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Alex Ward could be in the NFL right now.

The UCF long snapper was coming off a season in which he was a finalist for the Mannelly Award and had a standing invite to participate in the Senior Bowl. But the Fort Walton Beach native chose to come back for one final year, believing this 2022 UCF Football team can be something special.

More than his snapping ability, Ward prides himself on being a team leader. He felt it would have been "selfish" of him to move on when he still had eligibility remaining.

"My only job is to throw a ball 14 yards to a guy who's going to catch it no matter how well I throw," Ward said. "I don't have a lot of impact on the field. I can only lose us games. I can't win us games. Where I try to help us win the game is off the field. That's being a leader. That's pushing guys in runs and in practice. Showing up where I need to be and even where nobody has asked me to be. I'll be the leader and push this team to be the best it can be."

Ward is one of the few remaining players who was here in 2017 and 2018 - the last time UCF won conference championships - so he understands what it takes to be great.

"There's a lot of similar talent," Ward said. "I think we probably have even a little better talent now. It's all about how we can come together. How we get the offense, defense and the new parts into an oiled machine."

Howdy all

it's virginia tax free weekend and they waive tax on appliances if they are energy star certified. my wife and i are looking for a cheaper fridge that will sit in our basement storage area for beers and frozen stuff and all that. the basement is cool so i am not worried about the fridge dying in the summer or anything.

i have never purchased a major appliance before

i immediately thought of you guys - there's a ton of dads on here who have a lot of opinions on everything lol, i figure fridge brands would be something someone can educate me on.


is this fine for what i need?

i'm leaning towards for the following reasons:

• good capacity. there are ones that are like 100 to 150 cheaper but they're like 14 to 17 cubic capacity. is 20 cubic TOO small? it's just me and my wife and hopefully babies soon but not like we have a family of 8 to feed.
• energy efficient, i can prob get a cheaper non energy star one even factoring in tax but i'll save like $20/30 a year which will eventually lower my total cost
• i like LG - we have an LG washer and dryer, dehumidifier and all my tvs are LG OLED. i just need something to keep my beer cold and my other stuff frozen, this will get the job done right?

this thing is fine right? i delete this thread once i buy it (or dont buy it) but figured i'd send it to the peanut gallery first

Are there any UCF football fans in the Albany/Hudson Valley area? I just moved to Albany from Orlando and would be interested in congregating with fellow Knights to watch some football games once the season kicks off.

I know there isn't an alumni chapter in this area (closest being NYC), and it seems the Alumni Association doesn't see enough grads in the area to approve one around here.

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UCF offensive line coach Herb Hand discusses the main objectives this preseason and also reveals his new favorite local food discovery.

Last Thursday's media day was probably our only opportunity to speak with non-coordinators this season, and I was finally able to connect with Hand at the end after most coaches had already left. His voice was shot so I tried to keep it brief.

Cole Schneider had served as UCF's emergency center last year. Sam Jackson was practicing in that role during the spring. I asked Hand if that was still Sam's job or if they've made other plans.

"Lokahi (Pauole) has been taking reps there, John Harris, Nate Brady, Cam Kinnie repped a bit this summer. Freshman Caden Kitler is in there as well so we have options. That's one of the goals as we come out of training camp, figuring out who's our No. 2 at the position."

John Harris (Mercer) and Cam Kinnie (Georgia) were summer transfers.

What his biggest question for the offensive line?

"It's always about identifying who are your three top tackles, who are your three top guards and who are your two top centers? Then finding the right mix. Who's going to be the first guys, the starters who walk on the field? What do we have to do in different scenarios? If this happens, here is the answer. So you always have your best five guys on the field."

I asked about Paul Rubelt's progress.

"He's doing phenomenal. From the time we got here to now, there's not another guy maybe on our team that has developed more than Paul. I think you'll see that as we go through the season. He's certainly a guy that we're counting on."

I asked about the two tackle transfers, Ryan Swoboda (Virginia) and Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State), and Hand also brought up the summer transfers, John Harris (Mercer) and Cam Kinnie (Georgia).

"Those two guys (Swoboda and Grable) were here in the spring which was very beneficial. They were able to really learn the offense, learn about the language that we speak in the offensive line room. That was invaluable. They've acclimated very well. They're both tremendous additions that will really help us out. We also added John Harris and Cam Kinnie in the summer. They got here in June. Interior players, guard/centers. Both of those guys so far have done some really good things. They're still learning. They're a little bit behind Ryan and Tylan just because of the experience and them being here in the spring."

During his spring interview, Hand raved about King Bao and their bao buns. So I asked if he's discovered any new local eateries.

