South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Rizk ready for next chapter
Cardinal Gibbons QB reflects on past year, looks forward to UCF
A year ago, Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) quarterback Dylan Rizk made his way to UCF for a recruiting camp.
Thanks to a strong showing, he left Orlando with a scholarship offer ahead of his junior season of high school football.
Fast forward to last weekend, Rizk returned to UCF for an official visit already verbally committed (non-binding) to the Knights since April.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback reflected on the past year, which included helping lead his team to a 4A state championship over Cocoa.
“I was doing a bunch of camps, doing my thing, and got the offer which was awesome,” Rizk said. “Now I’m here at the same time and I’m committed, which is awesome. I can’t believe it. It’s really a blessing.”
Rizk already had a strong relationship with UCF offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. Before arriving in Orlando, Lindsey recruited Rizk while he was the head coach at Troy in Alabama.
The two bonded over golf during Rizk’s official visit to UCF.
“We went to Topgolf,” Rizk said. “Coach Chip is probably the most competitive guy I know, whether it was playing card games or golf. He beat me in everything. But it was really fun. I can’t explain how much fun I had.”
Rizk also spent a good amount of the official visit with his UCF player host, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.
“He’s a really awesome guy,” Rizk said. “We talked about personal stuff and football. We went to a bowling alley and an arcade. I met
some of his friends.”
Plumlee transferred to UCF in January after spending three years at Ole Miss. Rizk made sure to ask about Plumlee’s decision.
“I talked to him about his transition here,” Rizk said. “I’m also trying to enroll early and I know he came in January, so how was it for him to adapt in 3-4 months. He said it was the best transition he’s had.”
Rizk was able to meet the rest of the UCF quarterback room as well, including sophomore Mikey Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos.
“All really nice guys,” Rizk said. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be a great quarterback room. Real good genuine guys, which is awesome.”
Rizk was one of six UCF commits to make their way to campus last weekend. A number of other recruits who aren’t verbally pledged to UCF visited as well.
The trip meant he was able to talk with other members of UCF’s 2023 recruiting class, including
Lakewood (St. Petersburg) 4-star edge rusher Isaiah Nixon and East Forsyth (N.C.) tight end Jayvontay Conner among others.
“I built some relationships with players I didn’t have a relationship with,” Rizk said. “I already knew some guys like Jayvontay and the defensive end from Lakewood.
“I built relationships with some of the kids who aren’t committed,” he added. “I’m definitely going to be in contact with a lot of them trying to get them here. It was an overall great weekend.”
Part of Rizk’s pitch to those recruits is that their first season in Orlando will be in the Big 12 Conference. The 2023 move to the Power Five league was finalized Friday.
“I can’t wait,” Rizk said. “I see such a bright future with this program. I think everybody sees that, too. You can feel the vibe when you walk in here. Everyone is just so ready. Big things are going to happen here. Everyone can see it and feel it.”