Tallahassee Tight End Commits to UCF!

George O'Leary and the University of Central Florida coaching staff have added another commitment to their 2005 recruiting class.

Travis Ferrer, a tight end from powerhouse Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, committed to the Golden Knights Wednesday night. He's actually the second Lincoln athlete to commit to the program-- linebacker T.J. Harnden was the first player to commit to UCF back in July.

"We are extremely thrilled to have two kids now committed to the University of Central Florida," said Lincoln head coach David Wilson. "We just think they ought to change the name to the University of North Central Florida. We like to tease those coaches down there, but we're excited about the fact that we have kids going down there now. Coach (Joe) Gilbert has been really aggressive up here and has done a great job. He's just come up here and we're real thrilled we have some kids going down there. It will give us interest in that program now and I'm really excited. Travis (Ferrer) and T.J. (Harnden) are going to be a real good fit for the program down there. They're both tough, hard-nosed kids. I'm really thrilled that they're going to be down there and I know that Coach O'Leary will have that program on the map."

Added Lincoln assistant coach Tony Collins: "Travis is a tall athlete that can run. He's a 4.6 forty guy. He has real good speed. He has great grades-- he scored an 1100 on the SAT and a 3.38 GPA so he's a real smart kid also. He's strong and getting bigger. He also liked (tight ends coach) Eric Green. Eric Green had a great career at Liberty and the NFL."

Ferrer (6-5, 230, 4.7) is looking for a breakout season this fall at tight end because last year he was playing behind two seniors, one who signed a scholarship with Tulane, so his game reps at the position were limited. He had about two receptions for 25 yards last season, but in the spring jamboree earlier this year he caught four passes for about 75 yards.

"He waited his time," Wilson said. "He worked real hard last year and that is no indication of his talent or his abilities. He's very, very talented and I expect him to have a great year. To be honest with you, I think because of his frame and his size, I really think his best years are ahead of him. I think he could probably be one of those kids you see every once in a while in college that are better college players than high school players because of their frame. He's every bit of 6-5."

Ferrer also had offers from Louisville, Eastern Michigan, Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee.

"His commitment is solid," Collins said. "Some schools may try to turn him, but most of the time we try to get our kids to stay committed. Coach Wilson believes that if you give a commitment try to keep it. But (Ferrer) feels real solid about this and he likes it. It's hard to turn down some big things, but he said he felt comfortable when he went down there and he wanted to go ahead and do it so he could concentrate on the season, getting to the state championship and going on to the next level. T.J. and him go up against each other in practice so they know each other."

Even after commitments from two players, UCF may not be entirely done recruiting Lincoln.

"I think they're recruiting Pat Austin and there may be a couple of others they're talking to," Wilson said. "We've got a number of kids."

UCFSports.com will be posting the complete commitment interview with Travis Ferrer shortly.

Previous UCFSports.com interview with Travis Ferrer:

Lincoln TE Amazed by UCF - August 7, 2004

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