UCF lands big, physical running back

Hallandale (Fla.) running back Taj McGowan committed to UCF on Friday after landing an offer at UCF's position camp.

"He just called me," Hallandale coach Dameon Jones said. "He was very excited. I already knew Taj was the No. 2 back on their board. He went out there to their camp and they saw the things they wanted to see. Taj has been high on UCF since last season. He has multiple offers, from 12 to 15, and that's the one he wanted. He's been there a couple times already for Junior Day and stuff like that. He really liked the coaching staff. That's the one he was looking for."

McGowan rushed for 683 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Cincinnati, Illinois, UAB, Temple, Miami-Ohio, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, FIU, Marshall, South Alabama, Tennessee State, Utah and Utah State were among his other reported offers.

"He's a big back with great hands," Jones said. "He loves the weight room. He runs hard. Very hard. He's physical. He's going to punish you. He's going to try to elude you as well as outrun you. He's an all-around back. Like I said, he lives in the weight room. Great kid. He has a 3.7 GPA. Just an all-around great kid."

His recruiter was UCF running backs coach Danny Barrett.

"He came to the spring game and Taj had a big game then," Jones said. "He was saying how he wanted to get him into camp so Coach O'Leary could see him in person. Everything took off from there."

McGowan joins wide receiver Cameron Stewart and quarterback Bo Schneider as 2015 commits. UCF's position camp continues with another session on Saturday.

Officially committed to the UCF KNIGHTS pic.twitter.com/NM17q4Axqj- Taj (@ImaXJetsetter) June 13, 2014

2015 Hallandale RB Taj McGowan commits to UCF pic.twitter.com/zd4VBETAxd"- Coach Dameon Jones (@Dameon8) June 13, 2014