A Deep Dive Into the 2024 UCF Knights

Intro UCF enters year 2 of the Big 12 and it was an interesting first season for them and the few other teams that joined this conference and year 2 has a lot of exciting potential we are going to take a deep dive into the UCF nights to see what we should expect from this team and Gus miles on before we do that though make sure subscribe to the channel like the video share the video helps us grow this channel we're on our way to 5,000 subscribers it also helps this deep dive series continue to thrive it's been a really fun series to do so far but that's not possible without you so make sure you subscribed and let's dive into the UCF nights DUS on I think we all Coaching Staff expected him to do some good things with UCF and so far that has been the case and it's been a kind of how we expected it to be the Run game has been obviously the focal point of the offense and the defense at times has been really fun to watch so you have plenty of opportunities to thrive at whatever level you're at whether it was in the AAC or in the Big 12 and obviously it was a transition year you finish the year maybe not where you wanted to but you definitely have potential heading into 20124 and that's really exciting because of the the talent you have returning you also have plenty of reasons to believe that this coaching staff has learned from a six and seven season and and I think that you've upgraded certain pieces from the transfer portal well in that transfer Transfer Portal portal you look at what they were able to get from it that's a lot of talent coming in not so much going out which is exactly what you want you need to upgrade when you're playing in the Big 12 versus the AAC and UCF definitely did that you look at guys like Penny Boon and KJ Jefferson javarius Johnson leras Tennyson you brought in a number of of weapons for both your offense and your defense and you didn't lose a ton of Big Time talent to the transfer portal now obviously you can't do much about guys going pro or running out of Eligibility but you can do what especially in this era of the transfer portal preventing guys from going into the portal and moving on to other schools losing guys like Nick Nicki Martinez obviously will hurt but you also didn't lose a ton of Big Time talent I think Josh celiscar was a a not painful but a a loss for sure Cory thoron is gone Jordan McDonald's gone you lose some players that will definitely be missed but again this staff did a great job of bringing a talent that's going to compete right off the bat and obviously we'll dive into that because this is a team that expects to compete for a big 12 championship and you're not going to do that if you don't have the right guys in place everything with that starts with with the offense QB & RB and this is an offense that will once again continue to run the football and I'm excited to see what KJ Jefferson does in B on system this is a quarterback with great size this will be a backfield with great size once again and this will be one of the best rushing attacks in college football KJ Jefferson is a good runner an underrated athlete if you've looked at some of the runs that he made at Arkansas you know that he has athleticism that's not expected people don't anticipate being someone who can break off a run or or Duke a guy where he's going to break ankles he is someone that is going to be a physical Runner but also has that athleticism to break tackles without having to run people over I'm curious to see what his pass game looks like because this is a an offense that with John rice py you saw the limitations but also you saw plenty of strengths and with the wide receivers that you have coming back you kind of expect KJ Jefferson to thrive in this offense you kind of expect him to be a great player for what UCF needs because this is a team that a lot of people are picking to be a dark course maybe to win the Big 12 because a lot of people have their sites on teams like Utah teams like Kansas State those are teams they're going to have to get past but this this squad has good depth and it's has a rushing attack that will be tough to stop and it's not just because of KJ Jefferson RJ Harvey is one of the best running backs in college football and still probably one of the running backs that weren't on talking about enough over 14400 yards and 16 touchdowns last year also had 238 yards receiving and another score he is a really fun player to watch and again an underrated player you saw him come back from an injury earlier in his career and you saw him bounce back in a huge way last year you saw him break through and he's joined in the backfield by Penny Boon now this was kind of surprising Penny Boon had a big year at Toledo 14400 yards and 15 touchdowns hits the transfer portal goes to Louisville and then ultimately decides to go back in the portal and ends up at UCF now the knights are thrilled that he is on their roster because you give this team depth and it's a team that already kind of had some depth but none that had that size 6'1 242 lbs you put him next to KJ Jefferson at 63 247 and you have some serious beef in the back field now the depth behind them is equally as important because you have guys like Johnny Richardson and Miles Montgomery those are two great pieces to have and good depth pieces Richardson had 573 yards average 6.6 yards per carry miles Montgomery 428 yards 6.5 yards per carry do you have a ton of yards on the ground in this offense in this backfield and you're going to see Harvey Boon probably get a a lion share of the carries but Richardson and Montgomery are capable of contributing as well and Richardson has speed to be a game changer so it'll be tough to keep him off the field and it'll be fun to see how this offense balances out with the passing sack obviously a lot of that is on KJ and WR & TE finding some chemistry with the wide receivers and the pass catchers in general will probably be the biggest thing to keep an eye on because you lose a guy like well you lose some talent and you return plenty of potential as well so when you lose a guy like Javon Baker you're going to need someone to step up fortunately for UCF