2025 athlete Demarcus Gardner commits to UCF

Cedartown (Ga.) three-star athlete Demarcus Gardner has committed to UCF, he announced on Monday.

He chose the Golden Knights while also holding offers from SMU, Kentucky and others.

Gardner is the No. 28 athlete and No. 62 player in Georgia in the 2025 cycle, according to the updated 2025 On300 Rankings.

“I would like to thank God for blessing me with this amazing opportunity, without him I am nothing,” Gardner wrote in his announcement. “Thanks to all my coaches for giving me the chance and believing me and continuing to work with me to perfect my craft. Thank you for the time and sacrifices in time to work with me. Thanks to all my friends and family for all the love and encouragement through out my journey. With that being said I am very blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Central Florida. It’s up Knights Nation.”

Gardner is the second prospect from Cedartown High to commit on Monday, as four-star cornerback Tae Harris pledged to Clemson earlier in the day. He’s also the second recruit to pledge to the Knights in March, following Palm Beach (Fla.) Central four-star safety Tony Williams, who committed on March 12.

Williams is the No. 250 overall prospect and No. 21 safety in the cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He and Gardner make six pledges for Gus Malzahn and Co. in the class of 2025.

Knights finding momentum on the recruiting trail

With the additions of Williams and Gardner, UCF now has the No. 15 overall class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The class also currently ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten.

Thomasville (Ga.) Thomas County Central four-star safety Kendarius Reddick announced a surprise flip of his commitment from Auburn to UCF on Feb. 3. The 6-foot, 165-pounder is a top-50 prospect in the 2025 On300.

“The way everyone looked at me as family as soon as I stepped foot in the facility. It just made me feel more at home,” Reddick told On3’s Hayes Fawcett upon flipping his commitment.

Reddick is now flanked by Williams and Gardner, as well as Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola four-star running back Taevion Swint, Tampa Bay Tech three-star wide receiver Santonyo Isaac and Cocoa (Fla.) three-star offensive lineman Jaquez Joiner.

Swint is the No. 236 overall recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking and is also the No. 16 burner in the 2025 cycle. He committed in April 2023.