Knights rack up impressive signing class, heavy on defense

With National Signing Day in the books, the Knights came away with one of their most impressive recruiting classes in school history. The nationally ranked top-50 recruiting class features 27 players who signed their letters of intent on Wednesday, and head coach George O'Leary is waiting on three more players to sign by the end of this week.

Fall enrollees

Defensive tackle Demetris Anderson chose UCF over Illinois and Wisconsin. Anderson (6'2"/285 pounds) led Westwood High School to an undefeated regular season and Class 3A regional quarterfinal berth. Rivals gave him a three-star rating and was ranked within top 100 at his position.

Brandon Bragg (6'1"/190 pounds), a two-star safety from University High School in Orlando,  also played weakside linebacker this season. He committed to UCF in early June.

Tarik Cook, a center from Stone Mountain, Ga., signed his letter of intent after committing to the Knights last June. Cook (6'3"/294 pounds) was the No. 9 center in the nation according to ESPN and was ranked in the top 15 by Scout and Rivals. All three outlets gave him three stars. He was named to the Associated Press All-State first team and chose UCF over Connecticut, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, USF  and Middle Tennessee.

Cornerback Jeremy Davis (6'0"/170 pounds) is a three-star prospect that is ranked  in the top 100 at his position. The speedy Milford Academy (N.Y.) corner  originally signed with Miami and also held offers from Pittsburgh and West Virginia. His half-brother, Phillip Buchanon, is a cornerback for the Washington Redskins.

Three-star cornerback Bruce Dukes is among the best in the nation at his position. Dukes (5'10"/185 pounds) played at wide receiver and was a kick and punt returner for Sandy Creek, but is regarded as  top cover-corner style player.

Mike Easton, a safety from Winter Haven, is a three-star prospect from Rivals. Easton (6'0"/180 pounds) committed to UCF in June, but saw interest from Mississippi and Washington State.

Troy Gray, a three-star prospect from Kennesaw, Ga. He recorded 119 tackles during his senior season at North Cobb. Gray (6'1"/220 pounds) held a number of scholarship offers and chose UCF over Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Syracuse and Illinois among others.

Defensive end and Edgewater product Deion Green will stay close to home for his college career. Green (6'3"/220 pounds) is a three-star recruit is ranked No. 91 at his position by ESPN.

Wide receiver Rannell Hall chose UCF over Cincinnati, Connecticut, Duke, New Mexico and Western Michigan. Hall (6'2"/175 pounds) is a two-star prospect.

Cam Henderson, a junior defensive end from Navarro College, chose UCF over Iowa State, USF, Baylor, Arizona, Texas Tech and  Mississippi State. Henderson (6'5"/250 pounds) was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He redshirted for Auburn prior to his time at Navarro.

Three-star safety Jared Henry picked the Knights over South Carolina, Maryland, Vanderbilt and USF. At First Coast in Jacksonville, he recorded 60 tackles in his senior season. Henry (6'1"/190 pounds) is ranked among the top prospects at his position, coming in at No. 39 on ESPN's rankings.

Kentorius "Scooter" Jackson (6'2"/198 pounds), a defensive back, will join his brother Toby as a Knight next season. The three-star recruit had 30 tackles for Georgia Military College this season.

Wide receiver Jacques Mackeroy is ranked No. 58 at his position by ESPN. Mackeroy (6'0"/200 pounds) selected UCF from a list of schools that included Boston College, West Virginia, Middle Tennessee and FAU.

Kevin Miller played both tight end and defensive end for Holy Cross in Delran, N.J.  Miller (6'4"/241 pounds) was a three-star prospect according to Rivals. He held offers from Maryland, Rutgers, West Virginia and Akron.

Pine Ridge middle linebacker Willie Mitchell selected UCF over USF, Wake Forest, Marshall, FIU, Eastern Michigan and Hampton. Mitchell (6'1"/240 pounds) was given three stars by Rivals and ESPN.

Three-star defensive tackle Thomas Niles committed to UCF over Arkansas, NC State, Tennessee,  and FIU. Niles (6'2"/260 pounds). He recorded 85 tackles and seven sacks this season for Gainesville (Ga.).

Miami Central linebacker Miles Pace will join former teammates Jeff Godfrey, Jamar McClain, Josh Reese, LeBranden Richardson and Jose Jose as a Knight. Pace (6'3"/237 pounds) chose UCF over Clemson, West Virginia, USF and FIU. The three-star prospect is within the top 100 at his position.

Breshad Perriman was heralded as one of the top wide receivers in DeKalb County in his senior season. Perriman (6'2/180" pounds)  played four games for Arabia Mountain in Lithonia, Ga., his senior season and recorded 13 catches for 301 yards and had three touchdowns. He was dubbed a two-star prospect by ESPN and runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and recorded a 36-inch vertical leap. Perriman, son of former NFL wide receiver Brett Perriman, had interest from Florida State, Cincinnati, FIU, Wyoming and from Miami, his father's alma mater.

Linebacker Terrance Plummer selected the Knights over Arkansas, NC State, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, Connecticut, USF, Southern Miss, FAU and FIU. The three-star prospect played for Orange Park and led his team in tackles for three straight seasons. Plummer (6'1"/221 pounds) played at all three linebacker positions during high school.

Cedric Thompson, a running back from Everglades High School (Miramar)  chose UCF over offers from Illinois and Kansas State, where his brother Courtney is a defensive back. Thompson (6'0"/207 pounds) is a two-star prospect.

Dalton Wertz, a defensive tackle from Arcadia, Fla., committed to UCF in June. Wertz (6'1", 295 pounds) was rated three stars by ESPN. He was a four-year letterman at DeSoto County.