Kobe Hudson wasn't too far behind I think the fact that everyone focused on Baker last year said a lot about how good he was but then also you kind of overlooked guys like Hudson because he had a year in which he caught 44 passes for 900 yards and eight touchdowns led the team in touchdown receptions averaged 20.5 yards per catch explosive is is an underrated way to statistics describe what Kobe Hudson did for UCF last year now he gets a chance to be the number one guy the go-to guy but it all depends on how much chemistry he has with KJ Jefferson if Jefferson finds him early and often this is a combo that I believe will be one of the best in college football and if not you have other guys that will be able to step up Xavier towns then comes back after a year in which he had 325 yards and three touchdowns you also get javarius Johnson from Auburn that was a huge addition Johnson averaged 18.3 yards per catch last year the wide receiver position has potential outside of those guys too you have guys like jacobe Jones who in 2022 at Ohio 777 yards and six touchdowns average 17.3 yards per catch you also add a ji hall now a ji Hall is definitely one of those you take a flyer on him because you're not sure what you're going to get especially with his past you obviously see some troubles for him but you saw potential at Alabama and then obviously the tech experiment did not work but you have someone who when he is playing really well can be extremely explosive and that's exactly what fits into this Knight's offense this Knight's passing attack wants explosive Playmakers and a ji Hall fits that description he just has to stay on the field Trent Whitmore comes back as well so you have good depth at the wide receiver position the Ted end position might be a little bit more under the radar or maybe unsettled Randy pitton Jr is is a really intriguing player 215 yards and one touchdown a little bit smaller in terms of what you see in normal tight ends at 62 225 but definitely a a playmaker with the ball in his hands other guys that could be a factor you have Jordan Davis Evan Morris and freshman kyin Fox could be in that mix as well but either way you're looking at an offense that has big things ahead of them whether it's running the football is throwing the football UCF is in really good hands because they are capable of moving the ball both on the ground and through the air obviously they want to be a run first team that's going to move the ball on the ground but you also have plenty of options downfield as well and Jefferson gives you that good balance because he's capable of throwing the ball efficiently and throwing it deep but also he's a good runner so you have good balance there you probably don't take a step back in terms of the production it's just a matter of finding that chemistry like I said with those other guys and obviously everything up front on the offensive line will dictate a little bit of that as well skill positions appear to be set and the OL offensive line could be right in that same category you return a number of key players and add a couple more that will be really fun to watch The Tackle position appear set Amari kite the former Alabama transfer and Marcel's Marshall appear to set on the edge there you have good experience for both of those guys and this is a UCF team that even with when you look at B melan you look at Josh hyp Scott Frost one common theme that they had was they had good offensive line play and you obviously have certain positions that you have to replace and certain players that you need to move on from the interior is where that's going to be key and running the football if you are not moving people up the middle you're in for probably a rough afternoon a rough night rough whatever rough game but I think you have good potential in guys like Adrien medley Kaden kler is a name to keep an eye on a a new face to the offensive line but I know that this staff really likes what he's capable of doing hean Smith comes in from Central Michigan so you get a Mac transfer there we'll see how he pans out and then behind them you have a couple transfers that are really interesting Jab Brooks comes in from Sanford a a very experienced player at the center position if kitler can't get it done you can get jabri Brooks in there you also have Cameron Kenny coming in from Georgia West dorsy from Western Kentucky a freshman and wal Clair Flynn you have guys that have potential we'll see how they fit in with this team Paul rubelt also had tackle so you have I think you have intriguing options you may not have a proven depth that maybe you want when you're moving into a second year of the Big 12 but you also have players that can help them get up to speed you have experienced talent that can ease them into or through maybe some rough patches but either way I I think that ucf's in great hands with this offensive line and that leads us to a defense that has some improving to do I think that this is a group that you saw maybe some weaknesses last year and the staff went out and found ways to improve that being said I think that this defensive line will be DL one of the strengths of this defense and everything starts on the edge you have one guy in Malachi Lawrence who was a proven threat last year 10 and a half tackles for loss seven and a half sacks and then you get a guy like dalen doson from UT Martin who at the FCS level had a big season 19 and a half tackles for loss you you look at what he's capable of doing he fits well in this UCF defense you also lost players that were veterans from the edge of that defensive line so there's definitely something to keep an eye on there but again they've done a good job of returning Talent retaining talent and bringing new guys from the transfer portal the interior is where things are really interesting Ricky barbar is a solid player he's been a solid player for a couple years for UCF and in college football in general but the guy to keep an eye on is Lee Hunter all reports that I've seen revolving Lee Hunter is that when he is playing at his best he is practically unblockable he is someone who is absolute force and you kind of see that a little bit with his production