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UCF's offensive line got a boost of experience via the transfer portal this spring with the addition of Ryan Swoboda, who started at right tackle the past two seasons for Virginia.

Swoboda, who is originally from Clermont, caught up with the media following Tuesday's practice.

"It's been good. It's my sixth year of spring football."

What's it like working with Herb Hand?

"He's energetic. If you mess up, he'll coach you real hard. If you do real good, he's gonna love you up real hard too. I love it. It's new to me. He's a great coach. I'm loving every minute."

Swoboda was asked what makes him a good player.

"I think I'm a physical football player. On the field, there are no friends... You've got to be physical. I have a lot experience pass blocking. Footwork and hand speed in pass pro. I think I excel in pass blocking. Run blocking, I want to learn footwork and proper techniques. Leverage."

How has he improved this spring?

"We run the ball, so a lot of focusing on my steps. Six inches one way or six inches the other way. The minute details that I never thought about before. Now we really hone into those things. Just learning that. Every day trying to implement different changes."

Swoboda joins an experienced group that includes Sam Jackson, Lokahi Pauole and Matt Lee.

"I think it's a really confident group. A lot of leaders. Guys that know how to work hard and play football the right way. Everybody is teaching everybody."

What does he think of the running backs?

"They're very good. Explosive. Patient. I'm not the running back, I don't know all the words. But when they're getting a lot of yards, that's a good thing."

He's a fan of the two quarterbacks, Mikey Keene and John Rhys Plumlee.

"I love both those guys. They're both very good. They both do a lot of things really well. They're both fun to watch. When you're blocking, you can't see what they're doing but when you watch the film you can see they're doing a lot of good stuff."

The biggest challenge joining a new team is learning the lingo and the tendencies of his teammates.

Has anything surprised him about being at UCF?

"I'd say the explosiveness and the strength (of the UCF defensive line). They've got some really good moves. A lot of strength and speed. Not to say I didn't expect that, but it's everywhere. That's very impressive."

Being local Swoboda has always followed UCF.

"When I watched the Gasparilla Bowl, I saw physical football. It was very impressive."

How good can this offense be?

"We've got a chance to be really good. Something I always say is you can't let your expectations exceed your preparation. We're working every single day. We can talk about how great we're gonna be, but if we're not preparing and grinding every day, who cares. We have a chance to be very good."

What would be the perfect way for him to go out?

"Winning a lot of games."

Paul Rubelt is the only football player Swoboda has ever met that's taller than him.

"Just barely (taller). I think he's a redshirt sophomore? He's way ahead of where I was at that time. Strong, athletic guy. Wants to learn. Wants to be physical. That's everything you want. He was really the first guy I met. We've been working a lot together. Paul's my guy. He's pretty good."

Who has impressed him on the defensive line?

"We've got Landon Woodson. He's got a mean two-arm swipe. It's lethal. Antony Montalvo is a strong guy. Ricky Barber gives us a lot of problems. You've got Josh Celiscar. Speed to bull (rush) is his move. He's really good at it. KD McDaniel is very twitchy. A lot of really good moves from the defense."

The home I bought in Winter Park was built in the 60s and the drain pipes on one side are cast iron. We had Frank Gay come out and essentially pressure wash the inside of the pipes which seemed to fix the issue for a few months but it’s backing up again. They had said they thought it would buy us another 5 years before having to replace but evidently not. Want to look into re-plumbing that side of the house but really don’t want to rip up floors and break the slab, etc. Anyone been through this sort of thing before? I’ve been hearing of a way to do this without going through the slab but I’m not sure where to start.

Has anybody dealt with Alpha Foundations? I had them come out for an inspection due to some stairstep cracking in my garage wall cinderblock. They basically spent 1.5 hours doing a full home inspection, and said the entire house is sinking. They proposed a $24k solution where they install helix pillars around the exterior of the house to stabilize the foundation.

The whole thing just feels very "sales-centric" rather than diagnostic, and I don't know if I trust them.

Do bags brought in need to be clear or are regular bags okay after security? I’m Coming to the spring game with a toddler. Thanks!

Login to view embedded media Gotta keep football talk going somehow!!

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Did we know this was happening? This is really cool.

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Wonder if anyone in his family went to UCF?

UCF's P5 competitor 130 miles away will use these toward renovating UF's 47,500 sq ft Basketball Practice Facility.

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Kinda surprised it starts at 7.

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Niners Nation: 49ers to host UCF DT Kalia Davis; held a Zoom meeting with Utah S Vonte Davis.

Homeless Democrat that was bat crazy and blamed the mayor for his mental illness.

BTW...is anyone taking them up on a Florida exit to New York over "don't say gay"? I mean commie restrictions that lasted over 2 years sounds kind of appealing vs being free down in Florida. Tough call

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Keenan Cupit (35)
Malachi Lawrence (51)
Terrence Lewis (10)
Davonte Brown (7)
Corey Thornton (14)

Then next group comes in:

Divaad Wilson (9)
Dyllon Lester (18)
Trevion Shadrick-Harris (17)
Justin Hodges (12)
Koby Perry (4)
Jaiden Francois (23)
Zach Rodriguez (43)
Daniel McCullon (22)
William Wells (29)

The four-star RB from Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview who was released from his LOI by Tennessee said Miami, Auburn, Michigan, UCF and Missouri are the five schools that have been most involved now in his recruitment.

