Photo by Aryah Britt

Knights Stay Hot Halfway Into Spring Camp

Unlike last week, the Knights started week three of spring training out in the Florida sun, picking up right where they left off from Saturday.

The last two weeks has been all about establishing fundamentals and eliminating costly mistakes. Part of the solution the Knights are looking for to this problem is relying on veteran and experienced players, an emphasized point this spring.

Last week, we got an inside look on the kicking room through specials teams coach Pete Alamar and the kickers in the room competing for the position. Along with coach Alamar, we got an inside look at offensive lines coach AJ Blazek, who is preparing his first season with the Knights, and how he is establishing his presence to not only the staff but to the players as well.

On the seventh day of camp, we got a look at the tight end group led by tight ends coach Cooper Bassett who detailed what it has been like handling a group of his own and what he has seen from both the veterans and the newcomers in the room.

QB2 Position Battle

Still no Barnett, but FIU transfer quarterback Keyone Jenkins continues to show his poise in the pocket and comfortability with hitting teammates in stride as he continues to take reps in place of Barnett.

• Jenkins continued to display his comfortability behind the line of scrimmage.

• Jenkins hit Monmouth University transfer wide receiver Josh Derry on a deep pass in drills, despite the ball being wobbly coming out of Jenkins hands.

• The Jenkins to Derry connection is one to keep a further look out for as we head into the second half of spring camp.

• Boise State transfer quarterback Kaleb Annett has also look well rounded in his reps he has taken at camp, completing passes in stride and with poise.

• Freshman quarterbacks Dante Carr and Rocco Marriott have continued to get meaningful reps as they try to position themselves and develop among the group.

Cooper Bassett Taking on a ‘Player Coach’ Identity

In preparation for his first season as Knight serving as the tight ends coach, Cooper Bassett has been on full display of how vocal and hands on he is with his group as a former tight end at Oklahoma State.

• It is clear and evident from what we have seen that coach Bassett is establishing himself beyond a coach who teaches from him vocals. He has also shown full participation in drills.

• Along with offensive line coach AJ Blazek, Bassett is another notable voice you can hear throughout practice as he is a very vocal leader.

• Along with vocals, he is seen running in passing drills for the quarterbacks and has also been seen holding the punching bag in blocking drills for the tight ends.

• Bassett encourages full intensity regardless if he is the one holding the bag, he tells his players that he wants the full force to best improve the Knights on their respective skillsets.

Expectations of Veterans and Younger Guys

We had the chance to hear from senior tight end Dylan Wade and redshirt freshman Caden Piening on what they can hope to improve on under coach Bassett’s leadership.

• Bassett has established that tight end is the most demanding position besides quarterback, and he instilled the meaning of a tight end being a quarterback’s best friend.

• Wade hopes to continue to build on his production from last season and has expressed willingness to play wherever coach Bassett wants him to.

• Coach Bassett added onto Wade’s size, aware that he is not the size of a typical tight end when it comes to bulkiness. However, he sees that his receiving threat gives him a great foundation to focus on improving his blocking.

• Piening, who is coming off an injured freshman year and saw limited play, is looking to bounce back and learn and improve under coach Bassett.

• Piening said he feels confident in how much he knows the UCF offense and that he fully trusts coach Bassett on what him and the offense are game planning on the season.

Player Impressions on Coach Bassett

When bringing along a coach who gets to fully focus on the tight end group, it is good to see how players feel about what they are learning from him on and off the practice field.

• Both Wade and Piening found it fun to learn under a coach who played the position and have a very similar physique to them. Wade even said he looks young out there and very involved.

• Bassett told media he had recently reached the 385 pounds mark at the bench press and both players did not seem surprised seeing how active he is in the locker room.

• Overall, both players are eager to continue to learn under him and get physical with him as a means to improve before the 2026 football season.

What’s Next?

• The media will hear from cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II on Thursday, April 16. Knightmare Society members will also be welcome to watch a private practice at the football practice fields at 9:30am on Thursday.

• Wide Receivers Coach Sean Beckton Sr. will speak to the media on Saturday, April 18.