UCF football transfer tracker: Former Rockledge standout Ladarius Tennison is back
UCF is still rolling in the transfer portal and on Friday received a commitment from former Rockledge standout Ladarius Tennison. The former Ole Miss and Auburn defensive back should be an immediate contributor in the secondary because he can play both safety and corner, or be instrumental at nickelback.
Tennison was a huge star at Rockledge High and he was the No. 2-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2020 Central Florida Super60. He originally committed to Miami but then flipped his decision and signed with Auburn. He had two productive seasons with the Tigers before transferring to Ole Miss.
Last year for the Rebels, Tennison had 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was also occasionally used on offense and the 5-foot-9, 200-pound athlete can also return kicks, utilizing his tremendous speed and shifty hips.
Tennison joins two 2024 UCF signees from Rockledge: safety Jaylen Heyward and linebacker Derrick McCormick.
After winning tainted national title, Michigan’s new fight song: Hail to ‘The Cheaters’ | Commentary
Incoming
LB Xe’ree Alexander
Vitals: 6-2, 215
Resume: From Washington state, he just completed his freshman season with the Idaho Vandals. In 13 appearances, he totaled 75 tackles, including 29 solo. That includes 4 tackles for loss.
Role: As a true freshman, he earned more playing time with Idaho. He forced way into the starting lineup after a Sept. 9 win vs. Nevada. Alexander finished with 3 tackles and a forced fumble on just 10 snaps.
Outlook: Alexander is the fourth transfer linebacker to join UCF along with Zavier Carter (UNLV), Jesiah Pierre (Texas Tech) and Deshawn Pace (Cincinnati). Linebacker was a position of need for the Knights after the departures of Jason Johnson (graduated), Walter Yates III (graduated), Isaiah Paul (transfer) and Keenan Cupit (transfer).
Here are the rest of the offseason moves:
WR Goldie Lawrence
Vitals: 6-0, 190 pounds
Resume: Lawrence was a 3-star prospect from Seminole High who was the 64th-ranked receiver in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports. He had 93 catches for 1,497 yards and 21 touchdowns in 30 games with the Seminoles.
Role: He was previously recruited by UCF and Florida while at Seminole before choosing Florida State, where he redshirted this season.
Outlook: Lawrence gives UCF another athletic receiver to pare with Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend.
LB Zavier Carter
Vitals: 6-4, 210-pounds
Resume: Carter was a 4-star prospect from Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Atlanta where he was a four-year starter. He finished with 74 career tackles with 11 for loss and 7 sacks for the Hornets. The Georgia native was the No. 24 overall linebacker in the 2021 recruiting class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Role: He was the top-graded defender (83.6) on UNLV’s roster last season per Pro Football Focus, with much of his time spent on the defensive front.
Outlook: Carter becomes the third transfer linebacker to join UCF this offseason along with Jesiah Pierre (Texas Tech) and Deshawn Pace (Cincinnati). Linebacker was a position of need for the Knights after the departures of Jason Johnson (graduated), Walter Yates III (graduated), Isaiah Paul (transfer) and Keenan Cupit (transfer).
OL Wes Dorsey
Vitals: 6-7,315-pounds
Resume: Dorsey was a three-star prospect out of Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville before signing with Western Kentucky as part of its 2019 recruiting class. He redshirted his freshman year and was used primarily on special teams as a sophomore.
Role: He spent most of his time at right tackle where he allowed 3 sacks over the past two seasons.
Outlook: Dorsey gives the Knights another experienced player up front to pair with Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Adrian Medley and Caden Kitler.
CB Antione Jackson
Vitals: 6-1, 185 pounds
Resume: Jackson was a four-star prospect from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, where he helped the Panthers to a 23-6 record in three seasons. He was listed as the No. 19 overall safety in the country by 247Sports composite rankings and the No. 242 player in the 2023 recruiting class. Alabama, Florida and Miami offered him in high school.
Role: According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was the second-highest-graded tackler (88.6) on the roster and the third-highest-graded run defender (78.9). He was targeted 25 times, with receivers hauling in 15 catches for 219 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Outlook: Jackson gives UCF another athletic defensive back to a secondary that returns Brandon Adams, Ja’Cari Henderson and Ja’Maric Morris.
LB Jesiah Pierre
Vitals: 6-2, 240 pounds
Resume: Pierre was a three-star product for the Mount Dora Christian and at one time the No. 1 player in the Sentinel’s 2019 Central Florida Super60. He played multiple sports for the Bulldogs, including football, basketball and track. He was listed as the No. 64 outside linebacker in the country, according to 247Sports, and was the No. 94 overall player in Florida before signing with the Gators. In his one season at UF, he registered 8 tackles in 13 games. Pierre committed to Florida out of high school and then transferred to Texas Tech.
