Johnny Dawkins’ recruiting run picked up another major piece this week, as UCF added 2027 guard Deuce McDuffie to a class that’s starting to take shape fast.
McDuffie, a 6-foot-6 combo guard from Monarch Academy in Kansas City, KS, joins fellow 4-star commit Jacoby Briscoe as part of the Knights’ Class of 2027. UCF landed Briscoe on Oct. 29, and then followed that up one week later with McDuffie’s pledge.
According to 247 Sports, McDuffie is ranked No. 90 nationally, No. 22 among small forwards and No. 4 in Kansas. He picked UCF over several Power 4 programs, including TCU, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
“I chose UCF because they believe in me the most,” McDuffie told 247 Sports.
His visit to Orlando clearly left an impression. McDuffie said the staff and the way the program is built stood out to him.
“I had a great visit with UCF,” McDuffie said. “I really liked the coaches and the system they have, and I feel like they believe in me and see my potential. Overall, it was a great experience.”
That kind of feedback has become a pattern for UCF in this recruiting cycle. Briscoe said something similar after his own visit, pointing to the atmosphere around the program and Dawkins’ plan for him.
“I mean the first time I stepped on campus I could feel the family environment especially from Coach Dawkins,” Briscoe told 247Sports. “When I spoke with him he explained how his vision for me is to become a true combo guard.”
McDuffie’s size gives him flexibility on the floor, and he’s expected to play out his senior year at Monarch Academy as either a shooting guard or a 3-man.
247 Sports’ Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein was also high on the addition, calling McDuffie “one of the bigger sleepers” in the 2027 class.
“The bottom line is that he’s the type of player who can contribute to winning from day one and see his role likely grow with each passing year in the program,” Finkelstein said.
With eligibility and transfer rules expected to change, building around players who can develop inside a program is becoming more important again, and UCF is leaning into that approach.
The Knights are coming off their first win of the season and return to action Friday at 7:00 p.m. against Yale. The Bulldogs are also 1-0 after beating Howard 72-62 on Monday night.
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