The data would suggest it Wow!!!!

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Guard Devin Carter transferring from South Carolina and UCF is interested. Carter is a 6’3” freshman from Miami who averaged 9 points per game. Lots of interest from big time schools including Memphis and Oklahoma. Also has UMass interest with his former HC Frank Martin. We are closest to home so maybe we have a shot.

I know the Saints signed him to a futures deal, maybe this helps place him as a backup to Jameis?

Mark your calendar.

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Ran into some Kansas fans during morning beers. They knew TMo from his Kansas days and were hoping to hire TMo and Gus. They are optimistic about football now that they hired Leopold. They asked about Frost and Heupel. The older fan remembered Heupel from his Oklahoma days.

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One of the bigger storylines from UCF's 2021 season was the emergence of tight end Alec Holler, a former walk-on who became one of the Knights' key weapons.

Awarded a scholarship by Gus Malzahn last summer, Holler, who hadn't registered an offensive stat in his prior three seasons, fought his way to the No. 1 tight end spot and finished with 19 receptions for 192 yards, averaging 10.1 yards per catch, and three touchdowns.

We caught up with the former Trinity Prep star following Saturday's practice.

Going into year two under Malzahn, Holler said everyone is now more comfortable playing in Gus Malzahn's system, himself included.

"Now with Jake Hescock gone, I feel like I'm taking more of a leadership role in the tight end room. I'm trying Kemore (Gamble) who just got here. He's a super talented player. I'm helping him get involved, learn the offense and the intricacies of that. And the freshmen like Grant Stevens. I feel like more of a leader in the tight end room.

Kemore Gamble is a former starter at Florida who transferred in for spring.

"He's explosive. Super athletic. He's a great pass catcher. He's willing to be physical. I think he's going to be a great addition to the tight end room."

Where can Holler take the next step as a tight end?

"Definitely in the passing game. I think Kemore, with him coming in, he's actually helped me a lot in some route-running stuff. I'm trying to get bigger and be more physical on blocks. I'm very technical with my footwork, but I need to be able to displace dudes to get the holes open for (Isaiah) Bowser, Johnny (Richardson) and all the other running backs."

What is he seeing from Mikey Keene?

"You can see how much more comfortable he is in the offense. He's a real leader. He's a servant leader. He really cares about his team. He cares about the offense. It's not about him. He's willing to spend extra time, throwing the ball after practice. Help talk you through routes, coverages, stuff like that. He's a great leader."

How does John Rhys Plumlee fit in to the competition? Holler was his host when he came on his visit.

"He's a great dude. I love being around him. I took him to (TopGolf) on the visit). He was driving that ball like 300 yards. On the football field, you can see he's not missing a step. He's super athletic. Able to get off the edges. Really push the RPOs. I love having him around."

Grant Stevens is a true freshman early enrollee.

"He's similar to Kemore. He's a great route runner. We're still working on learning the offense and stuff like that, but he's going to be a great player. I think he can be the future of the tight end room."

Is there a young guy or newcomer impressing this spring?

"JG (Jaylon Griffin), I feel like everybody has been talking about him. He's had a really good spring. Cullen Smith. He's a walk-on. He's been having a really good spring. Stephen Martin. Great spring. I think the tight end room is making huge steps this spring as well. Everybody has really been playing at a different level. Jordan Davis looks like a whole new player. He looks amazing."



On freshman QB Thomas Castellanos, Holler says he's "calm for a high schooler" and that "he'll be a great player in the future."

Is Gus expanding the offense this spring, adding more to the plate?

"Coach Malzahn is really focused on adding a bunch of different stuff so the defense be focused on one thing and key on that. He's been working a lot on tight ends getting in on the passing game. I think we've been doing well with that. I think the offense looks really good right now."

What's it like working with his position coach, Brian Blackmon?

"He's a great guy. He's a role model for me. He's somebody I can sit down with and talk about life or football. He's really good about teaching the little things, like the footwork. He fits me really well as a coach. I love working with him."

What was the play of the day in practice?

"Garrett French, a walk-on tight end, ran a little tight end screen and scored a touchdown. He's one of my best friends so it was amazing to see him make a great play."

What is the identity of this offense?

