Week Two provides some new insights

With the return of spring practice after a week off for spring break, the UCF Football team continued to build on developing their team identity as they get ready for the regular season. Last week gave us insight as to the veteran vs. newcomer mentality, who is standing out at the tight end and safety positions, and of course, where the quarterback battle stands. This week, the focus shifted to some other positions, mainly the wide receiver and edge (aka defensive ends) rooms, as well as special teams and the continuation of the quarterback battle.

While the edge room has some returning players who understand the position fundamentals, the wide receiver room is full of newcomers, and the shorthanded special teams are still finding their footing.

The Quarterback Battle Continues

• From what little we’ve seen, redshirt junior transfer from Indiana, Tayven Jackson, has had strong performances during practices.

• Redshirt senior transfer from FAU, Cam Fancher, has shown some serious arm talent.

• Returning Knights, redshirt sophomore Dylan Rizk and redshirt junior Jacurri Brown, continue to get meaningful reps as they look to learn this new offense.

• Once again, the battle is still up in the air. However, based on performances up to this point, Jackson and Fancher seem to have started off on a good note

The New Receiver Room

• While there are some returning players, no one currently on the roster has caught a pass for UCF in a regular season.

• Wide receivers coach Sean Beckton Sr stated that he’s been impressed with all of the receivers in the room.

• According to Beckton, junior transfer from Charlotte, Duane “Speedy” Thomas, is living up to his name.

• Senior transfer from Limestone, DJ Black, claims he can do it all, but Coach Beckton says he’s still figuring out the right way to coach him.

• No block, no rock. The old Knights mantra has made a return to this group.

Experienced Edge Rushers

• One of the positions with the most returning players from last season.

• Senior Nyjalik Kelly and redshirt senior Malachi Lawrence have stepped up as leaders in the edge room per coach Mike Dawson

• Sophomore transfer from Pittsburgh, Sincere Edwards, has been a clear standout amongst the group, according to Dawson, Kelly and Lawrence.

Slim Pickens for Special Teams

• Currently, special teams coordinator Pete Alamar is only working with three players on the roster

• Alamar says he wants two kickers, two punters, and two long snappers before the beginning of the season.

• He will likely have to turn to the transfer portal to complete his group.

As the quarterback battle continues, each quarterback has started to show their individual strengths. Based on observations from Sons of UCF reporter Andrew Cherico, Jackson has been showing promise with consistent strong performances throughout practices. Fancher has been able to show off his arm talents, while Brown and Rizk have shown a want to improve.

At the end of the day, each quarterback has his own list of pros and cons, and ultimately head coach Scott Frost will have to decide who best fits this version of the Knights. As it stands now, that decision does not appear to be coming anytime soon.

In the wide receiver room, no player has ever caught a pass for UCF Football. Whether they’re incoming freshmen, players who redshirted last year, or transfer additions, the wide receiver room is undoubtedly one of the more inexperienced groups on the team.

Despite their inexperience, coach Beckton says he’s been impressed with every wide receiver, and they all have their unique talents and abilities.

Two players who’ve stood out as leaders among the group are Thomas and Black, who arguably have the most experience in the wide receiver room. Both players claim that speed is their bag, but even Black admits that “Speedy” Thomas has been a playmaker during every practice.

“I can get downfield, I can make guys miss, that’s really what I’ve been doing all my life,” Thomas said in a post-practice press conference.

While Thomas’s skills are undeniable, coach Beckton says he is still trying to figure out Black and how to best maximize his skill set.

As a whole, Beckton is mainly trying to focus on blocking, using the term “no block, no rock” frequently to motivate his players.

“This is the mentality we have in this receiver room,” Beckton said in a post-practice press conference. “Thus far I’ve seen it not where I want it yet, obviously, but they’re getting to understand what I want every single play.”

While the receiver room is still establishing their fundamentals, the edge room is getting to move forward, as their group has much more experience.

“It’s fun with the guys who have a base understanding, you kind of get out of football 101,” coach Dawson said in a post-practice press conference. “You get to teach them the intricacies.”

With Kelly coming into his second season at UCF and Lawrence coming into his fourth, they have also taken on the leadership role within their position. Coach Dawson says he appreciates their understanding of the game and their motivation to ask questions and improve from last season.

When it comes to a standout player, Kelly, Lawrence and coach Dawson all noted that Sincere Edwards has been the one making big plays during practice, more specifically during their scrimmage against the offense during Saturday’s practice.

“I would say Sincere. He had two good plays that got the defense off the field real fast,” Lawrence said when asked who was the star of their scrimmage at a post-practice press conference.

Edwards had 17 total tackles and 3 sacks last season at Pittsburgh. With him, Kelly, Lawrence and the rest of the edge room at full strength, Kelly says this group should be leading the Big 12 next season.

Over on special teams, there isn’t much to note, as redshirt sophomore Grant Reddick, redshirt junior transfer from Bloomsburg, Kevin Carrigan, and redshirt junior Michael Carter are the only three players in the group.

“The big thing right now is find out what you got,” Coach Alamar said in a post-practice press conference.

Alamar has been focused on Reddick and improving his leg strength. Alamar says he wants Reddick to be an 85% kicker this season. However, Reddick has yet to kick in real time during practices, and has spent time indoors for practice during this camp.

Because of the lack of faces in the special teams room at the moment, Alamar has mentioned his desire to add on some new players before the start of the season. Coach said his goal is to have two kickers, two punters, and two long snappers before the first game. To do this, he will likely have to look to the transfer portal.

What’s next?

• Quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton will speak to media for the first time in spring camp on Thursday, April 3rd.

• Practice on Saturday, April 5th will be open to the public inside FBC Mortgage Stadium. Start time is listed as 1030am