Big shoes to fill on offensive line
Cole Schneider made 47 starts during his UCF career, most of which came at offensive guard.
This spring, the Knights will look to fill the gap left by the lineman, who is headed to the next level.
The majority of UCF’s starting offensive line is back, including fifth-year senior Sam Jackson. Beyond the starting lineup, however, there are questions in the O-line depth.
As UCF enters spring camp, here is a look at who could emerge upfront for the Knights:
Offensive line
Returners: Jackson (5th-Sr.), Ed Collins (RS-Sr.), Chidoziri Maghiro (RS-Sr.), Lokahi Pauole (Sr.), Nate Brady (RS-Jr.), Matt Lee (RS-Jr.), Adrian Medley (RS-Jr.), Josh Cox (RS-Jr.), Paul Rubelt (RS-So.), Patrick Barnett (RS-So.), Ethan Mort (RS-Fr.)
With Schneider gone, Jackson becomes the most experienced offensive lineman. There’s a good chance he’ll be voted a team captain by the players again. Jackson can play just about anywhere along the offensive line and his versatility will be huge for the Knights.
Entering his senior season, Pauole appeared in and started all 13 games for UCF at right guard last season.
A second-team all-conference pick, Pauole could earn first-team honors next season.
At center, UCF has Matt Lee, who has started 22 games in two seasons.
The rising redshirt junior dealt with injuries last season that forced him to miss one game and sit out portions of others, but he’s as tough as they come.
The trio of returning starters will be a big reason UCF has success on offense, but the Knights will need to see development from the other eight linemen cited.
Ed Collins is the most experienced offensive tackle coming off the bench.
He played every game last season while Medley, Rubelt, Barnett and Mort appeared in a combined nine games.
Newcomers: Ryan Swoboda (5th-Sr.), Tylan Grable (RS-Sr.)
To combat the loss of Schneider and questions at depth, the Knights added Swoboda and Grable from the NCAA transfer portal.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn said Swoboda could have gone to the NFL if he wanted to and he’s probably right. The 6-foot-10, 325-pound right tackle started 11 of 12 games for Virginia in 2021.
Swoboda brings experience from the ACC and should be a good fit in UCF’s starting lineup.
Then there is Grable, who comes from FCS Jacksonville State. There shouldn’t be much of an adjustment for the 6-foot-7 290-pound lineman who earned secondteam FCS All-American honors last year.
Gone: Schneider (47 career starts) Marcus Tatum (18 career starts) Josh McMullen (33 career game appearances)
Brett Bell (26 career game appearances) Mike Lofton (11 career game appearances)