Reeling 'Em In

Feb. 4, 2015

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Brian Ormiston
UCFKnights.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF head coach George O'Leary and his staff have announced 17 additions to the Knights program on 2015 National Signing Day Wednesday.

The class of 2015 includes student-athletes from seven different states, highlighted by five from Georgia and four from Florida. The biggest haul came at linebacker where the Knights picked up four signees.

Head coach George O'Leary met with the media at 3 p.m. to discuss the class. Check the below Soundcloud link for the audio.
 

Class of 2015: Mid-Year Enrollee

Class of 2015: Fall Enrollees

Breakdown by State
Georgia: 5
Florida: 4
Texas: 3
Louisiana: 2
Maryland: 1
New Jersey: 1
Pennsylvania: 1

Breakdown by Position
Linebacker: 4
Defensive Line: 3
Wide Receiver: 3
Offensive Line: 2
Defensive Back: 2
Quarterback: 1
Running Back: 1
H-Back: 1

CLASS OF 2015 BIOGRAPHIES: MID-YEAR ENROLLEE
Taj McGowan
RB, 6-1, 190
Hallandale Beach, Fla. (Hallandale)
-Coached by Dameon Jones at Hallandale High School
-A three-star product ranked as the No. 81 running back in the nation by 247Sports
-Also listed with three stars by Rivals and ESPN
-Hallandale reached the 2014 FHSAA Class 6A regional semifinals
-Amassed 768 rushing yards for a 9.7 average with 14 touchdowns in 2014
-Had a big day vs. Stranahan last year, rushing for 123 yards on just six carries with two touchdowns
-As a junior, posted 683 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns
-Drew offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Bowling Green, Temple, Utah, Utah State, Marshall and others

CLASS OF 2015 BIOGRAPHIES: FALL ENROLLEES
Rashard Causey
DB, 6-0, 190
Miami, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
-Coached by Rocco Casullo at St. Thomas Aquinas
-A four-star product according to ESPN, which also listed him as the 22nd best cornerback in the nation, the 46th best player in the state and No. 247 in the ESPN 300
-Had three stars from Rivals and 247Sports
-Selected to play in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl
-Helped guide St. Thomas Aquinas to the 2014 FHSAA 7A state championship, as the defense gave up just 20 points in five games in the playoffs
-Started his high school career at University School of Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, where it captured the 2012 FHSAA 3A state title
-Produced 40 tackles and four interceptions as a junior, and three picks as a sophomore
-Earned offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Clemson, Eastern Michigan, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, NC State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Carolina, USF, TCU, Tennessee, UCLA, West Virginia, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin
-Born in Miami, Fla.
-Parents are Rashard and Stephanie Causey

Aaron Cochran
HB, 6-3, 262
Atlanta, Ga. (Hapeville Charter)
-Coached by Winston Gordon at Hapeville Charter
-Boasted three stars from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Listed as both a defensive end, fullback and tight end coming out of high school
-As a senior, had 20 receptions for 275 yards and 21 carries for 406 yards and six touchdowns on offense, while posting 57 tackles, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles on defense
-Was an all-city selection at Grady High School in 2013
-Hauled in seven catches for 118 yards as a junior, and notched 39 tackles with eight sacks and two forced fumbles
-Had at least eight receptions and more than 45 tackles in each of his first two years of high school
-Picked up offers from Louisville, Memphis, South Alabama and Western Kentucky among others
-Born in Atlanta, Ga.
-Parents are Ronald and Teressa Cochran

Titus Davis
DL, 6-3, 230
Ellenwood, Ga. (Stockbridge)
-Coached by Kevin Whitley at Stockbridge High School in Georgia
-Earned three stars from ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports
-Ranked as the No. 56 strong-side defensive end in the country by 247Sports, and the No. 59 defensive end by ESPN
-Stockbridge reached the 2014 GHSA Class AAAAA state semifinals and the 2013 state quarterfinals
-On the roster for the 2014 Florida vs. Georgia All-Star Game
-Starter all four years of high school, including starting every game as a freshman, and was the team MVP in 2014
-Racked up 10 sacks as a senior and 17 sacks as a junior
-First-team all-county, all-area and all-region selection his last three seasons
-An honorable mention all-state selection in 2014 and 2013 by the Atlanta Journal Constitution
-Was on the 2013 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State Second Team
-Named to the 2012 All-Southern Crescent Second Team
-Beta Club member in high school
-Picked up offers from several schools including Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Ole Miss, Missouri, Purdue, Virginia Tech and West Virginia
-Born in Atlanta, Ga.
-Parents are Tyrone and Vickie Davis

