3-star safety Jakob Gude commits to UCF: 'I feel real, genuine love'

Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes three-star safety Jakob Gude made a statement on how he feels about the future of UCF.

On Saturday, he chose UCF over Alabama, Florida and others. Gude believes in the plan being implemented by head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff as UCF heads to the Big 12 in 2024. Gude has seen Malzahn do some of the things he has planned for UCF during his time at Auburn. That was a major selling point for Gude.

The versatile defensive back is confident in his ability to succeed anywhere. Gude felt UCF gave him a place to display his talent but also he felt a real connection with the people at UCF.

“I liked the way that he broke it down and how he said how similar it’s feeling to what he’s doing at UCF,” Gude said. “He seems to know a lot of good football and he’s coached a lot of good players. He’s sent a lot of players to the league. Wherever I go, I feel like I can go put the work in and make it to the league. At UCF, I feel real, genuine love.”

Jakob Gude the latest addition to a growing stronghold in the class of 2024 for UCF

The class of 2024, which recently added four-star Stacy Gage, Kylan Fox, Qua Birdsong and Waltclaire Flynn, has a chance to be a part of building a strong foundation in Orlando.

Gude is all in on building something at UCF. He feels his committed classmates have a similar outlook on the future in Orlando.

“I think people are noticing what coach Malzahn has in store and what he’s trying to accomplish,” Gude said. “The only way to accomplish it is buying in and committing and getting into the process. They’re seeing what we can do. I’m sure the others want to be someplace where they can build their own legacy and build a new program. That’s what I’m on. That’s what we’ve been talking about… Them moving to the Big 12 was like ‘okay, bet’ now we’re on bigger stages now. We have folks there now, I feel like we’re going to have a really good season this year. I like what’s going on.”

Gude made his decision within the last week. The Knights had his attention for some time. Gude connected with UCF on multiple levels.

He and defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Addison Williams have a strong comfort level with one another. Williams is an Atlanta native.

“It was a family vibe,” Gude said. “I’m really comfortable with the coaches. Coach AD (Addison Williams) is from right around the way, so I felt comfortable with him. Not that I don’t feel comfortable with other schools but that’s where it felt the best right now. I felt really comfortable there.”