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***New target at QB - The future KZ?***

Here's stating the obvious: A quarterback makes all the difference in college football. UCF has some skill talent, but it's an elite quarterback like McKenzie Milton that's allowed the Knights to become one of the nation's top teams.

That being said, Heupel and crew are cognizant of the fact they need to continue to bring in QB talent so there's no hiccup when Milton graduates after 2019.

In last year's class, the staff put their best foot forward in hopes of landing the "best available" remaining quarterback in Arizona's Brock Purdy, who settled in on a final three of Iowa State, Alabama and UCF before choosing the Cyclones. By the way, just checked Iowa State game notes (they also had their game cancelled this weekend like Nebraska) and none of the true freshmen they brought in, Purdy or Re-al Mitchell, were on the two-deep at QB.

UCF did bring in Jones QB Quadry Jones as a walk-on and he has really impressed, so much so that there's a belief he has a real chance to be that QB of the future.

In this current 2019 cycle, Heupel made early offers to two Florida QBs, Brian Maurer and Charlie Dean. Dean committed on the spot, but it hasn't been a good 2018 for him since then. He left Tampa Catholic and transferred to Plant because he wanted to graduate early, but couldn't win the starting job at Plant (granted, the guy who did is going to be a solid 2020 recruit). So Dean resurfaced at Hillsborough, but hasn't had the best start to his season.

UCF continued recruiting Maurer as his profile began to take off. West Virginia was always in the picture, then schools like Tennessee and Texas A&M offered after Maurer earned Elite 11 status. His final two were Tennessee and UCF, but he ended up choosing the Vols during the summer.

UCF has always been focused on taking another QB in this class. An intriguing option has emerged and it sounds a lot like McKenzie Milton 2.0. Tell me if this sounds familiar:

-He's about 5-11, a playmaker who can make things happen with his arm and legs. McKenzie like.

-Current offers include Hawaii, Navy, Air Force and Army. That pretty much mirrors KZ's recruitment.

-This player is also from Mililani, Hawaii.

Yep, UCF has legitimate interest in Dillon Gabriel, Milton's replacement at Mililani, who started four games as a freshman in 2015 when Milton went down with an injury. He will be a three-year starter (2016-18) when it's said and done and has a chance to break Hawaii's career passing record which is currently held by Tua Tagovailoa. He helped lead Mililani to a state championship in 2016. Gabriel is left-handed, just like Heup.

Gabriel committed to Army in June.

Login to view embedded media McKenzie has been pushing him and there's mutual interest. No official action has been taken yet, but it is definitely something to watch. San Diego State is also getting in the mix.

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Mililani just flew to California and played the nation's No. 1 HS team, St. John Bosco, on Friday night and lost 52-14. St. John Bosco is full of stud athletes, including a five-star QB in the 2020 class. Due to the hurricane, Mililani wasn't able to play a week earlier and had many practices washed out. They are 3-1 now - their season actually starts at the beginning of August.

Some stats and a breakdown following his first three games (not including St. John Bosco) via Hawaii Prep World:

http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/nerdpod-mililani-qb-dillon-gabriel/

Here are Gabriel's highlights in the St. John Bosco game, fresh off the HUDL presses:

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His season opener vs. Kailua:

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Second game vs. Farrington:

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Third game vs. Kamehameha Kapalama:

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Junior highlights:

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Greatest Performance By An Athlete That You Saw In Person

What is the most amazing performance by an athlete that you saw in person? HS, college, or pro. One play or the entire game.

For me, the first NFL game I ever attended, Niners at Bucs, 1993. Jerry Rice had 8 catches, 172 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He couldn't be stopped.

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And Kevin Smith vs Texas, 2007. Everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball, but no one could stop him. Smith vs Tulsa in the championship game could have been my pick, also.
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Oh, and for high school, my eighth grade year Glades Central came to my hometown. Fred Taylor and Reidel Anthony were on that team. Taylor had 6 rushes for 300 yards and six touchdowns. It was an actual man playing against boys.

OT: Exogen Bone Stimulator

My 16-year old daughter was diagnosed with three stress fractures in her legs last week. She has two in her right tibia and one in her left tibia. She's on crutches now and obviously can't participate in any soccer (or related activities) for three months or so. Her orthopedic suggested a bone stimulator to potentially expedite the healing process. I've spoken to the device rep and the billing people. After finding out the estimate for our out-of-pocket, I figured I'd check in here to see if anyone has experience with the device or similar devices. Purchasing one of these things isn't cheap, but if it actually does what they say it does then I'm happy to make the investment.
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Around The Kingdom - Decisions, Decisions

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Join Trace Trylko and guest host Kyle Nash as they debate some of the current topics surrounding UCF Sports.

