Issac Walker ready to sign with UCF
Issac Walker is 100 percent a Knight.
Never wavering, the Gainesville (Fla.) St. Francis Catholic defensive tackle says he loves the "energy" of incoming UCF coach Josh Heupel and can't wait to officially sign on Wednesday.
"(Heupel and the new coaches) got in touch as soon as they could," Walker said when asked about the recent transition. "Their energy is great. I think I can speak for all the commits when we say we really love the coaches."
Walker has visited UCF several times before and returned this past weekend for his official visit.
"We got there around 4 p.m. on Friday," Walker said. "We got checked into our hotel rooms and went over to the Hard Rock Hotel for dinner. We walked around Universal CityWalk and bonded with the players and coaches. We just got to know each other. It was great.
"On Saturday, we did more touring of the school. They showed us the academic side, stuff like that. The new buildings going up. The tutoring facility and how they'd make our class schedules."
His player host was Joey Connors and he also spent time with Trysten Hill.
"They're both real cool dudes," Walker said. "My favorite part was probably interacting with the older players. They all showed us around and told us how it's going to be."
Walker met with Heupel one-on-one before departing on Sunday.
"It was a great meeting," Walker said. "It was great meeting him in person after talking to him on the phone. He's a very great person, very outgoing and energetic. He says the team will continue to be very good going forward. He's a great offensive coach. I'm on the defensive side and I really love Coach (Randy) Shannon. He recruited me when he was at Florida. I think those two together, Heupel and Shannon, will build something great."
Being a preseason commitment, Walker said he had a blast following UCF's season and watching the winning streak build to 12-0.
"It was really fun for me," Walker said. "I had a feeling the guys were going to do well. I went to practices and from everything I saw, it was all high tempo, nothing but positive energy. They looked really good."
Walker will officially sign his National Letter on Intent on Wednesday in college football's first ever early signing period. That will make one of his teachers, Mrs. Jones, incredibly proud.
"She's a big UCF fan," Walker said. "Every day she tells me, 'Go Knights!' She has UCF stuff hanging up all around the room. She loves it."
The majority of UCF's dozen remaining pledges are also expected to sign.
"Every one that I know, the rest of the commits, we're all on board and ready to get to UCF," Walker said. "I'm very excited after meeting the new coaches. I know some guys took their official visit with Coach Frost and can't take another visit, but when they meet Coach Heupel on the home visit they're really going to love him. He's very outgoing and positive. Great energy also."