UCF has signed one additional high school football standout—linebacker Andrew Harris from Altamonte Springs, Florida—while also adding 10 transfer players who have joined the Knights' program.
The transfer additions include three players from the Southeastern Conference (OL Amari Kight from Alabama, WR Chauncey Magwood from Kentucky, WR Trent Whittemore from Florida), two from the Pacific-12 Conference (LS Gage King from Arizona State, OL Drake Metcalf from Stanford) and one each from the Atlantic Coast Conference (DB Fred Davis from Clemson), American Athletic Conference (DB Jireh Wilson from East Carolina), Mid-American Conference (OL Marcellus Marshall from Kent State), Sun Belt Conference (DB DeJordan Mask from Texas State) and Mountain West Conference (OL Bula Schmidt from Fresno State).
Two of the transfers are originally from Florida: Davis from Jacksonville (Trinity Christian) and Whittemore from Gainesville (Buchholz).
Three of the additions—Kight, Whittemore and Wilson--are graduate transfers who already have earned degrees. Kight is pursuing a second undergraduate degree at UCF while both Whittemore and Wilson are enrolled in UCF master's degree programs (all three in interdisciplinary studies).
Here are the new additions to the 2023 UCF roster:
High School Players
Harris, Andrew, LB, 6-2, 210, Altamonte Springs, FL (Lake Brantley)
Transfer Players
Davis, Fred, DB, 6-1, 190, Jacksonville FL (Trinity Christian/Clemson)
Kight, Amari, OL, 6-7, 318, Alabaster, AL (Thompson/Alabama)
King, Gage, LS, 6-4, 240, El Dorado Hills, CA (Oak Ridge/Arizona State)
Magwood, Chauncey, WR, 6-0, 187, Leesburg GA (Lee County/Kentucky)
Marshall, Marcellus, OL, 6-5, 310, Morgantown WV (Morgantown/Kent State)
Mask, DeJordan, DB, 6-1, 180, Texarkana, AR (Arkansas/Texas State)
Metcalf, Drake, OL, 60-2, 292, Orange, CA (St. John Bosco)
Schmidt, Bula, OL, 6-1, 294, Wahiawa, HI (O'Dea/Fresno State)
Whittemore, Trent, WR, 6-4, 211, Gainesville, FL (Buchholz/Florida)
Wilson, Jireh, DB, 6-3, 219, Jacksonville, NC (Northside/East Carolina)
Here are more detailed biographies on the UCF additions for 2023:
ANDREW HARRIS, LB, 6-2, 210, Altamonte Springs, FL (Lake Brantley)
--Played linebacker at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida
--Made 72 tackles (30 solo) to go with four sacks, three interceptions and three caused fumbles as senior in 2022
--Second-team all-area for 2022 by Orlando Sentinel
--Third-team Florida all-state pick in 2021 by FloridaHSFootball.com
--Made 103 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception for Patriots as junior in 2021 and also played as running back/slotback
--Made 85 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one sack as sophomore in 2020
--Ran personal best 10.72 in 100 meters as junior
--Qualified for 4A state meet in 200 meters as sophomore in 2021
--Competed in shot put, discus and javelin as junior in 2022
--Owns personal bests of 10.72 in 100 meters, wind-aided 21.5 in 200 meters, 20'5-2.5 in long jump, 36-4 in shot put, 80-8 in discus and 58-10 in javelin
--Twin brother Michael was fellow linebacker at Lake Brantley
--Began football as high school freshman after family originally moved from Jamaica to Maryland
--Named defensive MVP (3.5 tackles, 2 sacks) of Polynesian Bowl played January 2023 in Honolulu
--Combined for three tackles for loss with brother Michael in 2023 Under Armour Next All-America all-star game in Orlando
FRED DAVIS, DB, 6-1, 190, Jacksonville FL (Trinity Christian/Clemson)
--Announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Clemson
--Played 27 career games at Clemson, credited with 34 tackles (1.5 for loss), four pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 507 snaps (four starts) from 2020-22
--In 2022 credited with 15 tackles (one for loss), two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 187 defensive snaps over seven games (three starts; missed last six games with injury)
--Had breakout game vs. Furman, finishing with seven tackles (one for loss), first career fumble recovery and pass deflection that resulted in interception
2021 at Clemson
--In 2021 credited with six tackles (0.5 for loss) in 137 snaps over nine games
2020 at Clemson
--In 2020 credited with 13 tackles and two pass breakups in 183 snaps over 11 games as true freshman
--Made collegiate debut at Wake Forest in 2020, recording three solo tackles
--Added two tackles and two pass breakups in 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game vs. No. 2 Notre Dame.
