Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

UCF Predicted to Land Highly Touted Star Over Florida State and Ohio State

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Charles Negron | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 10:57 AM ET

The UCF Knights is right at the center of the Sunshine State, and there is more than enough blue-chip talent to keep at home when it comes to college football recruiting. The lifeblood of any successful Big 12 program is recruiting.

As the Scott Frost 2.0 era begins in Orlando, the program could be bolstered by finally recruiting blue-chip talent with a power conference tag.

UCF is no longer in the Group of Five, but with a “Power Two” narrative looming for the rest of college football for those not a part of the SEC or Big Ten, winning recruiting battles against established in-state power brokers and programs with a national brand will be paramount for the Knights.

Frost may have a chance to land a highly touted four-star prospect over the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida State Seminoles.

Jake Kreul, class of 2026 four-star EDGE from powerhouse IMG Academy in Orlando, Fla., is quickly rising the defensive player rankings and has made it known that he is in the mix to make himself a “Hometown Hero” in East Orlando.

Jake Kreul was one of the biggest risers in the updated ESPN Jr. 300 jumping up 79 spots to No. 19 overall @JK_DE_SNAKE_34

A disruptive force off the EDGE, Kreul gets after the QB and applies pressure in the run game https://t.co/K0oqhVhqWL pic.twitter.com/nkxVEKmRQK
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) February 12, 2025

Kreul is an ESPN 300 riser at No. 19 overall for the 2026 college football recruiting cycle. Former UCF coach Gus Malzahn resigned after an underwhelming 4-8 campaign in 2024, leading the way for a Frost renaissance in Orlando last Dec.

While most of Malzahn’s former staff were either let go or followed the veteran coach up I-75 to Tallahassee, Fla., one key piece remained: Defensive Tackle Coach Kenny Martin. Martin, an Orlando, Fla., native, has recruited Kreul since 2022, providing his first D1 offer.

⚔️⚔️⚔️❔ pic.twitter.com/3AAu3IpaR6
— Jake Kreul 5⭐️ EDGE (@JK_DE_SNAKE_34) January 29, 2025

Martin was instrumental in landing elite talent John Walker from Osceola High School in the 2023 recruiting cycle and is responsible for orchestrating one of the most prolific units during his time with the program.

I am humbled & blessed for @CoachGusMalzahn @Coach_Martin95 @CoachKIngram for recognizing my hard work as @UCF_Football has given me my first D1 offer. @Rivals @AlPopsFootball @On3Recruits @UANextFootball @247Sports @ErikRichardsUSA @Excelspeed12 @trenchmenAC @HornetFB_1MOORE pic.twitter.com/X1PzUfYtgR
— Jake Kreul 5⭐️ EDGE (@JK_DE_SNAKE_34) June 11, 2022

On3.com predicts UCF will land Kreul over Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma Sooners and Miami Hurricanes. The Knights are given a 16.9% chance to land Kreul compared to Florida State's 14.8%.

With the ever-changing landscape of college football and realignment (or sometimes relegation), UCF needs to make a splash as the program tries to regain relevance on the national stage. A stay-at-home order for the services of an elite talent like Kreul would greatly improve the chances of this resurgence.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: