A highly-touted receiver with game-breaking potential is set to commit. UCF eyes a dynamic playmaker poised to join their promising young receiving corps.
As the transfer portal officially opens Friday morning, UCF still has its eyes on one of the 2026 class' top recruits - wide receiver Tyren Hornes. According to Rivals' writer Chad Simmons, Hornes has been logged to land at UCF.
Hornes will be announcing his commitment Saturday, Jan 3 at the Under Armour All-American Game. The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver is very familiar with dominating these Under Armour events as last year, as a junior, Hornes was named the wide receiver MVP of the Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando.
Hornes, a local product, spent his junior and senior years at Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. As a junior, Hornes exploded onto the scene with 67 catches for 1,360 yards (20.3 yard per catch) and 17 touchdowns. In a shortened 10-game season the following year, Hornes racked up 42 catches for 646 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Back in late November, 247 Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins highlighted the areas of Hornes' game that will benefit him at the next level. According to Ivins, Hornes' NFL-comparison is to Buffalo Bills receiver Khalil Shakir.
"Advanced route runner with noticeable juice in the lower half that can make extremely difficult catches while also capitalizing on his catch-and-run opportunities," Ivins wrote. "Projects as a dynamic No. 2 option at the Power Four level that can get open at all three levels and handle a high volume of targets."
Ivins also highlighted his MVP performance at the 2024 Under Armour Next Camp, writing "Put up video game-like numbers as a junior before reeling in pretty much everything that came his way at an Under Armour Next camp in advance of senior year."
Should Hornes commit to UCF tomorrow afternoon, he will be joining a young and dynamic receiving core of Waden Charles, Dylan Wade and Ric'Darious "DayDay" Farmer. Charles and Wade both provided huge jolts of offense for a rather stagnant Knights offense, while Farmer was out for most of the year with injury.
UCF also recently received official word that Duane "Speedy" Thomas - the team's top receiver this past season would be returning next season. Thomas, Wade and Charles are sure to be a potent receiving group for whoever is calling signals for UCF this upcoming season.
Hornes youth and pass-catching ability would no-doubt provide even more firepower to a UCF team looking to become a true contender in the Big 12 after a disappointing first year back with head coach Scott Frost at the helm.