Standout Florida high school football players carried the day for UCF coach Gus Malzahn Wednesday as his first class signed national letters of intent to play for the Knights.
Of the 14 high school players who signed with UCF, 10 come from Florida, three from Georgia and one from Texas.
The high school class features three wide receivers, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, one offensive linemen, one quarterback, one running back, one tight end and one safety.
Five of those players played in high school playoff championship games—with defensive lineman Jamaal Johnson winning the Florida 3A crown with his Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna team.
Running back Jordan McDonald and his Milton (Georgia) team joined linebacker TJ Bullard and receiver Xavier Townsend and their Tampa Berkeley Prep (Florida) roster in advancing to their respective state title contests.
Cornerback Nikai Martinez and Apopka play for the Florida 8A crown Saturday.
The Knights also added one transfer offensive lineman—Tylan Grable from Jacksonville State.
Here is the list of UCF signees:
Bullard, TJ, LB, 6-1, 190, Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep)
Castellanos, Thomas, QB, 6-0, 190, Waycross, GA (Ware County)
Grable, Tylan, OL 6-7, 290, Gordon, GA (Wilkinson County/Jacksonville State)
Griffin, Tyler, WR, 6-5, 205, Brooklet, GA (New Southeast Bulloch)
Henderson, Demari, S, 6-0, 160, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
Henderson, Ja'Cari, CB, 6-0, 160, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
Johnson, Jamaal, DE, 6-2, 250, Miramar, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
Kitler, Caden, OL, 6-3, 295, Plano, TX (John Paul II)
Lee, Quan, WR, 6-0, 175, Gainesville, FL (Buchholz)
McDonald, Jordan, RB, 6-1, 220, Alpharetta, GA (Milton)
Martinez, Nikai, CB, 5-11, 170, Apopka, FL (Apopka)
Moore, Kam, LB, 6-2, 205, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
Stevens, Grant, TE, 6-4, 225, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Nease)
Thompson, Keahnist "K.T," DE, 6-3, 255, Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
Townsend, Xavier, WR, 5-11, 180, Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep)
TJ Bullard, LB, 6-1, 190, Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep)
--Standout linebacker at Berkeley Prep School in Tampa, Florida
--Led Buccaneers to 12-1 record and championship game of 2021 Florida 3A playoffs where they fell to Chaminade-Madonna
--Led all tacklers in 2021 state title game with 12
--Finished with 42 tackles, two sacks, one INT and one PBU in 2021
--Helped Berkeley Prep to final regular-season 2021 rankings of 17th overall by the Florida High School Athletic Association and 25th overall and second in Class 34A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Averaged five tackles per game as junior in 2020, to go with four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defended
--Played for Buccaneers at both strong safety and wide receiver on 8-2 team in 2020
--Helped Berkeley Prep to Florida 3A playoff semifinals in 2020 before 23-21 loss to eventual champion Chaminade-Madonna Prep
--Father is WWE star Titus O'Neil who played defensive end (44 game appearances) at Florida (1997-2000) as Thaddeus Bullard for Gator coach Steve Spurrier
--Played for coach Dominick Ciao
--Also played basketball
--Younger brother Titus was sophomore on 2021 Berkeley Prep squad
--High school teammate of UCF letter-of-intent signee Xavier Townsend
--From same high school as current New England Patriot standout wide receiver and former USC star Nelson Agholor
Thomas Castellanos (cass-tell-AH-nos), QB, 6-0, 190, Waycross, GA (Ware County)
--Four-year quarterback starter who threw for 7,710 career yards and ran for 3,681 more at Ware County High School in Waycross, Georgia
--Rated 44th on list of top 50 players in class of 2022 in Georgia by MaxPreps
--Completed 177 of 275 passes in 2021 for 2,613 and 25 touchdowns
--Also carried 136 times for 968 and 13 more TDs
--Led Ware County to 9-2 record and second round of Georgia 5A playoffs in 2021
--Named to Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team on 2021 preseason basis as first player from his school to earn that honor since 2000
