UCF makes an offer to Oviedo 2024 OT Hylton
Oviedo offensive tackle Ty Hylton was quite surprised Monday when he learned he had been offered his first football scholarship by UCF.
“I was in shock, honestly ... just in disbelief,” said Hylton, who will be just a junior this season. “I was just thanking God. I went to church that day and it just felt great, so I know that the Lord did something good for me that day.”
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Hylton was offered by UCF special-teams coordinator and tight ends coach Brian Blackmon through Oviedo coach Greg Odierno.
“It just surprises me and, all I do is keep working hard,” Hylton said.
Hylton and the rest of the Oviedo offensive line have good reason to want to be great blockers. They are leading the way for one of the best running backs in Central Florida with senior D.J. Scott, who ran for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
“D.J. is definitely one of my favorite backs to block for,” Hylton said. “We’ve had this connection since middle school and us growing up together just really brings out the best in us on Friday nights.”
It’s a little too early in the game to ask Hylton if he has a favorite school, but UCF is just a few miles from where he lives.
“It just make me excited ... just really excited,” he
said.
Penn State offers Seminole, Spruce Creek linemen
Penn State is looking to bulk up its offensive line and coaches for the Nittany Lions have reached out to a pair of local underclassman blockers in Seminole’s Max Buchanan and Port Orange Spruce Creek’s Elijah Walker.
Buchanan is a 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle.
Walker is a 6-5, 300-pound offensive tackle. Of the Nittany Lions’ 12 returning linemen, five are seniors or juniors so they are looking for depth.
Spruce Creek has been known for producing offensive linemen in recent recruiting classes, and senior Jayson Edwards is another who gives the Hawks plenty of bulk up front.
Big things have been expected of Buchanan already, and he’ll surely being seeing plenty offers before making his decision.
Jones WR Jabari Smith draws attention
Another talented Jones athlete is gaining plenty of looks from college recruiters.
Senior Jabari Smith, a 5-11, 170-pound receiver, picked up his latest Football Bowl Subdivision offer from Kansas State. He also offers has Minnesota, FAU, New Mexico State, Akron and Marshall.
“He’s very consistent and real polished. He knows his spots and how to get into his spots and he has great hands and good body control. He can read defenses,” Jones coach Elijah Williams said. “A lot of high school receivers can run and catch, but he understands zones and man coverages, and he knows how to sight adjust on routes.”