High School
--Played at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida
--MaxPreps preseason first-team All-American in 2019
--Posted 101 tackles in 37 career games, adding four interceptions, 30 passes defensed, two caused fumbles and a blocked kick
--Recorded 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and 11 passes defensed as senior in 2019
--Averaged 8.3 yards per rush on 29 carries and also added four receptions for 60 yards
--As junior in 2018 posted 48 tackles, 13 passes broken up and one interception
--Had 86-yard interception return for score and 95-yard kickoff return for TD
--Had 27 tackles as sophomore to go with pair of interceptions
--First-team All-USA Florida selection by USA Today in 2019 and first-team All-First Coast selection by Florida Times Union
--First-team MaxPreps Junior All-American honoree and third-team 2019 Florida 5A all-state selection
--Consensus top-60 player nationally who rated in early signing period as No. 25 player in nation by PrepStar, which called him third-best cornerback and second-best player in Florida
--Ranked 28th-best overall player in nation by Rivals.com (third-best cornerback and fourth-best player in Florida), No. 45 player nationally by ESPN.com (fourth-best cornerback and 10th-best player from Florida) and 56th player in nation by 247Sports (sixth-best cornerback and 10th-best player from Florida)
--Selected to U.S. Army All-American Bowl
--Played for coach Verlon Dorminey at Trinity Christian
--Enrolled at Clemson in January 2020
Personal
--Enrolled in College of Undergraduate Studies, majoring in interdisciplinary studies
AMARI KIGHT, OL, 6-7, 318, Alabaster, AL (Thompson/Alabama)
--Graduate transfer announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Alabama
--Alabama's backup left tackle in 2022, playing in 12 games, including with field goal and PAT units
--Played 30 snaps vs. Austin Peay, 20 each against Utah State and ULM
2021 at Alabama
--Saw time on Crimson Tide offensive line in seven games in 2021
--Saw his most extensive playing time with 36 snaps vs. New Mexico State
--Played briefly off the bench in CFP Semifinal against Cincinnati at Goodyear Cotton Bowl
2020 at Alabama
--Saw first minutes of 2020 season against Mississippi State and followed that with seven snaps against Kentucky
2019 at Alabama
--Saw first career action against Western Carolina in 2019, then redshirted at season's end
High School
--One of top-rated offensive linemen in 2019 recruiting cycle
--Consensus four-star offensive tackle and one of top players in Alabama
--Rated No. 8 offensive tackle and No. 30 player on ESPN300
--Listed as fourth-ranked player in Alabama by ESPN.com
--76th-ranked player nationally, No. 10 offensive tackle and No. 5 player in Alabama on 247Composite
--247Sports ranked him No. 101 player nationally and 10th-rated offensive tackle
--No. 140 player in country and No. 19 offensive tackle according to Rivals
--Five-star prep standout and No. 44 prospect on PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team
--Ranked as PrepStar's No. 9 offensive tackle and fourth-ranked player in Alabama
--Selected to play in Under Armour All-America Game
--Anchored offensive line at Thompson High School to help Warriors finish runner-up as senior in 2018 Alabama Class 7A playoffs
--Played in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game
--Earned first-team all-state recognition as junior in 2017 by Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA)
--Coached by Mark Freeman at Thompson
Personal
--Earned one degree from Alabama and is pursuing second degree at UCF in interdisciplinary studies from College of Undergraduate Studies
GAGE KING, LS, 6-4, 240, El Dorado Hills, CA (Oak Ridge/Arizona State)
--Announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Arizona State
--Spent four seasons at Arizona State as backup long snapper
--Played in three games in 2022 for Sun Devils, making one solo tackle
2021 at Arizona State
--Contributed on scout team special teams units as redshirt sophomore in 2021
2020 at Arizona State
--Back-up long snapper but did not see game action as redshirt freshman in 2020
2019 at Arizona State
--Preferred walk-on long-snapper prospect who red-shirted in 2019
High School
--Regarded by 247Sports as two-star tight end out of Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California
--Caught 13 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns as senior and was named to Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team
--Also saw time on defense at Oak Ridge, recording 40 tackles his senior season with three sacks
--Caught two passes as junior, both for TDs