--2020 Georgia High School Association first-team 5A all-state selection as an athlete
--Guided Gators to 10-2 record and berth in 2020 Georgia 5A playoff quarterfinals, ending in loss to eventual runner-up Cartersville
--Completed 59 percent of passes for 2,881 yards with 23 TDs against six interceptions as junior in 2020
--Also ran for 939 yards and 24 more scores, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, in 2020
--Also a standout cornerback in football
--Threw for 959 yards and ran for 970 more and 18 TDs as sophomore in 2019
--Played basketball and soccer and competed in 400 meters, relays and long jump in track and field
--Played for coach Jason Strickland
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2022 and participate in 2022 spring football drills with Knights
Tylan (TIE-lun) Grable, OL 6-7, 290, Gordon, GA (Wilkinson County/Jacksonville State)
--Former All-America offensive lineman is transfer from Jacksonville State
--Unanimous pick on ASUN Conference all-league squad for 2021
--Helped Gamecocks to 2021 victory at Florida State
--Second-team AFCA FCS All-American in fall 2020/spring 2021
--First-team all-Ohio Valley Conference, HERO Sports Sophomore All-American, Stats Perform second-team All-America
--Started 11 games in combination fall 2020/spring 2021 season, as team finished 10-3 including a win over Florida International
--Played in 12 games on offensive line and at tight end in 2019 for Gamecocks as team ranked 14th nationally at 296 passing yards per game
--Sat out 2018 campaign as redshirt
--Four-time letter-winner at Wilkinson County High School in Irwinton, Georgia
--Played mainly at quarterback, throwing for 2,000 yards as sophomore and 3,000 as junior, then missed senior campaign due to injury
--Also played basketball at Wilkinson County
Tyler Griffin, WR, 6-5, 205, Brooklet, GA (New Southeast Bulloch)
--Top-flight wide receiver at New Southeast Bulloch High School in Brooklet, Georgia
--Caught 30 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns as senior in 2021
--Also rushed 53 times for 512 yards and eight TDs in 2021
--Led New Southeast Bulloch to 10-2 record and second round of 2021 Georgia 3A playoffs
--Rated 42nd on list of top 50 players in class of 2022 in Georgia by MaxPreps
--Georgia 3A player of the year in 2020
--Class 3A first-team all-state selection on offense as junior
--Helped New Southeast Bulloch to 6-4 mark and first-round appearance in Georgia 3A playoffs in 2020
--Played wide receiver, linebacker and safety for Yellow Jackets—making 39 tackles on defense in 2021
--Played for coach Jared Zito
Demari (duh-MAR-ee) Henderson, S, 6-0, 160, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
--Blue-chip safety for Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida
--Rated tied for No. 1 (with his brother Ja'Cari) on Orlando Sentinel 2022 Central Florida Super60 list
--Ranked 79th on USA Today Florida Network Midseason Top 100 team
--Led Seminole to 11-2 record and regional finals of 2021 Florida 8A playoffs before 28-27 loss to Apopka
--Credited with 24 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery as senior in 2021
--Caught seven passes for 147 yards and one TD in 2021 and also returned punts and kickoffs
--Helped Seminole to final 2021 regular-season rankings of fourth by Florida High School Athletic Association and eighth overall and first in Class 8A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Third-team 8A all-state selection in 2020 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Made 37 tackles and intercepted three passes as junior in 2020
--Helped Seminole to 11-0 record and 2020 Florida 8A state championship, capped by 38-10 title game victory over Osceola
--Noles finished 11-2 in 2019 after loss to Apopka in regional final playoff contest
--Twin brother and high school teammate of fellow letter-of-intent signee Ja'Cari Henderson, as well as 2021 UCF signee Kam Moore
--From same high school as former UCF all-star receiver Gabriel Davis (now with NFL Buffalo Bills) and his brother, current UCF tight end Jordan Davis
--Played for coaches Don Stark and Eric Lodge
--Also played basketball at Seminole, averaging 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as sophomore, then 11.3 and 3.5 as junior
