Experience gives Knights spring boost
Jamiyus Pittman admitted to shaking a little rust off during the first day of UCF football spring workouts following a spring break trip to San Juan.
But it’s hard to measure exactly what qualifies as rust for the Knights these days. Pittman, a senior defensive lineman, is easily in the best shape of his career. He set weight room records by squatting 725 pounds and cleaning 405.
UCF players spent a full year adapting to a new nutrition program, a new offense, a new defense and, of course, a new coaching staff spearheaded by Scott Frost.
And most say the difference in look, feel and execution during spring practice is night and day compared to last season.
“Last spring, the offense, they didn’t look good. They didn’t come out sharp as coach would have liked. This year, they’re running plays good, they know the plays, they know what they’re supposed to be doing. They’re getting me better,” Pittman said. “… Even the scout team is getting me better, so I’m feeling good about what [we’ve] got going on.”
The first day of UCF’s 15 spring workouts kicked off Tuesday morning and players got an early start, hitting the field at 7 a.m.
Frost said the coaches hope to see several key areas addressed during the next month.
“We want to make improvement. First and foremost, I think we need to be more aggressive,” he said. “I want us to run and hit better on both sides of the ball. I want our technique to be better on both sides of the ball — particularly on offense.
“Last year, we were in a hurry to get everything installed. When you’re in a hurry to get things installed, sometimes you can skip over some detail. So we want to make sure and refine what we’re doing this spring.”
So far, players said things have moved more fluidly in comparison to last spring when players were trying to learn a host of new plays and adapt to a faster tempo.
With a solid foundation developed last year, players have been push for a deeper understanding of the new system. This, in part, has helped players become more confident, vocal leaders — particularly on the offense.
“I’ve seen McKenzie Milton step up and start saying more and being more of a vocal guy and we need that out of our quarterback,” offensive lineman Wyatt Miller said. “We need a guy that’s going to step up and say something if somebody’s doing something wrong or just kind of step up.
“. . . Tre’Quan has always [been a lead] by example guy, but he’s been more vocal this offseason and I think that’s great. We need that out of him.”
There is still much to learn, but for now, players and coaches are enjoying a smoother spring ride and trying their best not to look too far ahead.
“We definitely have to get more than six [wins] now. At this point, we’re working toward . . . I don’t want to [set a goal],” Pittman said with hesitation. “…[But] definitely I’m trying to get a conference championship.”
The UCF football team will start the 2017 season off without two promising young talents because of failed NCAA drug tests.
Receiver Tristan Payton, a sophomore, and cornerback Nevelle Clark, a redshirt freshman, tested positive for marijuana during NCAA-mandated drug tests taken in conjunction with the Knights’ Cure Bowl appearance.
“We hold our athletes to the highest standard and they’re going to have consequences if they don’t live up to that standard,” Frost said. “We’re going to do everything we can for those two young men and hopefully they learn the lesson.”
Payton and Clarke will miss a minimum of six games next season. They are participating in spring practices.