Marcus Foster
LB, 6-2, 225
League City, Texas (Clear Falls)
-Coached by Mike Zierlein at Clear Falls High Schools
-A three-star recruit from 247Sports
-In his final game for the Knights, had a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown against Brazoswood
-Even though he missed the start of 2014 due to an injury, still racked up 90 tackles with four forced fumbles, three recoveries, one interception and one touchdown en route to first-team all-district accolades
-Racked up 136 tackles during his junior season, along with three sacks, two forced fumbles, 20 tackles for loss, one interception and one touchdown
-Was a 2013 Associated Press All-State Second team pick, and was on the all-district/all-county first team
-As a sophomore, also played basketball and was on the track and field team
-Offered by Houston, Louisiana Tech, Navy, Nevada and Tulsa among others
-Born in Des Moines, Iowa
-Parents are Melvin and Stacy Foster

Quintin Hampton
LB, 6-0, 235
Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County)
-Coached by Rush Propst at Colquitt County High School
-Earned three stars by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Ranked as the 48th best inside linebacker in the country by ESPN
-Colquitt County won the 2014 GHSA Class AAAAAA state title and advanced to the 2013 state semifinals
-Had 355 career tackles in high school
-Posted 147 tackles in 2014 and 132 tackles in 2013
-That tackle total included 19.5 sacks during his junior campaign, which set a county record (previous record was 16.5 in 1995)
-On the 2013 Atlanta Journal Constitution All-State First Team
-Earned the team's Rocky Jones Strong Man Award for his efforts in the 2013 season
-Received four letters as a linebacker and defensive end
-Picked up offers from Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee and South Alabama
-Born in Dothan, Ala.
-Parents are Andre and Sondra Hampton

Brendon Hayes
DL, 6-4, 255
Laplace, La. (Brother Martin)
-Coached by Mark Bonis at Brother Martin High School
-247Sports listed him with three stars, and as the No. 51 best strong-side defensive end in the nation
-Selected to the 2014 New Orleans Metro Coaches All-District Team
-Brother Martin reached the 2014 LHSAA Division I state semifinals
-Boasted 58 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and three recoveries in 2014
-As a junior, collected 49 tackles, nine sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble
-Had two sacks in each of his first two years with double-digit tackles for loss as well
-Also a power forward on the basketball team
-Had offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tulane, Wake Forest and Washington State
-Born in Baton Rouge, La.
-Mother is Brandy Hayes

Luke Hiers
OL, 6-3, 285
Lake Wales, Fla. (Lake Wales)
-Coached by TaVaris Johnson at Lake Wales High School
-Given three stars by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Listed as the seventh best center in the country by ESPN, and No. 14 by 247Sports
-Ranked in the top 70 of Orlando Sentinel's 2015 Florida Top 100
-Received a spot on the 2014 Florida Class 5A All-State First Team, as voted on by the state's sports editors and reporters
-Named to the all-district and all-county first teams in 2012, 2013 and 2014
-A MaxPreps Sophomore All-American
-Started as early as a freshman in high school, and moved from guard to center during his time at Lake Wales
-Team reached the 2014 FHSAA Class 5A regional quarterfinals and the 2013 Class 5A state semifinals
-Offered by Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Nebraska, NC State, Ohio State, USF and Syracuse
-Born in Lake Wales, Fla.
-Parents are Dean and Jennifer Hiers

Tyler Hudanick
OL, 6-5, 300
Harmony, Pa. (Seneca Valley)
-Coached by Don Holl at Seneca Valley High School
-Rivals and 247Sports gave him three stars
-Ranked among the top 80 guards in the country by 247Sports
-Also listed as the 32nd best recruit in Pennsylvania by Rivals
-An all-conference lineman in the Quad North his last two years
-Member of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 in 2013 and 2014
-Was a Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Team member as a senior
-On the All-WesternPAFootball.net Big School All-Star First Team and the PAFootballNews.com All-State First Team in 2014
-Member of the Varsity Club and the High Honor Roll in high school
-Boasted offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, UConn, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Old Dominion, Toledo, UTEP and Western Michigan
-Born in Harmony, Pa.
-Parents are Bill and Marilou Hudanick

