It’s next men up front as Knights deal with injuries
Offensive linemen Lee, Collins making most of opportunities
It was as if Matt Lee was born to be a UCF Knight.
In those early days growing up in Oviedo, nearby UCF earned a special place in Lee’s heart. How could it not?
His father played football for the Knights in the 1990s, and many of his family members also attended the school. Lee has fond childhood memories of going to UCF football games.
When he finally slipped a UCF jersey onto his 6-foot-4, 290-pound frame earlier this year, what was once a dream turned into a reality.
“It was pretty awesome thinking about in the past growing up and really wanting to be at this point, and that actually becoming a reality and be able to build off of that,” Lee recalled. “It’s even better in reality.”
Lee signed with the Knights out of Oviedo Hagerty High as part of the 2019 recruiting class, quickly bonding with the coaching staff and his teammates. He already has made three appearances this season, primarily in a backup capacity.
When starters Cole Schneider and Sam Jackson went down with injuries in the first quarter during Saturday’s win over East Carolina, Lee and redshirt freshman Edward Collins stepped in as replacements.
“They did a great job,” UCF offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. “It just goes to show that even though you’re a [No.] 2 or 3, if you stay mentally locked in and know exactly what’s going on and staying alive in the meeting room … they got their opportunity and they got the job done.”
Collins said Elarbee called him the night before the game against the Pirates to give him a