Personal
--Enrolled as an integrative studies major in College of Undergraduate Studies
CHAUNCEY MAGWOOD, WR, 6-0, 187, Leesburg GA (Lee County/Kentucky)
--Announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Kentucky
--Made eight combined career catches in two seasons at Kentucky in 2021 and 2022
--Accounted for seven catches for 104 yards and one touchdown in 2022 while seeing action in all 12 regular-season games and starting at wide receiver at Ole Miss
--Had two catches for 47 at Florida and two for 37 vs. South Carolina
--Also added one catch for eight yards and a TD vs. Miami (Ohio), one for 18 at Ole Miss and one for four vs. Mississippi State
2021 at Kentucky
--Played in 13 games as freshman in 2021
--First career catch went for 17 yards vs. Tennessee
--Returned a kickoff 11 yards vs. Tennessee-Chattanooga
--Helped Kentucky to 10-3 record and Citrus Bowl win against Iowa
--Enrolled at Kentucky in January 2021
High School
--Three-star prep prospect who ranked among top 100 high school receivers by ESPN and Rivals
--Ranked 48th prospect in Georgia by Rivals
--Started every high school game (58 straight) at Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia
--Led Trojans to combined 52-6 record and four straight Georgia 1-AAAAAA Region championships, three state championship game appearances and two state titles
--Played wide receiver his first three seasons, then switched to quarterback as a senior in 2020 and guided team to 12-2 mark and state runner-up finish
--Named Georgia Region 1-AAAAAA athlete of the year for 2020
--Atlanta Journal-Constitution 6A honorable mention all-state as an athlete in 2020
--As senior in 2020 threw for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns (three interceptions) and rushed 120 times for 643 yards and six TDs
--Sports Illustrated All-America nominee
--Also caught 11 passes for 141 yards and two TDs in 2020
--First-team all-state as sophomore, junior and senior by Georgia Coaches Association
--Caught 53 passes for 700 yards and 10 TDs as junior in 2019
--Grabbed 68 receptions for 958 yards and seven TDs as sophomore for state championship team
--Made 33 catches for 388 yards as freshman as Lee County won state crown
--Played for coach Dean Fabrizio
Personal
--Enrolled in College of Undergraduate Studies with major in interdisciplinary studies
MARCELLUS MARSHALL, OL, 6-5, 310, Morgantown WV (Morgantown/Kent State)
--Announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Kent State
--First-team All-Mid-American Conference selection at offensive tackle at Kent State in 2022
--Started all 12 games in 2022 as offensive line paved way for top rushing attack in MAC, racking up more than 2,400 yards overall and 202.1 yards per game
--Helped Flashes become one of two MAC teams to post more than 5,000 yards of total offense and one of three to average 400 yards of total offense per game (417.2)
2021 at Kent State
--Saw action in 2021 home opener against VMI and also vs. Akron and Northern Illinois that season as Kent State eventually earned berth in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
High School
--Started at both offensive and defensive tackle as senior at Morgantown High School in Morgantown, West Virginia
--Tallied 59 total tackles and a sack his senior year
--Ranked among top 200 offensive linemen nationally during 2020 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports Composite ratings
--First-team all-state as prep senior by MaxPreps
Personal
--CoSIDA Academic All-District pick in 2022 as construction management major with 3.65 grade-point average
--Named to fall 2022 Academic All-MAC squad with 3.67 GPA
--Enrolled in College of Undergraduate Studies with major in integrative studies
DeJORDAN MASK, DB, 6-1, 180, Texarkana, AR (Arkansas/Texas State)
--Announced plans in December 2022 to transfer to UCF and enrolled in January 2023 for spring semester
2022 at Texas State
--Played in combined 45 games over four seasons as defensive back at Texas State in 2019-22
--Made 42 tackles and career-high three interceptions (second most on team) in 12 games 2022
--Played in at least 10 games each of his four years
2021 at Texas State
--Played in 11 of 12 games in 2021, including 10 starts (missed game against Troy and only non-start was against Louisiana)
--Accounted for 40 tackles (28 solo), one interception, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry in 2021 and returned one kick for 22 yards
2020 at Texas State
--Played in 10 games in 2020, tallying 49 tackles, including 31 solo stops and five pass breakups
--Had season-high 12 tackles and two pass breakups at Troy