Role: He appeared in 35 games for the Red Raiders with 20 starts mostly at outside linebacker or MIKE position. Pierre spent the majority of his snaps (394) in the middle of the defense but his athleticism and versatility allowed the Red Raiders to also play him up front on the defensive line and in the slot position.
Outlook: Linebacker has been a position of need for the Knights with the departures of Jason Johnson and Walter Yates III. Pierre provides some much-needed depth and should be a huge complement to Deshawn Pace. The duo will work with Kam Moore, TJ Bullard and Andrew Harris along with newcomer Qua Birdsong, who is talented enough to earn precious playing time as a true freshman.
LB Deshawn Pace
Vitals: 6-2, 212
Resume: Pace was a three-star prospect from Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio) High School where he played defensive back for the Cardinals. He totaled 83 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles in his junior and senior years.
Role: The Ohio native played in the STAR role for the Bearcats, totaling 247 tackles, 25.5 for loss with 6 interceptions and 14 passes defended in 46 games. Pace had 9 tackles and 2 pass breakups against UCF on Nov. 4.
Outlook: Pace’s athleticism and experience make him an attractive option for the Knights, who need to fill vacancies left by the departures of Jason Johnson and Walter Yates III. His ability to create turnovers would be welcome for a defense that needs to create more negative plays.
Here are the rest of the transfer portal moves:
QB KJ Jefferson
Vitals: 6-3, 247-pounds
Resume: Jefferson played 5 seasons at Arkansas, passing for 7,911 yards with 67 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,868 yards with 21 touchdowns. Jefferson was a four-star prospect from North Panola High School in Mississippi where he was the 10th-ranked dual-quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
Role: He didn’t earn the starting job with the Razorbacks until 2021, when he started all 13 games, completing 67.3% (198 of 294) of his passes for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for a team-leading 664 yards on 146 carries.
Outlook: Jefferson should step into the starting role vacated by John Rhys Plumlee. He gives the Knights a veteran presence in the locker room and should help the offense move into Year 2 of the Big 12.
DE Daylan Dotson
Vitals: 6-3, 255-pounds
Resume: A two-way player at Savannah’s Jenkins High School, Dotson played defensive end and tight end for the Warriors, totaling 121 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in three seasons.
Role: Dotson was a two-year starter at UT Martin where he appeared in 39 games with 119 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 8 passes defended and 6 forced fumbles.
Outlook: Dotson gives the Knights an excellent option to replace Tre’Mon Morris-Brash as the team’s pass rusher.
DB Ladarius Tennison
Vitals: Junior, 5-9, 200
Resume: Was a dynamic player as a multi-position player at Rockledge High, earning a 4-star rating as a prep star.
Role: Departures of Decorian Patterson and Corey Thornton give the Knights some spots to fill at corner, but the overall UCF secondary depth just got even stronger.
Outlook: Tennison could give the Knights a dynamic weapon as a kick returner. Tennison is speedy and can make people miss. He played safety at Ole Miss and gives the Knights one of the deepest defensive-back rooms in the entire Big 12 with safeties Demari Henderson and Nikai Martinez, and corners Braeden Marshall and speedster Brandon Adams, as well as transfer Bryon Threats and five incoming freshmen,
RB Myles Montgomery
Vitals: 5-11, 205-pounds
Resume: Montgomery was a 3-star prospect out of Duncan U. Fletcher High School (Neptune Beach), who rushed for more than 4,000 yards during his prep career in Jacksonville.
Role: He was the primary backup to starter Corey Kiner last season.
Outlook: Montgomery joins a running back room that features RJ Harvey and Johnny Richardson, who took on the majority of the workload last season.
TE Evan Morris
Vitals: 6-5, 205 pounds
Resume: The fifth-year senior appeared in 18 career games over the past four seasons (2019-22). He started his career on the kickoff team before switching positions to tight end in 2020. He had 4 catches for 8 yards for the Spartans.
Role: Morris wasn’t utilized very much in the Spartans’ offense, appearing in a handful of games.
Outlook: The emergence of Randy Pittman Jr. gives the Knights a solid contributor at tight end along with true freshman Kylan Fox next season. Morris potentially could fit into more of a blocking role on the offensive line.
TE Reece Adkins
Vitals: 6-6, 250-pounds
Resume: Adkins was a three-star product from Lake Mary who enrolled at Eastern Kentucky in 2020.
Role: He appeared in 23 games for the Colonels, catching nine passes for 55 yards while also spending time on special teams.
Outlook: Adkins becomes the second tight end UCF has added through the transfer market.
S Bryon Threats
Vitals: 5-10, 195-pounds
Resume: Threats, a 3-star Dublin (Ohio) Coffman High product, signed with Cincinnati’s 2021 recruiting class. He started 11 games at safety this past season, amassing 57 tackles with 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 6 passes defended.