last year 11 tackles for loss three sacks it's all going to come down to his motor it's all going to come down to effort from what I'm hearing but Lee Hunter couldn't be an absolute Superstar for this def ensive line an potential All-American player 64 320 pounds I think that it's just incredible to see someone like him do what he does and if he is like I said able to put everything together you're looking at a special season for him you're looking at a special season for UCF and then it just comes down to what's behind them because they're not going to be on the field every single play they will need a burn at some point so getting a guy like Nigel Le Kelly to come from Miami though he doesn't have the greatest production he has the talent to be a productive player on the edge Jamal Johnson kind of another guy that fits that description the interior though is where I think you have more depth John Walker is someone who figures to be in the rotation whether he's going in with hunter or Barber or if he's coming in with Matthew Alexander so you have I think really good depth if you're UCF you have lots of potential on that defensive line and if you find a way to be more disruptive stopping the run for a group that finish 125th that has to be a focal point for Ted roof and this defense if you're able to slow teams down because you're being disruptive you're going to improve defensively because this is a group that was good against the past but at times was very poor against the run a lot of that stems from the defensive line but also the linebackers aren't exempt from that LB either and you brought in a number of talented players which could be good but also could raise some concerns I think in a little bit but at the same time when you look at the three guys that will probably be starting as well as the depth you feel pretty good about where UCF is at one of the best additions in my opinion that UCF made was getting Deshawn Pace from Cincinnati Cincinnati was is a program that's not really going anywhere right now and desan Pace was just being wasted on a team like that he comes to UCF and gets to play his more natural position at linebacker Cincinnati was using him as a defensive back linebacker to me is where he's a little bit more comfortable and kind of in that linebacker defensive back hybrid role so you'll see him at the star position for UCF the linebackers that join him you have Josiah P Pier coming in from Texas Tech Ethan bar coming from Vanderbilt two guys that were productive in their previous stops but you look at a guy like bar to be able to do what he did on Vanderbilt a team that is one of the worst teams if not the worst on a consistent basis in the SEC says a lot about what he could do on a team that actually gives him some help and actually finds some success Josiah Pierre is a really interesting one comes in from Texas Tech a very productive season for the Red Raiders and he joins a new Big 12 team in UCF so keep an eye on him pushing him will be someone like camore who's not as productive but he's going to learn a lot from the guys in front of him Ziri Alexander is another one coming in from Idaho very productive player that will figure into that rotation and then larus larius Tennyson fills in behind deson Pace a very productive player for all Miss I think that we'll expect to see him quite a bit as well so you have pretty good depth at the linebacker position and it's just a matter whether or not that is proven depth and whether or not all of these new faces because in reality you have five new faces to the program and then it'll be six in terms of the production so you have new guys who which combination is going to be the best that works together that works best as one unit that's going to be a big question and like I said stopping the run is a big key for you CF this year and obviously a lot of that starts up front but the linebackers aren't exempt from that now the secondary is where things Secondary really get interesting because you return a ton of talent a ton of talent from a group that finished 25th now we talked about losing Martinez earlier but you also retain certain players that will be really fun to watch Brandon Adams is someone who will be fun to watch at 63 190 pounds has a good framed to play Corner the staff will probably rely on him a little bit more this year UAB transfer mck McWilliams has a new challenge in front of him to be able to handle life in the Big 12 versus the AAC and then the safeties UCF appears pretty set there quadri Bullard a very good player and then deari Henderson who had a monster year 45 tackles three interceptions three fumble recoveries two Force fumbles he is a stud for this team the depth behind them is also pretty solid Jakari Henderson and Jason Johnson Jason Johnson a freshman who this staff really likes they expect some big things from him and then the safety position is really a deep position even though you have Bard and Henderson eyes behind them you have Sheldon Arnold you get Brian threatz and Braden Marshall you have a number of players that can step up that's good depth especially in the Big 12 where you're going to face some really tough teams to stop and this is UCF team that should be a tough team to pass on once again and and you added good pieces you return key players and that's going to be I think really really big for this team now when you look at what should we expect in terms of what's going to be really good for UCF what's Strengths & Concerns going to be concerning when you I I think that we have to consider what this team does really well and that's running the football and I think the uh the concern on the other end is going to be stopping the run so you're really good at running on offense but you struggle running on or stopping the run on defense so the running back position is going to be a strength the run defense could be a concern until further notice that being said defensive line is a strength I think of this team when you look at what this Talent will do for UCF you are going to find a group that improves against the run because they're going to be more disruptive wide receiver to me is a strength I think that this is