Soon after head coach James Franklin left Vanderbilt for Penn State, Armwood S Kyle Gibson reopened a commitment to the Commodores that he gave in August.
Tuesday night, Vandy’s loss became UCF’s gain.
Gibson has switched his oral commitment to the Knights, Armwood coach Sean Callahan said Tuesday night via text message.
The 6-foot, 180-pound senior becomes the top recruit for UCF’s class of 2014. Rivals considers the four-star prospect the country’s No. 206 overall talent; he’s No. 279 in 247Sports’ composite rankings. Gibson also held offers from Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame and Michigan State, among others.
Gibson earned first-team all-North Suncoast honors from the Tampa Bay Times after helping the Hawks reach the Class 6A state championship game. He had two of his six interceptions in the state final and finished the season with 67 tackles.
He’ll have a few familiar faces in Orlando: Armwood alumnus Aaron Evans was a freshman lineman this fall at UCF, and Knights defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan is the son of Gibson’s high school coach.
UCF has been active in Tampa Bay this week, extending offers to a handful of 2015 and 2016 prospects, including Sickles RB Ray Ray McCloud III, Plant DT Kyle Henderson, Lakewood ATH Ryan Davis and Tampa Catholic WR Nate Craig.
Oral commitments are non-binding until recruits sign letters of intent during their senior years. National Signing Day is next Wednesday.