2024 DB Christian Peterson commits to UCF: 'I feel like I'm at home'

Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake three-star safety Christian Peterson felt at home at UCF. He has always been treated well in Orlando.

Peterson has decided to become the latest in a run on players from Georgia to pledge to the Knights. There was a litany of factors for Peterson.

How he was treated at UCF was near the top. There was also comfort with UCF’s coaching. The move to the Big 12 was one of the cherries on top for Peterson.

“What stood out with them was how I was treated there,” Peterson told On3. “Every time I went up there, I got the red carpet treatment. Their defensive coordinator Addison Williams and I have been locked in for a long time. They also went Big 12 this year, that sealed the deal for me.”

UCF feels right for Peterson when he’s on campus.

“I really feel like I’m at home,” Peterson said. “The Florida atmosphere, the heat the water, I just feel like I’m at home every time that I go there. They love me and I love them. We’ve had that little bond.”

Christian Peterson has multiple ties to UCF

There are a lot of ties outside of the group of commits that have pledged to the Knights. Williams went to Westlake High School.

Peterson has known Williams since he was 14-years-old.

Peterson has been a mainstay in Cam Newton’s C1N 7-on-7 programs for years. Newton is also a Westlake graduate.

“He’s from Westlake so that’s kind of unique and he’s best friends with Cam Newton,” Peterson said. “He’s been around C1N for a minute and so have I. I’ve been locked in with him since I was like 14-years-old.”

Newton’s former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is the head coach at UCF. Peterson turned to Newton for insight on Malzahn during his recruitment.

Newton passed along high marks for Malzahn.

“Cam said that coach Malzahn was an unbelievable coach,” Peterson said. “He told me he would put me in a position to be successful. He loves you more than on the field, he loves you off the field also.”

Peterson had the chance to check those boxes for himself over time. Malzahn made a major impression on Peterson throughout the process. Peterson has faith in what Malzahn and UCF is building in Orlando.

The recent commitments of four-stars Stacy Gage, Kylan Fox, Waltclaire Flynn, Qua Birdsong and 2025 four-star quarterback EJ Colson has spiked some momentum on the recruiting trail for the Knights. UCF also landed the commitment of fellow C1N star Jakob Gude on Thursday.

“He’s big on competing,” Peterson said. “I feel like competition breeds championships. That’s big for me. There has to be competition at practice, making each other better. We’re getting dudes now, more are coming. It’s going to be special over there in Orlando.”