The Knights target a major secondary upgrade as Tallahassee standout Tyler Walker Jr. prepares for a high-stakes June visit that could trigger an in-state recruiting coup.
The UCF Knights are hard at work attempting to flip three-star defensive back Tyler Walker Jr. after locking in his official visit for June.
Walker Jr. will tour the Knights' facilities and meet the coaching staff from June 19 to 21. He's committed to Coastal Carolina, but the in-state recruit is visiting other programs, giving UCF a shot at flipping Walker Jr.
While committed to Coastal Carolina, Walker Jr. holds various offers from Georgia Tech, Colorado and South Florida.
The three-star defensive back is 5-foot-10 and plays for Rickards High School in Tallahassee, four hours away from Orlando. Walker Jr. finished his junior campaign for the Raiders with 30 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Walker Jr. recorded six more pass breakups in his sophomore campaign, showcasing his ability to lock down receivers when targeted. Similar to fellow three-star defensive back Nazir Pitchford, Walker Jr. could be an instrumental addition to the Knights.
The defensive back group has the most retention, meaning the starters and leaders are seniors. After next season, only eight defensive backs will remain in the group, barring any transfers.
Securing a commitment from Walker Jr. would bolster the secondary's depth and add young talent capable of developing into a valuable starter in the future.
Coach Scott Frost highlighted in his press conference on National Signing Day that he's investing resources into high school players he believes can make an immediate impact at UCF.
"If we're going to invest some of our resources from a money standpoint in high school kids, then we expect those kids to come in and play," Frost said on Dec. 3. "And there are a few of those that I think have a chance to come in and help the team right away. Some others that we're really excited about, not just where they are only, but where they can grow and how much they can improve and how far they can go."
UCF recruited Amarion Queen and Elijah Keys as part of the 2026 recruiting class. Both defensive backs are local talents, and the Knights flipped Queen from in-state rival USF.
The Knights could have a chance to repeat history and flip Walker Jr. from Coastal Carolina during his visit in June to bolster the secondary depth after seniors use up the last of their eligibility.
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