After signing 17 student-athletes during the early signing period in December, UCF head football coach Josh Heupel added a number of new Knights to the squad on Wednesday.
Emmanuel Appiah-Takyi, DB, 6-1, 170, Lodi, NJ (Bergen Catholic HS/Monroe CC)
Garrett French, TE, 6-3, 225, Venice, FL (Venice)
Max Holler, TE, 6-4, 240, Winter Park, FL (Trinity Prep)
Zach Marsh-Wojan, TE, 6-5, 235, Vacaville, CA (Will C. Wood HS/Sacramento City College)
Stephen Martin, WR, 6-5, 195, Orlando, FL (Bishop Moore)
Parker Navarro, QB, 6-0, 195, Phoenix, AZ (Desert Vista)
Riley Stephens, PK, 6-2, 170, Orlando, FL (Dr. Phillips)
Marcus Tatum, OL, 6-6, 315, Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland HS/Tennessee)
Emmanuel Appiah-Takyi (uh-PEE-uh TOCK-ee), DB, 6-1, 170, Lodi, NJ (Bergen Catholic H.S./Monroe Community College)
--Transfer from Monroe Community College in New Rochelle, New York
--Intercepted eight passes, made 25 tackles and defended 18 passes as sophomore in 2019 while helping Mustangs to 8-3 record
--His eight interceptions led the National Junior College Athletic Association
--Also returned five kickoffs for 138 yards, including long return of 78 yards
--First-team defensive back on 2019 all-Northeast Conference team
--Intercepted three passes, made 24 tackles and defended seven passes as freshman in 2018 for 7-2 Monroe team
--Two-time Northeast Conference player of the week in 2019, both times after making two interceptions in a game
--Played football, basketball and ran track at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey
--Helped 2015 Bergen Catholic team to 7-4 mark while making 20 tackles, intercepting one pass and breaking up six passes
--Played as senior for 2015 Bergen Catholic team that fell to Don Bosco Prep in semifinals of New Jersey Non-Public Group 4 playoffs
--Made 24 tackles, with one interception and four pass breakups as junior in 2014 at Bergen Catholic
--Played for coach Nunzio Campanile
--Originally from Kumasi, Ghana
--Enrolled at UCF in January and will take part in 2020 spring drills
Garrett French, TE, 6-3, 225, Venice, FL (Venice)
--Made 12 receptions for 124 yards and four TDs as senior in 2019 for Venice High School in Venice, Florida
--Had two catches for 32 and two TDs vs. Cocoa
--Made six catches for 110 yards and two TDs as junior in 2018 for 12-2 Venice team that advanced to Florida 7A playoff semifinals before falling to St. Thomas Aquinas
--Helped coach John Peacock and Venice to 8-5 mark in 2019
--Team captain in 2019
--Father Troy played center for UCF in late 1980s
Max Holler, TE, 6-4, 240, Winter Park, FL (Trinity Prep)
--First-team tight end on 2019 All-Orlando Sentinel Varsity small schools team for FHSAA 4A-1A and Sunshine State Athletic Conference
--Made 62 receptions for Saints in 2019 for 918 yards and 10 TDs
--Caught 14 passes for 208 yards and four TDs as junior in 2018
--Served as team captain in 2019 for former UCF head coach Mike Kruczek at Trinity Prep
--Also a two-year starter at defensive end/linebacker
--Made 56 tackles to go with 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception in 2019, added 69 tackles, 10 TFL, four sacks and three interceptions as junior and 31 tackles, eight TFL, one sack and one interception as sophomore in 2017
--Played three seasons of basketball, including on 17-9 Trinity Prep team as junior in 2018-19
--Brother Alec is redshirt sophomore tight end at UCF
Zach Marsh-Wojan (WO-han), TE, 6-5, 235, Vacaville, CA (Will C. Wood H.S./ Sacramento City College)
--Transfer from Sacramento City College in Sacramento, California
--Caught 36 passes for 502 yards and three TDs in 2019 for Sacramento City
--Top day for Panthers in 2019 produced eight grabs for 108 yards and two TDs vs. Sierra
--Tied for team lead in receptions in 2019 as sophomore
--Spent 2018 season at Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, California
--Played for Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, California
--Named all-league second team, recording 59 catches for 805 yards with team-best eight receiving TDs as high school junior in 2016
--Also played linebacker in high school
--Hit .328 as baseball infielder as junior in 2017 on 19-8 Wildcat team
