4-star OT Chastan Brown decommits from UCF

Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside four-star offensive tackle Chastan Brown has decommitted from UCF, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He was pledged to the Knights since July 11, but is now back on the board following Saturday’s news that UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is leaving Orlando to become the new offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Brown is the No. 399 overall prospect and No. 25 OT in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 54 player in Georgia.

The 6-foot-7 trench monster is the first recruiting domino to fall upon the news of Malzahn’s expected departure. Brown also holds offers from the likes of Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Duke, Houston, Pitt and others.

Entering Saturday, UCF held commitments from 12 prospects, compiling a class that ranked No. 51 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Brown was one of four blue-chippers in the class entering the weekend.

With Brown no longer in the class, UCF now has just two offensive linemen in the fold via Roswell (Ga.) three-star IOL Andrew Stargel and Cocoa (Fla.) three-star IOL Jaquez Joiner. Plenty of movement is expected with National Signing Day just five days away.

More on Gus Malzahn’s move to FSU

Malzahn took over at UCF in 2021 and found quick success. The Knights finished with nine wins in each of his first two seasons before making the leap to the Big 12, and they went 6-7 a year ago. However, UCF struggled this year with a 4-8 record, leading to questions about Malzahn’s future in Orlando.

Now, he’s reuniting with Norvell. The two worked together at Tulsa, and Malzahn said he “discovered” both him through their connection with Springdale High School in Arkansas. Norvell was a graduate assistant and later worked his way up the coaching ranks and is now at Florida State, which made a slew of staff changes amid a two-win campaign.

Malzahn last worked as an offensive coordinator from 2009-11 at Auburn before he returned to Arkansas as the Arkansas State head coach. Auburn then brought him back as head coach from 2012-20, and he amassed a 68-35 record and took the Tigers to the national championship in his first season at the helm. His departure following a 6-5 record in the COVID-impacted 2020 season took him to UCF to replace Josh Heupel, who took over at Tennessee.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this story.