We had about 25 minutes of access at the very end of practice today, right before the press conferences.

It was mostly team stuff they were working on, installing base plays.

KJ Jefferson was obviously in command as the first team QB, and the first team OL included Caden Kitler at center, Paul Rubelt (RT), Amari Kight (LT), Adrian Medley (LG) and Marcellus Marshall (RG).

Timmy McClain was running the second team, Dylan Rizk the third team.

It was great to see TE Jordan Davis full go. He appeared some with the second team - wearing a brace on his right leg. He suffered a brutal knee injury playing special teams early in the 2022 season at FAU and hasn't played since.

TE Grant Stevens, who also has been hampered by injury problems in his young career, appeared full go on the second team. Randy Pittman was the first team TE. The new Michigan State transfer, Evan Morris, on the third team. They typically will start spring with returners and then adjust with transfers based on performance - there's really not much else to read into it.

The first team defense appeared to be Ricky Barber and Lee Hunter inside at DT, Malachi Lawrence and Kaven Call at DE. LBs were Ethan Barr and Deshawn Pace (who was moving around). Corners were Brandon Adams and Jason Duclona, nickel was Braeden Marshall, safeties were Nikai Martinez and Demari Henderson.

Second team defense: John Walker and Matthew Alexander at DT, Jamaal Johnson and Isaiah Nixon at DE. LBs were Jesiah Pierre and Andrew Harris. Corners were Chasen Johnson and I think Ja'Maric Morris? (not sure on that one), nickel was Ladarius Tennison, safeties Bryon Threats and William Wells.

It's probably clear based on the player chatter and other posts, but freshman WR Bredell Richardson was very impressive. We saw one "wow play" with the one-handed catch (I think it was thrown by Rizk) and in UCF's highlight video he had another.

Cincinnati transfer RB Myles Montgomery had a good burst of speed.

We saw a pair of interceptions: Brandon Adams picked off KJ Jefferson. William Wells picked off Timmy McClain. I didn't see the KJ one well, the ball was thrown to the middle of the field and my vantage point was blocked. As for Wells, he did a good job jumping the route.

Much appreciation to Gus Malzahn for allowing us some enhanced access this spring. They didn't allow video for a portion of it (just photos), as they were calling out the names of plays. Outside of a few seconds here and there, I'm not sure if I have enough footage to put together a proper edit. Usually, we've gone in at the beginning of practice when they've been doing more individual drills (which is easier to film). That's fine by me though. It was great to see a pocket of "real" practice.

They'll resume practice on Wednesday and Friday and then will take off the following week for spring break. The first scrimmage won't be until the Saturday of that week.

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WR/ATH from Jones. He was getting personal attention from Gus during practice.

The UCF Knights football team took the practice field for the first time in 2024 with some new faces complementing the returning talent. The big attraction was QB KJ Jefferson, who joins RB RJ Harvey and WR Kobe Hudson in forming one of the best trios in the Big 12. Coach Gus Malzahn knows that he'll need their playmaking and leadership if the Knights want to content for a championship in 2024.

Click here for more.

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Gotta get something done, every game was played more by the refs than the players


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Saw a few fellow UCF fans walking around downtown KC and gave them the following suggestions… which led me to think I should pass them on to others as well. For those of you there, I def suggest moving beyond power and light district as that is the touristy area. Many great places downtown include;

1) The Peanut (a block west of broadway) has some of the best wings I’ve had and the blue cheese is even better than froggers

2) Garazzo’s (In the city market) is an unbelievable Italian restaurant famous for their original spiedini’s

3) Pierponts (Union Station) great food with an awesome ambiance as it is in the train station

4) The Blue Line (city market) is an awesome hole in the wall sports bar… forget Johnny’s tavern as it is a chain and hit this place up instead

5) The Phoenix and The Green Lady Lounge are Jazz Clubs that are must visits if you are spending time in KC (KC is one of America’s big Jazz towns)

6) Milwaukee Deli is a local pizza joint that dates back to the 1910s (picture in the place shows a Budweiser beer cart parked in front of it on the day prohibition was lifted). Big slices like Lazy Moon only much better quality.

