A closer look
Spring game reveals team’s revamped defense, potent offense
at UCF’s spring game reveals the team’s revamped defense — and its potent offense.
While the UCF offense gets most of the attention, the Knights’ defense is quietly going through a makeover.
It is one of three things we learned from the Knights’ spring game Saturday at Spectrum Stadium.
1. A new defensive scheme
The Knights showed signs of what the defense will look like in the fall under the direction of new coordinator Randy Shannon. While we’re sure many of the new wrinkles were not unveiled during the spring game, there was at least something to go by. Under Shannon and new head coach Josh Heupel, the Knights’ defense can be expected to take on a number of looks, the newest of which will be a four-man front on the defensive line.
That’s where UCF will need several players to step up following the departures of defensive linemen Jamiyus Pittman and Tony Guerad. The lone returning starter from last year’s 3-4 scheme is Trysten Hill, but others will be expected to step into leading roles. Joey Connors and A.J. Wooten got plenty of experience last season and they’ll be asked to do more this year, along with Aaron Cochran and a number of newcomers.
The linebacking crew will be asked to do more in pass coverage, which is just fine by leader Pat Jasinski and fellow linebackers Nate Evans, Titus Davis, Dedrion Bacote-Sweat — who
missed most of last season with an injury — and Shawn Burgess-Becker.
“The defense is made for us to make plays,” Evans said. “I don’t want to sugarcoat or anything. But I love this defense and I love Coach Shannon.”
2. Variety of offensive weapons
It was well known heading into the spring that UCF boasts a strong stable of running backs led by Adrian Killins, Taj McGowan and Jawon Hamilton, but the unit also features Cordarrian Richardson, Greg McCrae and newcomer Bentavious Thompson. The latter three got the bulk of the carries in the spring game. Receiver Otis Anderson has also worked at running back in the past, so there is no shortage of possibilities.
McCrae had 15 carries in the spring game and scored two touchdowns, but Knights fans also got their
first glimpse of former Miami Southridge star Thompson, who had 14 carries in the scrimmage.
Tristan Payton also showed promise during the spring game. Back from the doghouse and a stint on defense a year ago, Payton will just add to the weapons on the outside, joining fellow receivers Gabe Davis, Dredrick Snelson, Marlon Williams, Manny LoganGreene and Anderson. Dr. Phillips product Jaquarius Bargnare, who returned from a torn ACL, showed some of his old spark and had five catches Saturday.
The Knights will have to replace three tight ends from a year ago and Wisconsin transfer Jake Hescock looks to be the main guy among the group, while junior college signees Chris DeLoach and Brett Bell will be leaned on early in the season.
3. Offensive line will be key
The offensive line, which did a tremendous job of protecting quarterback McKenzie Milton a year ago and gave up just 13 sacks, returns a good deal of experience, led by tackles Wyatt Miller and Jake Brown, center Jordan Johnson and guards Samuel Jackson and Tyler Hudanick, who was injured most of last season.
They will, however, need to do a better job of blocking for all of those running backs. The Knights’ leading rusher a year ago was Killins with 790 yards.
While UCF did manage to average 200 yards rushing per game and was unbeaten in 13 games in 2017, it would seem this stable of backs could be more efficient on the ground. That emphasis starts up front and has been a point of focus this spring. Some concerns appeared to be addressed in the spring game, but time will tell. It helps that UCF’s offensive line depth is better than it has been in recent years.