Stephen Martin, WR, 6-5, 195, Orlando, FL (Bishop Moore)
--Caught 35 passes for 648 yards and eight TDs as senior in 2019 for Bishop Moore High School in Orlando
--Made six receptions for 121 yards and two TDs vs. Edgewater in 2019
--Added five for 171 and two TDs vs. Eastside
--Made 37 tackles and broke up seven passes on defense for Hornets in 2019
--Two-year starter at wide receiver, one-year starter at free safety
--Made 14 receptions for 227 yards and three TDs as junior in 2018
--Played for coach Matt Hedrick as two-year team captain
--Played four years of basketball for Bishop Moore
Parker Navarro (nuh-VAR-oh), QB, 6-0, 195, Phoenix, AZ (Desert Vista)
--Completed 170 of 265 passes (.642) for 2,749 yards and 29 TDs with six interceptions as senior quarterback in 2019 at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona
--Carried 168 times for 959 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs in 2019
--Two-year starter at quarterback for Thunder team that finished 9-4 in 2019 and was seeded sixth in Arizona 6A playoff bracket
--Helped Desert Vista to Arizona 6A semifinals in 2019 before 33-30 loss to Liberty despite his 22-of-29 passing for 230 yards and a TD
--Completed 19 of 24 passes for 435 yards and seven TDs in 6A first-round 70-63 win over Perry
--Ran 19 times for 108 yards in that game, capped by game-winning five-yard TD run in final minute
--As junior in 2018 completed 98 of 170 passes for 1,568 yards and 17 TDs with five interceptions and also carried 73 times for 284 yards and three TDs
--Played for coach Dan Hinds
--Also a track standout, competing in 100- (personal best of 11.51) and 200-meter (24.08) dashes and 110- (16.85) and 300-meter (45.24) hurdles
--Father Joel grew up in Tempe, Arizona, and played football at New Mexico State
Riley Stephens, K/P, 6-2, 170, Orlando, FL (Dr. Phillips)
--Handled kicking and punting duties at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, on way to 12th straight district title
--Helped Panthers to 9-3 mark as senior in 2019, ending in Florida 8A regional semifinal loss to Osceola
--Played key role as Dr. Phillips finished with final regular-season 8A state ranking of No. 7 by Associated Press
--Helped Panthers to late-season surge in 2018, including 8A playoff upsets over Centennial and unbeaten Vero Beach
--From same high school as former UCF kicker Shawn Moffitt (2011-14) who connected on Knight single-season record 21 field goals in 2013 and finished with 53 career field goals and 155 career PATs
--Played for coach Rodney Wells
Marcus Tatum, OL, 6-6, 315, Daytona Beach, FL (Mainland H.S./Tennessee)
--Graduate transfer from Tennessee who started three games as redshirt junior offensive tackle in 2019 for Vols
--Played in 12 games in 2018 as redshirt sophomore, starting at left offensive tackle in final five games
--Named to 2018 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll
--Received medical redshirt after playing in four games in 2017, including three starts at right tackle
--Played two games as true freshman reserve offensive lineman in 2016 including vs. Alabama
--Named to Florida 6A all-state first team and all-Central Florida second team at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida
--Led Mainland to 11-2 record and state playoff regional finals in 2015
--Majored in sport management at Tennessee and enrolled at UCF in January 2020
--From same high school as former UCF senior running back Adrian Killins and redshirt junior wide receiver Jason Colubiale
--Enrolled at UCF in January and will take part in 2020 spring drills
Take a look back at the new Knights signed in December below.
Patrick Barnett, OL, 6-6, 305, Key West, FL (Key West)
Davonte Brown, DB, 6-2, 1875, Plantation, FL (American Heritage)
Quadric Bullard, DB, 6-0, 161, Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
Josh Celiscar, DL, 6-4, 230, Winter Haven, FL (Winter Haven)
Kervins Choute, DL, 6-3, 251, Deerfield Beach, FL (Deerfield Beach)
Ja'Cyais "Stretch" Credle, WR, 6-4, 195, Columbus, GA (Carver)
Keenan Cupit, LB, 6-2, 225, Forest, VA (Jefferson Forest)
Jordan Davis, TE, 6-4, 225, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
Devunte' Dawson, DB, 5-11, 185, Hurst, TX (L.D. Bell H.S./Coffeyville C.C.)
