Causey improved, unsatisfied

DB’s breakout year traceable to ability to remain hungry

TAMPA — UCF defensive back Rashard Causey remains hungry for more.

The Miami native is experiencing a breakout season in his senior year. He has registered career highs across the board, highlighted by his three forced fumbles which have led directly to 14 UCF points. Causey entered the 2018 campaign with just 16 career tackles, but he has 35 after the Knights’ win over rival USF Friday.

His most important play and tackle thus far occurred at Memphis last month when he was able to bring down Tigers wideout Tony Pollard inbounds, draining the final seconds off the clock and securing the Knights’ thrilling one-point victory.

But Causey doesn’t want to think about what he has accomplished. It’s all about what he can do next.

“I just try to keep my mind clear of the plays that I did make in the past and just try to wipe it out and be like, ‘I’ve got to make some more plays,’” he said. “Just stay hungry about it.”

Causey has been able to make more plays this year thanks in large part to a position change. Cornerback was once all he knew, but Causey has taken over as the Knights’ nickelback this year.

The switch moves him all over the formation, and because he has either corner or safety help beside him, Causey says the change has allowed him to not overthink while on the field. Instead, he is able to rely upon the innate skill that made him a top-50 recruit in Florida in 2015, according to ESPN.

“You’ve pretty much got to man up and just do what the play call is saying and just play balls to

the wall,” Causey said about playing nickelback. “... Just read and react, that’s it.”

Secondary coach Willie Martinez has been so pleased with Causey’s performances this year, he said this week that the St. Thomas Aquinas grad was the defensive back who has improved the most since the Knights’ first-year coaching staff arrived on campus at the start of 2018.

“It’s his last year and to see him from the beginning when we first got here, we loved his juice, his energy, his passion, his physicality,” Martinez said.

“To see him from the time that we got here to [the Knights’ win over Cincinnati last week] ... it’s kind of cool to see. I’m really happy for him, but he’s put a lot of hard work into it. To see it pay off is exciting.”

Causey was credited with just two tackles in last week’s primetime game against the Bearcats, but he was essentially perfect in coverage. Cincinnati threw at him four times, including twice in the end zone, All four passes went incomplete. That standout defense was a leading reason why Causey received a game ball from coach Josh Heupel following the Senior Knight win.

“He is a guy that maybe spends as much time in our building watching film in preparation during the course of the week. I think that’s a big reason why he’s anticipating what’s going to happen, “Heupel said of Causey. “He recognizes formations and he’s taking advantages of the opportunities and making plays.”

He followed it up with three solo tackles and a pass break up during an emotional game against USF, helping the defense limit USF’s damage while the offense regrouped following starting quarterback McKenzie Milton’s major leg injury.

“I’ve still got to stay hungry throughout my play,” Causey said.

“That’s all I’ve been keeping in my head.”