Rockledge linebacker Derrick McCormick commits to UCF football

Less than 24 hours after Gus Malzahn received a commitment from St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star running back Stacy Gage, the UCF football coach picked up another top pledge on the recruiting trail Sunday.

Rockledge linebacker Derrick McCormick announced his decision to commit to Malzahn and the Knights following the completion of an official visit to campus.

“Hometown hero,” McCormick, who plays high school football 45 minutes away from UCF, wrote on Twitter. “I’m home.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect ranks as the nation’s No. 72 linebacker and the No. 110 recruit in the state of Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite ratings that combine rankings listed by major recruiting services.

HOMETOWN HERO IM HOME #COMMITTED #ChargeOn @CoachGusMalzahn @ErnieSims34 @CoachWilliams_7 @CoachDavidGibbs @UCF_CoachMoore @CoachMosah @CoachAlexMathis @RealCoachFuller @UCF_Football @EliteEmpireATH pic.twitter.com/mVpXIz6MSk

— Dj McCormick jr 1⃣. 3 Lb (@7_djjjj) June 11, 2023

As a junior, McCormick recorded 119 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 sacks and 4 forced fumbles to help Rockledge go 9-3 and win a district title.

Recruited by new UCF linebackers coach Ernie Sims, McCormick is the second linebacker pledged to the Knights this cycle, joining Lincoln (Tallahassee) linebacker Samarian Robinson who committed in January.

McCormick is the sixth overall member of UCF’s 2024 recruiting class, joining Armwood wide receiver Kason Stokes, Wekiva defensive lineman Sincere Edwards, Bartram Trail quarterback Riley Trujillo and Robinson.

All verbal commitments are non-binding until December when the early signing period opens and they can become official.

With Gage and McCormick in the fold for the Knights following this weekend, UCF’s class ranks No. 40 nationally and fourth-best in the Big 12 according to 247Sports.

Dr. Phillips safety sets commitment date

Another Orlando-area defensive player who was at UCF during the weekend for an official visit, Dr. Phillips safety Jashad Presley shared when he will be announcing his college decision.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defensive back is sharing his commitment June 30, he wrote on Twitter.

Presley, who is scheduled to visit Georgia Tech June 23-25, is the No. 130 prospect in the state of Florida according to the 247Sports Composite ratings.

A long time target of the Knights, Presley has been on campus multiple times throughout the past year.

Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.