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UCF center Matt Lee's face lit up when asked what part of the offense he's most excited about.

"Honestly, I like to run the ball," Lee said. "I like to power run. We're going to do a lot of that and that gets me excited... We've got a crazy running back room. I'm excited to see what those guys can do this season."

Here's the recap from our interview on Thursday:

Matt Lee said the team is become "very close." He said the offense is becoming much more cohesive as a unit.

As far as the OL depth and rotation, Lee said "I think we've got it figured out now." Herb Hand was experimenting with different lineups. Now they're "in a good spot" and "ready to get after it."

Physically, he feels good. His body isn't really sore this camp. He's treating his body like a pro.

Asked about the tackles, Lee said Paul Rubelt has "grown a lot" and "I think he's going to be a good player this year." Both Ryan Swoboda and Tylan Grable have done well too.

Lokahi Pauole is the emergency center, the spot Cole Schneider had last year.

He's not worried about the QB competition. He trusts both. "They take their job serious and they do it right."

The strength of the OL is the "grit." Dominating the double teams and winning the one-on-one blocks.

Coach Hand treats his players "like family. He "loves him to death."

On the offense as a whole, he's excited about running the ball. Doing power running. Also excited about airing out the ball and going deep because the receivers "can go get it."

He thinks the offense is going to take a big step from last year.

Asked about facing the DL, "iron sharpens iron." He said Tre'Mon Morris-Brash is "having a hell of a camp."

He complimented Ryan Swoboda and Tylan Grable again, as well as Paul Rubelt. "They can move really well for guys of that size. And they're athletes. They're not just big guys who flop around."

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Quadric Bullard looks like a totally different player this season.

The junior is coming off a breakout season in which he emerged as a starting safety and one of UCF's best defensive players. He was a second team All-Conference selection according to PFF, ranking second on the team in tackles. He did all that with a playing weight in the 150-pound range. He spent the last eight months bulking up and has added more than 30 pounds to his frame.

We caught up with the Dania Beach native following Thursday's practice.

Bullard said he "knows the defense like the back of his hand," so his primary focus this camp has been getting used to the heavier weight. Last year, he could go 20 plays and not become gassed. Now, maybe it's 10-15 plays. He's trying to condition as much as he can after scrimmage. He's seeing improvement as the preseason goes on.

At the beginning of 2021 season, he weighed 160-165. At the end of the season, he was 150-155. He now weights 185. With help from the nutritionists and his father, his offseason was dedicated to putting on the pounds.

He hopes to stay above 180 the entire season, and hopefully get up to 190 by the 2023 season.

I asked how he put on the weight.

"It was the most hideous process I ever had to do," Bullard said. "I'd wake up at like 5:30 in the morning, take a shake and go back to sleep for about an hour to an hour 30. Get up, eat a light breakfast. Eggs, bagel, probably sausage or something like that. After workouts, take another shake. Eat another meal. Pasta, rice, something like that. Something with heavy carbs. Then eat dinner and later on at night, take another shake. My shakes consist of oatmeal, Fairlife (lactose-free milk), peanut butter, protein, bananas, fruits. The shakes really helped me maintain that weight."

He said he doesn't like peanut butter if not on bread with jelly. The banana helped mask the peanut butter taste in the shake.

Asked about where they need to improve, Bullard said "communication skills." Said right they're "good but not great." That's the focus right now.

He praised freshman DB Nikai Martinez:

"Nikai Martinez is a dog. He might be small compared to other DBs, but he's a dog. He's on the field for a reason and it shows. Coming up and making tackles on bigger backs. In order to play this game you've got to be fearless and he shows that."

He thinks this defense will show a big improvement in tackling. They missed too many last year.

The QB competition between Mikey and JRP is "elite." Bullard added, "If you try to choose a starter right now, it would be impossible." By the first game there will be a "clear starter" but it will be "by a smidge."

I asked about standout defensive performances during camp. He said it's somebody new every day. He then name dropped Nikai Martinez, Brandon Adams, Davonte Brown.

How difficult will it be to pass on this defense?

"If you count five yards, we'll give you five yards. Five yards is not going to beat us. If you're talking about throwing the ball down field, it's almost impossible at that point. Last year we did a great job of keeping a top on the coverage. This year we're still doing that. Those deep routes these opponents think they're gonna complete, they'll throw an interception or it's going to be incomplete. The choice is yours."

Lots of UCF grads displaying our colors proudly. How things have changed. Impressive facility. However the heat fing sucks.

Most of these do make one realize just how specially college football is to so many.

Former UCF football greats help train the next generation of football stars

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark visited Texas Tech today and the Lubbock newspaper had a brief interview with him. Relevant to expansion and media deal:

A-J: You got a lot of attention on media day for your 'Big 12 is open for business' comment. How has that been received?

Yormark: It's been received, I think, in a very positive way. 'Open for business' doesn't mean just expansion, where I think some people read into it that it was very much focused on expansion. That's not necessarily the case. When I say 'open for business', it means that this conference is no longer going to be stagnant. We're going to be very proactive. We're going to explore and identify any and all opportunities that create value in every respect. Is expansion a part of 'open for business'? A hundred percent. But it's only a small piece.

