I have two ideas. If it has been proposed before, I haven't seen it.

I am a big fan of the bowls and getting to see my team play another game. I am afraid they are dying a slow death. This is especially true with the playoff going to 12 teams.... How do we keep all of the bowls and the good that they do for their communities and the teams playing?

Idea #1: Move all bowl games to the beginning of the season. Last week in August, first week in Sept.. Tons of excitement kicking off a season and a huge group of teams get to participate not just a handful. I'm willing to bet attendance would be through the roof. Season could end a little later and we get more weeks of meaningful college football.

Idea #2: Make all bowls, the spring game. One game, vs another team, in a cool place over a 2-3 week period. It would fill the spring football "hole" that some other leagues have tried and failed at (because nobody cares). You can tie it to spring break for famillies, etc... I think this would be SUPER cool.

Still gathering more info for an update, but I think this might be happening at UCF too.

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Graduate transfers (and obviously JUCO and HS) can take OVs. Many undergraduate transfers have announced their intent to transfer, but the portal for non-graduates doesn't officially open until Monday. Those players can start taking visits next week.

There may be more visitors, trying to get confirmation on others.

UCF Visitors:

QB Tyler Shough (Texas Tech)

Shough was already discussed at length earlier this week when a Twitter account indicated he had committed to UCF. That was premature. He is a UCF target, however.

Ben Golan of the Texas Tech Rivals site posted a good synopsis of Shough which can be found at this link. He started at Oregon in 2020 and was Tech's starter the last three seasons (2021-23). 2021 (broken collarbone) and 2023 (broken leg) were cut short early due to season-ending injuries. He missed several games in 2022, but did finish the season and led Tech to a bowl victory.

UCF was always going to target an experienced QB in the portal. If Shough is the guy, that would be a good one to get early so you can use him as the centerpiece of your transfer class as you continue recruit on offense. UCF will be looking for WRs, OL and a TE in the portal. And maybe a RB, depending on what RJ Harvey does.

He can be a top-end Big 12 QB - if he stays healthy. Would only have one year left though.


WR Jaden Richardson (Tufts)

Lower-level transfers are catching high-level attention, one of the bigger ones being WR Jaden Richardson from Division III Tufts University in Massachusetts. The California native caught 46 passes for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

Other offers including Washington, Wisconsin, usf, UConn, UMass, James Madison, Georgia Southern, Liberty and Old Dominion.

He would have two years of eligibility remaining.


LB Wyatt Wright (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)

There may not be a bigger need than LB. UCF will lose their top two starters (Jason Johnson and Walter Yates) and don't have much returning in terms of proven experience. Wyatt Wright, a Delaware native, got his UCF offer on Monday and by Tuesday he was booked for his OV.

Other recent offers include Arizona State, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, Temple, Georgia State, Charlotte, Louisiana Monroe, Jackson State, Arkansas State, Texas State and Western Kentucky.

I talked to him earlier this week for an interview. You can read that interview here:


RB Frankie Arthur (Conroe, Tex. - Oak Ridge)

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Frankie Arthur, who committed to UCF over the summer, is taking his official visit this weekend. He has a long offer list that includes Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Memphis, Missouri, Oregon, SMU, TCU and Texas Tech.

His top three included UCF, Oregon and Mizzou.

DE Booker Pickett (Tampa Wharton)

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Much of the attention has been on the transfer portal, but UCF is hosting an elite high school defensive end on an OV this weekend. The Tampa Wharton star is currently committed to Miami having pledged to the Hurricanes in October. Both his parents attended UM; his father is a former 'Cane football player.

Pickett has had a longtime offer from UCF, dating back to December 2021. He visited unofficially in January 2022 for "Hometown Hero" as well as Spring 2023.

An earlier top five also included Florida State, Ohio State, Georgia and South Carolina.

As a senior, Pickett had 16 sacks, 22 TFLs and 66 overall tackles.

DB Phillip Dunnam (Indiana)

Dunnam is one of the top safeties in the portal. The North Miami Beach native appeared in every game at Indiana the past two years. As a full-time starter in 2023, Dunnam recorded 53 tackles, six pass breakups and led the Hoosiers with three interceptions.

Due to the coaching change in Bloomington, Dunnam is officially in the portal (doesn't have to wait until Monday) so he can be on an OV this weekend. He had a season PFF grade of 72.3.

