Four-star quarterback Rocco Marriott has decided to attend UCF after initially picking James Madison
Four-star quarterback Rocco Marriott was the news of the weekend for UCF fans.
On Saturday, Marriott attended the Knights' game against Oklahoma State. Shortly after, the experience caused him to flip his commitment from James Madison to the Knights.
He became the highest-rated quarterback commit in UCF history.
On Tuesday, Marriott made some public comments since the decision. Here's what he had to say via X:
"I want to start by thanking everyone at JMU - and especially Coach Chesney and Coach Kennedy - for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to turn my dreams of playing college football into reality. I have all the respect in the world for them and for JMU, and I am so grateful for their support.
However, after a series of great visits, discussions, thought, and prayer, I am excited to announce that I will be signing on December 3rd to play football in the Big XII Conference for UCF! I am extremely grateful for the belief that Coach Frost and Coach Cooper and Coach Milton have in me and what I can bring to UCF, and I believe in the program they are building especially at the quarterback position. I can’t wait to get to work in January! Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way, and Go Knights!"
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Marriott is a standout for Platte County (Mo.) High School, which is one of the top programs in the Kansas City area. His addition should serve as some relief for a team that had issues at quarterback. While most of them were injury related, the Knights could use some stability at the position. Marriott could provide that if he lives up to the hype.
UCF also has hope in redshirt freshman Davi Belfort, who has gained valuable experience this season as the emergency backup. But getting Marriott to flip his commitment is a sign of things starting to change under coach Scott Frost. Marriott listed Frost as one of the main reasons he decided to change his mind. Frost, who has the Knights bowl eligible, has led the team to a 5-6 record in his second stint with the program. The turnaround comes after the Knights missed the postseason last year for the first time since 2011.
They end the season Saturday against BYU.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of UCFRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com