"Go to Sushi Pop. It might be a local chain. There's one in Oviedo. This is going to sound weird. Sushi Pop for the chicken wings. They just have one option they cal KFC: Korean Fried Chicken. It's breaded chicken wings with this gochujang sauce. It's fantastic. When I had them, I was with Matt Lee so we both agreed on that one."

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Football TE Kemore Gamble talks about his decision to transfer to UCF, and what he expects in 2022. The Knights have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball and will only be fueled by continued production at the TE position.

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey shares his thoughts on UCF's offense heading into the 2022 season. In his first year at UCF, Lindsey, the former head coach at Troy University, has weapons all over the field. However, perhaps the most important call Lindsey and head coach Gus Malzahn will make is at QB, where Mikey Keene is battling John Rhys Plumlee for the QB1 spot.

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Football DB Quadric Bullard shares his thoughts on his 2021 breakout season, and what to expect in 2022. The Knights return a lot of talent in the secondary, and Quadric is excited about what that group can contribute this year.

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Interesting article. I didn’t know McNamara was behind The Kingdom. I like the approach he’s taking. His perspective makes me comfortable we won’t have one of those Collectives that tries to tell the coach which players to recruit.

FYI, I pay a rate of less than a dollar a week for online access to the OS specifically just for local sports and occasional local news story for anyone wondering the subscription price. It goes up after six months or so then I call and they lower it back down. Not too much to ask for some additional local content.

Anglin covers his top contenders ahead of his commitment on Saturday:

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Nothing beats experience.

Kemore Gamble was one of UCF's bigger transfer additions this offseason as the tight end made the move from Florida this past January.

In 2021, Gamble was a favorite receiving target with 31 receptions for 414 yards and a team-leading four touchdown receptions. In all, he played in 49 games through the course of his UF career.

I caught up with him at Media Day. I didn't bother bringing up the Gasparilla Bowl and losing to UCF - I felt that was already played out from his spring interviews.

Gamble said it was easy transition as he already knew a bunch of players on the UCF team including Divaad Wilson. They're from the same neighborhood and played on the same 7-on-7 team together.

"I felt I was already at home," Gamble said.

He said he tries to be a friendly guy who talks to everybody - coaches, players, lunch staff, etc. With him mentioning lunch, that reminded me of a conversation Benny Z said he had with Gamble at the softball regional about UCF's food being superior to UF.

"It's like a buffet," Gamble said. "I'm a pescatarian. I lke to eat fish. I get like a shrimp burrito."

A pescatarian is similar to a vegetarian in that they do consume eggs and dairy but refrain from eating meat and poultry (no animal flesh), but the big difference is they eat fish and seafood (vegans do not consume any animal product at all).

Shifting to team talk, Gamble is excited about their potential.

"I feel like we can do everything on the offensive side of the ball. We've got talent everywhere from o-line, running back, quarterback, receiver and tight end. It's going to be hard to game plan against us.

"I'm very excited when I look at my right and see Kobe Hudson and look to my left and see Javon Baker or Ryan O'Keefe. I look behind me and see John Rhys (Plumlee) or Mikey Keene. I see (Isaiah) Bowser. The o-line is ridiculous. We've got some stuff. Our defense is loaded up too."

What about the quarterback competition?

"Both of them are having good days," Gamble said. "I feel like whatever quarterback starts, or however Malzahn does it, if it's a rotation, we're still going to be good."

Rotation? Hmm...

What players have made him think, 'oh wow?'

"Javon Baker. A lot of DBs gonna be in trouble. Kobe Hudson. All the receivers. We got one kid who transferred in, (offensive tackle) Tylan Grable, he's good. Our linebackers loaded up too."

Gamble comes off as very humble. I kind of had to prod to get him to talk about himself.

"Me personally, I just like to win," Gamble said. "If we come out here and win, I could have zero catches. I don't care. If I have zero catches and eight pancakes, then we score."

What is he known for though?

"I'm known for being a receiving tight end," Gamble said. "I've been working on my run blocking, getting that down pat. It was already pretty good, but I was trying to get my run blocking up with my receiving."

He said he really enjoys working with tight ends coach Brian Blackmon.

"He's the type of guy that will brighten my day up," Gamble said.

How is he liking UCF?

"I love being here. I haven't had any problems. Everybody around here is good people. If I was to stop playing football, people here will help you get jobs. UCF is a great place."

Asked about a future career, Gamble said he'll probably either be a coach or firefighter. I asked about becoming a coach. He said his stepfather was his coach throughout his youth and that was his inspiration.

