Coach impressed with UCF growth
Heupel impressed with growth of defensive line this offseason
Heupel particularly struck by the defensive line’s improvement.
UCF coach Josh Heupel has been impressed with how the Knights have grown as a group in the 19 months since he took over the program. He was struck this offseason with how much his team has grasped in a relatively short amount of time.
“I think the thing that stands out is their understanding of what we’re doing through all three phases of the game compared to where we were certainly a year ago,” Heupel said.
One group in particular that has caught his attention — the defensive line.
“Just watching them in workouts, I think our D-line has come a long way from where we started in January to where they finished spring ball to where they are today,” Heupel said. “That doesn’t guarantee success. Everything you do in the offseason just gives you the opportunity to have success once you get to fall. I really like how that group continues to mature.”
“It’s been fun watching our players with the new guys that came in ... Just how willing they are to take them in and take ownership of them and spend time with them and share the pitfalls of a career. That’s what great programs do.” — UCF coach Josh Heupel
The Knights face the difficult task of replacing three starters up front as well as numerous veterans, including Titus Davis, Joey Connors, A.J. Wooten, Trysten Hill, Aaron Cochran and Gabriel Luyanda.
That’s a tall order when you consider the departing players accounted for 187 tackles, 125 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks.
Senior end Brendon Hayes is the only starter back from last season, along with several players who saw limited playing time, including sophomore Randy Charlton and junior Kenny Turnier.
Newcomer Cam Goode is already making an impression as an early enrollee while incoming freshmen Tre’Mon Morris Brash, Keenan Hester and Dallaz Corbitt are expected to provide much-needed depth and athleticism at the position.
“It’s been fun watching our players with the new guys that came in, including a couple of new defensive tackles, in May,” Heupel said. “Just how willing they are to take them in and take ownership of them and spend time with them and share the pitfalls of a career. That’s what great programs do.”
Safety Richie Grant said the defense as a whole has been working during the offseason on playing as one.
“Knowing where your help is because last year, we got into some situations where we misplaced our keys or had our eyes in the wrong spot, so we’re trying to eliminate all of the small mistakes and mental errors,” Grant said, acknowledging stretches last season when UCF relied on its dynamic offense to offset defensive mistakes.
Receiver Gabe Davis said he’s noticed the defensive players pushing to improve this offseason.
“I know they’re working and they’re motivated. I go in there when they’re lifting weights and I mess with them and see what weight they are pushing and see if I’m pushing more,” Davis said with a grin.
Several Knights land on watch lists: Grant was the latest Knight to earn preseason honors, joining a group of 46 players named to the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the top defensive back in the country.
Grant, who led UCF in tackles (109) while earning All-American Athletic Conference honors after leading the league with six interceptions, also was named to the Bednarick Award watch list. He joins teammates Adrian Killins Jr. (Maxwell), Greg McCrae (Doak Walker), Gabe Davis (Biletnikoff ) and Jordan Johnson (Rimington Trophy) listed among preseason candidates for college football’s top awards.