In this episode, the guys discuss their biggest learnings now that spring camp has come to an end, including the most important players on each side of the ball.

Plus: the transfer portal is open, how has UCF fared thus far?

Also: Thiam to Cincy, RJ to the NFL, Nico to UCLA, and Shedeur to the rafters.

Click here to watch ... from the Sons of UCF.

OT: Shannon Sharpe announces he will step away from ESPN till August due to Civil Lawsuit on alleged sexual assault

It's been a crazy 2 weeks for Shannon Sharpe.

First, his boo ing Podcast Channel just hit the free market as his contract with Coowherd's Podcast Company is ending, industry trades said Sharpe had a $100 Million deal with another company he was about to sign with...and then the bombshell of the secual assault allegations and lawsuit that came about this week.

He had some type of a relationship with a then 19 yr old (he was 54 when it started) that escalated with allegations and Sharpe and his attorney offered her $10 Million+ to make it go away.

Her now infamous lawyer said no...and thats when Sharpe released the name of the alleged victim who was a then a Jane Doe.

Yesterday afternoon, Sharpe said he would take a self sabbatical from ESPN till NFL Preseason starts in August and then EPSN sent out a timely statement and they said "they agreed with HIS decision."

Was it HIS decision or was it Disney's?

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Around The Kingdom - Decisions, Decisions

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Join Trace Trylko and guest host Kyle Nash as they debate some of the current topics surrounding UCF Sports.

In this episode, the guys discuss their biggest learnings now that spring camp has come to an end, including the most important players on each side of the ball.

Plus: the transfer portal is open, how has UCF fared thus far?

Also: Thiam to Cincy, RJ to the NFL, Nico to UCLA, and Shedeur to the rafters.

Click here to watch ... from the Sons of UCF.
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OT: Pickleball

Is anyone playing Pickleball? I’ve been playing for about 6 months and I’m crazy addicted. It’s great exercise, social, fun, and fast paced.
So many Star Athletes and celebrities are buying teams and courts are going up all over the country. It’s almost impossible to find an open court near my home. Does anyone know of any investment opportunities in the space?

Big 12 Conference launches “Big 12 Studios”, league’s first-ever 24/7 FAST channel, in partnership with Raycom Sports

September 20, 2024 - CHARLOTTE & DALLAS – Today, the Big 12 Conference and Raycom Sports launched Big 12 Studios, a new programming and content venture designed to expand and enhance the league’s storytelling efforts.

Big 12 Studios will create and deliver original programming and content to fans as a FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channel across multiple major platforms, including planned launches on leading platforms early this Fall that will be announced soon, as well as major VOD platforms such as YouTube. Select programming from Big 12 Studios will also air across local TV stations throughout multiple Big 12 Conference markets, which include Gray Media’s Arizona’s Family Sports Network in Phoenix and Tucson, KSMO in Kansas City, and KMYL in Lubbock, Texas.

Big 12 Studios will feature a variety of programming, such as in-game footage, highlights from recent contests, replays of historic Big 12 Conference showdowns, and in-depth expert analysis. Original content will include profiles of current and former Big 12 Conference student-athletes, highlighting their stories on and off the field.

Big 12 Studios will also feature a weekly show, Inside the 12, which will be distributed on air in addition to the FAST channel and VOD platforms such as YouTube. Hosted by Pete Sousa and Madison Hock, this weekly preview show kicks off this fall, focusing on showcasing the upcoming weekend’s full slate of Big 12 football games. Following football season, Inside the 12 will evolve to spotlight and preview additional Big 12 sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with Raycom Sports to launch the league’s first-ever 24/7 channel,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “Storytelling is at the forefront of everything we do and is a key part of our narrative and brand building efforts. Through Big 12 Studios, we have the capability to showcase our brand and deliver original programming to fans across the country.”

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to build new platforms with the Big 12 Conference” said Hunter Nickell, Chief Executive Officer of Raycom Sports. “It’s an exciting new chapter for Raycom Sports to bring Big 12 schools, athletes, and stories to their fans wherever they want it.”

The partnership brings Raycom Sports’ 45+ year history in producing and syndicating college sports programming for television, digital and social media platforms together with the Big 12’s powerful brands and championship history. Raycom Sports’ and the Big 12 Conference’s relationship spans back to the 1980s, when Raycom produced games for the Conference during its days as the Big Eight.

Raycom Sports is owned by Gray Media, which is the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Gray serves 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.

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