Welcome to The Knighted One’s Podcast, Episode number 31. We are the ONLY podcast that features a former UCF National Champion, a former UCF radio host, an Infamous rapper, and an IG star, shooting the breeze, talking UCF Sports.

This week we lament our loss in the Hoops War on I-4, debate the fate of Johnny Dawkins, and give a big update on the stadium expansion!

Please comment for subjects that we should cover in our Intern Re-Education segment!

Introductions
Text Talk: Hoops - 00:03:40
An Udder-ly Heartbreaking Loss - 00:12:03
- Weren't Looking I-4 War Ready
- Mental Games
- Mix n Match
- Strats & Stats
UCF Hoops Season Review - 00:37:12
- Proving We Belong In The Big 12
- So Many What-If's
- Where Do We Set The Bar? (Next Season)
- Is a Contract Comin' Knockin' for Coach Dawkins?
- Can We Even Afford To Move On?
- Dawkins Is Selling Recruiting Power
- Is That Enough?
- Dawkins: Transitional or Long-Term?
- Dawkins = Big Gus???
- Apples To Oranges
- Tre and Allen Have "One More Thing"
UCF Football Talk - 01:36:35
- The Spring Game Approaches!!
- Top 30 Visits
- Stadium Expansion Info/Timeline Update!
- Stats Of War Stats on UCF
UCF Baseball - 01:46:24
- Goin Bird Hunting; UCF Takes Both Series Against FAU and Kansas
- Things Looking Bright
- Strats and Stats & Pats On Backs
- Tre Retires From Pitching (Temporarily)
- A Quick Note On "Rockem Socks" and Rob Starkman
Allen's Oxymoronic Stat of The Week - 01:58:21
- 2nd Half Dawkins
UCF Athletic Sports Update - 02:00:00
- Women's Tennis Getting On a Roll
- Men's Tennis Still Looking Great Despite Loss
- Softball Gets Swept Up
- Softball Season Tix Are a Hot Commodity
Final Thoughts - 02:04:52
- Content Coming

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Welcome to The Knighted One’s Podcast, Episode number 31. We are the ONLY podcast that features a former UCF National Champion, a former UCF radio host, an Infamous rapper, and an IG star, shooting the breeze, talking UCF Sports.

This week we lament our loss in the Hoops War on I-4, debate the fate of Johnny Dawkins, and give a big update on the stadium expansion!

Please comment for subjects that we should cover in our Intern Re-Education segment!

Introductions
Text Talk: Hoops - 00:03:40
An Udder-ly Heartbreaking Loss - 00:12:03
- Weren't Looking I-4 War Ready
- Mental Games
- Mix n Match
- Strats & Stats
UCF Hoops Season Review - 00:37:12
- Proving We Belong In The Big 12
- So Many What-If's
- Where Do We Set The Bar? (Next Season)
- Is a Contract Comin' Knockin' for Coach Dawkins?
- Can We Even Afford To Move On?
- Dawkins Is Selling Recruiting Power
- Is That Enough?
- Dawkins: Transitional or Long-Term?
- Dawkins = Big Gus???
- Apples To Oranges
- Tre and Allen Have "One More Thing"
UCF Football Talk - 01:36:35
- The Spring Game Approaches!!
- Top 30 Visits
- Stadium Expansion Info/Timeline Update!
- Stats Of War Stats on UCF
UCF Baseball - 01:46:24
- Goin Bird Hunting; UCF Takes Both Series Against FAU and Kansas
- Things Looking Bright
- Strats and Stats & Pats On Backs
- Tre Retires From Pitching (Temporarily)
- A Quick Note On "Rockem Socks" and Rob Starkman
Allen's Oxymoronic Stat of The Week - 01:58:21
- 2nd Half Dawkins
UCF Athletic Sports Update - 02:00:00
- Women's Tennis Getting On a Roll
- Men's Tennis Still Looking Great Despite Loss
- Softball Gets Swept Up
- Softball Season Tix Are a Hot Commodity
Final Thoughts - 02:04:52
- Content Coming

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#ucf,#ucffootball,#UCFsports,#TK1,#ucfhoops,#ucfwomensbasketball,#ucfvolleyball,#ucfknights

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It is just a proposal, but its goal is to simultaneously increase the number of returns vs touchbacks, while reducing contact speed of opposing teams.

