Jean-Baptiste happy to pledge to Knights
When
was on the UCF campus June 2, he was asked if he was on his official visit. He said he wasn’t, but he also said with emphasis, “But I’ll be back.”
Well, he didn’t need to return to be sold on the UCF program. The Homestead South Dade linebacker called coach
on Wednesday to let him know he was ready to commit to the Knights. Soon after that, he also called his main recruiter and UCF cornerbacks coach
“He was actually very excited and happy. He was the first person I called,” Jean-Baptiste said said of Heupel. “I spoke to Coach Bell after that and let him know that I had joined the family. Coach Bell congratulated me and said he was happy and proud of me and ready to work hard.”
Jean-Baptiste has been pleased with his relationship with Bell.
“It’s amazing. Coach Bell is like an older brother to me,” JeanBaptiste said. “He’s always giving me advice … and we have a good bond.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Jean-Baptiste was one of two linebackers who committed to UCF this week. Rockledge’s
(6-2, 210) pledged to the Knights on Tuesday, giving UCF nine commitments, including three linebackers, in its 2019 recruiting class. Miami Central’s
(6-0, 215) is the other linebacker as UCF looks to bolster a group that will need some depth after this season when the Knights lose and
Bethune and Brothers will both play outside linebackers, while Jean-Baptiste will play inside.
Jean-Baptiste said UCF is his dream school and he has been a big fan of the Knights ever since his parents first took him on a tour of the campus while the family was on a summer vacation to the Orlando area when he was 9 years old.
“Ever since I was a little kid, when I first visited UCF, I was like, ‘Wow, UCF is my dream COMMENTARY school. I want to come here,’ ” he said. “We were actually on a vacation and my dad said we were going to drive around the school and I was like, ‘Wow, everything is amazing.’ Everything was nice.”
So it was extra special for Jean-Baptiste last year to watch the Knights go through their unbeaten 13-0 season.
“It was phenomenal. It was great,” Jean-Baptiste said. “Coach
did a great job last year turning everything around. … That was really big for them last year.”
He said he loves the new coaching staff.
“They’re all actually great guys,” Jean-Baptiste said. “Coach Heupel, I spent a good amount of time with him, and we had a good conversation. He’s a very cool guy, and when it comes to work, he’s gonna work. He’s a hard-working man and he wants to make sure everything goes right.”
For those who have not seen Jean-Baptiste play, he had an interesting description of his skills on the field.
“It’s like a movie. Come watch the film. I become a monster,” JeanBaptiste said. “I’m a beast. I’m a monster. I’m a dawg. Come watch it.
“I’m planning to come to UCF and make a huge impact on defense.”
As a junior at South Dade last season, JeanBaptiste had 131 tackles (54 solo), seven tackles for loss, five sacks and three forced fumbles.
He also said he can’t wait for all of the renovations to be completed at the UCF athletic complex.
“I love everything about it. I love the campus, I love the people, I feel at home and I really have a good bond with all of the coaches,” Jean Baptiste said. “And one of the good things about it is that there is a lot of construction going on and there are going to be a lot of good things when I get there for my first year.
“I’m looking forward to the lazy river and the new nutrition building and the expansion of the locker room and a lot of changes to the weight room. … [the lazy river] will be right next to the facility so all of us guys are most likely going to be in there after practice.”
Jean-Baptiste said he will take his official visit to UCF either during the upcoming season, or afterward.
Knights fans might remember a big-time impact player from South Dade who played at UCF a few seasons back in receiver UCF also has a pair of former South Dade players on the current roster in brothers
(offensive line) and (linebacker). Running back was another South Dade alum at UCF, but he recently decided to transfer to James Madison, the 2016 Football Championship Subdivision national champ and 2017 national runner-up.