UCF Football Dealt Bad News on Highly Touted Star

On Thursday, On3.com's recruiting insider Hayes Fawcett dropped Kreul’s top 12 schools the pass rusher is considering. On3 had predicted UCF would lead the pack for Kreul’s commitment ahead of the Florida State Seminoles, Oklahoma Sooners and Ohio State Buckeyes. 

Kreul dropped his hometown team from even making the dozen cut. This news came to the dismay UCF fans on X.

Kreul’s NIL package may come with a hefty ask, but you’d at least think a hometown discount was in order, or at least a courtesy “hat on the table” on signing day, right?

There is a long time until the 2026 recruiting class is final and a lot can change until then.

UCF has the benefit of being a “parachute destination” in the college football transfer portal for elite talent that wants to return to “The City Beautiful” after being homesick or eager for a move up the depth chart.

There is no better example than Pittsburgh Panthers transfer defensive lineman Sincere Edwards, who previously spurned the hometown team 30 minutes away from Wekiva High School for the Steel City in the 2024 class. 

After a breakout freshman year, Edwards decided to come home and join Frost in his quest to bring back some momentum set into motion with the undefeated 2017 run his first time around.

Look for Defensive Tackle Coach Kenny Martin to keep pressing local Orlando, Fla., talent and inviting defenders to push to be part of UCF’s first College Football Playoff berth.