College Football

Fiesta Bowl win leads to big UCF signing class

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) — The 2013 American Athletic Conference and Tostitos Fiesta Bowl champion UCF Knights welcomed their newest members to the program during National Signing Day Wednesday. A total of 17 players signed with the Black and Gold, including seven student-athletes from the Sunshine State.

UCF has already welcomed Tyler Harris to the program this spring as he enrolled early. The quarterback hails from Blackshear, Ga., and received four stars by ESPN.

2014 Football Season Tickets: The March to Victory starts with UCF fans. Renew or order season tickets, starting at $99, today online or by calling 407-UCF-1000. To learn about the Croke Park Classic against Penn State Aug. 30 in Dublin, Ireland, check out UCF.CrokeParkClassic.com.

Class of 2014: Mid-Year Enrollee

Name                                     Pos.        Ht.          Wt.             Hometown                       Previous School

Tyler Harris                           QB           6-4          220             Blackshear, Ga.                 Pierce County

Class of 2014: Fall 2014 Enrollees

Name                                     Pos.        Ht.          Wt.             Hometown                       Previous School(s)

Errol Clarke                           LB            6-3          240             Miami, Fla.                         Miami Central (Garden City C.C.)

Joey Connors                        DE           6-4          270             Powder Springs, Ga.        Harrison

Chris Davis Jr.                        WR          6-1          180             Oviedo, Fla.                       Oviedo

Chavis Dickey                        OL           6-4          300             Byron, Ga.                          Peach County

Jordan Franks                       ATH         6-4          210             Crawfordville, Fla.            Wakulla

Kyle Gibson                           DB           6-0          180             Tampa, Fla.                        Armwood

C.J. Jones                               RB           5-10        195             Daytona Beach, Fla.         Atlantic

Lance McDowdell                DL           6-4          310             Mount Vernon, N.Y.         Mount Vernon (Nassau C.C.)

Wyatt Miller                          OL           6-6          280             Douglas, Ga.                      Coffee

Tre Neal                                 DB           6-2          185             Buford, Ga.                        Buford

Luke Palmer                          OL           6-4          280             Wauchula, Fla.                  Hardee

Jamiyus Pittman                    DL           6-2          300             Moultrie, Ga.                     Colquitt County

Mike Rogers                          DB           6-0          180             Smyrna, Ga.                       Campbell

Tre’Quan Smith                    WR          6-3          180             Delray Beach, Fla.            Village Academy

Chris Williams                       DB           6-2          180             St. Marys, Ga.                    Camden County

A.J. Wooten                          DL           6-5          240             Alapaha, Ga.                      Berrien

Breakdown by State

Florida:                                  7

Georgia:                                 9

New York:                              1

Total:                                      17

Breakdown by Position

Quarterback:                        1

Running Back:                      1

Wide Receiver:                    2

Offensive Linemen:             3

Athletes:                                1

Defensive Linemen:            4

Linebackers:                         1

Defensive Backs:                  4

Class of 2014 Biographies: Mid-Year Enrollee

Tyler Harris                          

QB, 6-4, 220

Blackshear, Ga. (Pierce County)

-Coached by Sean Pender at Pierce County High School in Georgia

-A four-star recruit according to ESPN, which lists him as the No. 12 pocket passer in the country and in the 2014 ESPN 300 at No. 247

-Rated three stars by Rivals and 247Sports

-Threw for 2,800 passing yards as a senior while throwing 21 touchdowns and running for six more

-Helped Pierce County reach the second round of Georgia’s 2013 AAA state playoffs

-Selected as a 2013 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State AAA honorable mention quarterback

-Selected as the top quarterback at the Valdosta MVP Camp

-As a junior, racked up 2,466 yards, 29 touchdowns and five rushing scores

-Earned a spot in the Rising Seniors Junior All-Star Game in 2012, and was named All-Region 1AAA First Team quarterback that year as well

-A member of the school’s all-academic team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes his final two years

-Played his first two seasons of high school football at Brantley County, including throwing for 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore

-Had offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, USF, SMU and Troy, while receiving interest from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and South Carolina

-Born in Brunswick, Ga.

-Parents are Tracy Harris and Christa Crews

Class of 2014 Biographies: Fall EnrolleeS

Errol Clarke                          

LB, 6-3, 240

Miami, Fla. (Miami Central/Garden City C.C.)

-Coached by Matt Miller at Garden City Community College

-A four-star recruit by 247Sports, which listed him as the No. 1 JUCO inside linebacker in the country

-Earned a spot on the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference First Team in 2013

-Collected 98 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his lone season with Garden City

-Enrolled at Cincinnati in the spring of 2012

-Coached by Telly Lockette at Miami Central

-Current Knights who went to Miami Central are Miles Pace and Josh Reese

-Selected as a Florida 6A All-State First Team player following the 2011 season at Central

-Named the Miami Herald 8A-6A Defensive Player of the Year for Miami-Dade County

-Was a three-star recruit out of high school, where he also played defensive end

-In 2011, helped Miami Central reach the Florida 6A state title game where he posted two hurries and a break-up

-As a senior, had 24 tackles for loss and 20 sacks

-Competed in track and field as well

-Chose UCF over Kansas State, Kentucky, USF and Wisconsin, while also drawing interest from Auburn, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss

-Born in Miami, Fla.

-Parents are Errol and Felicia Clarke

Joey Connors                       

DE, 6-4, 270

Powder Springs, Ga. (Harrison)

-Coached by Matt Dickman at Harrison High School where he was a three-year starter on both offensive and defensive lines, and played special teams as well

-Rated the No. 79 defensive tackle in the nation by 247Sports

-A three-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports

-Earned the “48 Minute” Award as the only player in Cobb County to play 48 minutes of every game

-Served as a team captain as a senior where he played every spot on the defensive line while calling opponents’ offensive sets for the defense

-Selected to the 2013 all-region and all-county first teams, and was an all-state honorable mention pick

-In 2013, had 66 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, six forced fumbles, one recovery, seven hurries, two blocked field goals, one interception and one touchdown

-Finished junior year with 12 sacks and approximately 30 tackles along with two fumble recoveries

-Named all-region honorable mention Georgia 4-AAAAAA in 2012

-Won the 2013 Georgia State Track and Field Championship discus competition

-Won four letters in both football and track and field

-Picked up offers from Ball State, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Northern Illinois and Wake Forest, and had interest from Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Minnesota, Southern Illinois and Western Carolina

-Born in Clearwater, Fla.

-Parents are Richard and Gail Connors

Chris Davis Jr.                      

WR, 6-1, 180

Oviedo, Fla. (Oviedo)

-Coached by Wes Allen at Oviedo High School where he was the starting quarterback since his sophomore season

-ESPN lists him as a three-star athlete

-Helped Oviedo win the UCF 7-on-7 tournament title with an 8-0 record in 2013

-Ranked No. 12 in the Orlando Sentinel 2014 Central Florida Super60

-For his high-school career, was 203-for-365 with 2,844 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also amassing 1,618 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 302 attempts

-As a senior, was 59-for-114 with 725 yards and three touchdowns, carried the ball 57 times for 378 yards and five touchdowns and had 12 receptions for 179 yards and three scores

-Ran for 788 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,308 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior when he was ranked as the second best quarterback in Central Florida and named to the Class 8A All-State Elite First Team

-Sparked Oviedo to the 2012 Class 7A regional finals

-Earned a spot on the all-conference second team as a sophomore

-Won the MVP award as a wide receiver two consecutive years at the Orlando National Underclassmen Combine

-Also participated in track and field for Oviedo

-Received offers from UConn, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Purdue and Rutgers, as well as interest from Miami (Fla.), Pittsburgh and USF

-Born in Sarasota, Fla.

-Parents are Chris and Zephyr Davis

Chavis Dickey                       

OL, 6-4, 300

Byron, Ga. (Peach County)

-Coached by Chad Campbell at Peach County High School

-Rated with three stars by ESPN and Rivals

-Received a spot in the 2014 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando, playing right tackle alongside fellow UCF signees Wyatt Miller (right guard) and Luke Palmer (left guard), as well as Mike Rogers and Kyle Gibson

-Peach County reached the round of 16 in the 2013 GHSA AAA state finals, and the quarterfinals in 2012

-School went 45-9 during his career

-Earned a spot on the 2013 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State AAA First Team

-Named to the 2013 All-Middle Georgia and All-Region 2AAA First Teams

-Selected to the 2012 Rising Senior Bowl in Atlanta

-An All-Region 2AAA First Team and second-team all-state pick in 2012

-Picked up the Top Offensive Lineman Award at the MVP Camp in 2011

-Also a member of the high school basketball and track and field teams

-Had offers from Cincinnati, East Carolina, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss and Wake Forest, along with interest from Georgia and Georgia Tech

-Born in Warner Robins, Ga.

-Parents are Bobby and Wylene Dickey

Jordan Franks                      

Athlete, 6-4, 210

Crawfordville, Fla. (Wakulla)

-Coached by Barry Klees at Wakulla High School

-A three-star recruit according to ESPN

-Finished senior season with 62 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns, with 31 tackles and three sacks on defense

-The 2013 Wakulla High School MVP, and won four offensive player of the week awards

-Played in the 2013 FACA North-South All-Star Game where he was the North Team’s captain

-Selected as the 2013 All-Panhandle Offensive Player of the Year, to the All-Panhandle First Team and the All-Big Bend First Team

-Had 25 catches for 491 yards and six touchdowns during his junior campaign

-Named the 2012 Wakulla Wide Receiver of the Year

-Wakulla advanced to the 2012 FHSAA 5A regional semifinals

-Also suited up for the baseball and basketball teams at Wakulla

-A member of the A/B Honor Roll as a freshman and senior

-Offered by Air Force, Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss, and had interest by Florida and Georgia Tech

-Born in Tallahassee, Fla.

-Parents are Don and Ginger Franks

Kyle Gibson

DB, 6-0, 180

Tampa, Fla. (Armwood)

-Coached by Sean Callahan at Armwood High School

-ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports all list him with four stars

-ESPN places him at No. 10 on the country's top safeties chart, 30th overall in Florida and at No. 171 in the 2014 ESPN 300

-Ranked as the No. 16 cornerback in the nation by Rivals, and the 33rd best player in the state

-247Sports lists him as the No. 26 safety in the country, and 42nd overall in Florida

-Helped Armwood reach the 2013 FHSAA 6A state title game (where he had two interceptions vs. Miami Central), as well as the 2012 regional finals

-Participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in January 2014 with fellow UCF recruit Mike Rogers, Wyatt Miller, Luke Palmer and Chavis Dickey

-Named to the Associated Press 6A All-State First Team and to the Tampa Bay Times All-North Suncoast First Team in 2013

-Finished 2013 with 85 tackles, six interceptions, five forced fumbles and four overall touchdowns

-Collected 75 tackles, four interceptions and four forced fumbles in 2012

-In 2011, posted 94 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles

-Earned an invite to “The Opening” which is an all-star prospect camp at Nike

-Member of the 4x100 regional champion relay team

-Received the school’s Do the Right Thing Award and was a member of the Florida Christian Activities Association

-Had offers from Boston College, Florida State, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, NC State, Notre Dame, USF, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Wisconsin

-Born in Tampa, Fla.

-Parents are David Gibson and Annette Rawls-Gibson

C.J. Jones

RB, 5-10, 195

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)

-Coached by Tim Smith at Atlantic High School where he was a running back and strong safety

-Listed as the No. 62 running back by ESPN, which also put him with three stars

-Also a three-star recruit by Rivals

-Picked up first-team all-county distinction in 2013

-Was the school’s football team MVP in 2010, 2012 and 2013

-Totaled 1,250 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior, and chipped in 207 receiving yards

-Miami Herald named him to the 2013 Season Preview All-North Atlantic Team

-Rushed for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns with 225 receiving yards and 37 tackles in 2012 where he picked up second-team all-county honors

-Atlantic reached the 2012 FHSAA 5A regional quarterfinals

-Atlantic’s running back of the year in 2011, rushing for 756 yards in six games, and also had 47 tackles with an interception

-Galloped for 996 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman, and amassed 78 tackles with an interception

-Ran the first leg of the 4x100 relay team which won the district title his freshman year

-Member of the Leadership Club and National Honor Society, received the Mr. AHS Award, advanced to the mock trial state qualifications and was selected as homecoming king

-Received an offer from Florida Atlantic, and interest from Florida, Florida State, NC State and USF

-Full name is Christopher Jones

-Parents are Chris Jones and Jeanette Sims

Lance McDowdell

DL, 6-4, 310

Mount Vernon, N.Y. (Mount Vernon/Nassau C.C.)

-Coached by Joe Osovet and Curtis Gilliam for two seasons at Nassau Community College

-247Sports gives him four stars and lists him as the No. 7 JUCO defensive tackle in the country as well as No. 21 overall and third in the state of New York

-A three-star defensive tackle by ESPN, ranked No. 49 in the ESPN Junior College 50 (No. 15 among DT)

-Rated three stars by Rivals, which placed him at No. 68 overall in its 2014 top JUCO rankings

-Named a JUCO All-American honorable mention defensive lineman following the 2013 season

-Tallied 30 tackles, four sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss to help Nassau to a 9-2 record

-Named to the 2013 Northeast Conference First Team, and was the league’s Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 17, 2013

-A 2012 All-Northeast Conference Second Team selection

-Coached by Ric Wright at Mount Vernon High School

-Attended Biondi High School, but played for Mount Vernon since Biondi did not have a football program

-Earned a spot on the all-state first team as a senior in 2011

-A Class AA all-section performer his final two years

-Earned sectional MVP honors while playing basketball for Biondi

-Picked up football offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Syracuse, Tennessee and USC

-Born in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

-Son of Lance McDowdell and Tyia Patrick

Wyatt Miller

OL, 6-6, 280

Douglas, Ga. (Coffee)

-Coached by Robby Pruitt at Coffee High School, playing tight end and tackle

-Ranked as the No. 53 offensive tackle by 247Sports and at No. 92 by ESPN

-Both outlets also listed him with three stars

-Selected to the 2013 All-Region 1-AAAAAA First Team

-Received a spot in the 2014 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando, playing right guard alongside fellow UCF signees Chavis Dickey (right tackle) and Luke Palmer (left guard), as well as Mike Rogers and Kyle Gibson

-Posted one catch for 17 yards as a junior, with Coffee reaching the first round of the playoffs in 2011 and 2012

-Lettered four years on the baseball field, three years on the gridiron and once on the basketball hardwood

-Hit .330 as a first baseman in 2013

-Member of the student council and was in the top 5% of his class

-Earned offers from Marshall and Middle Tennessee, as well as interest from Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Missouri and Vanderbilt

-Born in Douglas, Ga.

-Parents are Randy Miller and Janie Hester

Tre Neal

DB, 6-2, 185

Buford, Ga. (Buford)

-Coached by Jess Simpson at Buford High School, where he played safety, cornerback and receiver

-Received three stars from ESPN and 247Sports

-247Sports also ranks him as the No. 76 safety in the country

-Buford won the GHSA AAA state championship in both 2012 and 2013

-A 2013 honorable mention all-state choice at defensive back

-Grabbed a spot on the Gwinnett Daily Post 2013 All-County Second Team

-Completed senior year with 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, three break-ups and two interceptions, while also having 31 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns

-For his career, had 97 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, eight break-ups and four picks, and on offense notched 66 receptions with 824 yards and five touchdowns

-Named to the 2012 7-AAA All-Region First Team as a wide receiver

-Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

-Also competed in basketball, baseball and track and field

-Offered by Cincinnati, East Carolina, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.), Middle Tennessee USF, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt and West Virginia, and had interest from Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, NC State, Stanford, Virginia and Wisconsin

-Born in Lawrenceville, Ga.

-Parents are Tino and Tracy Neal

Luke Palmer

OL, 6-4, 280

Wauchula, Fla. (Hardee)

-Coached by Buddy Martin at Hardee High School

-Named the No. 95 offensive tackle and with three stars by ESPN

-Received a spot in the 2014 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando, playing left guard alongside fellow UCF signees Chavis Dickey (right tackle) and Wyatt Miller (right guard), as well as Mike Rogers and Kyle Gibson

-Selected to play in the 2014 Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Football Classic

-Helped Hardee reach the 2013 FHSAA 5A regional finals

-Posted 74 pancake blocks/knockdowns as a senior

-Named to the 2013 5A All-State First Team

-Selected to the 2013 FloridaHSFootball.com All-Southwest Florida Regional First Team

-Attended UCF’s lineman camp in 2013

-A three-year starter for the baseball team, and also participated for two seasons in basketball

-Member of the National Honor Society and spent three years on the leadership committee for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

-Offered by Clemson and Marshall, and had interest from Air Force, Missouri and USF

-Born in Tampa, Fla.

-Parents are West and Laina Palmer

Jamiyus Pittman

DL, 6-2, 300

Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County)

-Coached by Rush Propst at Colquitt County High School

-A three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports

-Ranked as the No. 34 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals, No. 41 by ESPN and No. 54 by 247Sports

-A 2013 All-Region 1-AAAAAA Honorable Mention defensive lineman

-Colquitt County reached at least the GHSA state semifinals each year from 2010-13

-Atlanta Journal-Constitution named him one of the best 10 high school defensive linemen in Georgia in 2013

-Competed in Georgia’s Rising Seniors Junior Bowl in 2013

-Played in eight games in 2013, collecting four sacks and approximately 50 tackles

-Selected as a 2011 and 2012 All-Region 1-AAAAAA First Team honoree

-Led the team in 2012 with 10 sacks, and also had 76 tackles overall

-Member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

-Also was a power forward on the basketball team

-Received offers from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska and NC State, with interest from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Wisconsin

-Born in Moultrie, Ga.

-Parents are Nathan Pittman and Zannita Jenkins

Mike Rogers

DB, 6-0, 180

Smyrna, Ga. (Campbell)

-Coached by Harris Rainbow at Campbell High School

-247Sports lists him with four stars and as the No. 19 safety in the country

-A three-star safety from ESPN which places him at No. 55 nationally at the position

-Ranked with three stars and as the No. 32 athlete in the country by Rivals

-Named the 2013 Marietta Daily Journal Player of the Year and to the 2013 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State AAAAAA First Team

-Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Orlando in January 2014 with fellow UCF signees Wyatt Miller, Chavis Dickey, Kyle Gibson and Luke Palmer

-As a senior in 10 games, rushed 197 times for 1,735 yards and 23 touchdowns, while on defense, posted 85 tackles, five forced fumbles and three interceptions

-On special teams in 2013, had 15 kickoff returns for 651 yards and three touchdowns, along with six punt returns for 156 yards and a score

-Against Kennesaw Mountain in October 2013, rushed for a reported 397 yards and four touchdowns

-Picked up offers from Arkansas, Cincinnati, Clemson, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ohio State, Syracuse and Vanderbilt, with interest from Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota

-Son of Anita Perkins

Tre’Quan Smith

WR, 6-3, 180

Delray Beach, Fla. (Village Academy)

-Coached by Donald Hanna at Village Academy High School

-A three-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports

-Saw time at wide receiver and defensive back in high school

-Earned a spot on the Palm Beach Post All-Area First Team (small schools) in 2012 and 2013

-Village Academy reached the 2012 and 2013 FHSAA 2A regional semifinals

-Posted 30 catches for 674 yards, had 429 rushing yards with 14 overall touchdowns and intercepted three passes in 2013

-Collected 41 receptions for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior when he was on the all-state second team, while posting seven interceptions with two being returned for touchdowns

-Listed as the No. 4 prospect in Palm Beach County by the Sun Sentinel

-Named the 2012 Class 2A Underclassman MVP of the Year by FloridaHSFootball.com

-Was a second-team all-area (small schools) pick as a junior forward for the basketball team, averaging 15 points and 14 rebounds per game

-An honorable-mention all-area choice in the 400M in track and field, claiming the district championship, and also was a state semifinalist by clocking a time of 51.70 seconds

-Began playing football as a junior, picking up two letters, and earned three letters in basketball and two in track and field

-Member of the honor roll his final two years

-Received offers from BYU, Nebraska, USF, UCLA and Virginia Tech, and interest from Arkansas, Florida Atlantic, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, South Carolina and West Virginia

-Born in Delray Beach, Fla.

-Son of Falonda Edwards

Chris Williams

DB, 6-2, 180

St. Marys, Ga. (Camden County)

-Coached by Welton Coffey at Camden County High School, starting at cornerback but also playing safety

-Received four stars from ESPN, which placed him at No. 19 in the nation among safeties and No. 32 overall in the state of Georgia

-Rivals lists him with three stars and at No. 40 on its safeties chart, while 247Sports gives him three stars and puts him at No. 50 in the country among safeties

-Selected to the 2013 1-AAAAAA All-Region First Team

-During 2013, had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Tifton, and three interceptions with two going back for scores against Savannah Beach

-Also had several solid games as a senior running back, highlighted by a 145-yard performance and two touchdowns vs. Baker County (Fla.)

-Posted six interceptions with three being returned for scores, 698 all-purpose yards and eight overall touchdowns in 2013

-Helped Camden County reach the round of 16 of the 2013 GHSA AAAAAA state tournament, and the quarterfinals in 2012

-Collected six rushing touchdowns, one receiving score and 670 all-purpose yards as a junior

-Played basketball and competed in track and field as well in high school

-Picked up offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi, North Carolina and Ohio State

-Son of Cassandra Floyd

A.J. Wooten

DL, 6-5, 240

Alapaha, Ga. (Berrien)

-Coached by Ed Pilcher at Berrien High School

-Ranked with three stars and as the No. 100 defensive end in the nation by ESPN

-Saw time as a defensive end and offensive tackle for Berrien

-Earned a spot in the Georgia North/South All-Star Classic in December 2013

-Posted at least five sacks as a senior, and received the team’s Rebel Award

-Came through with 64 tackles and four sacks during his junior campaign

-Also suited up on the basketball team in high school where he was a second-team all-region pick in 2012-13

-Member of the Beta Club and the Future Business Leaders of America

-Recruited by Auburn, Duke, Georgia and Miami (Fla.)

-First name is Adonijah

-Born in Tifton, Ga.

-Parents are Ned Wooten and Minnie Loyd