To play baseball 👀
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Per UCFKnights.com…

Former UCF fullback Ron Thow has made a legacy gift commitment to UCF Athletics, representing the largest financial commitment by a former Knights football player.

Thow’s gift will align with Mission XII and will result in naming the Thow Family Locker Room inside the Wayne Densch Sports Complex--and will pay for extensive upgrades for that football area in the next few years.

“By coming to UCF, I was provided the opportunity to earn a college degree from an amazing institution and play a sport I love. It’s time for me to return the favor and invest in the future of UCF football,” said Thow.

“I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when I think of what UCF has meant to me over the years. As a new member of the Big 12 Conference, we’re still just scratching the surface and I’m thrilled to be a part of that future success.”

Originally from Staten Island, New York, Thow played fullback for the Knights from 1989 through 1992. As a sophomore in ’90, he helped UCF finish 10-4 and played on the first Knight team to participate in the NCAA FCS Playoffs. UCF was the first team to qualify for the FCS bracket in its first year of eligibility--and the Knights won playoff matchups versus Youngstown State (20-17) and William & Mary (52-38) before falling in the semifinal round to eventual champion Georgia Southern.

“It’s with great excitement we announce a legacy gift from Ron Thow and his family to our football program,” said UCF vice president and director of athletics Terry Mohajir.

“Ron’s commitment to UCF football is another great testament to one of our Varsity Knights giving back to a program that he believes has given him so much.”

“Over the past three decades, Ron and his family have been some of our most passionate and loyal champions of excellence and opportunity,” said UCF president Alexander N. Cartwright.

“Ron knows the transformative impact of collegiate athletics firsthand from his time wearing No. 7 as a fullback on our football team. We are grateful for his generosity and commitment to bringing out the best in our student-athletes, teams, and programs.”

“We’re so appreciative of Ron and his support for our program,” said UCF football head coach Gus Malzahn. “This is a big-time gift and it will be huge for the future of our program moving forward.”

Thow, a 1993 UCF liberal arts graduate, is in the finance/asset management business in New York City. Thow is a former board member of the UCF Foundation and is currently on the board of UCF’s official NIL collective, The Kingdom.

He and his wife Carolyn are parents of daughter, Alexandra….

Nm

Excited, @AGLamb? Lol.

While it's only across the river, Virginia has been the largest state without a major pro sports team.

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NC State hosting a non-McCall transfer QB on a visit this weekend.

Simply hedging their bets or do they know something?

I'm not sure what happened in that other thread, but let's start a new thread about Grayson McCall.

Like others, I've heard a lot of positive things about McCall's visit and UCF's chances. It is believed he will announce a decision soon between UCF and NC State. I'm usually a lot more cynical about stuff like this until I know something is in the bag - it seems NC State people also came away feeling very positive as well.

I think it's very clear UCF was putting on the full court press, bringing him into a public venue (basketball game). Unfortunately the students were mostly absent and there really wasn't momentum to get a "We Want Grayson" type chant started.

I continue to hear chatter that RJ and Kobe are planning to return. In regards to RJ specifically, he has been telling people around campus as much (which is in addition to the stuff I previously heard). One would think bringing back the nucleus of the offense would be a key selling point for UCF over NC State in regards to McCall.

We put on time stamps for the major discussions and I have a green screen on the way! We discuss the playoff, portal, and hoops and it was spirited as well as some insight from UCF's first seven footer Ben Stout.

Welcome to The Knighted One’s Podcast, Episode number 16. We are the ONLY podcast that features a former UCF National Champion, a former UCF radio host, and several podcasters shooting the breeze, talking UCF Sports.

This week we lament who we've lost to the Big Bad Portal, some talented new faces visit campus, and former UCF Basketball player Ben Stout joins the show!

Please comment for subjects that we should cover in our Intern Re-Education segment!