--Opened 2020 season with seven tackles against SMU and recorded six tackles each against No. 14-ranked Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern
--Returned one kickoff for 19 yards versus SMU
2019 at Texas State
--Played in 12 games as true freshman in 2019, recording five tackles, including three solo stops
--Had season-best two tackles at Coastal Carolina and solo stops versus Arkansas State and Appalachian State
--Averaged 29.5 yards on 11 kickoff returns, including 60-yard kickoff return against South Alabama
--Returned four kickoffs for 102 yards against Appalachian State
High School
--Ranked one of top 30 prep players in state of Arkansas
--Named to Arkansas Coaches Class 5A South All-State team
--Played for coach Barry Norton as standout safety, wide receiver and punt returner
--Returned interception and caught two touchdowns passes against DeQueen
--Caught three passes for 63 yards and a TD against Hot Springs
--Had interception, a 32-yard punt return to set up a TD and caught three passes for 44 yards and two TDs against Nettleton in first-round playoff victory
--Helped lead Arkansas High School in Texarkana, Arkansas, to first conference championship in 12 years
--Competed in sprints, high jump, long jump and triple jump for track and field team
--Placed ninth at state championship in high jump and had season-best leap of 6-2
--Finished second in long jump, fourth in triple jump and ninth in high jump at Arkansas state championships
--Won triple jump (44-11.50), was runner up in long jump (22-0.5) and third-place finisher (6-2) in high jump at South Conference Championships with personal best marks in each event
Personal
--Enrolled in College of Undergraduate Studies with major in integrative studies
DRAKE METCALF, OL, 6-2, 292, Orange, CA (St. John Bosco) 2022 at Stanford
--Played three seasons (2020-21-22) as offensive lineman at Stanford
--Played in three games for Cardinal as junior in 2022
2021 at Stanford
--Named to Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll in 2021
--Appeared in all 12 games in 2021
2020 at Stanford
--Did not see action as freshman in 2020
High School
--Played at St. John Bosco High School for head coach Jason Negro
--Four-star recruit by both Rivals and PrepStar (No. 324 nationally)
--Consensus top 40 player from California – ranked No. 32 by Rivals, No. 37 by PrepStar and No. 39 by 247Sports
--Ranked as top-10 center by Rivals (No. 5), PrepStar (No. 5) and 247Sports (No. 8)
--Played in 2020 Polynesian Bowl
--Two-time MaxPreps All-American (2018-19)
--All-state first team and team captain as senior in 2019
--All-CIFSS first team and All-area in 2018
--Led team to 2019 CIF Open Division State Championship and No. 1 national ranking
--Helped team to 2018 Trinity League Championship
--Member of 2016 D1 State Champions and CIFSS Champions
--Four-time recipient of Scholar-Athlete Award and also earned spot on Principal's Honor Roll all four years
--Named Student of Year for AP U.S. History as junior and also Freshman Entrepreneur of Year
Personal
--Son of Weslie and Robyn Metcalf
--Father Weslie played football at UNLV
--Has one brother, Connor
--Learned to play Scottish Highland Bagpipes after seeing them played at grandfather's funeral
BULA SCHMIDT, OL, 6-1, 294, Wahiawa, HI (O'Dea/Fresno State)
--Announced plans in January 2023 to transfer to UCF and enrolled for 2023 spring semester
2022 at Fresno State
--Spent last four seasons (2019-22) as center at Fresno State
--Played in 40 career games at Fresno State, with 31 career starts
--Started all 14 games at center for Bulldogs in 2022
--Helped Fresno State to 10-4 record, final No. 24 Associated Press ranking, nine straight wins to end the 2022 season, a Mountain West title game victory over Boise State and a Jimmy Kimmel Bowl win over Washington State
--Earned second-team all-Mountain West honors by vote of league coaches and from Phil Steele while blocking for Fresno's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2014
--A honorable mention all-conference selection by Pro Football Network
--Named a game captain five times in 2022
--Also caught a pass vs. New Mexico and made two tackles
2021 at Fresno State
--Started all 13 games in 2021 at different areas of offensive line: first two games at right guard, next eight at center, moved to left guard for New Mexico game, then started final two back at center
--Blocked for top offense in Mountain West and No. 14 offense in FBS as Fresno State averaged 464.85 offensive yards per game and scored 33.4 points per game
--Helped Fresno State to two wins in 2021 over ranked opponents, both on road--first time Fresno State defeated two top-25 opponents since 2004
