Photo by Aryah Britt

Rainy Days Failed to Stop the Knights’ Momentum

A couple of rainy mornings sent the Knights to the Nicholson Fieldhouse for practice on Tuesday and Thursday before returning to the Florida heat on Saturday, however, that did not change the mentality on the practice field as they competed day in and day out.

Head coach Scott Frost applauded his team’s toughness and the lack of a drop in effort following indoor conditions and intense typical Florida conditions.

“I kind of expected a little bit of an effort or intensity let down,” Frost said. “It was the exact opposite.”

Frost credited the absence of a dip in effort to the team being more “mature” and the offseason process of grabbing experienced players in the portal.

“We have a lot more guys that are about the right things and all business and out there to get better,” Frost said. “I think our experience and maturity will serve us well throughout the year.”

With two weeks of spring training now in the books, it brought along some fun storylines for Knights’ fans to keep watch on, as well as updates on starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

Timetable on Barnett, Jenkins Displaying Experience in Spring

After a week of questioning on when Knights’ fans can expect to see Barnett in action in practice, the answer may be sooner than we think. However, out of who we have seen, transfer quarterback Keyone Jenkins is showing good signs.

• Frost told the media where Barnett currently is in his recovery process and reiterated the lack of concern due to his experience level.

• Frost also noted that Barnett is currently mainly rehabbing, taking reps and throwing on his own while also working with training staff to make sure he is 100% when he steps onto the practice field.

• With the spotlight still being on the other quarterbacks, Jenkins is showing poise in the pocket and is making good throws when doing so.

• Frost attributed this calmness in the pocket to the experience under his belt due to his time at Florida International University. With that being said, Frost is delighted with the what the other quarterbacks have shown on the practice field as well.

• Frost is hopeful that they can get more reps out of Barnett the following week as they look to progress his slow transition.

Competition in the Kicking Room

With former UCF kicker Noe Ruelas seeking an opportunity to play professional, what is next in store for the Knights and their kicking room situation? Second year Special Teams Coordinator Pete Alamar says utilizing the spring as “bonus time” allows for the group to get prepared as best as possible before the season.

• “No jobs are won in spring,” Alamar told the media in regards to the competition within the kicking position.

• Alamar nailed the idea into the media that there are no labels in the room in spring, in reference to redshirt senior placekicker Will Stone who brings along years of experience.

Get to Know UCF’s Kickers/Punters

While sometimes the kicker and punter position can be overlooked by many, Knights fans may be wondering who will be walking out between the hashes to put it through the uprights in the fall. While that is currently unknown, it is good to know the faces of who is competing for the punting and kicking jobs.

• Redshirt senior Will Stone brings along four years of experience from the University of Texas, while also utilizing his redshirt during his senior season.

• During his time with the Longhorns, he took over the roll of kickoff and showcased his strong leg talent, averaging 62 yards a kickoff as well as tallying on eight touchbacks.

• Besides kickoff responsibilities, Stone did see action as a field goal and PAT specialist in his junior season in the CFP Semifinal versus Ohio State at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. He went 2-for-2 on PATs and kicked off three times and averaged 63.4 yards a kick with one touchback.

• Since spring camp, UCF posted an interesting trick shot made by Stone via their Instagram, showcasing him punting a ball sky high and meeting it in the air with a kick off a tee.

• Another interesting name is redshirt freshman Mason Denaburg who hasn’t seen much ball kicking action since his junior year of high school where he was named First Team All-State.

• However, he missed his senior season for Team USA National Baseball where he was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s 24th overall Draft prospect in 2018.

• Denaburg was a 28th overall pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2018 Draft before taking his career to the MiLB from 2019 to 2024. During his time, he appeared in 88 games and started in 21 of them, posting a career total of 157.1 innings pitched.

• He did appear in one contest for the Knights as a freshman and served as a holder for an extra point against North Carolina A&T.

• Senior punter Atticus Bertrams is also another name to become familiar with.

• He spent his last three years with the University of Wisconsin as he held solely punting responsibilities. He was named to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list in his junior season.

• The Sydney, Australia native brings along experience in the punting game and could be someone that international Knights’ fans could learn to love.

