Lezzer finds a new future at UCF

For Christian Lezzer, UCF represents a new beginning.

The former Boston College linebacker, who announced his commitment to the Knights on Wednesday, thought his football career was over seven months ago.

A string of concussions - his fifth to be precise - made the Clearfield, Penn., native re-evaulate his future in the sport. When his latest symptoms took four weeks to subside, the sophomore came to the difficult decision last October to announce his retirement.

"I played as a true freshman (at Boston College) and played in the first three games (in 2015)," Lezzer told UCFSports.com. "I had a concussion, then another back-to-back which was kind of iffy. The doctors were a little worried. They never said, 'You've got to stop playing football,' but, 'You've got to look at it.' There was a risk there. With all the concussion research going on, I was proactive about it. I decided to stop while I was ahead. Both of my uncles played at Penn State. One uncle who played safety had to stop because of concussions. I didn't want to risk further injury.

"Shortly after I made the decision, I was questioning if I made the right decision."

Still enrolled at Boston College, Lezzer attempted to move on. He tried out for the baseball team - a sport he hadn't played competitively since his freshman year of high school - and actually was poised to make the roster.

"Right before I was to join the team, I was told I wasn't medically allowed to play because baseball was considered a contact sport at Boston College as of this year," Lezzer said. "I had already signed all of the waiver forms (to remain on medical scholarship for football). So I knew if I wanted to play any sport I had to transfer."

With an eye towards potentially playing football again, Lezzer spent the spring consulting with medical professionals.

"I met with some of the top neurologists in the country at Boston University and Harvard who are doing all the concussion research," Lezzer said. "I was subjected to different testing and they cleared me 100 percent to play contact sports again. From there, I started reaching out to different people to try and play football again."

From there, Lezzer came up with a top three - Penn State, Arizona and UCF - and sent his high school and college film to the respective coaching staffs. The connection with UCF is via defensive graduate assistant Jack Cooper.

"Coach Cooper coached at Yale last year with (former BC coach) Sean McGowan, who is their defensive coordinator," Lezzer explained. "(McGowan) recruited me to Boston College, so that's how I got linked up. I started talking with UCF and spoke with Coach (Scott) Frost and Coach (Erik) Chinander and things just took off from there. They offered me a scholarship and a couple weeks later I decided that's where I wanted to go."

He visited Orlando two weeks ago.

"I flew down on a Friday morning," Lezzer said. "I went on the whole campus tour that Friday and met with Coach Frost and Coach Chinander the next morning. Toured the facilities. I really loved it. I really, really like Coach Frost and Coach Chinander. I believe in what they're doing. They're going to turn the program around. There's so much excitement around the program right now. I talked to some players and they're so excited as well. I'm just so excited to be a Knight."

While on campus, he got to meet with fellow Pennsylvania native Tyler Hudanick, an offensive lineman.

"He grew up about an hour from me," Lezzer said.

He also met quarterback Justin Holman.

"I talked to him for a good bit," Lezzer said. "Nice kid."

Though he only played in the first three games of 2015, Lezzer still has to sit out this upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules. He'll be eligible in 2017 as a redshirt junior with at least two years of eligibility remaining, though he could apply for a medical redshirt later on in hopes of getting back that extra year.

A three-star prospect in the Class of 2014, Arizona, Rutgers and Temple were among Lezzer's other offers when he committed to BC in May of his junior year. He earned immediate playing time as a true freshman, seeing action in eight games on defense and special teams. His first tackle was quite memorable: During BC's stunning home win against then-No. 9 USC, Lezzer delivered a sack that resulted in a nine-yard loss.

"At Boston College, I started out as a weakside linebacker," Lezzer said. "I started college weighing 230 pounds, then I transitioned to hybrid linebacker/safety and then straight safety (in 2015). I dropped to 200 pounds. Right now UCF wants me as a linebacker. I have a whole year to get in the weight program and train. It won't be a problem to put on weight. (Chinander) said, 'If you come in and you're flying around making plays, still where you're at,' - I'm about 210, 215 - 'We'll just keep you safety.' It depends on what I do. That's what they see as the best fit. They're pretty set at linebacker this year, but next year they'll be pretty thin."

Lezzer's commitment actually took place a week and half ago, a few days after his visit. He wanted to get all his ducks in a row before announcing, making sure his paperwork was approved to be good to go for Summer B enrollment.

"They were very excited (about me committing)," Lezzer said. "They said, 'We think you're a good player that can come in and help us.' UCF is a great place to be. There's a lot of excitement in the program. UCF is a goldmine. It could be a big-time college football program if you think about it. Orlando is the No. 1 tourist destination with Disney World, Universal, Sea World. Great weather. It's a top recruiting area in the entire country. It's the second-largest school in the country. There's so many great things about UCF. I know Coach Frost believes that and he's going to turn it around. There's just so much excitement. I want to be a part of it."

At BC, Lezzer was a double major in communications and psychology. He expects to continue to same path at UCF.

"I'm done with the minor in communications," he said. "I'm halfway done with the degree in psychology. I'd like to get into business after college, maybe real estate development once I get into grad school. That's one of the reasons why I decided to play football again, to have an undergraduate degree paid for with zero student loans."

Lezzer will officially report on June 27, the same date as the incoming freshman class.

"Right now I'm just taking it one step at a time," he said. "I'm thankful and blessed to have a second chance to play the game that I love. I know what to expect now. I've played college football. I know what's coming. It takes hard work to get where you want to be. I'm just thankful to have a second chance at it."

***UCFSports.com offers the most comprehensive coverage of the Knights that you can't find anywhere else. Get breaking team and recruiting news, in-depth interviews from practice and games plus access to the popular Dungeon message board. Give us a try with a 30-day free trial using Promo Code UCF30.