Desir twins, 4-star WR Waden Charles, Andrew Stargel announce commitments to UCF football

Fireworks started a day before the Fourth of July for UCF, and kept going the morning after, as the Knights added four players to their 2025 recruiting haul.

Palm Beach Central four-star wide receiver and former Miami commit Waden Charles finalized a flip in the Knights' favor on Wednesday night, and Roswell (Ga.) three-star offensive lineman Andrew Stargel chose UCF on Thursday afternoon over N.C. State, Ohio State and Kentucky.

Miami Norland's pass-rushing twins Darryll and Mandrell Desir rounded out the quartet Friday morning.

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Viewed as a "physical possession type of wide receiver who wins with body control and sure hands" by 247Sports' director of scouting Andrew Ivins, Charles is the No. 39 player in the USA TODAY Florida Network's Top 100 list of statewide recruits. He caught 30 passes for 478 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior for Palm Beach Central.

Charles took an official visit to UCF during the weekend of June 14-16, immediately following a trip to Arkansas. He becomes the Knights' third wide receiver commit for the 2025 cycle, joining Tampa Bay Tech's Santonyo Isaac and St. Augustine's Carl Jenkins Jr.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Charles reopened his recruitment on May 30 after being committed to Miami for more than eight months.

"What I liked about UCF is the opportunity presented to me, the opportunity to be developed and to play early," Charles said. "I have a great relationship with (offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Tim) Harris and (head coach Gus) Malzahn. I met with them individually (on my visit), and they showed me the depth chart. I can come in and have a chance to start right away."

Stargel (6-4, 305) lined up primarily at right tackle for Roswell during its 11-2 campaign last fall, earning all-region recognition in the process. He is expected to move inside at the next level, working either at guard or center.

"I just fell in love with it the first time I went. I almost committed on the spot on my first unofficial visit (in March)," Stargel said. "It's just a family environment. I love the players and coaches; we get along so well. I think it's a great spot to develop and become the best version of myself."

Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Stargel is the No. 82 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class and the No. 122 player overall in the talent-rich state of Georgia. He grew up an Auburn fan, and admitted the chance to play for Gus Malzahn was too good to pass up.

"Meeting Gus for the first time, it didn't feel real. It's crazy to me still," Stargel said. "He's just a regular guy, and I'm very thankful for the relationship we have built."

Intent on attending college as a package deal, the Desirs — Darryll (6-5, 244) and Mandrell (6-4, 245) — combined for 10 sacks as Norland reached the FHSAA Class 2M final. They are the latest set of twin brothers planning to play football for the Knights, preceded by Justin and Jordan McCray, Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin and Ja'Cari and Demari Henderson, among others.

"We're going to be the best set (of twins)," they said June 2 following their official visit.

UCF, up to 15 verbal commitments from the high school ranks, re-entered the top-40 of 247Sports' composite team rankings. The Knights could continue adding this weekend as Mainland defensive tackle Christian Hudson makes his decision Saturday.

UCF is one of four finalists for Hudson — along with Iowa, Iowa State and Maryland.

Other priority targets set to announce their commitments this month include Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside's 6-foot-8, 260-pound offensive tackle Chastan Brown and the Newberry defensive line duo of Jarquez Carter and Mykah Newton.