Ja'Cari (juh-CAR-ee) Henderson, CB, 6-0, 160, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
--Standout defensive back for Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida
--Rated tied for No. 1 (with his brother Demari) on Orlando Sentinel 2022 Central Florida Super60 list
--Ranked 38th on USA Today Florida Network Midseason Top 100 team
--Led Seminole to 11-2 record and regional finals of 2021 Florida 8A playoffs before 28-27 loss to Apopka
--Credited with 20 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery as senior in 2021
--Made four receptions for 80 yards and one TD in 2021 and also returned kickoffs
--Helped Seminole to final 2021 regular-season rankings of fourth by Florida High School Athletic Association and eighth overall and first in Class 8A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Made 36 tackles and an interception as a junior in 2020
--Helped Seminole to 12-0 record and 2020 Florida 8A state championship, capped by 38-10 title game victory over Osceola
--Noles finished 11-2 in 2019 after loss to Apopka in playoff regional final contest
--Twin brother and high school teammate of fellow letter-of-intent signee Demari Henderson, as well as 2021 UCF signee Kam Moore
--From same high school as former UCF all-star receiver Gabriel Davis (now with NFL Buffalo Bills) and his brother, current UCF tight end Jordan Davis
--Played for coaches Don Stark and Eric Lodge
--Also played basketball at Seminole, averaging 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds as sophomore, then 8.3 and 3.4 as junior
Jamaal (juh-MALL) Johnson, DE, 6-2, 250, Miramar, FL (Chaminade-Madonna)
--Played major role on defensive line for Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida
--Made nine tackles to lead Chaminade-Madonna to 2021 Florida 3A championship after title-game win over Tampa Berkeley Prep for final 11-1 record
--Helped Chaminade-Madonna to final 2021 regular-season rankings of first overall by Florida High School Athletic Association and fourth overall and first in Class 3A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Made 74 tackles and 19 sacks as senior in 2021
--Helped Florida 3A private school to state titles in 2018 and 2019 (12-2 record both years), with Chaminade-Madonna playing in 3A championship game each of last six years (2016-21)
--First-team 3A all-state selection in 2020 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Totaled 13 sacks for Florida 3A runner-up in 2020 with 12-2 record
--Miami Herald 5A-Independent first-team selection as junior in 2020
--Key contributor for Lions program that went 12-2 and won Florida 3A state title in 2019
--Earned snaps on varsity as freshman in 2018
--Played for coach Dameon Jones
Caden (KAY-den) Kitler, OL, 6-3, 295, Plano, TX (John Paul II)
--Standout offensive and defensive lineman—playing both center and tackle--at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas
--First-team all-district selection as senior in 2021
--Honorable mention pick on offensive line for 2020 and 2019 on Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools all-state team
--2020 John Paul II team fell in semifinals of TAPPS Division 3 playoffs--and 2021 squad fell in first round
--Shot put and discus TAPPS 6A runner-up in 2021
--Set personal records in shot put (47-9) and discus (154-11) as sophomore in 2020
--Shot put state finalist as freshman in 2019 TAPPS 6A (46-4)
--Regional qualifier in discus (133-3) in 2019
--Played for coaches George Teague and Mario Edwards
Quan Lee, WR, 6-0, 175, Gainesville, FL (Buchholz)
--Played wide receiver and cornerback at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida
--Finished career as Alachua County's leading all-time receiver with nearly 3,000 receiving yards
--Led Buchholz to 12-2 record and semifinals of 2021 Florida 7A playoffs before loss vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
--Helped Buchholz to final 2021 regular-season rankings of 16th overall by Florida High School Athletic Association and 15th overall and fifth in Class 7A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Made 48 catches as senior in 2021 for 928 yards and 10 TDs
--Caught 47 passes as junior in 2020 for 1,003 yards and 12 TDs in 10 games
--Had 86 career receptions for 1,896 yards and 19 TDs entering senior season
--First-team 7A all-state selection as junior in 2020 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--First-team pick on 2020 Gainesville Sun all-area squad
--Helped Buchholz to 8-2 mark and third round of 2020 Florida 7A playoffs as junior
--Played for coach Mark Whittemore, a UCF wide receiver in 1991-94
--Also ran track, with best of 11.11 in 100 meters
--Brother Ralph Webb set Vanderbilt career marks in 2014-17 with 4,173 rushing yards, 32 rushing TDs and 16 100-yard games--before going on to play with NFL New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Bucs and Pittsburgh Steelers (with CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders for 2021)
Jordan McDonald, RB, 6-1, 220, Alpharetta, GA (Milton)
--Blue-chip running back at Milton High School in Milton, Georgia
--Led Milton to 13-2 mark and championship game of 2021 Georgia 7A playoffs before falling to Collins Hill in title contest
--Ran for 97 yards on 17 carries in championship game versus Collins Hill
--Accounted for five touchdowns—three rushing, one passing, one receiving—in 44-34 win over Roswell in 2021 as he carried 10 times for 132 yards
--Rushed 18 times for 155 yards and four TDs in 52-17 playoff semifinal win over Walton, including an 81-yard TD run
--Finished senior season in 2021 with 189 carries for 1,630 yards and 26 rushing TDs
--Second-team pick at running back on MaxPreps' 2021 preseason Georgia 7A all-state team
--Ran for 1,338 yards and 24 TDs as junior in 2020, averaging 6.3 yards per carry
--Helped Eagles to 11-1 record in 2020 with only loss coming in second round of Georgia 7A playoffs
--Ran for 259 yards (22 carries) and four TDs as junior vs. Cherokee and 204 yards vs. Woodstock
--Honorable mention all-state pick as junior on Georgia 7A team
--Carried 87 times for 523 yards and 10 TDs as sophomore in 2019
--Caught seven passes for 36 yards as sophomore and 12 for 141 and a TD as junior
--Played for coach Adam Clack
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2022 and participate in 2022 spring football drills with Knights
Nikai (nick-EYE) Martinez, CB, 5-11, 170, Apopka, FL (Apopka)
--Top-flight cornerback and strong safety at Apopka High School in Apopka, Florida
--Led Apopka to 12-2 record and championship game of 2021 Florida 8A playoffs (Dec. 18 vs. Venice)
--Helped Apopka to final 2021 regular-season rankings of sixth in Class 8A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Missed most of 2021 regular season but returned in Florida 8A playoffs to make two interceptions for touchdowns on 154 return yards
--Rated 41st on MaxPreps 2021 preseason list of top Florida players in class of 2022
--Second-team 8A all-state section as junior in 2020 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Finished with 47 tackles as junior in 2020, while adding four interceptions, two sacks, a fumble recovery and two blocked field goals
--Rated No. 17 on Orlando Sentinel 2022 Central Florida Super60 list
--Credited with 56 tackles, one fumble recovery and fur interceptions as sophomore in 2019
--Secondary starter at Apopka since freshman season in 2018
--Led Blue Darters to 13-2 mark and Florida 8A state title game in 2019 (losing 21-20 to Miami Columbus) and helped team to 9-3 record and 8A semifinals in 2020 before 28-24 loss to eventual state champion Seminole
--Career numbers included 116 tackles and 10 interceptions
--Played for coach Jeff Rolson
--Also played basketball for Blue Darters
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2022 and participate in 2022 spring football drills with Knights
Kam Moore, LB, 6-2, 205, Sanford, FL (Seminole)
--Led squad with 64 tackles to go with two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one caused fumble as senior in 2021 at Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida
--Rated No. 4 on Orlando Sentinel 2022 Central Florida Super60 list
--Led Seminole to 11-2 record and regional final of 2021 Florida 8A playoffs before 28-27 loss to Apopka