Cornelius "Tony" Forrest Jr., TE, 6-4, 235, Jacksonville, FL (Sandalwood)
Justin Hodges, DB, 6-2, 185, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Western)
Mike Lofton, OL, 6-2, 300, Clearwater, FL (Calvary Christian)
Quade Mosier, LB, 6-2, 223, Fayetteville, AR (Fayetteville)
Johnny Richardson, RB, 5-7, 175, Lake Wales, FL (Lake Wales)
Paul Rubelt, OL, 6-10, 300, Berlin, Germany (Frankfurt-Oder)
Corey Thornton, DB, 6-1, 175, Miami, FL (Booker T. Washington)
Kendrick Wilson, DL, 6-5, 235, Miami, FL (Norland)
Patrick Barnett, OL, 6-6, 305, Key West, FL (Key West)
--Anchored offensive line that helped Key West High School in Key West, Florida, rush for 276.1 yards per game and 31 rushing TDs in 2019
--Helped Conches to 6-5 record, ending in loss to top-ranked American Heritage in Florida 5A regional playoff quarterfinal
--Played for coach John Hughes
--Also competed with Key West wrestling team
Davonte Brown, DB, 6-2, 1875, Plantation, FL (American Heritage)
--Made 20 tackles, 14 solo, and an interception as senior in 2019 at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida
--Helped American Heritage to 10-2 mark and Florida 5A regional final where Patriots fell 23-20 to Northwestern
--Had four tackles for Patriots vs. both Gonzaga and Northwestern in 2019
--Ran interception back 35 yards vs. Trinity Christian Academy
--Helped American Heritage to No. 1 final regular-season 5A ranking by Associated Press and No. 3 in all Florida divisions by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Also ran track
--Father Selwyn played cornerback at Miami in 1984-85-87
--Played for coach Pat Surtain, former three-time NFL Pro Bowl pick with Miami Dolphins
--From same high school as current UCF redshirt freshmen defensive back Dyllon Lester and freshman linebacker Derek Burns
Quadric Bullard, DB, 6-0, 161, Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
--Made 67 tackles, four interceptions while causing and recovering two fumbles at Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida, as senior in 2019
--Helped Lions defeat Tallahassee Florida 35-20 in 2019 Florida 3A state championship game for third consecutive state championship as only second team in Broward County history to win three straight titles
--Had two solo tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in that title game
--Had interception and fumble recovery as Chaminade-Madonna held Clearwater Central Catholic to seven points in 3A semifinal game in 2019
--Helped Lions to No. 1 final regular-season 3A ranking by Associated Press and No. 18 in all Florida divisions by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Rated No. 42 senior prospect in Broward County on preseason basis by Sun-Sentinel
--Played for coach Dameon Jones
--Worked as cornerback, free safety and wide receivers in previous seasons at South Broward High School in Hollywood
Josh Celiscar (pronounced SELL-uh-zar), DL, 6-4, 230, Winter Haven, FL (Winter Haven)
--Had 69 tackles, nine sacks and two recovered fumbles as senior outside linebacker while also playing tight end at Winter Haven High School in Winter Haven, Florida
--Loss in Florida 7A playoffs first round in 2019 gave Blue Devils 7-4 mark
--Named to preseason Super 16 team by Lakeland Ledger
--Brother Donald played cornerback at Western Michigan in 2011-14, starting 40 career games, making 10 interceptions and earning first-team all-Mid-American Conference honor as senior
--Played for coach Charlie Tate
Kervins Choute (shoot), DL, 6-3, 251, Deerfield Beach, FL (Deerfield Beach)
--Helped Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida, to 10-4 mark as senior and 2019 Florida 8A playoff semifinals with season ending in loss to eventual state champion Columbus
--Made 40 tackles, 26 solo, and seven sack for Bucks in 2019 playing both defensive end and tackle
--Rated #29 senior prospect in Broward County on preseason basis by Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
--Played for coach Jevon Glenn
--Previously played at South Miami High School in Miami, Florida
--From same high school as current UCF redshirt junior defensive back Aaron Robinson
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Ja'Cyais (juh-CY-us) "Stretch" Credle (CRED-ul), WR, 6-4, 195, Columbus, GA (Carver)
--Caught 40 passes for 580 yards and nine TDs at Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia, as senior in 2019