The idea is to kickoff from the opponent's 40, with most of the receiving team lined up at the 35 and 2 returners inside the 20. Onside kicks have to be announced ahead of time. Nobody can move until the returner touches the ball. Squib or short kicks that don't cross the 20 in the air are considered illegal procedure with the receiving team getting the ball on the 40. Balls kicked into the endzone on the fly are a touchback and placed at the 35. If the ball rolls into the endzone after touching the ground, it's a touchback and placed on the 20.

Consider changing your screen name. That cargo ship which struck the Bridge in Baltimore was named Dali. It's bad MOJO brother. 😆

Digital billboard on OBT in Kissimmee

One of the bright young stars for the UCF Knights is defensive back Nikai Martinez. After emerging as a starting caliber player in 2023, Nikai is looking to build on his play and help this new Knights defense have success in 2024. Nikai spent time over the winter watching tape of himself and his teammates to find areas where they can improve. The first order of business, getting the defense to be more aggressive and more consistent with tackling. Nikai caught up with the media after a recent practice to share his thoughts.

Click here to watch.

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I can't remember a Spring Camp where UCF didn't post the updated roster on the website before practices started. Here we are a week in and they still haven't posted it.

It seems like roster updates under Gus, generally speaking, are much slower than under previous coaches.

https://theathletic.com/5302900/202...iting-gus-malzahn/?source=user_shared_article

UCF football recruiting continues to ascend: ‘We’re coming for you'

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After a week off for spring break, UCF resumed spring practice on Tuesday. The Knights will return to the practice fields on Thursday and then will scrimmage for the first time this Saturday.

UCF head coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday's practice had "a lot of positive energy." They worked a lot on third-down situations. Thursday will be a red-zone emphasis day prior to Saturday's scrimmage.

"These guys are excited to be back practicing," Malzahn said. "That's a really good feeling. We're letting everybody play right now. We're developing depth and developing really our mindset. So far, so good."

"Saturday will be an evaluation type scrimmage. It'll be very simple. Not a lot of install on either side. Just play football and see who can block and football."

As for transfer quarterback KJ Jefferson, Malzahn said there's always a "learning curve" coming into a new offense but he catches on quickly.

"I've been impressed with his leadership and the way he goes about his business," Malzahn said. "I will say this: Timmy (McClain) and Dylan (Rizk), they've gotten better. You can tell that. I think they're off to a really good start too."

Spring is largely an evaluation period more than anything else. Malzahn said they're starting to mix in different players between the first and second teams to see how they respond. They've been running three teams offensively and defensively, but may cut that down to two groups following the scrimmage.



Malzahn noted several of the veteran transfers are standing out.

"I can tell you, they can play," he said.

Malzahn said he's seeing "young guys who have grown up" this spring.

"They're not the same guys out there. Then we've got the influx of the older guys that we brought in. They've really bonded well. Our old guys that have been here, they're taking the next step. It's about getting better. I like our mindset. Our guys want to compete and get better."

Malzahn sees defensive coordinator Ted Roof's defense as being "a lot more aggressive."

Freshman cornerback Chasen Johnson has impressed his teammates. Malzahn said he "doesn't seem like a true freshman" out there.

For UCF to have an elite season, Malzahn stressed the need to be "big time" in all three phases. He sees the team competing at a high level, which is important.

Ja'Cari Henderson played six games at corner last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He continues to be limited this spring. Malzahn also mentioned wide receiver Kobe Hudson got "a little banged up" in the final practice before spring break and they're holding him out for now as a precautionary measure.

"We know what he can do," Malzahn said. "That will allow some of the younger guys to get more reps to develop."

2027 prospect Luby Jones Jr from Berkeley Prep:



OT Amari Kight:



Cocoa WR Jayvan Boggs:



TE Randy Pittman:





Pittman and RJ:



Paul Lounsberry, Mike Palmer and his son Zack, a 2025 recruit from Boone.





WR Jarrad Baker:

One of the bright young stars for the UCF Knights is defensive back Nikai Martinez. After emerging as a starting caliber player in 2023, Nikai is looking to build on his play and help this new Knights defense have success in 2024. Nikai spent time over the winter watching tape of himself and his teammates to find areas where they can improve. The first order of business, getting the defense to be more aggressive and more consistent with tackling. Nikai caught up with the media after a recent practice to share his thoughts.

Click here to watch.