How does he want to finish his career?

"I'm just trying to get out here and win a conference championship first and then they will let us into the final four when they see what we're about to do this year," Gamble said.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights offensive line coach Herb Hand shares his thoughts on the big boys up front for UCF's offense. Coach Hand leads a unit that returns three starters from the 2021 team and also welcomes several impact transfers. The UCF offense figures to run the ball a ton this season, so the OL will be crucial to the Knights success. Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights defensive line/ends coach Kenny Ingram shares his thoughts on the role the DL group will play in 2022. The Knights return several key players along the line, including Tre'Mon Morris-Brash and Josh Celiscar, and they welcome KD McDaniel, a transfer from Kentucky. If UCF is going to be successful in 2022, they will need some big production from Coach Ingram's group. Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights defensive line/ends coach Kenny Ingram shares his thoughts on the role the DL group will play in 2022. The Knights return several key players along the line, including Tre'Mon Morris-Brash and Josh Celiscar, and they welcome KD McDaniel, a transfer from Kentucky. If UCF is going to be successful in 2022, they will need some big production from Coach Ingram's group. Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights secondary coach Addison Williams talks about role the secondary will play in the 2022 defensive scheme. UCF returns a ton of talent in the secondary - including Divaad Wilson, Devonte Brown, and Quadric Bullard. There will also be an infusion of new players, both true freshman and transfer portal additions, that will give the Knights even more depth. This unit is poised to be an area of strength in 2022 Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights secondary coach Addison Williams talks about role the secondary will play in the 2022 defensive scheme. UCF returns a ton of talent in the secondary - including Divaad Wilson, Devonte Brown, and Quadric Bullard. There will also be an infusion of new players, both true freshman and transfer portal additions, that will give the Knights even more depth. This unit is poised to be an area of strength in 2022 Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

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Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights wide receivers coach Grant Heard talks about the uber talented group that he will be leading in 2022. In his first year at UCF, Coach Heard will have a returning star in Ryan O'Keefe and transfer portal newcomers Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. The receiving corps figures to play a key role in the Knights offensive success in 2022 Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Media Day Interview from the Sons of UCF: UCF Knights wide receivers coach Grant Heard talks about the uber talented group that he will be leading in 2022. In his first year at UCF, Coach Heard will have a returning star in Ryan O'Keefe and transfer portal newcomers Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. The receiving corps figures to play a key role in the Knights offensive success in 2022 Follow @SonsofUCF on Twitter and visit www.2KnightsMedia.com

Click here to watch.

Hey everyone,

Long time Dungeon Member (14 years?) but do not post too much. My partners and I have started a new tech venture in the NIL space called Dreamfield (www.dreamfield.co). Our platform will focus mainly as a Talent Booking platform to start; partnering businesses, organizations and individuals with college athletes for promotional events (meet and greet, speaking engagements, instructional, virtual, autograph sessions). We plan to expand beyond that main function over time. We have some really strong backing, including the former chairman and CEO of one of the biggest tech companies in the world, leading Sports attorney in the space, as well as one of the key members who help write the NIL bill in Florida.

Two of the three co-founders are UCF grads ('03 and '04 respectively) and one of our first key hires is actually a Dungeon member as well. Would love some support from my Knight family. Feel free to follow us on facebook and instagram and sign up on our site for updates.

Cheers,

Luis

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Kobe Hudson has yet to play his first football game in a UCF uniform, but he's already one of the team's most instrumental recruiters. The former Auburn wide receiver helped encourage Javon Baker, who was formerly at Alabama, to join him down in Orlando.

"I actually begged him to come," Hudson said. "I played a huge role."

Of course, the coaches were an important element too.

"Everybody loves Gus," Hudson said. "He's a great coach. Coach (Grant) Heard, he's great people. It's all good around here. It's a family. He's loved. He's a baller and people are going to love that about him."

Hudson and Baker will now team up with Ryan O'Keefe to form one of the best wide receiving trios in the conference.

"I've known Javon since probably my freshman year of high school," Hudson said. "We went to the Opening Camp. Javon was always the guy I watched. Most of the stuff I got, I stole it from him. He developed way faster than me. I'm just now catching up to him in talent wise, receiver skills. He's always been a guy that I was like, wow, he's really good."

Hudson arrived to UCF in January; Baker in June. The duo are now roommates. Hudson said they even keep a football at home and are constantly throwing it around.

"We've got a great relationship," Hudson said. "We're real competitors on and off the field. I love having him around. I know he's going to keep me going. He's going to push me every day. It's hot in Florida. He'll be tired, I'm tired. We keep each other going. Ryan keeps us going. It's going to be a fun year."

