UCF’s Peach Bowl victory attracts transfers.
UCF’s Peach Bowl success has made the Knights an attractive destination. New Knights coach
Josh Heupel has landed a pair of elite transfers during the past week.
Tre Nixon, a speedy wide receiver who spent this past two seasons at Ole Miss, announced Sunday via his Twitter account that he will be transferring to UCF.
“First of all, I would like to thank the University of Mississippi and Coach [Matt] Luke for giving me the opportunity to be part of the rebel family,” Nixon posted on Twitter. “The relationships I made at Ole Miss are things I will cherish for a lifetime. With that being said, I would like to announce I'll be transferring and returning home to play football for the University of Central Florida!”
Nixon redshirted his first year at Ole Miss after signing with the Rebels in February 2016. This past season, he played in 10 games and had one catch for 19 yards.
Nixon has reportedly retained the services of an attorney to help usher him through the NCAA transfer process without having to sit out a year. Following sanctions handed down by the NCAA after an investigation into athletics department improprieties, the governing body ruled that rising seniors could transfer without having to sit out a year. Nixon will be a redshirt sophomore next season.
In high school, Nixon helped lead Viera to the 2015 Class 7A state championship game as a senior. The Hawks ran into traditional juggernaut Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, losing 45-10.
During his senior season, Nixon caught 79 passes for 1,243 yards and 18 touchdowns. The quarterback throwing him the football is also at UCF. Hayden Kingston threw for 3,876 yards and 42 touchdowns that season. He walked on at UCF in 2016.
He was ranked as the No. 23 player in the state in the Sentinel’s 2016 Florida Top 100 and the No. 35 wide receiver in the country according to the 2016 247Sports composite rankings.
Nixon’s decision was confirmed soon after another big transfer.
Former Bishop Moore defensive end/tight end Jonathon MacCollister
announced via his Twitter account Friday that he is transferring from Notre Dame to UCF.
“I would like to thank the University of Notre Dame and coach [Brian]
Kelly and his coaching staff for giving me an amazing opportunity to be part of one of the best institutions in the country,” MacCollister posted on Twitter. “I would also like to thank my teammates for accepting me into their family and treating me like their brother from day one, and to me they will always be my brothers. I would also like to thank all the friends I've made up at Notre Dame, especially Alumni Hall for being amazing and caring people.
“... That being said, after much thought, prayer, and talking it over with my loved ones ... I would like to announce that I will be transferring and coming home to play [tight end] for the University of Central Florida.”
The 6-foot-3, 233-pound MacCollister, a freshman who was listed as a defensive lineman at Notre Dame, did not play a snap for the Irish during his first season. He comes to UCF with four years of eligibility remaining.
MacCollister was a member of the 2017 graduating class at Orlando Bishop Moore and he helped guide the Hornets to the Class 5A state title during this junior season in 2015. During that season, MacCollister, who is nicknamed Big Bird, had 42 tackles, including five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He also played tight end and had 21 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He was the No. 2 overall player in the Sentinel’s 2017 Central Florida Super60 and was also named Class 5A All-State.
MacCollister started out his high school career at Lake Mary Prep, and then DeLand High, where he played offensive tackle. He is the second Bishop Moore player to transfer to UCF from Notre Dame, joining former teammate Parker
Boudreaux, an offensive guard who transferred last summer. UCF has also signed a Bishop Moore player in the current recruiting cycle in offensive lineman Eric Seidelman.