Introductions
Bittersweet Goodbyes and Future QB1 Ties? – 00:3:15
- Six More Losses To The Big Bad Portal
- Allen Thinks There’s Bigger Fish To Lose
- Keeping Up With The Kompetitions
- It’s Not (all) About The Money, Money, Money
- Incoming Call From McCall?
- A Massive Potential Get For QB1
- The SunBelt Heavyweight Champion
- A Better Choice Than Home Sweet Home
- Built Bortle Tough
- Help Wanted
- More Guests At Our Door
- Filling In The Blanks
We All Yell At A Cloud: FSU Snub – 00:45:37
- Best Throughout The Season? Or Healthiest Right Now?
- Anarchist Allen Is Against The System
- Having All of The Guts and None Of The Glory
- Doing More With Less
- Allen Yells At a Cloud
- Recency Bias
- Over Before It Started
- FSU deserves to be angry
- Shady Business In The Alliance
- Did The ACC Ruin Things?
- ESPN Seeing Green?
- FSU Isn’t a Nothing Team
- Narratives Controlling The Playoffs
Ben “Tall Glass Of” Stout Joins The Show! – 1:06:20
- Pouring Some Stout On The Hot FSU Topic
- UCF and FSU Blood In The Veins
- Never “Ben” About The Being The Best
- Committees Don’t Care For Comebacks
- Discrepancies In The Rankings?
- Chasing Ratings
- Did The Regular Season Even Matter For Some?
UCF Student Re-Education: UCF Kirk Speraw – 1:22:33
- Kirk Speraw Sper-heading a Successful Hoops Program
- Preparation Building Confident, Strong Teams
Hoopin’ N Hollerin – 1:29:00
- Rough Day With Ole Miss
- Falling Into Bad Shots, and Shots Not Fallling
- Coming Together In The End
- Strats & Stats
- Talent On and Off The Bench
- Waiting For The Game To Come To Us
- Getting Hosed By The Refs
- Freethrows Aren’t The Problem (Yet)
- Winning Key Battles But Losing The War
- Freethrows Taking A Heavy Toll
- Coming A Long Way
- Keeping Us In The Game
- Expectations In The Conference
- Needing W’s Down The Road
- It’s Tough In The Top Tier
Allen’s Oxymoronic Stat Of The Week – 2:10:51
- Getting To The Line, Not Knockin’ Em Down
Josh’s Sometimes Funny Fact Of The Week – 2:12:58
- Presidential Affairs
UCF Athletic Sports Update -- 2:14:40
- Women’s Hoops Is Unstoppable Against New Orleans
- Targets In Our Sights
Final Thoughts -- 2:17:33

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We put on time stamps for the major discussions and I have a green screen on the way! We discuss the playoff, portal, and hoops and it was spirited as well as some insight from UCF's first seven footer Ben Stout.

Welcome to The Knighted One’s Podcast, Episode number 16. We are the ONLY podcast that features a former UCF National Champion, a former UCF radio host, and several podcasters shooting the breeze, talking UCF Sports.

This week we lament who we've lost to the Big Bad Portal, some talented new faces visit campus, and former UCF Basketball player Ben Stout joins the show!

Please comment for subjects that we should cover in our Intern Re-Education segment!

Introductions
Bittersweet Goodbyes and Future QB1 Ties? – 00:3:15
- Six More Losses To The Big Bad Portal
- Allen Thinks There’s Bigger Fish To Lose
- Keeping Up With The Kompetitions
- It’s Not (all) About The Money, Money, Money
- Incoming Call From McCall?
- A Massive Potential Get For QB1
- The SunBelt Heavyweight Champion
- A Better Choice Than Home Sweet Home
- Built Bortle Tough
- Help Wanted
- More Guests At Our Door
- Filling In The Blanks
We All Yell At A Cloud: FSU Snub – 00:45:37
- Best Throughout The Season? Or Healthiest Right Now?
- Anarchist Allen Is Against The System
- Having All of The Guts and None Of The Glory
- Doing More With Less
- Allen Yells At a Cloud
- Recency Bias
- Over Before It Started
- FSU deserves to be angry
- Shady Business In The Alliance
- Did The ACC Ruin Things?
- ESPN Seeing Green?
- FSU Isn’t a Nothing Team
- Narratives Controlling The Playoffs
Ben “Tall Glass Of” Stout Joins The Show! – 1:06:20
- Pouring Some Stout On The Hot FSU Topic
- UCF and FSU Blood In The Veins
- Never “Ben” About The Being The Best
- Committees Don’t Care For Comebacks
- Discrepancies In The Rankings?
- Chasing Ratings
- Did The Regular Season Even Matter For Some?
UCF Student Re-Education: UCF Kirk Speraw – 1:22:33
- Kirk Speraw Sper-heading a Successful Hoops Program
- Preparation Building Confident, Strong Teams
Hoopin’ N Hollerin – 1:29:00
- Rough Day With Ole Miss
- Falling Into Bad Shots, and Shots Not Fallling
- Coming Together In The End
- Strats & Stats
- Talent On and Off The Bench
- Waiting For The Game To Come To Us
- Getting Hosed By The Refs
- Freethrows Aren’t The Problem (Yet)
- Winning Key Battles But Losing The War
- Freethrows Taking A Heavy Toll
- Coming A Long Way
- Keeping Us In The Game
- Expectations In The Conference
- Needing W’s Down The Road
- It’s Tough In The Top Tier
Allen’s Oxymoronic Stat Of The Week – 2:10:51
- Getting To The Line, Not Knockin’ Em Down
Josh’s Sometimes Funny Fact Of The Week – 2:12:58
- Presidential Affairs
UCF Athletic Sports Update -- 2:14:40
- Women’s Hoops Is Unstoppable Against New Orleans
- Targets In Our Sights
Final Thoughts -- 2:17:33