--Atlanta Journal-Constitution 1-AAAA all-region pick at wide receiver in 2019
--Helped Carver finish 10-2, win 10 straight games, average school-record 41.7 points and advance to second round of Georgia AAAA playoffs before loss to Marist
--AJC Georgia AAAA preseason all-state at wide receiver for 2019
--Caught 41 passes for 792 yards and seven TDs as junior in 2018
--Helped Tigers go 9-2 in 2018 and make Georgia playoffs as they scored 40-plus points in seven of 11 games
--Missed most of sophomore season in 2017 with broken collarbone but still caught five TD passes
--Played for coach Calvin Arnold
--Columbus Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi City honorable mention in track for 2019
--Helped Carver to 2019 Georgia AAAA basketball state title
Keenan Cupit, LB, 6-2, 225, Forest, VA (Jefferson Forest)
--Helped Jefferson Forest High School in Forest, Virginia, to 6-5 mark and first-round Virginia Class 4 playoff defeat in 2019
--Played middle and outside linebacker and running back for Cavaliers as senior
--Virginia Class 4 first-team all-state pick as junior running back after rushing for 1,766 yards on 126 carries and 24 rushing TDs
--All-Region 4D first-team running back by Southwest Times and first-team all-Seminole District as senior in 2019 at both linebacker and running back
--First-team All-Timesland and first-team VHSL Class 4 selection at running back as junior in 2018
--Had 208-yard rushing effort in Cavaliers' 35-33 first-round Region 4D playoff victory against three-time defending state champion Salem as junior in 2018
--Ran for 865 yards and 15 TDs as sophomore in 2017
--Played for coach Paul White
--Father Antonio played football at James Madison
Jordan Davis, TE, 6-4, 225, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
--Caught four passes for 91 yards and one TD as senior in 2019 for Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida
--TD reception went for 20 yards in 37-21 win vs. University
--Played mostly at offensive guard as junior in 2018 then tight end as senior in 2019
--Led Seminole to 11-1 mark in 2019 with only loss to eventual state runner-up Apopka in Florida 8A regional final playoff contest
--Helped Seminole to No. 1 final regular-season 8A ranking by Associated Press and No. 7 in all Florida divisions by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Helped Seminole finish 8-2 in 2018
--Played for coach Don Stark
--From same high school as his brother, current record-setting UCF standout wide receiver Gabriel Davis, and current UCF redshirt junior defensive back Brandon Moore
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Devunte Dawson, DB, 5-11, 185, Hurst, TX (L.D. Bell H.S./Coffeyville C.C.)
--Played for Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 2019
--Made 59 tackles and two interceptions to go with 12 pass breakups for Red Ravens in 2019
--Had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in 2018 at Coffeyville for 6-5 team
--Played for coach Jeff Leiker
--Team captain in 2016 as senior at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas, and defensive player of year as junior
Cornelius "Tony" Forrest Jr., TE, 6-4, 235, Jacksonville, FL (Sandalwood)
Cornelius "Tony" Forrest Jr., TE, 6-4, 235, Jacksonville, FL (Sandalwood)
--Played defensive end as sophomore, offensive tackle for first half of junior year until switching to tight end for Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida
--Had six receptions in top effort for Saints in 2019 vs. Raines
--Listed as No. 27 senior prospect in Top 40 Northeast Florida by Florida Times-Union
--Played for coach Adam Geis
--From same high school as current UCF freshmen offensive lineman Nate Brady
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Justin Hodges, DB, 6-2, 185, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Western)
--Had 41 tackles, 26 solo, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries as senior in 2019 for Western High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
--Led Wildcats to final 9-3 record and Florida 8A regional final before loss to eventual 2019 state champion Columbus
--Helped Western to No. 7 final regular-season 8A ranking by Associated Press
--Rated No. 14 Broward County senior in preseason South Florida Sun-Sentinel rankings
