UCF closed the book on its 2026 recruiting class with two final additions on National Signing Day: defensive tackle Isaiah McNish and wide receiver Jordan Nunuha, both three-star prospects who add depth and potential to a group that marks the first full recruiting cycle under head coach Scott Frost since his return.
Let’s start with McNish, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive lineman out of Wekiva High in Central Florida. His path to UCF wasn’t exactly linear-he initially committed back in June, only to de-commit in October as other offers rolled in.
And it wasn’t a quiet market. Programs like Georgia Tech, Michigan State, and Missouri were in the mix, which speaks to how McNish’s frame and upside caught national attention.
Ranked No. 128 in the state and No. 126 among defensive linemen nationally by 247Sports’ composite, he brings a blend of size and athleticism that gives UCF something to work with in the trenches.
Now, McNish isn’t walking into a starting role on day one, but that’s not the expectation. What he does bring is positional versatility and a motor that can be developed in a system that’s looking to reestablish its identity on the defensive front. With his length and build, he’s a candidate to grow into a disruptive force-whether that’s as a gap-plugger or someone who can kick outside in certain looks.
On the offensive side, UCF added Jordan Nunuha, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver from St. Louis High School in Honolulu.
That name might ring a bell for Knights fans-St. Louis has been a pipeline to Orlando before, producing talents like McKenzie Milton, Dillon Gabriel, and Lokahi Pauole.
Nunuha fits the mold of a big-bodied, high-upside receiver who can stretch the field or work the boundary. He’s not just a late add for depth-he’s another swing at finding a long-term playmaker on the outside.
UCF wraps this class with 16 signees, a group that ranks No. 65 nationally per 247Sports. That number might not jump off the page, but context matters. This is Frost’s first full class since returning in 2025, and it’s clear he’s focused on building from the ground up again-prioritizing high school talent that can be molded over time rather than leaning too heavily on the transfer portal.
“This whole process has changed a lot since the last time I was here,” Frost said during the early signing period in December. “Recruiting high school kids is a really important way to build the foundation of your team and get guys in the program that can help now or be developed into guys that you hope you can keep for a long time.”
That philosophy tracks with what we’re seeing. This class may not be loaded with headliners, but it’s filled with players who fit a developmental mold-guys who can be coached up in a system that’s trying to reestablish continuity and culture. McNish and Nunuha are the final pieces, but the real story will be how this group grows together over the next few seasons.
For UCF, this isn’t just about 2026-it’s about laying the groundwork for a roster that can compete consistently in the Big 12. And while the Knights may not have landed a top-25 class, they’ve planted seeds that could pay off down the line.