UCF and head coach Gus Malzahn continue to pick up wins on the recruiting trail in the Class of 2025. Now, they’re starting to make noise in the Class of 2026.
The Knights got an unexpected boost to their recruiting class on Aug. 2 when Jackson (Ala.) High School wide receiver and UCF commit Keeyun Chapman made his debut in the 247Sports rankings as a three-star recruit with an 89 overall rating. Chapman became UCF’s first 2026 commitment in May, picking the Knights over offers from Arkansas, TCU, South Carolina and Marshall, among others.
UCF currently has the highest-ranked recruiting class in the Big 12 Conference for 2025, with ESPN putting them at No. 21 in their Top 40 rankings.
From 247Sports: “Keeyun Chapman boasts an excellent multi-sport (pedigree) as he averaged a double-double for a state title-winning basketball team at Jackson (Ala.), where he's also qualified for Alabama 4A state competition in the 400 meters and high jump. Chapman, who committed in May to UCF, looks like a prototypical X receiver who could potentially grow into an F-TE. Still raw in some areas, but possesses rare size-speed-bounce combination. Chapman set season-best track and field numbers of a 6-foot, 3-inch high jump, a 52.07-second 400-meter time, and an 11.54 100. Chapman is poised for a big junior year after catching 18 passes for 546 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023.”