Three-star safety Tariq Carpenter committed to UCF as a junior in April 2016, but started second-guessing himself during his senior season at Long County High School.
On Sunday, Carpenter decided to withdraw his commitment to UCF and verbally commit to the Yellow Jackets.
“What really surprised me was how beautiful the campus was,” Carpenter said.”How nice the people were there. The players were pretty chill. It was the atmosphere that I like to be around.”
Carpenter is the sixth flipped commitment in the Jackets’ 2017 singing class and the second commit who withdrew his commitment from UCF after with defensive tackle Antwan Owens committed to Tech on Jan. 23.
Although Carpenter followed Owens — his friend — from one signing class to another, Carpenter insists that his decision process had nothing to do with Owens.
After discussions with his recruiter, slot backs and special teams coordinator Lamar Owens, and coach Paul Johnson, Carpenter will play on both sides of the ball as a defensive back and a wide receiver. Carpenter said he played both positions at Long County.
Although Tech’s 2017 signing class has five other defensive backs verbally committed, Carpenter said he sees more opportunity to play as a defensive back.
Carpenter is the 22nd commit to Tech's 2017 signing class. Carpenter committed shortly after Harbor City, Calif. defensive tackle Boe Tufele committed to the Yellow Jackets on Sunday morning after his official visit.
Carpenter announced his commitment on Twitter on Sunday morning writing, "I would like to thank the University of Central Florida and everything they've done for me. I have much respect for (defensive backs coach Travis) Fisher and coach (Scott) Frost along with the rest of the staff, but I will be committing to Georgia Tech."
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