UCF Beats Out SEC Competition for DL Jayden Curtis

UCF has landed a key addition to its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of three-star defensive lineman Jayden Curtis out of St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Curtis, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound prospect, was ranked No. 133 nationally in his class and served as a pillar of his high school defense during his senior season.

What made the commitment particularly impactful was UCF’s ability to close ahead of programs like Ole Miss, Tulane, Memphis, and Arkansas State. Curtis picked up UCF’s offer after attending a camp and maintained an official visit with the Knights from St. Martin through early June.

That visit proved decisive. He shared that defensive line coach Kenny Martin “has been on me ever since. I love Coach Kenny Martin,” illustrating the bond that set UCF apart.

Curtis arrives in Orlando as one of the Knights’ highest-rated defensive line commits. His combination of size, motor, and production, 52 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks last season, fits UCF’s vision for a disruptive interior presence.

For UCF, adding a prospect like Curtis signals momentum in attracting regional talent. The school is building a strong foundation of physical players who fit into its fast-paced defensive identity. As he prepares to transition from Mississippi big man to Big 12 matchup weapon, Curtis offers a glimpse at what the Knights are building up front.

Curtis’s commitment highlights UCF’s continued recruiting push under coach Scott Frost. With NIL engagement growing and DL depth at a premium, landing a player of Curtis’s profile marks a win in the trenches and a sign that UCF is making waves in the 2026 cycle.