--Helped Seminole to final 2021 regular-season rankings of fourth by Florida High School Athletic Association and eighth overall and first in Class 8A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Third-team 8A all-state selection as junior in 2020 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Averaged 6.3 tackles per game and had three sacks and two tackles for loss as junior linebacker in 2020
--Helped Seminole to 12-0 record and 2020 Florida 8A state championship, capped by 38-10 title game victory over Osceola
--As sophomore in 2019 made 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one caused fumble
--Noles finished 11-2 in 2019 after loss to Apopka in playoff regional final contest
--Brother Brandon "Bam" Moore played defensive back at UCF in 2016-19, starting every game as redshirt sophomore in 2018 before injury sidelined him early in 2019 campaign
--From same high school as former UCF all-star receiver Gabriel Davis (now with NFL Buffalo Bills) and his brother, current UCF tight end Jordan Davis—as well as 2021 UCF letter-of-intent signees Demari Henderson and Ja'Cari Henderson
--Played for coaches Don Stark and Eric Lodge
Grant Stevens, TE, 6-4, 225, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Nease)
--Standout tight end at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
--Led Nease to 9-4 record and regional final of 2021 Florida 7A playoffs before 37-14 loss to Gainesville Buchholz
--Grabbed 17 passes for 190 yards and two TDs as senior in 2021—playing in only five games after battling back from injury
--Caught 40 passes for 502 yards and five TDs for Panthers as junior in 2020
--Second-team All-First Coast by Jacksonville.com in 2020
--Played wide receiver as freshman and sophomore, then gained 35 pounds in switch to tight end
--Also played basketball at Nease, averaging 2.3 rebounds per game as sophomore and junior combined
--Played for coach Collin Drafts
--Expected to enroll at UCF in January 2022 and participate in 2022 spring football drills with Knights
Keahnist (key-AH-nist) "K.T." Thompson, DE, 6-3, 255, Lakeland, FL (Lakeland)
--Standout defensive lineman at Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida
--Led Lakeland to 9-2 record and regional quarterfinals of 2021 Florida 7A playoffs
--Made 65 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries as senior in 2021
--Helped Lakeland to final 2021 regular-season rankings 18th overall and seventh in Class 7A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Rated 43rd on MaxPreps 2021 preseason list of top Florida players in class of 2022
--Two-way player also played tight end for 2020 Dreadnaughts team that went 6-4 and made the Florida 7A state playoffs
--Played for coach Bill Castle
--Current UCF graduate assistant Caleb Pickrell was offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Lakeland High School
Xavier (ZAY-vier) Townsend, WR, 5-11, 180, Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep)
--Standout slotback at Berkeley Prep School in Tampa, Florida
--Led Buccaneers to 12-1 record and championship game of 2021 Florida 3A playoffs where they fell to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
--Helped Berkeley Prep to final regular-season 2021 rankings of 17th overall by the Florida High School Athletic Association and 25th overall and second in Class 34A by FloridaHSFootball.com
--As senior in 2021 rushed 107 times for 1,188 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 417 yards
--Helped Berkeley Prep defeat Newman (Louisiana) 49-24 with 235 rushing yards (15 carries), 109 receiving yards (four catches), five TDs (four rushing) and TD rushes of 68 and 74 yards
--Played for Buccaneers as both running back and wide receiver on 8-2 team in 2020
--Helped Berkeley Prep to Florida 3A playoff semifinals in 2020 before 23-21 loss to eventual champion Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep
--Career numbers included 4,959 all-purpose yards and 63 TDs
--Carried 360 times in career for 2,830 yards and 43 TDs; caught 58 passes for 1,235 yards and 18 TDs; had 516 kickoff return yards and 378 punt return yards (plus two punt return TDs)
--Played for coach Dominick Ciao
--High school teammate of UCF letter-of-intent signee TJ Bullard
--From same high school as current New England Patriot standout wide receiver and former USC star Nelson Agholor
--Has run 11.18 in 100 meters, 22.99 in 200 meters and leaped 20-11.25 in long jump
