Competitive Knights set for spring game
UCF football practice ended about 30 minutes early Wednesday. It was the final practice before players prepare for the spring game Saturday night at the newly re-named Spectrum Stadium.
All the work had already been done during the past 14 days. The offense showed more attitude and the defense pushed back. Overall, Knights players and coaches said they saw much progress headed into year two of a new system under Scott Frost.
“We’re looking forward to the spring game. Everyone will be able to see what we’ve been working on so hard in the past few weeks, even just the offseason progress we made in our bodies,” said offensive tackle Aaron Evans. “I’m excited just to have our families come out and just show support and love. We get to perform and that’s what we play for and that’s just really fun to be able to do that this week.”
Check out our top takeaways from spring based on observations from players and coaches on the team’s past 14 closed practices. new plays on the first day of spring last year.
With a year of experience underneath the offense’s belt, they were able to challenge the defense more in practice. Frost even noted there were a few more minor fights this year as players were eager to best each other. But the feistiest competition could have been between the offensive and defensive lines.
“They got better, they did. But they weren’t dominating us like they said they were,” defensive lineman Trysten Hill said of the o-line with a sly smile. “We still know we run things around here but they did get better and we like to see them grow and get better.” line, players and coaches alike are confident in the team’s outside linebackers led by Shaquem Griffin, the reigning American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year, and Titus Davis. Outside linebackers Dedrion Bacote and Eric Mitchell also received earlier praise from linebackers coach Jovan DeWitt.
Frost will likely hold back some of his better offensive tricks from the spring game, but it’s possible to see more tight ends in action this year with bigger bodies like Jordan Akins and Franks taking the field at the same time. Franks is arguably the most versatile player on the team and Akins can be a mismatch nightmare for defenses, but tight ends coach Sean Beckton said Michael Colubiale turned in the best spring performance. Colubiale, a former receiver, also bulked up to 225 pounds.
“I’m a big fan of his and Coach Frost put him on scholarship last week,” Beckton said. “He’s been a tremendous asset and built his body up as a tight end.”