2008 UCF Knights Preview

After a few years of building his roster, UCF coach George O’Leary will finally begin a season with players recruited entirely by his staff. Arguably the best recruit in that time, running back Kevin Smith, is off to the NFL. But the Knights return a total of 14 starters this season and have probably their best all-around recruiting class to fill in the gaps. Where last season this team followed the lead of its offense, don’t be surprised if O’Leary, who made his reputation with solid defensive units, demands the same leadership out of his defense.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Knights

The Knights have a lot to live up to after claiming their first Conference USA championship in 2007 and second bowl berth. Coach George O’Leary’s team didn’t lose a lot on either side of the ball numbers-wise, but the missing pieces are noticeable. The six losses on offense include the nation’s top running back last year in Kevin Smith, who is off to the pro ranks. UCF has plenty of able bodies in the program now (five incoming freshmen backs) to fill the void, but losing more than 30 touchdowns from the offense will affect any team. The good news is that the defense returns nine starters. It has also added some girth in the form of a few transfers and freshman signings. The question will be whether the defense has enough collective leadership to carry the team if the offensive side of the ball doesn’t come around immediately. The team is also dealing with the sudden death of teammate Ereck Plancher, a redshirt freshman who died in an offseason workout the day before the start of the spring season. Deaths like these have affected teams in different ways, and it will be interesting to see how the Knights respond emotionally this season.

Quarterbacks

Even with the loss of starter Kyle Israel to graduation, the Knights have some options at quarterback. Junior Mike Greco, Israel's backup in ’07, seems like the most likely candidate to win the job by the start of the season. Greco fell a little behind redshirt freshman Joe Weatherford at the end of the spring by sitting out most of the spring game, but he’s more mobile than his counterpart. NFL coach Mike Tice’s son Nate Tice is likely to be the third option but could get some competition from incoming freshman recruit Rob Calabrese.

Running backs

Smith isn’t walking through that door, folks. But several talented freshmen will be. Last year’s backup, junior Phillip Smith, seemed like the new Smith on the block, but he was slowed a little bit in the spring with a leg injury. Don’t be surprised if incoming freshmen Brandon Davis and Latavius Murray make a move on the depth chart. The same is true for former walk-on Ronnie Weaver, who earned a scholarship last season.

Receivers

This youthful group was hurt slightly by the spring ACL injury of sophomore A.J. Guyton, one of the Knights’ top pair of hands last season. But senior Rocky Ross and sophomores Kamar Aiken, Brian Watters and Khymest Williams are just as talented. Guyton will reportedly redshirt, so it will clear the way for others like sophomore Sidney Haynes to make an impact.

Offensive linemen

This group has undergone a lot of change since the Liberty Bowl. Center Kyle Smith, left guard Cliff McCray and right tackle Josh Sitton are all gone. The Knights have tried to retool with senior Cody Minnich at right guard, junior Jeramy DeVane at left guard and senior Mike LaVoie at the starting center spot. The best news for this hybrid group is that sophomore Jah Reid is finding a groove at right tackle, and senior left tackle Patrick Brown is there to provide some leadership.

Defensive linemen

The Knights lost a lot with the graduation of defensive ends Leger Douzable and Emeka Okammor and defensive tackle Keith Shologan. But like their offensive counterparts, the defenders have reloaded. This group should be capable of causing some pressure up front this season. End Antonio Wallace is the lone senior of the group, but he is joined by 2007 All-Conference USA freshman team members Bruce Miller and Darius Nall. Miller had seven sacks last season, and Nall, who began the season at linebacker before migrating to end, had 22 stops and a sack.

Linebackers

It isn’t a unit that is going to wow you with its blazing closing speed, but this linebacker group is probably the most stable it’s been under O’Leary. Cory Hogue had a great offseason and has recovered well from some nagging injuries last season. He has solid guys with him in the form of junior Chance Henderson and sophomores Derrick Hallman and Lawrence Young.

Defensive backs

The heart of the Knights’ defense, this unit has been intact each of the past two seasons. An all-senior group, they are led by first-team All-Conference USA selection Joe Burnett and the hard-hitting Johnell Neal. Both safeties — Sha’reff Rashad and Jason Venson — are equally agile and will be needed to produce, especially if the defensive line needs a little extra time to jell. Also, look for solid contributions from junior corner Emery Allen and sophomore Darin Baldwin, who got a lot of quality time as a true freshman.

Specialists

The Knights have a new placekicker in transfer Jordan Dodds. Mike Torres, lost to graduation, didn’t have the most powerful leg but was very accurate as a senior. The Knights need to get some kind of dependability from the position to keep ghosts like those of the 2005 Hawaii Bowl (missed extra point in overtime loss) out of their memory. Burnett is a dangerous punt returner.

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