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Davi Belfort fully acknowledges the comparisons being drawn between him and former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton.
Standing at a similar height and weight, the two quarterbacks mirror each other not only in physique but also in their playing styles, characterized by agility and strategic prowess on the field. Throughout his childhood, Belfort frequently found himself being likened to the UCF star, igniting a sense of ambition and inspiration within him.
“When I was in sixth or seventh grade, my teacher was a huge fan of McKenzie Milton and adored UCF. She often told me, ‘You’re going to be like him one day.’” Belfort told the Sentinel, chuckling as he added, “I still remember that moment vividly. It’s crazy.”
Belfort has taken a significant step toward fulfilling that childhood dream by signing with the Knights as a transfer on Thursday. With this move, he draws ever closer to realizing the potential others saw in him all those years ago.
It also allows him to learn under Milton, who is the quarterbacks coach at UCF.
“I told him that [story] right when he called me the first day and he was, he laughed. He thought it was funny,” Belfort said of replaying the declaration from his teacher all these years later. He had previously met Milton on a recruiting visit to Florida State in 2021.
UCF’s Scott Frost on current state of transfer market: ‘It’s a mess’
Belfort spent three seasons at Western High School in Davie, where he completed 64% of his passes for 6,370 yards with 53 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 31 games. He also rushed for 1,074 yards and 17 touchdowns. An Under Armour All-American, Belfort reclassified from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024 and committed to Virginia Tech.
But he became homesick after redshirting last season and decided to enter the transfer portal following the Hokies’ spring camp.
Baylin Trujillo, a quarterback trainer based in Orlando, has been training Belfort since the eighth grade. When Trujillo learned that Belfort wanted to move closer to home, he contacted Milton, with whom he has a close relationship.
“I’m like, I’ve got a diamond for you who has a similar playing style as you,” Trujillo said of his conversation. “I know Scott Frost’s offense, and he can showcase his strengths to what they like to do.”
Belfort is grateful for the opportunity to play closer to home.
“It means the world to me. I’m so happy to be home,” said Belfort. “I loved my time at Virginia Tech, but it was very tough for me, being away from home, being away from my family.”
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Belfort has a very similar physical stature to Milton, and they share similar skill sets.
“We watch McKenzie Milton and Dillon Gabriel, guys with his kind of same stature, especially those that played under Scott Frost, and you can see how they’re good working the ball, being accurate, making right decisions, which sets up the big play, and ultimately scoring a lot of points,” said Trujillo.
“Davi has similar traits as McKenzie — being accurate and immediate, making the right decisions with a high IQ. But the thing that separates him from a lot of quarterbacks, even like McKenzie and Gabriel, is his ability to run.”
Belfort was clocked at 22 miles per hour while at Virginia Tech, according to Trujillo, making him one of the fastest players on the Hokies roster. He ran a sub-4.5 40-yard dash as well.
UCF Athletics files lawsuit against former real estate partner
“[I feel like] I’m able to get the job done, able to win,” Belfort said of what he brings to the Knights. “I can move the sticks and get the ball in the end zone without turning the ball over. I like extending plays, whether throwing the ball or taking off and running. I can do that.”
His return is also special because of his Brazillian heritage.
Orlando has a huge Brazillian population and he believes his presence could bring a whole new group of fans to the Bounce House this season.
“Having the whole Brazilian community in Orlando and many Brazilians go to Orlando to visit year-round, having them being able to come to all the games, it felt like the perfect fit,” he added.
Davi learned a great deal from being around his father, Vitor, a mixed martial artist who went by the moniker “The Phenom” and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He would later also compete as a professional boxer.
“At a very young age, seeing how he approached the game, inside the ring and outside the ring, as a father, a husband and a man of God, taught me a lot,” Belfort said. “The work you put in when no one is watching is what’s made him great. It’s special to have him in my corner.”
Belfort plans to move to campus soon and hopes to get an early start on learning the playbook.
He joins a quarterbacks room that features Tayven Jackson, Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown — all of whom had a head start with spring camp.
“I’m going to be there probably two weeks before all the guys get there, just to spend time with the coaches and learning the playbook,” Belfort said.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Continue reading...