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He de-committed today and opened his recruitment which is not a surprise. I mentioned in the recruiting thread that he’s going to do due diligence and take plenty of visits.

Again he is not “flipping” anywhere soon and his recruitment is wide open. There are no leaders in his recruitment. He will take his time making a decision. I believe he will be visiting Georgia this weekend.

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After playing his first four years at Alabama, Amari Kight transferred to UCF last season with the goal of becoming a starter. He did just that, ultimately becoming the Knights' right tackle. Now with Tylan Grable moving on, Kight has flipped to the opposite side and is looking to lock down the left tackle spot.

Kight said he learned a lot about himself last year, also proving to himself that he is the player he thought he was.

His favorite moment was beating Oklahoma State in the Space Game.

Kight has been impressed with freshman center Waltclaire Flynn.

He's trying to become a better leader this year and show the younger players they can look up to him.

On KJ Jefferson, Kight says he's picking up the offense quickly. A great leader. "I've never seen anybody like KJ. Always dialed in. He's such a big quarterback and he's athletic for his size."

Kight has been talking to Tylan Grable as he goes through his NFL Draft preparations. He's been giving him points about left tackle too.

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More than anything else, Trent Whittemore treasured the relationships he developed during his first year at UCF. Now heading into his final season of college football, the wide receiver is ready to do whatever it takes to help his team win.

Whittemore, who had three catches for 36 yards last season, said he played more of an outside receiver role for UCF, which was a little different than what he did at Florida.

His new position coach Tim Harris Jr., who is also the OC, teaches things "very conceptually" which especially helps the younger players.

Whittemore is regarded as one of the better WR blockers.

He feels he's been able to help teams win throughout his career, so he's on board to do whatever the team needs, whether it's WR, blocking or special teams.

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Following his first season as a starter, Lee Hunter is looking to take another step up.

2023 was a standout year for the defensive tackle from Mobile. Elevating from backup to primary contributor, Hunter finished with 69 tackles (third most on the team), 11 TFL and three sacks on his way to an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection. His 74.0 PFF season grade was UCF's second-highest grade on defense and tops among the defensive linemen.

"I'm feeling good," Hunter said following a recent spring practice. "I'm learning to become a better student of the game. God blessed me with football ability. I still work on my craft, but I'm learning to become a student of the game."

Hunter said working with new defensive coordinator Ted Roof has been "good." Areas of emphasis include better communication with teammates.

Asked who has stood out in the early practices, Hunter likes freshman cornerback Chasen Johnson. The former Sanford-Seminole has been seeing reps with the first team defense.

"He looks very good as a freshman," Hunter said.

Asked what he learned during UCF's inaugural Big 12 season, Hunter said it's a more physical conference than people give it credit for.

Hunter says UCF definitely has a chip on their shoulder going into this season.

"Nobody wants to go 6-7," he said.

The WBB team was playing at Gonzaga for the NCAA Tournament, but instead of staying in Spokane they were sent across the border to Cour d'ALene, Idaho.

Excerpt from story:

Utah was sent to Spokane for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but was stationed in a hotel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho — about 35 minutes away from the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane.

On Thursday night, the basketball team — along with members of the band and cheerleading team — gathered together at a restaurant for a dinner to celebrate the season. While walking to the restaurant, a white truck got near the team, revved its engines to make its presence known, and then yelled the N-word toward the team before speeding off.

"We all just were in shock, and we looked at each other like, did we just hear that? ... Everybody was in shock — our cheerleaders, our students that were in that area that heard it clearly were just frozen," Utah deputy athletics director Charmelle Green, who is Black, told KSL.com. "We kept walking, just shaking our heads, like I can't believe that."

The team carried on with its dinner, but two hours later were met with a similar situation as they started to leave the restaurant. This time, though, two trucks were present, revving their engines and making a lot of noise in an intimidating way, while yelling the N-word again to those present.

"I got emotional and started to cry," Green said.

The team then coordinated a way to walk each other back to the hotel in an effort to stay safe and avoid having to go in small groups.

"I went back and just had some alone time," Green said, while adding that she relayed the incident to athletic director Mark Harlan, who had not made the trip to Spokane yet. "I was just numb the entire night."

That numb, shocked feeling was present around the team, as their safety was called into question in a location that has a history of racial incidents.
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One of the bright young stars for the UCF Knights is defensive back Demari Henderson. After a breakout year in 2023, Demari is looking to continue to take his game to the next level for the Knights. That starts with the work he is putting in this off season, which includes an emphasis on getting bigger and stronger in the weight room. Demari shared his thoughts with the media after practice.

