Washington going to CFB Title Game
- By Knightro2003
- The Dungeon - Knights Only
- 31 Replies
Looks like Washington is going to the CFB title game. Good thing we didn't do a home-home with them and waste all our travel dollars on playing a nobody team.
Better idea is to schedule 2-for-1s with mid-tier SEC teams who are close by. I mean, we are just a G5 team and all, right?
Better idea is to schedule 2-for-1s with mid-tier SEC teams who are close by. I mean, we are just a G5 team and all, right?
OT: Why is Orange County spending $400 Million this stadium?
- By Knight_Light
- The Dungeon - Knights Only
- 41 Replies
With Camping World Stadium and the Citrus Bowl left out of the CFP, why would anyone spend $400 Million to tear down both upper decks (rarely ever used) and replace them?
All that waste makes no sense.
***Tufts WR Jaden Richardson has "great experience" visiting UCF***
- By Brandon
- The Dungeon - Knights Only
- 13 Replies
The NCAA transfer portal has been offering big-time opportunities for players at smaller schools.
At UCF, one of their best players defensively has been linebacker Jason Johnson who transferred in from Eastern Illinois. Nationally, players like Cameron Ward (Incarnate Word to Washington State) and Jared Verse (Albany to Florida State) have made major impacts.
One of the small-school prospects getting a major look during this portal cycle is Jaden Richardson, a wide receiver from Division III Tufts University in Massachusetts. UCF, Washington, Wisconsin, