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ORLANDO — UCF’s biggest recruiting weekend of the summer paid instant dividends Sunday afternoon when one of the Knights’ prized 2025 offensive line targets verbally committed inside Gus Malzahn’s office.
Gavin Blanchard, who recently transferred to Wiregrass Ranch from Tampa Jesuit, told Malzahn, offensive line coach Herb Hand and director of high school relations Jeris McIntyre that he was “all-in, through thick and thin” with UCF and planned to shut down his recruitment. He received hugs and a round of applause inside the Wayne Densch Athletic Center and announced his commitment on social media hours after the conclusion of Bounce House Weekend.
“It basically just affirmed what I already know — that this place is family,” Blanchard said. “That’s the most important thing. It’s a family here. That’s why I want to be a part of it.”
Wiregrass Ranch offensive lineman Gavin Blanchard (51) poses with UCF football coach Gus Malzahn during his official visit. Blanchard committed to the Knights on June 2.
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Blanchard became the Knights’ 10th verbal commit for the 2025 cycle, a class that currently ranks 23rd in the nation according to 247Sports’ composite scores. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound guard is the No. 59 interior offensive line prospect in the country, and he held Power 4 offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Purdue and TCU.
UCF likes Blanchard at left guard, he said, though he also lined up at right tackle and right guard during the 2023 season for Jesuit as it reached the regional final round of the Class 3M playoffs. He performed well at the Under Armour All-America Next camp series event in Orlando in February.
“I’ve been wanting to commit here for a little while,” Blanchard said. “I figured this was the time to do…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ucf-football-recruiting-tampa-area-132301422.html
Author : Daytona Beach News-Journal
Publish date : 2024-06-04 13:23:01
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