UCF’s recruiting office kicked off its 2027 cycle on May 29, welcoming the first wave of high‑school prospects for official visits. The Knights have scheduled additional weekend visits on June 12‑14 and June 19‑21, creating a concentrated push to evaluate talent before the next recruiting year.
May Visits Kick Off 2027 Recruiting Cycle
The upcoming visits come as UCF’s 2027 class sits at No. 62 in the On3 rankings and No. 60 in the 247Sports composite, positioning the program within the mid‑tier of national recruiting circles. General manager Trent Mossbrucker has repeatedly stressed that high‑school recruiting is the cornerstone of the Knights’ emerging identity.
Head coach Scott Frost, who returned to lead the program last season, has framed the recruiting push as a chance to re‑establish Florida’s recruiting roots. ‘We want to bring the best talent home,’ Frost said in a recent interview, emphasizing the state’s depth of under‑the‑radar prospects.
Eight of the ten recruits slated for May visits hail from Florida, underscoring UCF’s intent to prioritize in‑state talent. Among them, Akhcuonam Augustin of Barron Collier led his team in tackles for loss and sacks, drawing interest from several Power Four programs. Debonaire Johnson earned a second South Florida Sun‑Sentinel all‑county nod after posting strong tackle and special‑teams numbers.
Other notable prospects include Clayton Lee, a 6‑foot‑7, 315‑pound tackle who has become a frequent UCF visitor and may transition to guard at the next level. Teagan Parizek, a Tennessee Class 5A all‑state selection, has already secured offers from multiple Power Four schools. Nazir Pitchford, a consensus three‑star defensive back, recently decommitted from Kansas State and is now courting UCF among his suitors.
Kaneilius Purdy, the sole 1,000‑yard receiver in Polk County last fall, is viewed as a top target for the Knights’ offense, while Kaiden Robinson‑Vickers helped Dunnellon capture the inaugural FIT championship and is pursued as a coveted defensive prospect. Marcus Small, committed to Syracuse, is being actively courted by UCF’s offensive line coach AJ Blazek.
The recruiting footprint also stretches beyond Florida. Zy Tassin, a two‑way standout, lists UCF alongside Kansas State and Wake Forest among his suitors, while Tyler Younger, though unranked, has attracted attention from Rutgers and Syracuse. These out‑of‑state connections illustrate the program’s expanding national reach.
With the May visits set to conclude and the June weekends looming, UCF’s staff is poised to evaluate a diverse mix of talent. The influx of prospects, many of whom are still undecided, could reshape the composition of the 2027 roster and reinforce the Knights’ strategy of building through high‑school pipelines.