Prestwood picks UCF
Former Notre Dame offensive tackle Jordan Prestwood announced on Sunday he intends to finish his college football career at UCF.
A Class of 2011 high school prospect from Plant City, Prestwood went through a whirlwind recruitment that briefly took him to Florida State and then to Notre Dame.
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He first enrolled at FSU in January 2011, but after one semester asked for his release to transfer. He then went to Notre Dame, the school he had initially committed to prior to his senior season, and per transfer rules had to sit out his true freshman season of 2011.
Prestwood remained at Notre Dame this past spring and summer and went into 2012 preseason camp as their No. 2 left tackle, but after a few practices left the team for undisclosed reasons.
Back home this fall, Prestwood has been looking for a new school to call home. He was intrigued again by UCF, which was one of the first schools to offer during his junior year of high school.
After re-establishing contact with the coaching staff, Prestwood attended UCF's Nov. 3 homecoming game against SMU.
"I really enjoyed everything about UCF," Prestwood said after the visit. "I like the coaches, the campus, the academics and the opportunity. It's only an hour away. The program is heading in a good direction. I feel like it would be a good spot for me."
On Sunday, Prestwood confirmed he had made his decision to become a Knight.
"(UCF) was the best fit for me, my family and my situation," Prestwood said. "I feel I can be successful on an off the field. I love the staff and the opportunity I have at the tackle position."
The 6-foot-6 and 310-pound Prestwood, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, has an opportunity to make an immediate impact in 2013 as the Knights are losing three seniors on the offensive line.
He will spend the upcoming spring semester at a local community college finishing up academic requirements so he can enroll at UCF for the first summer school session in May.
"I believe the program is heading in a great direction and is going to win a lot of games in the next few years," Prestwood said.