A-J: Which kind of leads into my next question. Five years from now, after every power-five conference except perhaps the ACC has had another round of multimedia rights negotiations, what do you think college athletics will look like in terms of conference configuration if we're sitting here in 2026, 2027?

Yormark: I don't have a crystal ball for that. But if you're asking where I would like to take the conference, where we would like the conference to go — listen, we want to be the most vibrant Big 12 that we can be. If that means expansion, geographically having a presence in the most important markets, that's certainly going to play a major role in what we look like in five years. Certainly, when you think about the multimedia rights deal — and I'm very much focused on it — the ESPNs and the Foxes of the world are very important partners to us, giving us the broadest reach possible, especially when you think about being national and relevant.

Obviously, a digital partner makes sense because the young consumer today, you need to reach differently. But being with an ESPN and a Fox and a broad-based distributor is going to be very much part of our future and hopefully in five years from now, post our next TV negotiation, we will be with the biggest and best distributors in the business. We hopefully at that point in time will also have experienced some further expansion, which I think is critically important for us.

A-J: Is there an ideal number of schools you see for the Big 12? Sixteen? On principle, do you think 20 or something like that number is doable?

Yormark: I haven't really looked at that the numbers. As I said during media day, it can't be dilutive. It needs to be additive, and it comes down to making sure that we're identifying the right strategic partners from a school perspective, and those that bring value to our conference. We'll be at 12 in a couple of years when you add the four [Brigham Young, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston] and Texas and Oklahoma leave. If it's 16 or 20 I can't tell you, but we just have to make sure that whatever number it is, it's all about the value equation.

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Some praise for former UCF WR Brandon Johnson, currently with the Denver Broncos.

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Pretty sure he's joking, at least I hope he is, but it's kind of a stupid thing to joke about nowadays. The comments are pretty funny, though.

This is a new thing the NFL is trying out.


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... at 6:30pm, we will be streaming into the bounce house for game 1 ! Kick at 7pm.

Got some great tickets to the FAU game. Seats are on home sideline with a table and 4 leather padded chairs.

Includes access to their version of Tower Club. Which is a comfortable air conditioned section of stadium with easy access to full liquor bars.

As part of this there is a free pre-game buffet, free soft drinks throughout, and free hot dogs, snacks, and ice cream the entire game.

I’m also told they have in seat concierge wait service. This was not available when I had these tickets for the last game.

Had bought my wife a birthday present of tickets to lady Gaga in Miami without realizing this was the same day 🤦‍♂

My cost for the 4 tickets was $2k total. I know it’s a lot more than most fans probably want to pay for a game, but it’s definitely a luxury first class experience.

If interested, hit me up.

Maybe wishful thinking on part of 18 and 19 year old's but with the recent commitments of the Twins and Kam Moore, there is some talk of Timmy McClain and Jimmy Horn (from Seminole) wanting to transfer and UCF is their hope. Not sure if Gus has interest in either, but it would be interesting, nonetheless. McClain could be good in our system, or could be Quadry 2.0.

My guess is He announces a transfer to UCF this week.

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UCF offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey talks about the competition between quarterbacks Mikey Keene and John Rhys Plumlee, plus adds his thoughts about promising freshman Thomas Castellanos. Lindsey also breaks down the offensive line, wide receivers and more.

Here's a recap of the interview:

-They practiced a bit earlier on Thursday because of the kickoff luncheon. Did some two-minute drill and other scenarios. Also did some scout work for South Carolina State.

-On the offensive line, Chip likes the veteran presence. Three guys back who have played a lot, plus the transfers who also have experience. Coach Hand has done a good job. Called them a "blue collar group." No drama. It's what you want from an OL.

-They're "not ready" to name a QB starter. "Competition brings out the best and those two guys are competing their guts out... That's fun to see." Thomas is also doing well. "The future is bright... We can win with either one of them."

-During the situational scrimmage, the positive is they've taken care of the ball. This is a smart group of QBs.

-Why hasn't a starter emerged? He says they "just haven't decided yet." It's more "when you know." They want to give them as many opportunities as they can before they make a decision.

-What is the best part of Mikey Keene's game? "His presence. In the huddle, on the sideline, getting ready to go out. Really intelligent. His decision making has been really good?

John Rhys Plumlee? "He's got a lot of upside. Very talented. Explosive athlete. John Rhys, after not playing quarterback in a year and a half, it's amazing the progress he's made in the intricacies and details of playing the position. From the right drop with the certain concept, getting us out of this play vs. this look, flipping the protection the other way. That's been impressive. Mikey already had experience doing that. John Rhys did two years ago, and he's back in that flow. I've been impressed with how he developed himself. The physical stuff, throw and run, he can do but there's a lot to playing quarterback other than that."

And best part of Thomas Castellanos' game? "I'll tell you what, he make some wow plays two or three times every practice. Whether it's a ball he throws across the field or he takes off on something. You can see his confidence growing. From where he was in the spring to fall, just a confidence level of understanding, getting the play, boom, spitting it out and getting it done. I think he's grown tremendously and has a really bright future."