Click here for more with Demari.

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Adrian Medley will be a key component of UCF's offense this season as the likely starter at left guard.

It's a remarkable turn of events considering he thought his career was in jeopardy around this time two years ago.

After two years in the program, which included a redshirt season in 2020 and his first meaningful playing reps in 2021, Medley was on track to break through with a starting position in 2022.

Then the unthinkable happened during the 2022 spring game.

"It was the last play of spring," Medley said. "I landed wrong and I tore my ACL, MCL and both my menisci in my knee. I thought (my career) was over.

"(I was thinking) I worked my butt off to get here. I'm about to start. My mind went blank. I didn't how I would get out of it, but I got out it thanks to God."

He underwent surgery and missed the entire 2022 season.

"It was tough for me," Medley said. "I helped my brothers out that year, trying to be a leader in the group. It hurts, but I tried to get healthy so I could be back."

A self-described "mama's boy," Medley credited his mother for encouraging him to stay strong while he recovered.

"I went to rehab every day so I could get my spot back," Medley said. "I came back (last summer) and got rolling after that."

Medley's first game was Sept. 16, starting against Villanova.

"It was joy," he said. "I was happy. Running out of the tunnel, I'm like, 'You got this Adrian.' Just go out there and play football."

He would suffer another setback in that game, a sprained ankle, though it was minor by comparison. He did miss a chunk of games during the middle of the year, eventually returning in November. He started the final five games against Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Houston and the Gasparilla Bowl vs. Georgia Tech.



Reflecting on his rehabilitation journey, Medley thanked his position coach Herb Hand as well as his teammate and roommate, Chidoziri Maghiro.

"(Maghiro) is like a brother to me," Medley said.

The offensive line must be united as one cohesive unit, so chemistry within the group is extremely important. Medley said he hosts cookouts at his home all the time.

"I cook ribs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans," Medley said. "I throw down in the kitchen."

Hand of course is the food king.

"He throws down on the grill too," Medley said.

They love his smoked queso.

"He cooks two of them and it's gone about as soon as we get there," Medley said. "No leftovers. You've got to be on time to get that queso."

Medley is looking forward to playing with KJ Jefferson at quarterback. He's a great guy off the field too.

"KJ is a funny guy," Medley said. "He loves to compete. You can talk to him about real-life stuff. He's not a cocky guy. He leads you in the right direction. I love KJ."

Several players have impressed him through the early practices, including freshman wide receiver Bredell Richardson, center Caden Kitler and fellow guard Cam Kinnie. Defensive tackle Lee Hunter has improved a lot also.

The expectation is a Big 12 Championship.

"I'm ready," Medley said. "I'm ready to start this off right. We've got a lot of transfers, but we're all coming together. It's like we've known each other for a long time. We're ready to compete."

One of the bright young stars for the UCF Knights is defensive back Demari Henderson. After a breakout year in 2023, Demari is looking to continue to take his game to the next level for the Knights. That starts with the work he is putting in this off season, which includes an emphasis on getting bigger and stronger in the weight room. Demari shared his thoughts with the media after practice.

Click here for more with Demari.

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The Knights go 3-1 with wins over FAU and Kansas​

It was a cold week for UCF, relatively speaking. Starting with the game on Tuesday against Florida Atlantic, not one pitch was thrown in the four games for the Knights where the temperature was above 65 degrees, and never above 45 over the weekend. A concern, as the opening Big 12 weekend in Norman brought with it some worries about the team in colder weather.

Click here for more on the Knights upcoming games in this article from Michael Theed ... for the Sons of UCF.

The Knights go 3-1 with wins over FAU and Kansas​

It was a cold week for UCF, relatively speaking. Starting with the game on Tuesday against Florida Atlantic, not one pitch was thrown in the four games for the Knights where the temperature was above 65 degrees, and never above 45 over the weekend. A concern, as the opening Big 12 weekend in Norman brought with it some worries about the team in colder weather.

Click here for more on the Knights upcoming games in this article from Michael Theed ... for the Sons of UCF.

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Students that have joined the Knightmare society have an opportunity to attend practice on March 28th at 10:00 am. I don’t recall if they did this before but it seems like a great opportunity for our students. If you have students let them know.