Just a few suggestions from a fellow Knight fan who’s lived in downtown KC for years. Go Knights

Was reading Brandon's interview and saw this blurb:
"Jefferson said he's looking forward to implementing helmet communication later this spring. He said they experimented with the technology during his freshman year at Arkansas in 2019."

I know I saw a rules change where they are allowing it this year. Good to see we are adopting it. Seemed silly not to have it with all this sign stealing crap going on.

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I posted a few Bredell Richardson diving one-handed catch photos here at this link, here are a few more photos.



QB Dylan Rizk:



C transfer Jabari Brooks from Samford:



No. 6 DE Isaiah Nixon in pursuit of No. 22 RB Myles Montgomery.



DC Ted Roof:



No. 43 RB who was not listed on the roster:



QB Dylan Rizk with OL Matthew Prigmore:



OL Johnathan Cline:



LB Ethan Barr, DE Malachi Lawrence, DT Lee Hunter:

To 76

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Legit a great video and I can say I have no real disagreements on his breakdowns.

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Wish we were ranked a bit higher in some things, but we can't ignore reality

Game thread.

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Streaming for both Day 1 games....2 out of the 4 are streaming on Day 2...then ESPN Networks pick up all 4 games on Day 3...both games on Day 4 and obviously the final on Day 5.

2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
Tuesday, March 12
Game 1: No. 12 UCF vs. No. 13 Oklahoma State (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 11:30 a.m. CT/12:30 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 11 Cincinnati vs. No. 14 West Virginia (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 2 p.m. CT/3 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 13
Game 3: No. 5 BYU vs. Game 1 Winner (ESPN2), 11:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. MT
Game 4: No. 8 TCU vs. No. 9 Oklahoma (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 2 p.m. CT
Game 5: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Kansas State (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 6 p.m. CT
Game 6: No. 6 Kansas vs. Winner Game 2 (ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT

Thursday, March 14
Game 7: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Winner Game 3 (ESPN2), 11:30 a.m. CT
Game 8: No. 1 Houston vs. Winner Game 4 (ESPN), 2 p.m. CT
Game 9: No. 2 Iowa State vs. Winner Game 5 (ESPN2), 6 p.m. CT
Game 10: No. 3 Baylor vs. Winner Game 6 (ESPN or ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT

Friday, March 15
Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 (ESPN or ESPN2), 6 p.m. CT
Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 (ESPN or ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, March 16
Game 13: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 (ESPN), 5 p.m. CT

The dude deserves it. He’s never been believed in here. But he’s taken his merry band of misfits into the Big12, the strongest hoops conference in college basketball, and made a statement. I couldn’t be happier for JD. He’s a great man and doing great things. Charge on nous

Hey Knight Fans! The giveaways are back! Click the link below for info!

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Is this new?

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The spotlight is now on Kobe Hudson, who looks to step up as a leader in UCF's wide receiver room. He talks about the first day of practice and working with quarterback transfer KJ Jefferson.

Highlights:

Hudson said he's building a great relationship with his new QB, KJ Jefferson, he says he can talk with him on and off the field.

He's focused on becoming a better leader and setting the right example. He wants to be a role model.

Hudson said freshman WR Bredell Richardson is coming along. He listens and he's eager to get better. He makes plays.

KJ brings great leadership and swagger. That swagger is something they've been missing.

Asked about Javon Baker's NFL Combine performance, Hudson says he may not be the fastest but he's got the best hands and runs the best routes.

First team offense at the first practice, no surprises really except maybe Rubelt

QB KJ Jefferson
RB Rj Harvey
TE Pittman
WR Hudson, Townsend, and Whittemore
Oline Kight, Medley, Kitler, Marshall, Rubelt

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Following up one of the best seasons in UCF history, running back RJ Harvey can further cement his legacy with a big 2024. The Orlando native spoke with the media following UCF's first day of spring practice.

Notable from the interview:

-Harvey saw progress in the winter workouts under the new strength coach, Anthony Kincy. He's brought a lot of energy. He's focused on the skill guys improving speed.

-Harvey is particularly impressed with the transfer linebackers. He's also trying to bring RB Myles Montgomery along. On KJ Jefferson, he's a great leader and person. Still learning the offense. "We're gonna get it rolling."