Role: The Ohio native was part of a Cincinnati secondary ranked fourth in the Big 12 in pass defense, allowing 225.8 yards per game through the air. Threats entered the portal on Dec. 4.
Outlook: Threats joins a UCF secondary that led the league in pass defense (205.8) and returns an assortment of experience and talent in 2024, including Ja’Cari Henderson, Demari Henderson and Nikai Martinez.
OL Jabari Brooks
Vitals: 6-3, 335-pounds
Resume: Brooks played offensive and defensive line at Washington County (Sandersville, Ga.) High before signing with Samford’s 2020 recruiting class. He appeared in 37 games during his career before entering the transfer pon ortal Dec. 1.
Role: Brooks began his career at left guard before switching to center in 2022. He split time last season at guard and center spot. During his career, he’s combined on 2,513 offensive snaps (1,242 at left guard, 1,271 at center)
Outlook: The offensive line was a point of emphasis for the Knights in the transfer market, especially with the departures of starters Bula Schmidt (graduation), Lokahi Pauole (graduation), Ed Collins (graduation) and Drake Metcalf (transfer).
Outgoing
DE Josh Celiscar
Vitals: 6-4, 265-pounds
Resume: Celiscar was a three-star prospect from Winter Haven High School who signed as part of UCF’s 2020 recruiting class. He was the No. 83 defensive end in the class and the No. 215-ranked player in the state according to 247Sports composite rankings.
Role: He made an immediate impact for the Knights, appearing in 10 games (2 starts) as a true freshman in 2020. The following season, Celiscar took on a larger role on the defensive edge, starting 10 of the team’s 13 games. In 2022, he was tied for second on the team in sacks (3) with Ricky Barber and behind Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (6).
Outlook: Celiscar becomes the second defensive starter to exit the program through the transfer portal, joining cornerback Corey Thornton. The defensive front will have a much different look next season without its two edge rushers (Celiscar and Morris-Brash) but the emergence of Malachi Lawrence should help ease the transition.
DE K.D. McDaniel
Vitals: 6-2, 250-pounds
Resume: McDaniel was a three-star linebacker out of Tift County (Georgia) High School, who enrolled at Kentucky as part of its 2019 recruiting class.
Role: He appeared in 37 games, 19 with Kentucky and 18 with the Knights, finishing with 28 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. McDaniel played in three games this season, mainly on special teams.
DE Dallaz Corbitt
Vitals: 6-5, 240-pounds
Resume: Corbitt, a three-star recruit from Gray Academy (Columbia, S.C.), signed with UCF as part of its 2019 class. He was the nation’s No. 93 strong-side defensive end and the No. 19 player out of South Carolina per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Role: The redshirt senior appeared in 18 games in four seasons with the Knights and amassed 4 tackles. He spent much of his early career on the scout team and on special teams.
Outlook: Corbitt could never breakthrough with the Knights as younger players like Kaven Call and Malachi Lawrence saw more playing time in backup roles behind starters like Tre’Mon Morris-Brash and Josh Celiscar.
WR Amari Johnson
Vitals: 5-10, 160-pounds
Resume: Johnson was a three-star product out of Miami Carol City when he signed with UCF as part of its 2019 recruiting class.
Role: The Miami native appeared in 30 games (2 starts) over four seasons with the Knights, splitting time between receiver and special teams where he was used as a punt returner in 2020-22. He missed most of last season after suffering ligament damage in his right ankle. Johnson finished with 28 catches for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Outlook: Johnson’s role was diminished this season with the redshirt senior appearing in just 3 games on special teams. He becomes the third receiver to enter the portal, joining Jaylon Griffin and Tyler Griffin. With Kobe Hudson and Javon Baker’s future uncertain, the receiver could be in a position of need as the Knights move forward in the transfer market.
CB Corey Thornton
Vitals: 6-1, 190-pounds
Resume: Thornton was a three-star prospect out of Booker T. Washington High where he helped guide the Tornadoes to a state title in 2019. He was one of five defensive backs to sign with UCF in its 2020 recruiting class. The Florida native started all 10 games at corner for the Knights his freshman season. Thornton earned All-AAC honors in his sophomore and junior years.
Role: He was integral to a UCF secondary that finished first in the Big 12 in passing defense, allowing an average of 206 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.
Outlook: Thornton is by far the biggest name in the transfer portal for the Knights. He was a four-year starter anchoring a secondary that returned Nikai Martinez, Brandon Adams, Ja.Cari Henderson, Quadric Bullard and Demari Henderson.
LB Isaiah Paul
Vitals: 6-2, 232-pounds
Resume: The redshirt senior appeared in one game during his only season with the Knights after arriving as a transfer from Incarnate Word.
