FSU commit Pritchard remains firm, but has UCF on his mind
UCF had about 50 recruits on hand Friday night at the Knights’ annual spring game, and several local players expressed their interest in possibly playing at the Bounce House one day.
One of those interested onlookers was Ethan Pritchard, a standout linebacker at Seminole High who is committed to FSU.
“I’m 100 percent committed, but I’m exploring right now,” Pritchard said.
Pritchard, ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Sentinel’s 2025 Super60, said it’s possible that he could consider joining the Seminole pipeline to UCF.
It has run quite freely in recent years, bringing in players such as new Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Gabe Davis and former cornerback Bam Moore as well as current players in twin defensive backs Demari Henderson and Ja’Cari Henderson, tight end Jordan Davis — Gabe’s brother — and linebacker Kam Moore, Bam’s brother.
“I could definitely see myself playing here,” said Pritchard, listing first-year co-defensive coordinator Ted Roof on the plus side for UCF. “I really like coach Roof and how they rotate in the linebackers and everybody gets playing time. I’m really liking it.”
The litany of talent from Seminole adds to the intrigue. So is the chance to play closer to home.
“There are players here who I played with my freshman year, so most definitely it would be real fun to be playing with them,” Pritchard said.
A few other top targets for the Knights are 2026 linebackers in Kingston Shaw of Apopka and Michael McClenton of Ocoee.
Shaw, with his size at 6-foot4, 225 pounds and growing, will likely end up as a rush end in college and has the speed and athleticism to play anywhere around the defensive edges.
“I’m really liking UCF,” Shaw said. “It’s a nice, close proximity to home, a good environment and I have a couple of former teammates I played with who are now at UCF. … I feel good about it.
“I definitely could see myself here [at UCF]. All my family could come over. It would be really cool.”
Shaw missed two games last year but had 56 tackles — six per game. He is but a blip on the recruiting radar, but he likely will blow up and become the next star out of Apopka.
“Recruiting is going really well right now and it’s just about to ramp up come spring,” he said. “The first thing overall [coaches say] is that I pass the eye test. They like my size, my speed, the way I play on the field.
“I’m really looking forward to this next season. I’m really going to have to step up as a leader. We have a really nice schedule and we play a lot of tough teams. I feel really confident, though.”
He shrugs off the pressure and expectations.
“It’s not really pressure when you’re confident,” Shaw said. “I’ve already been prepared for it by people prior, so I have just developed as a leader. It’s really just passing the baton. That’s it.”
The 6-foot, 220-pound McClenton has not been offered by UCF yet, but he is certainly interested in staying home. UCF tops his list.
Despite averaging 20 tackles per game, easily an Ocoee record, McClenton is not on the radar of most recruiting boards. His size will hamper him as he tries to gain attention, and that can be challenging.
“Right now I’m just an undersized kid and that’s why a lot of schools look over me,” said McClenton, who has one Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offer from Marshall. “[Ultimately], it’s all about who plays football … who makes plays.
“Once they catch on to that, my recruiting will pick up.”
He could see himself playing at UCF, but being close to home isn’t the top priority.
“It’s important, but it’s not a need. I really like [UCF] and I really like the coaches and the way they showed me love,” McClenton said. “I like the way they play their linebackers and their defensive scheme … and how together they are as a family.”