-Big focus for the RB room is protecting the ball and pass protection.

-Best play/player of the practice? Freshman WR Bredell Richardson, who made a few nice catches.

-He feels the 2024 team is better than the 2023 team.

-Andrew Cherico (Sons of UCF) asked RJ about his favorite songs to get pumped up. Harvey said he's a fan of rapper Hotboii, who is from Orlando.

-What's his favorite Universal ride? It's been a few years, but he likes the Holywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Ok Ladies and Gentlemen it would be awesome if our UCF Women’s Softball Team would win today and complete a SWEEP of Kansas.

Game starts at 12:00 noon on ESPN+…

This was finalized before the TCU result, but UCF will be the No. 12 seed and will play No. 13 seed Oklahoma State on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+).

The winner of that game will play the No. 5 seed (which does not have to play on Tuesday).

If BYU beats Oklahoma State tonight, the Cougars are the No. 5 seed.

If BYU loses, Kansas is the No. 5 seed.

That game will be Wednesday, also at 12:30 p.m. (first game of the day). ESPN or ESPN2.

Welcome to The Knighted One’s Podcast, Episode number 29. We are the ONLY podcast that features a former UCF National Champion, a former UCF radio host, and several podcasters shooting the breeze, talking UCF Sports.

This week we talk about Hoops results, the season versus the future and the NET positives, spring camp predictions, UCF baseball, the playoff negotiations, basketballs impact, the future of realignment/the game, hidden words, baseball, we play a new game with listeners, and we ask are Miami the cows of the ACC?

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

Introductions - Just Raps Freestyle
Text Talk: Hoops – 00:04:12
Coogin It -- 00:06:18
- Shemari's Face Said It All
- Cryer Not Crying
- Strats & Stats
- Hustling Harder
- Shades of 2017
- Going 10 Deep
- Diallo Had A Rough Go Of It
- Effort Vs Coaching Adjustments
- Raised Expectations Ruining The Season?
- What This Season Means For Johnny
- JD Hoops... For The First Time And The Qualifiers
- Golden Hurricanes Vs The Real Ones And The Cows...
Taming The Hypnotoads -- 00:44:03
- Who Is The Bigger Richard Equine? Kelvin Sampson Or Jamie Dixon?
- The Other JD Loses His Mind
- Private Chat Confessions Anger Vs Poser
- Strats & Stats
- Who Wanted It More....Our Knights
- Roger Freezes With In His Best Impression Of This Weeks Richard Equine
- DJ's Steps It Up....He's In The Plus
- Attack Mode Engaged
- Ice In Our Veins
- NIT... No Longer Dreaming
- Giving The Horns The Horns
- Sylla Goes Down...The Impacts!
UCF Football Talk -- 01:17:46
- Spring Game Kickoff
- Roster Changes
- NGE?
- Josh Reporting From Camp Next Week
- Why Is Malzahn Happy
- JRP VS KJ Shades Of Big Ben
- Analyzing The Linebackers
- Who Is Our Third WR?
- Who Is The Backup QB
- B Rich Predictions
- Revolving Centers And The Oline
- For KJ and With KJ
- Forgetting McClain
- Playoff Revenue
- The Automatic Bye
- The P2 And Big12 Negotiating
- Yormark Leveraging Hoops
- ESPN Making Moves Or Not
- Autobids For The NCAA Tournament?
- Garbage In Garbage Out
- Ben Yells At Cloud
- Dollar Bills Ya'll
- Biting The Hand That Feeds You
- Tax Revenue And Ratings Control
- Are Miami The Cows Of The ACC?
Net Comparisons -- 02:08:44
UCF Baseball -- 02:13:03
- RPI
- Victory In Hatorland
- Sooners Boomed
- Defensive Mistakes
- Pitching Questions
- Time Is On Our Side
Josh's Sometimes Funny Fact Of The Week -- 02:19:45
- OSU's Tournament History
UCF Athletic Sports Update -- 02:22:38
- Women's Hoops Is Done
- Women's Tennis Still Struggling
- Men's Tennis Historic
- Softball Takes Takes Its First B12 Series
Final Thoughts -- 02:24:00
- Check Out The OSU Preview

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