UCF football recruiting: ‘Hometown Hero’ event takes place this weekend

© Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS Apopka's Kaven Call (33), a 4-star defensive lineman, grabs the jersey of West Orange quarterback Tyler Huff during their Sept. 3 game last season.

The emphasis on recruiting the state of Florida, and specifically the Orlando area, is not exclusive to the 2022 signing class for UCF coach Gus Malzahn.

It’s why the Knights are hosting top talent in the 2023 class and beyond on Saturday during UCF’s “Hometown Hero” recruiting event.

The name explains itself — local high school athletes from Central Florida will be on campus as the focus shifts from the current recruiting cycle to the next.

However, not all of the recruits are from Orlando. Some attendees are traveling from South Florida and there will be a handful of out-of-state recruits.

The event begins at noon and runs through 4 p.m. It’s an opportunity for rising juniors and seniors to check out the Bounce House and visit UCF’s football facilities.

Top prospects in the 2023 class include UCF commit and Apopka 4-star defensive lineman Kaven Call, Orange Park 4-star offensive tackle Roderick Kearney and highly rated wide receivers from American Heritage in Brandon Inniss and Santana Fleming.

Inniss, a 5-star recruit, ranks as the No. 1 overall receiver in the 2023 cycle, according to 247Sports.

With that in mind, here’s a list of prospects expected to attend:

Local class of 2023 prospects

Apopka 4-star DL Kaven Call (verbal UCF commit)

Orange Park 4-star OT Roderick Kearney

Lake Mary 4-star CB Braeden Marshall

Lake Brantley 4-star LB Michael Harris*

Lake Brantley 4-star LB Andrew Harris*

Seminole 3-star WR Darren ‘Goldie’ Lawrence

Apopka TE Bryce Harrison

Apopka TE Antonio Ferguson

Seminole OL Josiah Chenault

Lakeland CB Twan Wilson

Lakeland S Kamaurri Mckinley

Kathleen CB Shadarian Harrison

Katthleen DE Idris King

Lakeland Christian TE Carson Byrd

Lakeland Christian WR Jamareon Bell

Lakeland Christian QB Parker St. John

Central Florida Christian Academy OL Xavier Wood

*-Brothers

Elsewhere from Florida

American Heritage 5-star WR Brandon Inniss

American Heritage 4-star WR Santana Fleming

American Heritage 4-star RB Mark Fletcher

Raines 4-star safety Kenton Kirkland

Columbia (Lake City) 4-star LB Jaden Robinson

Miami Central 3-star WR Lamar Seymore (verbal Miami commit)

Cardinal Gibbons 3-star QB Dylan Rizk

F. W. Buchholz 3-star ATH Creed Whittemore

Columbia (Lake City) 3-star S Amare Ferrell

North Fort Myers ATH Levontai Summersett

Carrollwood Day (Tampa) DB Eddie Pleasant III

Carrollwood Day (Tampa) DB Almari Brown

Cardinal Gibbons DT Aushawn Louis

Palmetto DL Andrew Rumph

Lake Wales DE Terrell James

Sebring OL Luke Swaine

Columbia (Lake City) WR Tray Tolliver

‘23 Out-of-State Prospects:

Grayson (Georgia) 3-star LB Jalen Smith

Sandy Creek (Georgia) 3-star CB Kaleb Cost

Dacula (Georgia) 3-star LB Jayden Bethea

Class of 2024 Prospects

Carrollwood Day 4-star CB Tavoy Feagin

Dillard 4-star CB Antione Jackson

Wekiva DL Sincere Edwards

Columbia (Lake City) DB Kani Fulton

Columbia (Lake City) DB Jerome Carter III

Sebring LB Josiah Taylor

‘24 Out-of-State Prospects

Mundy’s Mill (Georgia) RB Jerrick Gibson (verbal Florida commit)

Grayson (Georgia) DB Myles Woods

Grayson (Georgia) TE Kylan Fox

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.