Role: Paul, a three-star product out of Brennan (San Antonio) High, had 138 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception during his five seasons with the Cardinals.
Outlook: Linebacker is a position of concern for UCF especially with the departures of starters Jason Johnson (graduated) and Walter Yates III (graduated). The coaching staff will need to address the issue of depth at the spot.
EDGE Kervins Choute
Vitals: 6-3, 251-pounds
Resume: The redshirt junior appeared in 14 games over three seasons at UCF. He recorded 13 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Role: Choute, a three-star product out of Deerfield Beach, signed as part of the Knights’ 2020 recruiting class. He appeared in 5 games his freshman year before moving to the scout team in 2021.
Outlook: The emergence of defensive linemen Malachi Lawrence, Matthew Alexander and John Walker spell good things for the Knights up front.
LB Keenan Cupit
Vitals: 6-2, 255-pounds
Resume: Cupit was a three-star prospect from Jefferson Forest (Forest, Va.) High where he played linebacker and running back. He was one of two linebackers to sign as part of UCF’s 2020 recruiting class. He redshirted his freshman year and was used primarily on the scout team in 2021 before appearing in 5 games in 2022. Cupit earned Dean’s List honors in 2020.
Role: He was used primarily on kickoff and punt return coverage in 2022.
Outlook: While linebacker is definitely a position of concern for the Knights this offseason, Cupit wasn’t expected to play much of a role in the rotation.
WR Jaylon Griffin
Vitals: 6-3, 185-pounds
Resume: Griffin attended Huntsville (Texas) High before continuing his football career at Kilgore Junior College where he caught 2 passes for 26 yards in 2019. The Rangers didn’t play football in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Griffin transferred to UCF in 2021. He had a career-high 3 catches for 50 yards with a touchdown in the Knights’ win over Villanova.
Role: The Texas native was primarily the backup to the wideout spot while splitting some time as slot receiver. He also saw some action on kickoff returns for the Knights.
Outlook: Griffin saw limited action as wideouts Javon Baker, Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend emerged as go-to options in the offense.
WR Tyler Griffin
Vitals: 6-5, 205-pounds
Resume: Griffin was a three-star prospect from New Southeast Bulloch (Brooklet, Ga.) High, where he was a two-sports star for the Yellow Jackets. He signed as part of the 2022 recruiting class, where he was the seventh-highest-ranked signee.
Role: The Georgia native redshirted his freshman season and was used primarily on special teams.
Outlook: With the status of Baker and Hudson still in the air, Griffin would have provided the Knights with some much-needed depth at the receiver spot.
RB Jordan McDonald
Vitals: 6-1, 220-pounds
Resume: McDonald, a three-star prospect out of Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) High, signed with UCF as part of its 2022 recruiting class. He appeared in 13 games as a true freshman, rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries and was part of the Knights’ running back rotation early this season. He had a career-high 12 carries and 40 yards against Villanova on Sept. 16.
Role: The Georgia native was featured early in short-yardage situations specifically used in the Wildcat formation. Most of his carries came during UCF’s non-conference schedule and he wasn’t a factor in the rest of the Knights’ games with Harvey and Richardson getting most of the carries.
Outlook: With Richardson having exhausted his eligibility and Harvey’s future uncertain, what was once a bounty of talent at running back has suddenly become thin. Depth will be a concern for the Knights heading into next season.
CB Fred Davis II
Vitals: 6-1, 190 pounds
Resume: Davis, a 4-star from Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville), signed with Clemson for its 2020 recruiting class. He appeared in 27 games in three seasons, including starting the first four games of the 2021 season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He accounted for 34 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 4 pass breakups with the Tigers. Davis transferred to UCF last December and appeared in three games with the Knights, failing to register a tackle.
Role: The Jacksonville native wasn’t part of the rotation the Knights used for their secondary, appearing mainly on special teams in less than a handful of games. According to Pro Football Focus, he took part in eight total snaps but wasn’t much of a factor.
Outlook: Davis showed promise while at Clemson but could never earn much playing time at UCF.
OL Drake Metcalf
Vitals: 6-2, 292-pounds
Resume: Metcalf, a three-star product from St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), signed with Stanford as part of its 2020 recruiting class. He appeared in 15 games during three seasons with the Cardinal before transferring to UCF.
Role: The redshirt junior earned the starting nod in fall camp, beating out Caden Kitler and Bula Schmidt. But after starting against Kent State, Boise State and Villanova, Metcalf split time with Kitler and Schmidt.
Outlook: With Tylan Grable, Lokahi Pauole and Schmidt exhausting their eligibility, Metcalf was one of five players with starting experience expected in 2024. Either way, UCF was expected to hit the transfer market to add more depth to the offensive line.
Check back for more updates because this is a developing story.
Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.