What does Javon Baker bring to UCF's receiver corps?

"He brings strength," Hudson said. "He's going to get the ball. You put the ball in the air, he's going to come down with it nine times out of 10. He's a great route runner. He's a great teammate. He's going to push you. If you're tired, he's going to be the guy, come on, we need you."

In 2021, Hudson was Auburn's No. 1 receiver with 44 catches for 580 yards and four touchdowns.

"I'm an all-around receiver," Hudson said. "Whatever Coach Gus, Coach Heard or Coach Chip ask me to do, I'll get it done. You throw the ball up, I'll go get it. You throw a five-yard hitch, I'll take it 60. Whatever you need me to do. I can block. I block for the running backs. I'll play special teams. Whatever it takes for the team."

Hudson says everything is clicking for him now.

"It's second hand to me. I played under Gus' offense my freshman year. Everything is second hand to me. I play fast. He allows me to play fast in the position I'm in. I play freely. I don't think about it too much. I go out there and play. Everything just comes naturally out there for me."

Hudson is catching balls from both Mikey Keene and John Rhys Plumlee. At some point, Malzahn will name a starter.

"They're great competitors," Hudson said. "The team loves them. They're both our leaders. They both obvious leaders on the team. We've got a good freshman, Tommy (Castellanos). He's going to be a great one. He's got two good people in front of him to look up to."

Hudson said he's become close with Castellanos, who is a Georgia native like he is.

"Me and Tommy are real tight," Hudson said. "On the break, he actually came to Atlanta so we worked out a couple times. He's a great athlete. He's going to be a great player for UCF one day."

Hudson said the defense has been bringing it.

"Coach T-Will, he brings energy to the defense," Hudson said. "Our DBs, d-line, it's competitive every day."

Hudson played wide receiver early in his high school career before transitioning to quarterback as a junior and senior so he was a little behind when he got to Auburn in 2020.

"I had a lot of catching up to do, but I feel like I'm at the peak of my game," Hudson said.

He's a big fan of his position coach, Grant Heard.

"I love Coach Heard. He's probably my favorite coach I've ever had in my life. He's a great mentor. He's a great guy off the field. He expects nothing less than my best. He pushes me. That's what I love about him. He doesn't take nothing less than my best every day. He expects us to outwork everybody on the field."

What does he want to accomplish this season?

"I just want to win," Hudson said. "I know if my team is winning, I'm going to play a big part in that. As long as I win, I know my NFL dreams will be accomplished. As long as we win, I feel everybody is gonna do what they wanna do."

He sees big things ahead.

"It's going to be a great season," Hudson said. "I want everybody to stay tuned. It's going to be a great future for us. We've got a great season ahead. Our offense is great.

"The team is bought in. We all believe. We know we're good. We're going to go into the game with that 'nothing can beat us' mentality. Whoever plays us is going to have to bring their 'A game."

"(Fans) can expect a lot of excitement from the offense and defense. We've got a lot of great talent. Our talent on this team is overwhelming. I've never seen this much talent. I've never been this excited for a football season in my life like this. I know we're gonna be good.

"We put in the work with Coach Dawson. He was pushing us this summer in the weight room. The last three days have been great energy. Coach Gus expects nothing less than our best. We always preach about the small details, like standing behind the line. Teammates. Bonding.

"We've got a great team, I feel like the team that becomes closer and close every day. We fought through a lot of adversity through the summer, so I feel we'll be a great team in the fall."

Players are reporting on Sunday and field practices begin Monday

Monday - Morning
Tuesday - Morning
Wednesday - Morning
Thursday - Off
Friday - Morning
Saturday - Morning
Sunday - Morning
Monday - Off

Staff and crew are to arrive at 7:30 am. Practice starts at 9:00 am.

As we have heard there will be 2 scrimmages in the first 2 weeks.

Lots of interesting stuff in here. I think the most unexpected point that I would love to hear Gus/UCF's thoughts on is the following:

Photo shoots​

78% — Allow only for official visits
20% — Allow for all unofficial and official visits (current rule)
2% — Completely get rid of them

Are you surprised to learn this is one of the top frustrations in the recruiting industry? Photo shoots have become a big deal for recruits, which has brought out a ton of laudable creativity from recruiting staffs determined to be the best in whatever matters most. But naturally, a problem emerged: Every visiting recruit of every age wants their own photo shoot. Staffers say things have gone too far. Photo shoots have become too time-consuming and taxing, and it’s hard to say no.

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