UCF likes Blanchard at left guard, he said, though he also lined up at right tackle and right guard during the 2023 season for Jesuit as it reached the regional final round of the Class 3M playoffs. He performed well at the Under Armour All-America Next camp series event in Orlando in February.
“I’ve been wanting to commit here for a little while,” Blanchard said. “I figured this was the time to do it.
“I’m going to come in, work and do my job. I’m going to work to get my spot.”
UCF rolled in luxury cars Friday night, brought recruits to Universal’s Islands of Adventures and hosted a campus-wide scavenger hunt on golf carts Saturday. Here are some other recruiting notes from the weekend: Committed to Auburn since Feb. 1, 2023, Autry attended the Knights’ spring game in April and has maintained strong bonds with Malzahn and defensive tackles coach Kenny Martin. Autry posted onto X that he had a “GREAT VISIT,” along with the hashtag “make history” and a pair of thinking emojis. UCF has never signed a five-star football recruit.
During his junior season at Opelika, Autry (6-6, 283) recorded 56 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven QB hurries and 3½ sacks. He is also scheduled to take official visits to USC, Florida and Ohio State this month.
Johnson committed to Alabama on March 20, but listed UCF among his finalists at the time. He reaffirmed his pledge to the Crimson Tide when asked Sunday, adding that he wanted to “keep his eyes open” in case anything significant changes.
“Some schools just cut me off actually, and I’m mad about it,” Johnson said. “But (UCF) is going to keep coming until the end and keep recruiting me.”
Johnson (6-3, 205) heads to Tuscaloosa next weekend, followed by a trip to Auburn. The All-Region selection collected 103 tackles for Dodge County as a junior.
UCF explores QB market with Malik Washington, KaMario Taylor
UCF has made several significant changes to its quarterback room since the conclusion of the 2023 season, adding KJ Jefferson (Arkansas) and Jacurri Brown (Miami) from the transfer portal and both Riley Trujillo and EJ Colson from the high school ranks.
However, with Jefferson brought in on a one-year basis, Malzahn and his staff will explore the possibility of adding another talented dual-threat in this class. Two Elite 11 finalists made the trip to Orlando for Bounce House Weekend: Archbishop Spalding (Maryland)’s Malik Washington and Noxubee County (Mississippi)’s KaMario Taylor, currently committed to play for former UCF offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State.
“The last time (Malzahn) had a quarterback built like me, he went and won a national championship with Cam Newton,” Washington said. “I think I fit (the offense) pretty well.
“There was a point in the presentation where he showed a clip of Cam, and then me doing the same thing.”
Washington, who totaled nearly 2,300 yards of total offense with 27 TDs last fall, is one of the top uncommitted quarterbacks in the country, though there is plenty of interest in his services. He will visit Syracuse and Maryland in the weeks ahead.
Taylor (6-4, 205) put up monster numbers in helping Noxubee County reach Mississippi’s 3A state championship game for the second straight year, throwing for 3,634 yards with 48 TDs and just five picks and rushing 89 times for 794 yards and 15 scores.
Both signal-callers will compete in the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles from June 18-20, the nation’s premier high school quarterback showcase.
