UCF has On3's No. 1 ranked class in the Big 12 and looking for more this weekend against Colorado

Undefeated UCF (3-0) will host well over 100 recruits for Saturday’s showdown with Colorado (3-1), with close to 90 of them already holding a scholarship.

They’ll be soaking in one of the weekend’s best atmospheres as they contemplate a potential future playing for Gus Malzahn and his staff.

On3 looks at some of the most intriguing visitors.

UCF a major contender for elite pass rusher Javion Hilson

Cocoa (Fla.) High On300 edge rusher and blue-chip recruit Javion Hilson is one of the headliners. He is the On3 Industry’s No. 3 edge rusher and No. 39 prospect overall.

The On3 RPM is favoring Texas for the nearly 6-foot-4, 225-pound Hilson, but I view the Knights as the Longhorns biggest competition.

As it stands now, UCF has 19 commits and sits on the On3 Industry’s No. 1 ranked class in the Big 12. Many of those guys will return and Hilson is certainly one of their most coveted targets for this stretch run they aim to get to join.

Flip targets for the Knights

There’s a bunch coming in for this game.

On3 Industry four-star running back and long-time Florida commit Waltez Clark has been to UCF four or five times in his process. He’s not on flip watch anytime soon, but as the Knights season goes one way and the Gators perhaps goes another, Malzahn and his staff will keep the foot on the gas with the Tampa (Fla.) Plant standout.

Tampa (Fla.) Gaither On300 edge rusher and LSU commit Jesse Harrold is making his second visit fo the fall to UCF.

Miami offensive line commit Max Buchanan is excited to get on campus. LSU defensive line commit Brandon Brown has already flipped once (from Texas) during his process. UCF chipping away to try and get him to do it again.

Elite 2025 receivers in five-star Dallas Wilson (Oregon commit) and On300 recruit Joshua Moore (Florida verbal) are also on the list.

2026 safety Devin Jackson is an early verbal to Florida still keeping a keen eye on UCF.

Trending for a QB

Added my On3 RPM in favor of UCF for On3 Industry four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth. This will be his fourth visit and first game checking out the Knights.

The On3 Industry ranks Duckworth as the No. 12 quarterback in the class and No. 137 prospect overall.

Notable 2026 names

The top-ranked prospect making his way to campus will be the On3 Industry’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman and No. 6 prospect overall in 2026 in Lamar Brown. Brown could also be an elite defensive tackle on the next level.

A big group from IMG Academy is expected including On300 2025 linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and On300 2026 offensive lineman Breck Kolojay and G’Nivre Carr. From that group UCF is best positioned with Carr.

On300 2026 receiver Jayden Petit has already been to UCF a few times. On300 2026 safety Ayden Pouncey is coming back and the Knights are one of his favorites.

On300 2026 offensive lineman Chancellor Barclay is one UCF is doing very well with early. Same can be written about On300 defensive lineman Kendall Guervil.

In-state On300 2026 linebacker Malik Morris is making his first visit.

On300 2026 receiver Somourian Wingo keeps coming back to UCF.

2026 cornerback Jalen Williams is a major name to know.

High-profile 2027 prospects

The On3 Industry’s No. 1 ranked 2027 running back and No. 7 prospect overall Ezavier Crowell will be in for the game and UCF is one of his early front runners.

Receiver Kaneilius Purdy is a top of the board prospect in the 2027 class.

IMG 2027 running back Tranard Roberts will come too.