competitor. What becomes more surprising is when you start seeing Heupel land multiple recruits over programs like Georgia, Miami, Florida State, Clemson and Auburn, to name a few. I think that really speaks volumes to where the program is as a whole and how it’s perceived.
The cherry on top is seeing 3 out of 5 recruits choose UCF over Scott Frost and Nebraska. Jarrad Baker Jr. (ATH), Adrian Medley (OT) and Keenan Hester (DE) were all wanted in Lincoln but they chose Orlando instead.
Power 6 Offers to UCF Signees by Conference
| Conference | # of Schools |
|---|---|
| Conference | # of Schools |
| AAC | 9 |
| ACC | 13 |
| Big 10 | 6 |
| Big 12 | 4 |
| Pac 12 | 3 |
| SEC | 10 |
At the end of early signing day, UCF able to land recruits over 36 “Power 5” schools. This includes 13 of the 14 ACC schools and 10 of the 14 SEC schools. Per Rivals, UCF had a higher rated recruiting class than 16 “Power 5” schools.
Those who may look at the recruiting ranks at a quick glance may see UCF in the middle of the pack may use that as ammo to argue why UCF doesn’t belong with the big boys. The truth is that most of the big boys were going after the same players. There’s no doubt that UCF is bringing in the same level of talent as some of the best in the nation.