TBT’s Guerad commits to UCF

Posted Oct 4, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Oct 4, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Tampa Bay Tech senior Antonio Guerad, one of his team’s leading tacklers this fall from his defensive end position, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Central Florida, Titans coach Jayson Roberts announced Thursday.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Guerad also had offers from 13 other Division I schools, including Kentucky and Cincinnati, but was sold on UCF for its proximity to his family, as well as the chance to play in the Big East starting in 2013, Roberts said.

‘‘I think it’s a good decision for him and his family,’’ Roberts said. ‘‘He’ll be playing right up the road for a good program in the Big East and that was really appealing to him.’‘

Guerad was recruited by Knights assistant coach Kirk Callahan, the son of Armwood coach Sean Callahan and a former Hawks player. Sean Callahan said after his team defeated TBT last month, he was impressed by Guerad’s performance and told his son to take a good look at him on the film the Hawks had from that game. After seeing that film and Guerad in person, the younger Callahan made Guerad a scholarship offer. Kirk Callahan, a defensive backs coach at UCF, recruits from Hillsborough County to Miami-Dade.

So far this season, Guerad has made 33 tackles, just one behind team leader Fred Russ, and has also produced 1.5 sacks, caused three fumbles and recovered three fumbles.