2020 at Fresno State
--Appeared in all six games as sophomore in 2020 as special teams contributor and also saw limited action on offensive line
2019 at Fresno State
-Appeared in seven games as freshman in 2019 and started at center vs Air Force, UNLV, San Diego State, Nevada
--Fall 2019 and 2020 Academic All-Mountain West selection
High School
--2018 All-Metro League defensive lineman of year in Mountain Division for O'Dea High School in Seattle, Washington
--2018 All-Metro League first-team offensive tackle and first-team defensive tackle
--Selected to play in Polynesian Bowl high school all-star game
--Helped O'Dea to 11-2 record in 2018, as O'Dea was Washington 3A runner-up, falling in state title game 31-13 to Eastside Catholic
--Played all 13 games, logged 52 tackles and two sacks playing on defensive line and helped offense rush for 3,843 yards
Personal
--First name is Alexx
--Born in Wahiawa, Hawai'i
--Has older brothers Austin and Alema and younger sister Anela
--Enrolled in College of Undergraduate Studies with major in integrative studies
TRENT WHITTEMORE, WR, 6-4, 211, Gainesville, FL (Buchholz/Florida)
--Graduate transfer announced plans in January 2023 to come to UCF and enrolled for 2023 spring semester
2022 at Florida
--Played four seasons at Florida as wide receiver in 2019-22
--Played in seven games in 2022, with one reception for 23 yards against Eastern Washington, two catches for 31 (long of 17) at No. 11 Tennessee, one for 33 vs. USF
--Made appearances vs. No 20 Kentucky and in home opener vs. No. 7 Utah
2021 at Florida
--Started at wide receiver in eight out of 10 appearances in 2021
--Collected two receptions for nine yards against Florida State
--Threw one pass for six-yard TD and had one reception for 45 against Missouri, threw one pass for 22 against LSU
--Recorded three grabs for 42 and one TD against Vanderbilt, career-high four for 36 versus Kentucky
--Threw first career passing TD for 13 and had one reception for three against Tennessee
--Recorded career-high four receptions for 35 against Alabama, one catch for 18 in season opener against Florida Atlantic
2020 at Florida
--Appeared in seven games at wide receiver in 2020
--Finished regular season with eight catches for 81 yards (10.1 average) and one TD
--Caught first career TD in third quarter in 38-24 victory against South Carolina
--Reeled in then-career-high three balls in season opener against Ole Miss
--Had two catches for career-high 47 yards in Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma
2019 at Florida
--Saw action in two games as true freshman in 2019 and redshirted
--Made collegiate debut in season opener vs. UT Martin
High School
--Played safety, cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback for Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida, where he started from freshman year on
--Amassed 1,374 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 93 receptions, as well as three rushing TDs in high school career
--Threw for 1,026 yards and 12 TDs during time at quarterback
--Recorded 196 tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 28 PBU, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal in four seasons combined
--Played for coach Mark Whittemore, his father, who was a wide receiver at UCF from 1991-94 recording 100 career catches for 1,908 yards
--Led Buchholz basketball team in scoring as sophomore with 19.9 points per game
Personal
--Mother, grandfather and great-grandfather all attended Florida
--Mother Missy played volleyball for Florida from 1992-95, earning All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1993, 1994 and 1995
--Earned bachelor's degree from Florida in sport management in summer 2022
--Named to 2019 and 2020 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and 2019-20 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
--Pursuing master's degree at UCF in interdisciplinary studies
JIREH WILSON, DB, 6-3, 219, Jacksonville, NC (Northside/East Carolina)
--Graduate transfer announced plans in January 2023 to come to UCF and enrolled for 2023 spring semester
2022 at East Carolina
--Spent five seasons at East Carolina from 2018-22, earning letters four years (2019-22)
--Appeared in 49 career games, making 23 starts (9/'20, 7/'21, 7/'22) and tallied 190 career tackles (101 solo)
--Registered 16 TFLs (minus-62 yards) with 6.0 sacks (minus-42 yards)
--Forced three fumbles (all in 2020), recovered three fumbles (two in 2022), credited with 14 pass breakups (six in 2022) and three quarterback hurries
--Booked multiple stops in 38 of 49 games (11 of 13 in 2022)