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UCF's secondary executed a big turnaround in 2021, finishing seventh in the nation in pass efficiency defense while moving up 86 spots in passing yards allowed (121 to 35).

Cornerbacks coach Addison Williams, who coaches the secondary in tandem with co-defensive coordinator David Gibbs, caught up with the media following Tuesday's practice to talk about his group.

"It's been awesome. We've got a lot of guys coming back. We've added a few pieces, some high school, some transfer. We've been challenging them and they've been challenging each other. The biggest thing for the guys coming back is some of the install we're challenging them with. The new guys, we're sprinkling them in. We're trying to go old guy/new guy to help the younger guys and transfers pick up the system."

Koby Perry, who was an FCS All-American at Austin Peay, gives UCF experience and leadership from the safety spot.

"He plays with an edge. That's something we thought we needed in that room. We've got a lot of guys that work their tails on and off the field, but not a lot of vocal guys. Koby is one that's very vocal. You're going to feel his presence. I think he helps brings that out in other guys as well."

The corner position is led by Davonte Brown and Corey Thornton, who will enter their third year as starters.

"Davonte is a guy that works extremely hard. Him and CT were two guys last year with B.J. (Brandon Adams), competing with each other every day. It's good to see (Marco) Domio step up in that group as well.

"Davonte, from a leadership standpoint, there's not a lot of vocal stuff but you see him pulling guys to the side to give feedback. It's been good. I think he's embracing it, being one of the older guys in the room. When he came in, he had the Richie Grants and Aaron Robinsons of the world. He didn't have to do it. In high school, he guys like Patrick Surtain ahead of him. So he's never had to be that guy. I think he's adapting well within his personality."

Communication is a lot better obviously than this time a year ago.

Brandon Adams was one of the bright spots of UCF's 2021 recruiting class, seeing a few starts at corner despite playing primarily quarterback in high school.

"It's been really good (with Brandon Adams this spring). With the older guys like CT and D-Brown, he's come in and been under their wing. He's right there with them every step of the way. I think Brandon has an opportunity to be a really good player for us here at UCF."

Williams also had some high praise for Corey Thornton.

"He's one of the hardest-working guys I've ever been around. I was blessed when I was a GA (at South Carolina) to be around Jadeveon Clowney, Stephon Gilmore and D. J. Swearinger. I think D.J. And Stephon were two of the hardest workers and I'd put CT in that group with those guys on and off the field. He works extremely hard."

What's it been like working defensive coordinator Travis Williams over the past year?

"It's awesome. Me and T-Will's relationship goes back to probably 2011, 2012. I was a GA at South Carolina. He's from Columbia. We kind of clicked then. We stayed in contact over the years. Having an opportunity to go down to Auburn and work with that staff was awesome. He's a bright mind. He's a fun person to be around, I'm sure you guys know. I love learning from him and love working with him on a daily basis."

Once spring practice comes to a close, Williams will hit the road for spring recruiting. It'll be the first opportunity for spring recruiting since 2019.

"It's always good being out on the road, seeing high school guys practicing. The thing about the defensive back position is a lot of times they're hard to evaluate on tape because the camera gets on them so late at times. Being able to actually go out there and see them move around , that's always a good thing. I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Since I have been working at home I have started putting on weight again. I am thinking of buying a fitness tracker to help motivate and remind me to get my lazy azz up and do something. I would like one that can track more than just walking. I like to bike and swim as well as walk. Any recommendations preferably < $200.

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I was a little shaky with the camera work at times, especially when the plays got closer to me. I was using a 100-400 DSLR lens which is great when the action is far away (which it usually is) but becomes a liability when the play gets closer to me.

At the beginning, UCF was working on double passes with the WRs. ROK is obviously the guy in the first clip, passing it back to JRP. Then there's a double pass from Mikey Keene to Kobe Hudson and back to Mikey again (a little low). Jordan Johnson still needs to be a bit more sure-handed (started to bobble a catch).

Later, Mikey throws to ROK who then lobs it to Alec Holler. Next, they attempt to execute a play with Kobe Hudson but he badly misses the throw to Kemore Gamble. This part is not on video (I stopped recording in between plays), but Gamble shook his head at the bad throw. Chip Lindsey shrugged and said about Kobe, "He says he played quarterback in high school." Lol.

Miami and FSU have offered Marcelin with UCF showing interest. Marcelin is very talented, it'll be interesting to see when UCF may move on him. Marcelin is trying to schedule a visit in the coming weeks. Update interview:

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He had an 80 yard TD run per Matt Lee. QBs were live. 😲

...listing Dayton, UCF and Arkansas.

I am hearing that Arkansas team to beat.

Covid has given him a paycheck.