College football

Golden Knights add plenty of needed depth

Coming off a winless season, coach George O'Leary brings in the state's largest class.

By SHARON GINN
Published February 3, 2005

More than anything, Central Florida, which hasn't won since October 2003, needed bodies. Lots of them.

And that's what the Golden Knights got Wednesday in coach George O'Leary's second recruiting class.

The Golden Knights signed 19 on national signing day. Add the six midyear signees from junior colleges and academies who enrolled in January, and UCF has the state's largest class.

As UCF stumbled along last season to an 0-11 finish in O'Leary's debut - the only winless Division I-A team - he did not hide the fact the team needed to be rebuilt with stronger players.

The Golden Knights landed several sought-after state recruits and a few from out of state.

Travis Barr, an all-state linebacker from Chattahoochee (Ga.) High, was a surprise addition, spurning Illinois. But the Knights also lost a big one. Apopka's Marvin Peoples, considered one of the state's top linebackers, had committed to UCF but signed with Maryland.

Of Wednesday's signees, 14 are from Florida. Six are linebackers, and three are offensive linemen. O'Leary described it as a solid class that will add immediate depth. "They'll have a chance to prove in practice if they can help us or not," O'Leary said.

"But to be honest, I hope none (play next year) if the other kids get better."

Among the highlights of the class:

Barr was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super 11 team. He had 120 tackles, 16 for loss, as a senior and was named one of Georgia's top 25 prospects by Scout.com.

Defensive back Lammar Guy was a Class 6A first-team all-state selection and has been a three-sport star at Lake Brantley. Guy had 63 tackles, four interceptions and a fumble recovery as a senior.

Offensive lineman Richard Clark of Daytona Beach Seabreeze was a 3A first-team all-state selection and the nation's No.10 center, according to Rivals100.com. Clark did not allow a sack in three seasons and has experience at long snapper.

Tailback Jayson Williams of Conyers (Ga.) Salem had 1,200 rushing and 300 receiving yards as a senior and was a first-team all-state selection.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

[Last modified February 3, 2005, 01:08:13]