--Tallied double-digit stops four times (13/Georgia State '20, 12/Temple '22, 10/SMU '20, 10/Marshall '21)
--Played in all 13 games for East Carolina in 2022, starting final seven regular-season contests
--Helped Pirates to 8-5 record including Birmingham Bowl win over Coastal Carolina
--Finished seventh in total tackles in 2022 with 48
--Third-team pick on Pro Football Focus 2022 all-American Athletic Conference squad, fourth-team selection by Phil Steele, honorable mention by Pro Football Network
--Named AAC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 24) following 2022 performance against UCF after posting three tackles (one solo) with interception and fumble recovery
--Tallied second career interception in fourth quarter against No. 13 NC State, returning it 34 yards, also making pair of tackles
--Posted six tackles (three solo) against Navy; earned first start of season at Tulane and notched three tackles (one solo)
--Made four tackles (two solo) in quadruple-overtime triumph over Memphis and registered seven tackles (six solo) at BYU
--Logged three tackles (one solo) at Cincinnati and third interception of season
--Named NFF Bill Dooley Chapter Scholar-Athlete in July 2022
--2022 preseason Phil Steele AAC third-team selection and Athlon fourth-team pick
2021 at East Carolina
--Played in all 12 games in 2021, making seven starts
--Tallied 44 stops (18 solo) and credited with third career double-digit stop at Marshall (10)
--Credited with 4.0 TFLs (minus-27 yards) which included 2.5 sacks (minus-26 yards)
--Picked off first career pass versus Tulane as time expired in first half
--Credited with four pass breakups (two vs. Temple) and one quarterback hurry
2020 at East Carolina
--Started all nine games in 2020 during pandemic-shortened season
--Tallied 70 stops (42 solo) with 6.5 TFLs (minus-26 yards) and 3.5 sacks (minus-16 yards)
--Forced team-best three fumbles and recovered one, returning it 39 yards against SMU
--Booked three or more stops in all nine games with career-best 13 at Georgia State (10 solo)
--Also had 10 stops against SMU (six solo)
--Tallied career-best two TFLs twice in games (GSU/minus-3 yards, USF/minus-8 yards)
2019 at East Carolina
--Experienced action in all 12 games in 2019 as top reserve at free safety and special teams stalwart
--Credited with 28 tackles (16 solo) and recorded multiple stops seven times
--Booked season-high six tackles (five solo) against Temple
--Other notable outings came against UCF and Tulsa (five tackles each)
--Recorded first collegiate stop in home opener vs. Gardner-Webb
2018 at East Carolina
--Played in last three games of 2018 season versus Connecticut, Cincinnati and NC State--securing redshirt status as true freshman
High School
--Versatility enabled noteworthy production and contributions to Northside High School offensive, defensive and special teams units for coach Kendrick Pollock
--Invited to represent North Carolina as defensive back in Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star contest
--On defense tallied four interceptions, four forced fumbles and returned two of three fumble recoveries for touchdowns as team captain as senior in 2017
--Offensively, specifically as wide receiver, led Monarchs with 40 catches for 649 yards and 11 touchdowns … ----Had seven-reception, 134-yard outing during 49-22 triumph over White Oak, which included scoring grabs of 40, 17, 11 and six yards—and also turned in 15 rushing yards on three carries and amassed 254 return yards on punts (196 including TD return) and kickoffs (58)
--Helped Northside to 6-6 overall record, fourth-place standing in Coastal 3A Conference and first-round NCHSAA Playoff appearance in 2017
--First-team all-state, all-area and all-conference pick as junior after netting 582 yards and seven TDs on 31 receptions
--Tallied 35 stops (29 solo), seven interceptions (including one returned for a score). along with four forced fumbles and three recoveries as junior
--Participated in 2017 Nike Combine
--Earned additional letters in basketball and was part of Northside's North Carolina 2A state championship team with 30-0 record
--Earned selection to Northside's Principal List
Personal
--Full name is Jireh Nazir Wilson
--Born in Beaufort, South Carolina
--Graduated from East Carolina in May 2022 with health fitness specialist degree
--Earned ECU Honor Roll designation for classroom work during both semesters of 2018-19 academic year (fall, spring) before being named to Dean's List for 2020 spring semester
--Lived during youth in Japan where parents, who both serve in U.S. Marine Corps, were stationed
--First name pronounced JAI-ruh
--Pursuing master's degree at UCF in interdisciplinary studies