The Knights secure a massive 6-foot-5 developmental weapon from Alabama, as the staff taps into the 2027 class to bolster the future of their passing attack.
With the 2026 roster in full form, the coaching and recruiting staff has started to look into the future, securing a visit with 3-star DB/WR Nazir Pitchford and most recently, a commitment from 3-star TE Tanner Ehmen.
Ehmen plays his high school football at Thompson HS in Alabaster, Alabama, choosing the Knights over Kentucky, East Carolina, USF, Georgia State, and Tulane.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank God for guiding me through this journey," Ehmen wrote via X. "I am extremely blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Central Florida!!"
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end marks UCF TE coach Cooper Bassett's first commitment since joining the program and gives the Knights a developmental piece in their receiving room.
"I’m very excited about my decision,” Ehmen told Yahoo Sports. “The biggest factors for me in my decision were the relationships with the coaching staff, the atmosphere around the program and how UCF made me feel like home every time I was there. I also love the direction the program is heading in. It felt like it was the best place for me both on and off the field."
Ehmen joins Brooks Hall as the next generation of Knights tight ends, who followed QB Rocco Marriott, his high school teammate, to Orlando.
Despite being limited in the 2025 season, Ehmen had a nice sophomore year at Prattville HS, recording 11 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
His 20.1 yards per catch average demonstrates Ehmen's ability in the passing game, combining that with impressive size for his age.
Ehmen sees himself as a versatile player within the Knights' offense.
"I like the scheme and how they plan to use me," Ehmen said. "They see me as a versatile tight end that can do a little bit of everything. I can block, stretch the field and create mismatches in the passing game."
Now that Ehmen is committed, he says he is excited to get back to solely focusing on finishing his high school career on a high note.
"It feels great honestly," Ehmen said. "Recruiting can definitely get stressful at times, so being able to lock it down and know where I’m going is a blessing. Now I can just focus on getting better, finishing school strong, and preparing myself for the next level."
With the Knights having one more year of Dylan Wade, who made program history last season, Ehmen will compete for instant playing time in 2027.
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