UCF is getting after it on local recruiting scene

UCF, which long has been slammed for overlooking local prospects, worked hard to make Central Florida a base for its recruiting Class of 2009. The Knights signed Dr. Phillips DE Victor Gray, East Ridge DT Frankie Davis, and Edgewater DB Henry Wright and WR-KR Quincy McDuffie.

And already the Knights are really getting after area juniors early. According to players, parents or high school coaches the Knights have already tendered scholarship offers to these Class of 2010 stars: Oviedo QB Blake Bortles, Apopka CB Lo Wood, Dr. Phillips receivers Kenny Shaw and Ricardo Miller, Osceola multi-position teammates B.J. Butler and Marc Deas, and Lake Mary OL-DL Andrew Rice (6-3/270).

UCF became the first to offer Rice on Wednesday.

Butler also has offers from FSU and Kentucky. Deas also has a Kentucky offer.

Miller has orally committed to Michigan, where he has family connections, but that hasn't stopped anybody from calling. He also has offers from Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Boston College, Syracuse and USF according to DP.

Shaw also has been offered by Michigan, USF, Colorado State, Boston College and Syracuse.

Wood also has offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, among others.

Colorado State, which is building a pipeline to Orlando, also has offered Dr. Phillips junior LB Charles Favors and has already promised a scholarship to Panthers sophomore RB Dee Hart.