Catching Up With Ralston

UCF got a commitment this past weekend from Cody Ralston. The linebacker is UCF’s first verbal of the 2010 class and is the earliest commit UCF has ever had. What did the Georgia resident have to tell InsideKnights.com about being the newest Knight?

Cody Ralston and his family took an eight hour drive on Friday night from Georgia down to Orlando to get a look at UCF for the team’s Junior Day. They made the same drive back, but things were a little different.

“My family was pretty relieved about me committing, especially my dad,” Ralston told InsideKnights.com. “I always wanted to find a place where I just felt comfortable with the football program and the school in general, and I feel that way with UCF. I really wanted to make this decision before my senior season started so I could concentrate on school and football.”

The versatile linebacker-safety said he was blown away by everything at UCF, from the coaches to the facilities to the school in general.

“The facilities were top-notch. My coaches told me that not many schools have the facilities that UCF has. I got to see the rooms were the players stayed and they were great. Coach Collins talked to us about the linebackers and I really liked his outlook on the position. He’ll stay after you because he just wants the best for you. I talked to Coach O’Leary too and he said he’d push us, and that he’d promise we’d graduate.”

As of now, UCF is the only FBS school to have offered Ralston, who is somewhat of an unknown commodity. He has received some attention but offers haven’t come rolling in yet. For UCF fans that remember what happened to last year’s first commitment, Evan Swindall (who de-committed late in the recruiting process,) they should not worry.

“It’s pretty much done. I get letters and read them, but I’m very committed to UCF.”

Seeing as he’s now invested in the program, Ralston is politicking some for his teammates to commit to UCF. Da’Rick Rogers and Nash Nance are Calhoun H.S. teammates and came down with Ralston to see UCF this past weekend.

“I’ve been trying to persuade them to commit to UCF for a while,” joked Ralston. “I’d definitely love to play with them in college. Da’Rick is really talented; he’s probably one of the best players in the state. Nash just moved to the school but me and him have been best friends since we were kids. Da’Rick already has a UCF offer and Nash will probably get one soon.”

Ralston has serious history with Rogers as well, as the too both helped lead Calhoun to the state title game last season at the 2B level.

“That run was unbelievable. We started 1-2 and people counted us out, but we just kept winning. It was the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Ralston projects as a linebacker at the next level, although he says he’d like to add 10-15 lbs. to his 6’1”, 181 lb. frame.

“I like to hit and I play really fast. One of UCF’s coaches said that he was impressed with my contact and speed, and he compared me to Keith Brooking in high school.”

For the Knights, landing a high-caliber player like Ralston this early is huge, although some coaches weren’t ready for it.

“They were all really surprised. Coach Rubio didn’t even believe me at first. I don’t think Coach O’Leary did either.”

Don’t worry coaches, Ralston is for real and Knight fans, you have your first commitment of the 2010 class and he’s a solid one.