Pat Jasinski
LB, 6-2, 218
Roswell, Ga. (Blessed Trinity Catholic)
-Coached by Tim McFarlin at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School
-Rivals and ESPN gave him three stars
-ESPN ranked him as the No. 88 outside linebacker in the nation
-Set school records with 433 career tackles, 46 games played, 27 tackles for loss and 21 tackles in a game
-Also had 40 receptions for 809 yards and 11 touchdowns in his high school career
-School reached the 2014 GHSA Class AAA state semifinals and the state quarterfinals in 2012 and 2013
-Team captain his final two seasons, and the team MVP in 2014
-Named the 2014 Atlanta Journal Constitution AAA Defensive Player of the Year
-Selected to the all-state first team and to the all-region first team as both a linebacker and tight end
-Posted 130 tackles (95 solo) as a senior with four interception and 10 tackles for loss, and as a tight end, collected eight touchdown passes including a 70-yard score in the state semifinals
-In 2013, had 112 tackles with nine tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, while also forcing two fumbles en route to all-state honorable mention status
-Boasted 131 tackles with an interceptions and three forced fumbles as a sophomore
-Started seven games on the varsity team as a freshman, completing the year with 60 tackles and the school's Rookie of the Year award
-Along with serving as a linebacker and tight end, received two letters as a forward on the basketball team and played outfield on the freshman baseball squad
-Honor Roll Magna Cum Laude each semester in high school
-Founding member of the Blessed Trinity Interact service program, and performed 125 hours of community service in high school
-Also had offers from Air Force, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton and Yale
-Born in Royal Oak, Mich.
-Parents are Scott and Chris Jasinski

Neal Nelson
LB, 6-2, 215
Sicklerville, N.J. (Timber Creek)
-Coached by Rob Hinson at Timber Creek High School
-A three-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Ranked the No. 46 outside linebacker in the nation and the 15th best player in New Jersey by 247Sports
-Rivals and ESPN place him among the top 25 players in New Jersey
-No. 33 in the NJ.com Top 50
-Timber Creek reached the 2014 NJSIAA Group 4 state finals
-On the NJ.com 2014 All-Group 4 First Team
-Collected 6.5 sacks in 2014
-Posted 51 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and four sacks as a junior at Buena Regional
-Was the team's most improved player as a freshman
-As an underclassman, played basketball, ran track and was on the wrestling team
-Offered by Boston College, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Temple
-Born in Vineland, N.J.
-Father is Neal Nelson, Sr., mother is Michelle Mieja and guardian is Bruce Hall

Tristan Payton
WR, 6-1, 185
Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast)
-Coached by Marty Lee at First Coast High School
-Received four stars by ESPN, which also ranked him as the 11th best receiver in the country, the 18th best player in Florida and No. 95 in the ESPN 300
-A four-star recruit by Rivals, which has him at No. 14 in the nation at wide receiver and No. 22 in the state
-Has three stars from 247Sports, and is No. 48 at his position and No. 55 in Florida
-Named the MVP in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, hauling in a pair of touchdowns in Los Angeles (finished with three catches for 101 yards)
-In 2014, delivered 47 catches for 843 yards and eight touchdowns
-Totaled 50 receptions for 857 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior
-Also posted four rushing touchdowns in his final two years at First Coast
-Helped his school reach the 2013 and 2014 FHSAA 8A regional finals
-A first-team all-state selection and an all-conference performer as a senior
-A Class 8A Florida All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2013
-Member of the Leadership Class while in high school
-Picked up offers from Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Ohio State, Troy, USC, Wake Forest and Western Michigan
-Born in Jacksonville, Fla.
-Parents are James and Coretta Payton

Bo Schneider
QB, 6-4, 225
Dallas, Texas (Jesuit)
-Coached by Brandon Hickman at Jesuit High School
-Received three stars from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Ranked No. 43 by ESPN among pocket-passer quarterbacks
-The No. 48 pro-style quarterback by 247Sports
-Was on the 2014 University Interscholastic League District 9-6A First Team
-Also was the 2014 UIL District 9-6A MVP and an all-state honorable mention choice
-Finished with 45 touchdown passes with just eight interceptions, 3,492 passing yards as a senior
-Led all high schools in the area in regular season touchdowns and finished second in total passing yards
-In 2014, helped lead Jesuit to its fifth straight playoff appearance
-As a junior, delivered 3,185 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, going 208-for-348 with only nine picks
-Had offers from Colorado State, Houston, Oregon State, Southern Miss and Tulsa
-Born in Dallas, Texas
-Parents are Scott and Liz Schneider