-At wide receiver, Chip said a couple guys have been banged up. Jaylon Griffin is now back. Xavier Townsend, a "really talented freshman with a bright future," has also been banged up.

Alabama transfer Javon Baker is "very explosive." Ryan O'Keefe, "he's as good as there is in the country." Kobe Hudson "has been a really good surprise."

Also, Stephen Martin is coming along.

Acknowledged Amari Johnson is hurt, which means it's an opportunity for a WR to step up. He said it's a big loss in special teams (Amari would have been PR).

He added they play with 11 personnel a lot and said the tight ends were doing well too. Alec Holler is a "technician who does everything right." Kemore Gamble "has come a long way." Said he's seen "good things" from Zach Marsh-Wojan.

-The Coaches' Dance Off, Chip said he was edited out of the clip posted to social media. He said Grant Heard was the worst dancer, so he wasn't the worst. Said they do everything they can to make things fun for the players.

-He's excited for his first game in the Bounce House. He says the players talk about the atmosphere all the time.

Can't spell "Official" I guess! Unbelievable!!!!
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Just got 2 CB to us

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I also see Brandon already posted about this the other day.

I am here for the old newspaper posts now.
Throw them my way 😔

Please join the UCF Community in remembering Lynne Cheek during a Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, August 17 at 730 PM at the Reflecting Pond on the UCF Campus.

Click here for Jan's tweet.

So sad

I haven't been this excited about a season since 2017. It seems like there's lots of talent this year. Time will tell, but the 2017 team was stacked and I don't think we are there yet. Perhaps, we are stronger at rb and ol, but not as strong at other positions?

Defense






Offense

Not a good look for FSU haha

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Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day defensive tackle Terry Simmons Jr. received a special birthday present earlier this month when UCF officially made their offer. He visited UCF for the first time on Tuesday to see the Knights' kick off spring drills.

He was there with his teammate, linebacker Troy Ford Jr., also a top UCF target.

"I got there early and was able to sit through meetings and watch film with the team," Simmons said. "I then met up with Troy at practice around 9. I actually had a facilities tour pretty early, around 7:30. They have great facilities. They were showing me the stuff they're putting in and renovating for the future. It's going to be something special."

Simmons basically shadowed the team as if he was a college player already.

"I went to two meetings, the whole defensive meeting and the d-tackles meeting," Simmons said. "It was good. It gave me a look at how college players prepare each day for practice. It was very detailed. You have to be paying attention."

He also watched his first college practice.

"I liked it," Simmons said. "I like the intensity they brought, especially on the first day. I was watching the drills they do. I watched how Coach (Kenny) Martin coaches. He wasn't just with the d-line. He was with the linebackers and DBs working on tackling drills. All their coaches have a part in the team. It doesn't matter if you coach the d-tackles. You work with everybody. They have a real family type of team going on."

Simmons already feels a close bond with Coach Martin, who is also his recruiter.

"I didn't realize he was so young," Simmons said. "I like him a lot. He's a real cool dude. I feel I can relate to him a lot. He's real down to earth. He really gets the players. Maybe it's because of his age, but he understands what a young guy is thinking. When he talks to you, he knows how to relate and talk to you so you do your best.



What was his favorite part of the day?

"Probably the practice," Simmons said. "They had two 7-on-7 sessions and a team session and they were going at it. Lots of energy."

As a junior, Simmons recorded 67 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and four sacks.

"Coach Martin said he likes my get off and how disruptive I am," Simmons said. "As the d-tackles coach, he wants his three-techs and nose guards to be disruptive. He's going to teach us technique, but you have to be naturally disruptive on the inside. He said I bring that and that's what he's looking for."

Simmons said there's a lot to like about UCF.

"Personally for me, I like the location," he said. "I want to be an aerospace engineer. It's right by NASA. I'd have great connections if I go there. I'd be surrounded by a great, family-oriented staff. Coach G (Gus Malzahn), he's up there with Coach (Nick) Saban. He beat him three times. I know I'll be coached up. It's a combination of all those things."

Simmons plans to attend Georgia Tech's spring game on Thursday and will be in Tallahassee to check out Florida State this Saturday. He'll see Wake Forest and Duke later in the month and has an April visit lined up to Northwestern.

"I'm taking my time with my recruitment," Simmons said. "I'm taking interest in any school that offers me. The schools that reach out, I'll give them the respect to look at their opportunity."

Could Simmons and Troy Ford potentially go to the same school? They have a few mutual offers, the big one being UCF.

"We're talking about it," Simmons said. "Don't know where it's at, but we know it's definitely a possibility and we'd love to do that."

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anyone want to set up joint custody of the space game helmet?

hat tip to @dali drama for posting the link in the luncheon thread. wanted to post it standalone because it's a great cause and hopefully this drives more eyeballs.

i am high bidder on a content team photoshoot - if i sneak out the W on this i'll definitely post the results to the forum

edit: also dont be an idiot like me - it isn't like ebay where it will automatically do a low bid and then a max bid. if you bid $100 over the current price it's automatically going to jack up the price $100, THEN ask you for a max bid on top of that. i may have just played myself on something but whatever, it's for a good cause