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Chase Malamala returned to UCF this past weekend for his official visit.

The offensive lineman from The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach has emerged as one of Herb Hand's top targets in the Class of 2024.

"It was an awesome weekend, for sure," Malamala said. "I knew all the coaches of course, but got to really talk to them in depth. I got to meet some of the players. Just a really awesome experience all around."

One different aspect about this visit weekend is one of the Universal Orlando resorts served as the recruit hotel.

"We stayed at Sapphire Falls, which is one of the newer hotels," Malamala said. "It was an awesome venue for sure. It was right near CityWalk. We got to hang out with the coaches. It was an awesome time."

Favorite part about the weekend?

"Honestly, it was connecting with the current players here," Malamala said. "Seeing how that dynamic works. They're really a brotherhood here. It's really awesome. Sitting down wit Coach (Gus) Malzahn and Coach (Herb) Hand, it was really awesome."

UCF's leader on the offensive line, fifth-year senior Lokahi Pauole, served as Malamala's player host.

"He was awesome to be with," Malamala said. "We hung out and chilled around. Some of the other linemen, we went over to their house and just hung out. I got to meet them, really great people... I would definitely love to be a player like (Pauole). He's a great player and he's also a leader. A lot of people look up to him."

He enjoyed spending time with the coaches too.

"It was really awesome," Malamala said. "I always knew Coach Hand was a great coach and person. I really got to see that. He's very family oriented and that's important to me.

"(Coach Malzahn) is an awesome coach. He has an awesome background in coaching. Everyone knows who Coach Malzahn is. National Championship coach. Coach of the Year. It's amazing to be offered by a coach like that who has so much experience in the college football world."

UCF is recruiting Malamala to play tackle though Hand likes players who have the versatility to play multiple positons.

"He likes that I'm able to bend pretty well," Malamala said. "He also likes my basic intelligence, understanding not only football but the general things as well."

Malamala says he likes a lot of things about UCF.

"I like how the city is put together," he said. "You have the college town part and you also have the city as well. Also as far as football wise, the fanbase can't get any better. The Bounce House is crazy. I haven't been to a game yet, but I hope to come on this season to see the Bounce House in full action."

This was his first official visit. Florida State is talking to him about visiting in late July. Auburn also remains in contact.

Malamala isn't sure when he'll have decision, maybe during his senior year.

"I'm looking for the best fit for me personally and where I can see myself developing as a player on and off the field," he said.

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Got word that he is here this week. @Brandon you may want to confirm on your end to make sure.

All those in favor...

I expected at least something by now. I understand NSD is right around the corner but, damn...

Anyone know the current NIL budget for the Kingdom? I was just curious as to how much we have to spend overall.

What happened to him this year? Seems ready to unload the clip.

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Came here from MTSU leading the nation in interceptions with a first round draft grade. I was excited to see him work and very quiet.

Here he leaves a cautionary tale for those entering the portal. Does he regret coming to Orlando? Baby mama woes?

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Who lied to him?

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Sour grapes?

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This could be damaging. Kids talk.

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Dawg.

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👀

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Could be off the field stuff but very pointed language.

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What’s his draft grade status?

I’m going to game. Biking around campus prior. I see there is a 8 mile MTB trail on campus. Checking that out first. Going with college friend.

ESPN+ or radio for you that can’t make it.

Go Knights.

Anyone get anything when they signed up? I’m a $25/month guy and I got an email. Was hoping for a car decal or something. Did anyone receive anything? I’m not complaining just curious.

I am volunteering at Toys For Tots today. Just an FYI. If you are donating please keep older kids in mind. They have tons of toys for 4-7 but for 8+ they are always running low.

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