• And finally we have redshirt freshman Noah McGough who saw action in one game last season where he made an extra point to extend UCF’s monumental lead over North Carolina A&T to 68-0.

• As reiterated by coach Alamar, the names listed are all competing for a starting job, regardless of experience, what year they are, or even if they perform well in the spring.

New Beginnings: OL Coach AJ Blazek Setting the Tone

Offensive line coach AJ Blazek is setting the tone for the Knights’ o-line, a group that struggled last year in penalties. Blazek brings along several years of offensive line coaching experience at the Power 4 level and more than two decades of coaching experience all around. Under his first season with the Knights, Blazek looks to veteran players to set examples for newcomers and younger players.

• If you have attended practices, then you will have heard the voice of coach Blazek, a very vocal and very stern leader among the newer faces on the coaching staff.

• Blazek spoke on how beneficial it is to have your group in the spring and being able to figure out who will hold the backup spots beyond the first and the second but also the third and fourth in the positions.

• Blazek also acknowledged the portal calendar change was helpful because he now becomes aware of who will step up to the plate when needed. He reflected on past experiences and is knowledgeable he will not have the same five players active all year due to the demand at the positions.

“We got to get eight or nine guys that we know can play for us,” Blazek said. “You want your starters, but in this day and age in college football, your not going to have five guys go through a full season.”

• He told the media that he is a different coach in terms of his style. He emphasized coaching the older guys on the little things allows for the younger guys who are still learning to reflect on how much they need to learn.

• Blazek is a fan of competition as he talked about the battle for the center and left tackle positions. He mentions and it is seen in practice that many different players are taking center reps since many are capable.

• Penalties are another thing Blazek touched on, the Knights have struggled with penalties in the past and he explained a way to change that.

• He aims to attack the mindset of the offensive lineman to try and resolve the issue.

Coach Blazek from a Player’s Perspective

With coach Blazek coming in to coach this group, many members of the offensive line have spoken what he has done for the group but also what about him attracted transfer players into coming to Orlando.

• Returning tackle Preston Cushman appreciated Blazek’s approach to coaching minor details and setting an example when he spoke to the media the week prior.

“You do something wrong on the practice and he won’t even get on you for that, he’ll get on your butt about the leadership aspect side of things,” Cushman said. “I messed up something up today and he was on me for throwing my hands up in the air.”

• “Every play has to be the Big 12 Championship,” returning offensive linemen Connor Meadows told media when it comes to setting the standard in the locker room as a returning player.

• Meadows described Blazek as a father figure when speaking on what it has been like being coached by him. He is also able to see the culture that is trying to be established and feels a major shift in progress at this time of year compared to last year’s spring camp.

“He always says there’s a time and place for everything. Once we get on the field, it’s business, but off the field he’s like a father figure to me,” Meadows said. “He genuinely wants to be around us and bring the guys together and I’ve felt that.”

• Buffalo transfer offensive lineman Henry Tabansi spoke on the conversations he had with coach Blazek that influenced him to come to Orlando.

• Tabansi said he liked the idea of coming in and having to compete for a starting spot in the lineup, even sharing that he feels that he is shown he is fully capable of being on the first team.

• Along with the idea of competition, he also enjoyed the family that is created at UCF and compared it to the one he had at Buffalo saying it is the same welcoming feeling.

“The way he talked about the room and how it’s going to be competitive and no spot is secured, I am going to have to come here and compete,” Tabansi said. “He’s a very personable guy, every offensive lineman has their own personality and he knows how to cater to that.”

• Michigan State transfer offensive lineman Cooper Terpstra wanted a place to find and be part of a brotherhood with the offensive line group, he said coach Blazek and the staff have made that happen.

• He likes Blazek’s intensity and how he pushes him to compete to the very last minute. That played a part and is currently playing in establishing a familial culture.

“We all love it, it’s tough football,” Terpstra said. “He really encourages us to hang out too, so we go get food and he wants us to compete.”

What’s next in spring camp?

• Tight Ends Coach Cooper Bassett will speak to the media on Tuesday, April 14.

• Cornerbacks Coach David Overstreet II will speak to the media 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.