Knights commit Call trying to recruit future teammates

When more than 100 prospects mostly from Florida attended UCF’s “Hometown Hero” event last weekend, the majority of the rising juniors and seniors were being recruited by the Knights, meeting with coaches, or simply checking out the football facilities for the first time.

For 2023 4-star defensive lineman Kaven Call, who verbally committed (non-binding) to the Knights on Christmas Day, his time was spent helping recruit other local prospects.

“I enjoyed my time,” Call said. “I was talking with guys and with other recruits, like Sincere [Edwards] trying to get them on board with me and build this thing up.”

Call was joined by a number of Apopka teammates, including tight ends Bryce Harrison and Antonio Ferguson.

“It was really fun,” Harrison said. “It was a good experience to come out and meet with the coaches.”

Ferguson and Harrison met with Brian Blackmon, UCF tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, who told them he’ll make the short trip to watch Apopka’s spring practice which starts at the end of April.

“He was giving us tips and tricks on how to become better,” Ferguson said. “Like, work on your weaknesses and not your strengths, and just become better every day. You’re always in development.”

Ferguson only has one FBS offer, but it comes from UCF’s rival in Tampa — the South Florida Bulls.

Harrison holds offers from Texas Southern and Tennessee State, but he has a special connection to the Knights. His first cousin is Nikai Martinez, a former Apopka cornerback and new UCF freshman.

“He gives me a lot of tips about recruiting,” Harrison said about Martinez. “He tells me to just stay focused, stay positive, keep working and my time will come.”

Harrison and Ferguson are 6-foot-3, with the latter weighing 10 more pounds at 235. Neither have an offer from UCF, but they’re interested.

“UCF is just a fun place,” Ferguson said, “and it’s close to home. It’s really nice. Coach Blackmon is a great coach. It’s just a great program.”

Although Call is verbally pledged to UCF, the coaching staff, including defensive ends coach Kenny Ingram, needs to continue to recruit him until December’s Early Signing Period.

“You can talk with him about anything,” Call said about Ingram. “The biggest thing I like about him is he talks more about life than just football because it’s not about football. Football is going to end for you one day so that’s what I like about him.”

Call said his relationship with Ingram and the rest of the coaches is important to him.

“They talked to us about who they are and said this whole thing is about building relationships,” Call said. “That’s what’s big for me because that’s who I’m going to play for the next four years.”

While Ferguson and Harrison work towards earning a scholarship offer from the Knights, Call will focus on recruiting other top talent from the Orlando area.

“I’m always in their ear telling them this is where you want to be,” Call said.

Taking on the role of a recruiter for the Knights, Call didn’t mind the extra work.

“Every time I come here, I love it,” he said. “I don’t care what it is, I just like being around at UCF. Anytime I come here, it’s a good time.”