"I think this spring we've really gotten after it in the run game. We're a lot more physical than we used to be. Our size, we've gotten a lot bigger. I think we're attacking a lot more. Now that we're comfortable with the plays, we're able to focus on the little things and play fast."

How is the offensive line doing?

"The o-line looks great. Matt Lee and Sam Jackson are the leaders. And Lokahi. They're studs. Whenever we can run behind them, we're going to gain yards. With them on the field, I'm always confident."

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What was his favorite moment last season?

"Probably Florida (game). I grew up being a UCF and Florida fan, so going out there and playing felt like a backyard football game. It was pretty fun."

Holler said he's a "technical blocker" and is trying to put on more size to be more physical. He's trying to get to 240 pounds. He's added about 5-6 pounds since the end of last season. (Roster lists him at 230 pounds).

Championships are won in the spring.

"The goal is obviously the conference championship, but you've got to take it day by day. A lot of teams in spring right now are getting lethargic. They don't want to go out there and feel like they can sleepwalk until fall camp. These are the days when you win games. It's staying focused on today and then the rest of it will play out as it should."

Anyone have a link to view it?

I never realized that you can order UCF Merch from Costco.

My 12yo played in a baseball tournament in Fayetteville, AR this weekend. The hogs were playing MS State at home and we thought it would be a cool experience since neither of us had been before. They have a section called the hog pen out past left field. You can bring your own food to cook on provided grills. You can even bring in your own cooler of beer (no glass). Seating is $15 pp and they average around 3000 people per game in that section. One of the best times I've had at a college baseball game.

Dalton signing pushed him down the depth chart

Imagine playing Kansas in 🏀 with a bunch of 3 stars. In football, we’ll do a bit better better but we need more depth and quality players. 3 stars won’t cut the mustard against Ok State and the like. Plus it’s cold and we know how that went in the MAC….


*

First Sri Lanka, now Peru

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Morgan Freeman voice over:

I must admit I didn't think much of
Jeff first time I laid eyes on him.
He might'a been important in the
P5, but in here he was just a
little turd in slime greens. Looked
like a stiff breeze could blow him
over. That was my first impression
of the man.

Brandon this kid is from my alma mater and looks like an absolute stud. Any interest from/in UCF?

Just throwing this out there for any local (Central Florida) business owners that want to get some great advertising and help out a good cause. My son is an assistant manager at Costco in Altamonte and they are looking for local small business owners to donate $500 to the Children's Miracle Network, and in exchange they will put you company name and phone number on a large poster in the store for the month of May.

Let me know if anyone is interested and I can get his contact information to you.

Thanks

The recruiting race is on for 2025 Trinity Christan Academy quarterback Colin Hurley. The Jacksonville area talent already has 14 offers with UCF in the mix. Hurley updated his relationship with the Knights coaching staff.

“It is great,” Hurley said. “They show a lot of passion in the program. They show a lot of love with me. I think they are going to get that program up and running and contending for a championship.”

UCF may see Hurley soon. He has potential stops with the Knights, Gators, and Georgia Bulldogs in the coming weeks.

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Right now there are only a handfull of programs I feel good about the leadership and the ability to take us competitively into the Big XII:

Football - Gus seems like he is on a mission to get us back on the top.
Softball - She is building a dynasty here. I love all the young talent on our team.
Tennis - Rodick already dominated the big XII and with our facilities we should always be on top.
Women's Track - Keeps ball'in
Volleyball and I believe volleyball is staying put in the american but I do feel they will continue to rise. I love what Coach Todd has been building.

I'm hoping Tmo keeps these leaders happy and locked-in to be here as well as staying on top of the other programs that aren't listed. Give them what we can to compete and if they can't, lets move on and find some one who will! I'm hesitant but hopeful on Tmo's 1st real hire with Abe's replacement. I would of thought we could of found someone with Abe's record at either a smaller school or someone from a bigger school but a crappy location to be able to move to talent rich Fla and coache in the Big XII but we'll see. This place is much to great to not be the best in the country in every sport! We no longer have the non P5 label so no excuses!

Excellent finish.

Two shutouts (0-1, 0-7) and just one hit in 14 innings. 😫

They REALLY need to get game 3 tomorrow night to break this mini slide. I know UF and VT are top 10 teams, but was really hoping to get 2 of the 4 games this week.

From today's Orlando Sentinel "Ticked Off" section, which is like social media comments for old people.