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OT: “I wish I went to UCF” 😕

My son is home for the summer after completing his second year at UF. When I asked him how he felt now that he was halfway through, he said he wished he went to UCF.

This kid has been so easy to raise. Valedictorian of his High Schhol, captain of his Lacrosse team, just a respectful hardworking kid. His only flaw is he was brainwashed by his friends who’s parents are all gators. UCF was too small time for him. He turned down UCF and a Pegasus Award scholarship to go to UF because it was the most prestigious school in Florida.

Two years later and he can’t stand Gainesville, says it’s a dump. All his classes are still online except one. Doesn’t understand the hype. If it wasn’t for his fraternity he’d be totally miserable. He hears from his HS friends that UCF is awesome. He even hears UF kids talk positively about UCF. The Gasparilla Bowl was humbling and eye opening. He says their football games are boring and none of his friends go.

He’ll finish up there because he’s in their 3/2 accounting MBA program. Just thought it was interesting to hear his viewpoint now. He earned the right to make his own choice, but he has learned a valuable life lesson.

OT: Former UCF QB played in the Oklahoma spring game

In case anyone was curious, this one reporter's write up on Dillon Gabriel from Saturday's Oklahoma Sooner Spring Game:

"All eyes were on Gabriel during Saturday’s spring game.

The UCF transfer made his OU debut under center in a contest where he played for both teams. Gabriel went 19-for-28 through the air to finish with 250 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The highlight of Gabriel’s debut came in the first quarter when he connected with Mims for a 33-yard touchdown toss, but he also had a few hiccups.


The biggest miscue came with 1:01 left in the opening quarter when Gabriel threw a pass in the direction of Jalil Farooq only to watch Kendall Dennis come down with the interception.

OU showcased its entire quarterback room on Saturday.

Redshirt sophomore Micah Bowens went 1-for-3 for 95 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Ralph Rucker went 5-for-9 for 62 yards. Redshirt freshman Ben Harris went 2-for-4 for 20 yards. Freshman Nick Evers went 0-for-1 for zero yards"

Blake Bortles Foundation Charity Golf Tournament - May 16 at Alaqua Lakes ⛵⛳

Blake Bortles asked that I post this in here - after several years of being held in Jacksonville, his annual golf tournament will be in Central Florida. He said he expects a few special guests, such as Latavius Murray and McKenzie Milton. I know it may be difficult for some being on a Monday, but it's for a great cause.

The Blake Bortles Foundation Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Lake Mary, Florida at the beautiful Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes. Check out the links below to download our sponsorship deck and registration form, or register for the tournament online.

***Lake Mary CB Braeden Marshall visits UCF for 'Hometown Hero'***

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Lake Mary (Fla.) four-star cornerback Braeden Marshall was among the long list of recruits that visited UCF for "Hometown Hero," a mega recruiting event aimed towards the Knights' top prospects in the 2023 and 2024 classes.

Marshall, who camped at UCF last summer and also attended this past season's home game against Boise State, enjoyed the experience.

"Everything was good," Marshall said. "I got to see how the coaches really are. I got to be in the meetings, see their personalities and how they coach. How they love their players. I was with my dog, Kaven (Call). He was trying to get the word in my ear. It was a great time.

Call, a four-defensive end from Apopka, committed to UCF last month.

"Me and Kaven grew up together," Marshall said. "We played basketball when we were little. Our families are very close too."

UCF cornerbacks coach Addison Williams is recruiting him.

"We have a pretty good relationship," Marshall said. "We talk almost on a daily basis. He really likes how I play, how physical I am. How I come down and hit and can cover too."

Marshall has an offer list that includes Iowa State, Maryland, Boston College, Cincinnati, Nebraska, West Virginia, Virginia, TCU, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Louisville and Indiana.

UCF isn't in that group yet, but it could be on the way.

"I think it's coming by the way they've been talking to me," Marshall. "I've just got to be patient with it."

What does he like about UCF?

"Probably the coaching staff, especially with Coach (Gus) Malzahn," Marshall said. "He says they're the future of college football. I can see they are by what he's doing. I like the vibe they bring, especially with Coach T-Will (Travis Williams). He's a great guy to be around."

Marshall visited Pittsburgh and Nebraska during the fall and was at Penn State last weekend. He was up in Tallahassee on Sunday for a trip to Florida State.

"Florida State was a pretty good visit," Marshall said. "The coaches treated me well."

That will probably be a wrap up on unofficial visits until March, when Marshall expects to perhaps visit a few schools during spring practice.

"My plan is to drop my list in the late spring, maybe May, then go on my officials," Marshall said. "Hopefully I can make a decision before next season... The biggest thing for me is relationship with the coaches. I need to have trust in the coaches that they'll push me to be my best. I want a school that feels like home for the next four years. Coaches that will help get me to the next level. Coaches that can help better me as a man for my future past football."

As a junior, Marshall picked off four passes with 11 breakups to go along with 28 tackles.

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***Video: UCF Softball hosting first ever NCAA Regional - Selection Show Reaction 🥎

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As far as Selection Shows, this one was the best ever when it comes to UCF. There was considerable tension in the room beforehand. I was the cynic, believing the NCAA would give the final hosting spot to Texas, snubbing UCF of the opportunity. Obviously UCF was deserving, but we've seen this scenario play out before. Even D1Softball.com thought that would happen.

The unveiling of seeds went in chronological order, meaning it would be a long way to get to No. 16.

The first reaction shots you'll see are when McNeese State and then Louisiana are being sent to regionals outside of Texas... Eric Lopez was off the side, giving positive reactions as this was increasing the likelihood that Texas was not hosting. The girls were then reacting to Lopez's cues, that this was tremendously positive for UCF. When Louisiana was slated to go to the No. 10 Clemson regional, Lopez can be heard and you can see the response from Coach Bear. Somebody in the crowd said Eric Lopez is the "Joe Lunardi" of softball bracketology.

A few minutes later, Texas was announced to be going to No. 13 Washington's regional, and then Florida was seeded No. 14 and UCF wasn't in it. That's when it truly set in.

So you see the build-up of reactions until finally UCF's name was officially announced the final hosting seed at No. 16.

Interviews: Coach Bear, Jada Cody, Gianna Mancha & Shannon Doherty excited to host NCAA Regional 🥎

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In her fourth season in Orlando, Cindy Ball-Malone led UCF to a regular season and tournament American Athletic Conference Championship, paving the way for the program to host a NCAA Regional for the first time in school history. After the selection show, Coach Bear talked about this special group and how proud she is of her team.

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What a year for catcher Jada Cody: She became the second UCF player ever to knock in more than 60 RBIs in a season, breaking the record previously held by school legend Stephanie Best. After winning both the regular season and tournament conference championships, Cody and her teammates will host a NCAA Regional on campus.

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It's been a storybook final season for Gianna Mancha. The UCF pitcher posted a stellar 20-3 record with a 1.70 ERA, helping to guide the Knights to the American Championship and now a top-16 seed and host in the NCAA Regionals.

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Last fall when the AAC rescinded UCF's host status for the conference tournament, first baseman Shannon Doherty texted head coach Cindy Ball-Malone and said, "They can't take regionals away from us." After taking care of business with a clean sweep of the regular season and tournament conference championships, Doherty was prophetic as the Knights did earn their way to NCAA Regional hosting status.
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