Three top recruits sign and improve historic class

On Wednesday's National Signing Day, head coach George O'Leary said that he was hoping for three more players. He got his wish.

UCF added to their already impressive recruiting class by adding the Denver duo — Rayshon Williams and Leilon Willingham — on Thursday, and 2010 Elite 11 quarterback DaMarcus Smith, who bailed from Louisville on Friday.

The Knights' 2011 signing class, by the numbers, is the best in school history.

"The key to any recruiting class is, one, identifying your needs, and, two, securing those needs," O'Leary said. "I think the coaching staff did an outstanding job in both areas. It is an outstanding recruiting class in that addressed our offense, defense and kicking game."

Williams, a three-star wide receiver whose playing style is a lot like his cousin Brandon Marshall, and four-star recruits Willingham and Smith. The Knights' signing class now features three four-star recruits and 20 three-star recruits.

New signings

• Quarterback DaMarcus Smith (6'1"/180 pounds) chose UCF over hometown school Louisville, as well as Tennessee and Kentucky. Smith is the first Elite 11 prospect ever to sign with UCF.

"With DeMarcus' decision, it is a great addition to a solid recruiting class," said O'Leary in a release. "He has so many great quarterback skills that will make him a very productive player at UCF."

He provides much-needed depth at the quarterback position and will compete for the No. 2 spot against Blake Bortles.    

• Mullen, Colo., wide receiver Rayshon Williams (6'1"/ 190 pounds) followed in the footsteps of his cousin and chose the Knights over Colorado State, Utah and Washington.

"Obviously we knew about Rayshon from his legal guardian, Brandon Marshall," O'Leary said. "I'm very happy to have him in the program and I think that he will be a very productive player in our offensive scheme."

Williams is a three-star prospect on Rivals.com and is a physical receiver who can also return kicks.

• Williams' Mullen High School teammate Leilon Willingham (6'2"/ 240 pounds) is a four-star outside linebacker who can make an immediate impact on defense.

"I saw him on film and he is a very impressive player on film but even more impressive when you get a chance to sit down and visit with him," O'Leary said. "He comes from an outstanding high school program. We're very fortunate to acquire his talent."

Willingham chose the Knights over Boise State, Colorado, Michigan and Oregon.