--Second-team Broward 8A-6A pick in 2018 as junior by Sun-Sentinel
--Made 34 tackles, 27 solo, with four interceptions in 2018
--Played for coach Adam Ratkevich
--Cousin Al Blades Jr. is current cornerback at Miami
Mike Lofton, OL, 6-2, 300, Clearwater, FL (Calvary Christian)
--Starter as junior and senior for Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, Florida
--Played on both offensive and defensive lines for Warriors
--Helped Warriors rank 10th in final regular-season 3A standings by FloridaHSFootball.com before falling to Clearwater Central Catholic in 2019 Florida 3A regional quarterfinal
--Played for coach Kirk Hoza
--Transferred from J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Florida, after sophomore season
Quade Mosier, LB, 6-2, 223, Fayetteville, AR (Fayetteville)
--Made 71 tackles, 23 solo, three sacks, one caused fumble and seven quarterback hurries as senior in 2019 for Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas
--Helped Purple Dogs to 9-3 record and second round of Arkansas 7A playoffs in 2019
--Led Fayetteville in 7A West Conference with 115 tackles, 75 solo stops, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, six quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles one fumble recovery and three pass breakups as junior in 2018 after transferring from Rogers High School in Rogers, Arkansas
--Played for coach Casey Dick at Fayetteville
--Also played baseball as freshman
--Father Cody played guard at Arkansas, earning letters in 1988 and '91
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Johnny Richardson, RB, 5-7, 175, Lake Wales, FL (Lake Wales)
--Carried 201 times for 2,491 yards and 34 TDs as senior in 2019 for Lake Wales High School in Lake Wales, Florida
--Helped Highlanders to 12-1 mark in 2019, ending in regional final playoff loss to Tampa Jesuit in which he ran for 152 yards and two TDs on 18 carries
--Top effort in 2019 produced 414 rushing yards and seven TDs on 18 carries in 62-0 win over Ridge Community
--Rushed for 261 yards and three TDs (212 carries) vs. Bartow and 230 yards on 17 rushes vs. Lely in 2019
--Helped Lake Wales to No. 6 final regular-season 5A ranking by Associated Press
--Rushed 179 times for 1,402 yards and 29 TDs as junior all-county pick in 2018, also catching 21 passes
--Ran for 409 yards as freshman and 1,114 as sophomore in 2017
--Also played at cornerback for coach Tavaris Johnson
--Helped Highlanders to 10-2 mark and second round of Florida 6A playoffs in 2018
--Top-flight sprinter who has run 10.81 in 10 meters and 21.89 in 200 meters and also competed in 4x100 and 4x400 relays
--Finished sixth in both 100 and 200 meters in 2019 Florida 2A track meet
Paul Rubelt, OL, 6-10, 300, Berlin, Germany (Frankfurt-Oder)
--Played for Frankfurt-Oder Red Cocks American football club
--Gained exposure in United States after attending summer camps at Rutgers and Buffalo
--Has no family ties in U.S. though he did spend 2016-17 school year attending Hiawatha High School near Rockford, Illinois—and that marked first year he played tackle football
--Also has competed in basketball and swimming
--247Sports rates him top prospect in Germany as offensive tackle
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Corey Thornton, DB, 6-1, 175, Miami, FL (Booker T. Washington)
--Helped Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida, to 25-21 victory over Jacksonville Bolles for Florida 4A state title in 2019
--Made one solo tackle in title game against Bolles as BTW scored twice in last 5:25 to overcome 21-10 halftime deficit
--Helped Washington to 14-2 mark as senior in 2019
--Helped BTW to No. 1 final regular-season 4A ranking by Associated Press and No. 8 in all Florida divisions by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Played for coach Earl Tillman
--From same high school as current UCF sophomore defensive back Jermaine McMillian
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2020
Kendrick Wilson, DL, 6-5, 235, Miami, FL (Norland)
--Played football for first time as senior in 2019 at Norland High School in Miami, Florida
--Worked at strongside defensive end and tight end positions for Vikings
--Played for coach Daryle Heidelburg
--Competed with Norland basketball squad, averaging seven points and six rebounds as junior in 2018-19
--From same high school as current UCF redshirt junior defensive back Bryon Brown