Standing at a similar height and weight, the two quarterbacks mirror each other not only in physique but also in their playing styles, characterized by agility and strategic prowess on the field. Throughout his childhood, Belfort frequently found himself being likened to the UCF star, igniting a sense of ambition and inspiration within him.
“When I was in sixth or seventh grade, my teacher was a huge fan of McKenzie Milton and adored UCF. She often told me, ‘You’re going to be like him one day.’” Belfort told the Sentinel, chuckling as he added, “I still remember that moment vividly. It’s crazy.”
Belfort has taken a significant step toward fulfilling that childhood dream by signing with the Knights as a transfer on Thursday. With this move, he draws ever closer to realizing the potential others saw in him all those years ago.
It also allows him to learn under Milton, who is the quarterbacks coach at UCF.
“I told him that [story] right when he called me the first day and he was, he laughed. He thought it was funny,” Belfort said of replaying the declaration from his teacher all these years later. He had previously met Milton on a recruiting visit to Florida State in 2021.
UCF’s Scott Frost on current state of transfer market: ‘It’s a mess’
Belfort spent three seasons at Western High School in Davie, where he completed 64% of his passes for 6,370 yards with 53 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 31 games. He also rushed for 1,074 yards and 17 touchdowns. An Under Armour All-American, Belfort reclassified from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024 and committed to Virginia Tech.
But he became homesick after redshirting last season and decided to enter the transfer portal following the Hokies’ spring camp.
Baylin Trujillo, a quarterback trainer based in Orlando, has been training Belfort since the eighth grade. When Trujillo learned that Belfort wanted to move closer to home, he contacted Milton, with whom he has a close relationship.
“I’m like, I’ve got a diamond for you who has a similar playing style as you,” Trujillo said of his conversation. “I know Scott Frost’s offense, and he can showcase his strengths to what they like to do.”
Belfort is grateful for the opportunity to play closer to home.
“It means the world to me. I’m so happy to be home,” said Belfort. “I loved my time at Virginia Tech, but it was very tough for me, being away from home, being away from my family.”
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Belfort has a very similar physical stature to Milton, and they share similar skill sets.
“We watch McKenzie Milton and Dillon Gabriel, guys with his kind of same stature, especially those that played under Scott Frost, and you can see how they’re good working the ball, being accurate, making right decisions, which sets up the big play, and ultimately scoring a lot of points,” said Trujillo.
“Davi has similar traits as McKenzie — being accurate and immediate, making the right decisions with a high IQ. But the thing that separates him from a lot of quarterbacks, even like McKenzie and Gabriel, is his ability to run.”
Belfort was clocked at 22 miles per hour while at Virginia Tech, according to Trujillo, making him one of the fastest players on the Hokies roster. He ran a sub-4.5 40-yard dash as well.
UCF Athletics files lawsuit against former real estate partner
“[I feel like] I’m able to get the job done, able to win,” Belfort said of what he brings to the Knights. “I can move the sticks and get the ball in the end zone without turning the ball over. I like extending plays, whether throwing the ball or taking off and running. I can do that.”
His return is also special because of his Brazillian heritage.
Orlando has a huge Brazillian population and he believes his presence could bring a whole new group of fans to the Bounce House this season.
“Having the whole Brazilian community in Orlando and many Brazilians go to Orlando to visit year-round, having them being able to come to all the games, it felt like the perfect fit,” he added.
Davi learned a great deal from being around his father, Vitor, a mixed martial artist who went by the moniker “The Phenom” and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He would later also compete as a professional boxer.
“At a very young age, seeing how he approached the game, inside the ring and outside the ring, as a father, a husband and a man of God, taught me a lot,” Belfort said. “The work you put in when no one is watching is what’s made him great. It’s special to have him in my corner.”
Belfort plans to move to campus soon and hopes to get an early start on learning the playbook.
He joins a quarterbacks room that features Tayven Jackson, Cam Fancher and Jacurri Brown — all of whom had a head start with spring camp.
“I’m going to be there probably two weeks before all the guys get there, just to spend time with the coaches and learning the playbook,” Belfort said.
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: [email protected]. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Continue reading...