Brandon Scott
DB, 6-0, 185
New Sarpy, La. (Destrehan)
-Coached by Stephen Robicheaux at Destrehan High School
-Picked up three stars from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN
-Ranked as the No. 32 safety in the country and the No. 26 recruit in Louisiana by 247Sports
-ESPN places him as the No. 44 safety in the nation and the No. 31 recruit in the state
-Team reached the 2014 5A Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA/Prep Classic title game, and the semifinals in 2013
-Part of a defense in 2014 that surrendered 17 points or less in 12 of its 15 games, and did not allow an opponent to post more than 23 points
-Earned Player of the Week honors for having 16 solo tackles in the semifinal game of the state playoffs
-Awarded with 2014 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State Honorable Mention status, and was preseason all-state as well
-Also received all-district and all-metro accolades as a senior
-Won the Fan Award for Bringing the Wood/Defensive Player of the Year
-Finished with almost 70 tackles along with 11 tackles for loss, one sack, five break-ups, six forced fumbles, three recoveries, four field goal blocks, one punt block and six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown
-Played basketball and was on the track and field team as well
-Offered by Arkansas, Arizona State, California, Georgia Tech, Houston, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Alabama, TCU, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, Utah and Washington State
-Born in Metarie, La.
-Mother is Francesca Scott

Cam Stewart
WR, 6-3, 190
Snellville, Ga. (Shiloh)
-Coached by Troy Hobbs at Shiloh High School
-A four-star recruit from ESPN, and had three stars by Rivals and 247Sports
-Ranked No. 40 by ESPN at the wide receiver position, and was No. 39 in the state of Georgia overall
-Left as Shiloh's career record-holder with 2,335 receiving yards and 115 receptions
-Set the Shiloh school record for receiving yards in a single-season, posting 1,051 as a senior on 59 catches with eight touchdowns
-Had a big night against Parkview in 2014, posting 12 catches for a school-record 243 yards and three touchdowns
-Named to the 2014 Gwinnett Daily Post All-County Second Team
-Played in the Gwinnett County All-Star Game where he scored the only two touchdowns for his team
-Earned a spot in the Rising Seniors Junior All-Star Game
-Hauled in 30 receptions for 670 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013, and 26 catches for 614 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore
-Also ran track for Shiloh, competing in the 400M and the 4x100 and 4x400 relay
-Picked up offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Memphis, Nebraska and Pittsburgh
-Born in Pensacola, Fla.
-Parents are Randy and Krystal Leonard

Monte Taylor
DL, 6-4, 245
Springdale, Md. (Charles H. Flowers/ASA College)
-Coached by Dennis Orlando at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y.
-ASA College went 6-2 in 2014, allowing just 243.0 yards per game
-Had 30 tackles with two sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, forcing two fumbles and recovering four
-Also had one interception and two break-ups as a sophomore
-Was the Northeast Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week by posting 10 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks against Louisburg College that season
-In 2013, notched 24 tackles, six sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two break-ups
-Enrolled at Hargrave Prep before playing for ASA
-Coached by Michael Mayo at Charles H. Flowers High School
-Served as a defensive end and tight end in high school
-On the All-Met Second Team as a senior
-Helped the Jaguars earn their first Maryland 4A South Region title in school history in 2011
-Boasted at least 12 sacks in 2011, along with 14 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns
-Was a three-star recruit out of high school, originally signing with North Carolina in 2012
-Chose North Carolina over Western Michigan
-Born in Washington, D.C.
-Parents are Muhammad Taylor and Tina Tillman

D'erren Wilson
WR, 6-3, 195
Greenville, Texas (Greenville)
-Coached by Marvin Sedberry at Greenville High School
-Listed with three stars by 247Sports
-As a senior, brought in 34 receptions for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns
-A unanimous choice for the 2014 District 15-5A First Team
-Transferred to Greenville after attending Bishop Dunne
-Also played basketball and was on the track and field team in high school
-Had offers from several schools including Arkansas State, BYU, Indiana, ULM, Memphis, SMU, Temple and Toledo
-Born in Greenville, Texas
-Parents are Michael Pierie and Sundra Wilson, and step-father is James Harris

2015 Football Tickets: It's time to renew your tickets for the back-to-back American Athletic Conference champion UCF football team. Renew your tickets today to take advantage of the early-bird offers, and do not forget to check out the ESC - the newest premium experience at Bright House Networks Stadium. For more information visit UCFKnights.com or call the ticket office at 407-UCF-1000.