This is all "my opinion."
Overall, this is a solid UCF roster, top to bottom. A chain, however, is only as strong as its weakest link. Here is a look at the "worst" scholarship player at each position.
Rankings were based on years of participation, playing time, offers, high school production, and gut feeling.
🍗 = Related to mop-up duty, but has sneaky potential to play way into the rotation
🍗🍗 = Projected to play special teams, but will travel to away games.
🍗🍗🍗 = Excluded from travel squad or probable red shirt
🍗🍗🍗🍗 = Remote chance of appearing in more than one game
🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗 = Would receive ZERO playing time on the 1970 Marshall football team
QB
Riley Trujillo 🍗🍗
Rationale: "System" QB from a program that has produced only one current college QB (D2 level) among its previous 5 consecutive QB signees, who have since switched positions. Riley does not appear to possess the size-speed combination necessary to switch to a new position.
RB
Stacy Gage 🍗🍗🍗
Rationale: Presumably slated for redshirt. Third leading rusher on his high school team in 2023. Could develop into Wildcat RB or H-back by 2025.
WR
Jordan Bridgewater 🍗🍗🍗
Rationale: Probable redshirt. Best "committable" offers were Tulane and Pittsburgh. Wasn't as productive during his senior season of high school football. Surprisingly solid position group.
OL
Patrick Barnett 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗
Rationale: Heupel holdover. One game appearance in four seasons at UCF, which has multiple better walk-ons at other positions.
TE
Jordan Davis 🍗🍗🍗🍗
Rationale: Heupel holdover. Walk-on Reece Adkins, formerly of Eastern Kentucky, is projected to receive more playing time. (If not for Gabe Davis, Jordan would not be on this roster.)
DE
Isaiah Nixon 🍗🍗🍗
Rationale: Undersized. Recruited for a different defensive scheme. Redshirted in 2023. Unlikely to receive significant playing time in 2024. Probably should have entered the transfer portal.
DT
Andrew Rumph 🍗
Rationale: Solid prospect in UCF's deepest and most "NFL talented" position group. Would be a rotational player in the two deep for most Big 12 programs.
LB
Troy Ford Jr.* 🍗🍗🍗 (*@MLB only)
Rationale: Mixed emotions here. Ford is probably the worst Mike linebacker but likely the team's third-best pass rush option off the edge. He needs to change positions in the fall.
CB
Jakob Gude 🍗🍗
Rationale: Slot corner who will be regulated to third team. Likely special teams player in 2024.
S
William Wells 🍗
Rationale: Heupel holdover. Smart, resilient G5-caliber athlete who plays the game from the ears up and whose accomplishments exceed his talent ceiling.
