Journalist
Chris Hays
Chris Hays covers high school football, college football and recruiting for the Orlando Sentinel. Hays attended Kansas State University and is a native of Topeka.
All Stories
![New coach Darrell Harrison, a former Oak Ridge standout, previously was an assistant for nearby Mount Dora Christian and also assisted at Lake Mary. New coach Darrell Harrison, a former Oak Ridge standout, previously was an assistant for nearby Mount Dora Christian and also assisted at Lake Mary.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/joeburnett19.jpg?w=98)
Eustis names new football coach to replace former UCF star Joe Burnett, who stepped down
New coach Darrell Harrison, a former Oak Ridge standout, previously was an assistant for nearby Mount Dora Christian and also assisted at Lake Mary.
!["I trust in coach Napier. I see what he's building and I trust that he's going to get everything good and right. The team was young last year so I feel like we're going be way better this year," said Devin Jackson, a Gators 2026 commitment. Verbal commitments are non-binding. "I trust in coach Napier. I see what he's building and I trust that he's going to get everything good and right. The team was young last year so I feel like we're going be way better this year," said Devin Jackson, a Gators 2026 commitment. Verbal commitments are non-binding.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/devin-jackson.jpg?w=130)
Latest First Academy transfer DB Devin Jackson verbally commits to Gators
"I trust in coach Napier. I see what he's building and I trust that he's going to get everything good and right. The team was young last year so I...
![Dereon Coleman of Orlando Jones said his decision to commit to Miami was all about the UM coaches, who have made a huge splash in Central Florida of late, already gaining commitments from the top three offensive lineman in the Sentinel's 2025 Central Florida Super60: Matt Buchanan, Jaden Wilkerson and Demetrius Campbell. Dereon Coleman of Orlando Jones said his decision to commit to Miami was all about the UM coaches, who have made a huge splash in Central Florida of late, already gaining commitments from the top three offensive lineman in the Sentinel's 2025 Central Florida Super60: Matt Buchanan, Jaden Wilkerson and Demetrius Campbell.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dereon-coleman5.jpg?w=132)
QB Dereon Coleman makes birthday commitment to Miami for 2026
Dereon Coleman of Orlando Jones said his decision to commit to Miami was all about the UM coaches, who have made a huge splash in Central Florida of late, already...
![Seminole's Ethan Pritchard, Apopka's Kingston Shaw and Ocoee's Michael McClenton are some local players visiting the Knights. Seminole's Ethan Pritchard, Apopka's Kingston Shaw and Ocoee's Michael McClenton are some local players visiting the Knights.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ethan-pritchard2.jpg?w=140)
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FSU commit Ethan Pritchard remains firm, but UCF on his mind
Seminole's Ethan Pritchard, Apopka's Kingston Shaw and Ocoee's Michael McClenton are some local players visiting the Knights.
![Photos from the sidelines of visiting recruits at the UCF 2024 spring football game Photos from the sidelines of visiting recruits at the UCF 2024 spring football game](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ethan-pritchard_18b19c.jpg?w=132)
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Pictures: UCF spring game, visiting recruits
Photos from the sidelines of visiting recruits at the UCF 2024 spring football game
![RJ Harvey is one of the top running backs in college football, but when it comes to Big 12 running backs, it's all about Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, the nation's leading rusher, and Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech. Gordon ran for just 25 yards against the Knights in November. RJ Harvey ran for 207 in that game, a 45-3 UCF rout. RJ Harvey is one of the top running backs in college football, but when it comes to Big 12 running backs, it's all about Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, the nation's leading rusher, and Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech. Gordon ran for just 25 yards against the Knights in November. RJ Harvey ran for 207 in that game, a 45-3 UCF rout.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1090-4.jpeg?w=123)
Elite Big 12 RJ Harvey evolves entering final UCF season
RJ Harvey is one of the top running backs in college football, but when it comes to Big 12 running backs, it's all about Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, the nation's...
![Pictures of former Edgewater quarterback and current UCF running back RJ Harvey through the years Pictures of former Edgewater quarterback and current UCF running back RJ Harvey through the years](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_os-1533666968-ox6cjc_2_1_0A73OM5U_L268611841_ed54b5.jpg?w=140)
Pictures: RJ Harvey, Through the Years
Pictures of former Edgewater quarterback and current UCF running back RJ Harvey through the years
![The Knights are coming off a split trip with a big win at Texas followed by a loss at then-No. 5 Houston. The Knights are coming off a split trip with a big win at Texas followed by a loss at then-No. 5 Houston.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ucflosesathouston-7.jpg?w=132)
Johnny Dawkinsâ poor-shooting UCF prepares for visit from WVU
The Knights are coming off a split trip with a big win at Texas followed by a loss at then-No. 5 Houston.
![It was a whirlwind for the Orlando Jones defensive tackle, who was to have reported to the University of Texas last week. Robinson, however, never arrived on the Austin campus. He has since decided to attend Florida. It was a whirlwind for the Orlando Jones defensive tackle, who was to have reported to the University of Texas last week. Robinson, however, never arrived on the Austin campus. He has since decided to attend Florida.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dantre-robinson-3.jpg?w=140)
D'antre Robinson heads to UF after being released by Texas
It was a whirlwind for the Orlando Jones defensive tackle, who was to have reported to the University of Texas last week. Robinson, however, never arrived on the Austin campus....
![UCF's latest basketball commit Mikey Williams was on campus Saturday and watched the UCF-BYU game at Addition Financial Arena. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) UCF's latest basketball commit Mikey Williams was on campus Saturday and watched the UCF-BYU game at Addition Financial Arena. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0834-5.jpg?w=117)
Mikey Williams arrives in Orlando to take in BYU-UCF game
Prep phenom Mikey Williams is already on campus, taking in the Saturday's game vs. No. 18 BYU at Addition Financial Arena.