Scott Frost promised #UCFast and a new approach to recruiting. He was going to be audacious and give fans something new. And it started with his approach to recruiting.
He promised to recruit Florida harder and has put it to pavement so far, bringing in a few big-name local area recruits and getting involved late in the recruitment of several uncommitted players in Central Florida.
The reach though does go throughout Florida. Frost aimed to bring Oregon to Florida since Oregon could not do much to reach Florida.
UCF received the commitment from some more recruits, including South Florida player of the year Jawon Hamilton.
“It feels great,” Hamilton told the Orlando Sentinel. “I feel like Coach Frost is going to make an immediate impact, and I’m ready to be a part of it. I can’t wait”
Hamilton is a three-star running back from South Dade High School who rushed for 1,259 yards on 131 carries last year. He added 16 touchdowns and plenty of highlights:
The former Miami commit is exactly the kind of player UCF promised it would go after. One of the better players in the state who made a name for himself in one of the most talent-rich areas in the state.
He was Frost’s top target after taking over at UCF. That prioritizing clearly paid off.
It was a big statement recruit, as Chas Short of Underdog Dynasty wrote, one that could make an immediate impact for UCF’s anemic run game.
Hamilton clearly fits this staff’s mold of pursuing fast, in-state players. Of the Knights’ 13 commits, he’s the seventh from Florida and the fourth from south Florida (joining Dontay Mayfield, Bryon Brown, and classmate Boman Swanson).
There’s an excellent chance that Hamilton competes immediately for playing time at UCF. He just may be our next great Knights running back (I know, I know: I said this about Will Stanback, but I really think I’m right this time). I’m certain to sound too bullish on Hamilton, and I get that. But the guy’s the real deal and should make Knights fans cheer for years to come.
The Knights are making waves. Just like they want to.
In the short amount of time Frost has had to recruit, he has made waves. It is going to be interesting to see what he can do with a full recruiting cycle and his first season under his belt too.