a really good group even when you lose Javon Baker you still have plenty of talent returning and I think another thing offensive line more specifically probably the interior until further notice this is an offensive line that has a lot of pressure on them and to be able to run the football requires the interior of that line to be ready to play I think that when it's all said and done I don't have too many concerns for what Gus Mells on and that staff will do I think that this will be an offensive line that turns out to be just fine you just have to get to that point The X Factor is going to be the run defense it's going to be a concern until that front group steps up the linebackers obviously play a role in that the defensive line should be much better so this should be a group that improves when it comes to stopping the the run there so this is a really fun team because UCF has a great fan base that is ready for more success because when you look at what we've seen from from this team you've seen some really good things and you've seen a fan base stick with them even when things weren't so great and now you head into year two and there's going to be Buzz surrounding this program and when you look at the schedule it's easy to see Schedule why because you will look at it and if you are in UCF shoes you have a lot of reasons to be excited and there aren't many teams on the schedule that you don't think that you can beat and if you're a UC FN you probably think you're going 12 and0 over under is going to be seven and a half wins and I think that UCF is going to be a a tough team to beat a really fun team to watch and when it comes to playing in the Big 12 they are going to be just fine you obviously saw what last year was you saw what was required to win football games in the Big 12 and now you brought in talent that hopefully elevates your program and when you look at the schedule you're starting two and 0 for sure there's no way you're losing to New Hampshire or Sam Houston that's going to be a 20 20 start at TCU is a little bit challenging I think the horn frogs are going to be a little bit better than they were last year but UCF is definitely a team capable of winning on the road there but that is a tough road game to start with Colorado at home what is Colorado going to look like that's probably the biggest question you don't have a ton of continuity on the buffalo's roster but you are going to face a much tougher Colorado team than you saw last year now how much tougher it is re to be seen but we will find out there but that to me is a winnable game for UCF easily at Florida is probably despite Florida's struggles and despite where Billy Napier currently set on the hot seat I think that this game means so much to UCF in terms of proving their dominance in the State of Florida that this could be tricky you have to manage expectations you have to manage emotions and this is I that being said this is a winnable game Florida is not in a great spot that being said Florida has plenty of talent and still win this football game so that's a tough one to to win because you're heading on the road to Gainesville but you are definitely in a position where you have your back against the wall you are the underdog despite Florida's struggles and you have to find a way to settle those expectations or settle those emotions and find a way to win and I think that UCF is definitely capable of doing that Cincinnati shouldn't be too much trouble for UCF we don't think that they're on the same playing field I think Cincinnati's just in a much worse spot Iowa state is tricky playing in Iowa State UCF fans are gonna find is a tough place to win amim is not a a place where teams typically walk in and come out unscathed that is going to be a tough test and ucf's going to find that out firsthand uiu is isn't in a great place they're in a worse place than like it's kind of like the Cincinnati situation so I don't have too many concerns about that and it also is at home Arizona at home we'll find out if Arizona truly is a contender under Brent Brennan uh but UCF hosting them gives them a little bit of Advantage there do road test after this you get Arizona state after you host Arizona so you head out west that'll be an interesting game and then heading to West Virginia two weeks later that'll be very interesting that could be a tough test West Virginia has a team that could be competing for the Big 12 Championship as well and then you get to host Utah at home now what I will say is can you imagine if you have two 11 and0 teams heading two Orlando to compete for eventually a spot in the Big 12 championship game maybe it would be a rematch if no one else is in that slot but can you imagine the Hypes surrounding this game I think that this is going to be crazy game if that happens and it'd be really fun to see if UCF can get to that point now that being said the ceiling to me for UCF I I think it's 11 and one I truly think that of the the PCU Florida and Iowa States and West Virginia trips I think that they lose one of those even when if things are going really well I think that those are just really tough tests to win all four and if I'm wrong then this is going to be a tough team to beat in the playoff the floor to me with how good this team is is seven to5 because that TCU game Colorado if they're playing well early that's a team that could surprise UCF probably unlikely but possible Florida can beat them Iowa State like I said on the road is very tough that is a a game in which Iowa State can win Arizona is going to be a contender West Virginia's going to be a contender Utah is going to be so you have games on the schedule that if things aren't going right it could be a little bit tricky but that being said there's plenty of reason to be optimistic surrounding UCF there's plenty of reason to be excited and this fan base should be rocking once again this is a roster and a depth chart that is full of talent and full of potential wins and it'll be fun to see how this team responds in a second year now they know what to expect now they are ready to go they are battle tested and they are ready to prove that they can compete for a big 12 championship