Tight ends focused on improving to give the Knights some needed depth
When UCF tight ends coach Alex Golesh joined the Knights coaching staff in December, he inherited a position group marked by uncertainty entering the 2020 season.
Redshirt senior Jake Hescock was the only tight end with starting experience.
So Golesh quickly went to work building depth through recruiting.
The Knights signed three tight ends as part of their 2020 recruiting class: Zach Marsh-Wojan, Tony Forrest Jr., and Jordan Davis. He also added a pair of walk-ons in Max Holler and Garrett French to go along with redshirt sophomore Alec Holler, who was injured last season.
“I think the tight end position as a whole has come along,” Golesh said Thursday. “We’ve put such a big emphasis on trying to get somebody ready behind Jake.
“Trying to make sure we can find some balance there where what happened a year ago when Jake went down and really felt like you didn’t have anyone who could come in and step into that role.”
Golesh typically would have had spring camp and summer conditioning drills to mold and develop players such as MarshWojan and Forrest, but the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone home for the summer.
“This offense is unique to where it takes a minute and not having spring ball hurt Zach in a lot of ways and he’s had a lot of catching up to do,” Golesh said of the 6-foot-5, 235-pound junior from California. “He’s done a good job at the things he feels comfortable with.
“He played receiver really all the way up until a year ago at Sacramento City [Community College,] where they asked him to block a little bit more. In this offense, we’re putting a ton on him on the blocking side, so I think he feels comfortable when he’s out in space and running around with the ball in the air, that’s his comfort zone. We’ve tried to push him past that comfort zone.”
Then there’s Forrest, who has caught the eye of head coach Josh Heupel.
“I really like the way that he’s played,” Heupel said. “He’s played with a ton of speed inside of the core. He’s been really physical and I really feel like he’s got a chance to continue to develop here and continue to climb.”
Golesh said Davis, who is the brother of former Knights receiver Gabe Davis, is “rehabbing like crazy” from an ACL injury he suffered earlier in the year, but he would be surprised if the true freshman would be able to play before the 2021 season.
While much of the focus has been on building up the newcomers at tight end, both coaches have been impressed with the maturity and growth demonstrated by Hescock, who enters his final season with the Knights.
“For Jake, it took a minute for him to understand what he could be,” Golesh said of Hescock, who finished with nine catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns despite being limited by injuries last season. “I challenged him early that we’re going to push you to be the best version of yourself and not limit you to what you have done, let’s see what you can add to the offense beyond what you have been doing in terms of your role.
“That’s what I challenged him to do, that’s what Coach Heup[el] challenged him to do.”
Golesh said Hescock took it upon himself to transform his body through workouts at home.
“I think he did a really good job with the time between home and here, … training on his own,” Golesh said. “He took a lot of pride in developing and growing as a pass catcher and a route runner. I think he came into camp really confident.
“I think he’s confident now that he can play and be an every down tight end.”
Added Heupel, “I think he’s made huge strides here. His understanding, his ability to play with technique and play with the speed at the core, and also to be able to split out and do some things that we really haven’t done with him in the past. We’re looking for a huge year from him this year.”
Heupel named to Dodd watch list
UCF coach Josh Heupel was named to the Dodd Trophy watch list Thursday. The award is given annually to the top college football coach in the country.
Heupel is kicking off his third season with the Knights after leading the program to a 22-4 record.
The Dodd Trophy honors coaches who enjoy success on the field, but it also stresses the importance of “scholarship, leadership and integrity — the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.”
He is one of 13 coaches on the list and one of only two coaches from outside of the autonomous conferences to make the cut: Mack Brown, North Carolina (ACC); Luke Fickell, Cincinnati (AAC); Tom Herman, Texas (Big 12); Josh Heupel, UCF (AAC); Brian Kelly, Notre Dame (ACC*); Gus Malzahn, Auburn (SEC); Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia (ACC); Dan Mullen, Florida (SEC); Ed Orgeron, LSU (SEC); Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma (Big 12); Nick Saban, Alabama (SEC); Kirby Smart, Georgia (SEC) and Dabo Swinney, Clemson (ACC).