The path from Apopka to Orlando is short. For Isaiah McNish, it is also personal.
The former Wekiva High School standout officially signed with UCF on National Signing Day, solidifying a recruiting journey that briefly wavered but ultimately ended close to home. After originally committing last summer, McNish reopened his recruitment in the fall as Power Five programs circled. Offers and interest from schools like Georgia Tech, Michigan State, and Missouri followed. Still, the pull of staying local and building something with the Knights proved stronger.
At 6-foot-4 and roughly 230 pounds, McNish projects as a versatile defensive lineman with room to grow into his frame. His length and first step make him disruptive off the edge and inside, giving UCF options as he develops physically in a college strength program. Coaches view him as a high-upside prospect who can add weight without sacrificing quickness.
According to composite rankings from 247Sports, McNish checks in as a three-star prospect, rated among the top 130 players in Florida and among the top 130 defensive linemen nationally. In a state loaded with trench talent, cracking that tier speaks to both production and potential.
On film, his game is built around effort. He pursues laterally, collapses pockets with leverage, and shows the kind of motor that fits UCF’s defensive identity. Those traits often translate early, especially in rotational roles.
For the Knights, this signing is more than a depth addition. It keeps a Central Florida defender home and reinforces a recruiting strategy built on winning locally first. If McNish’s development matches his upside, UCF may have secured a foundational piece for its defensive front for years to come. Congrats Isaiah and have a great time in college!
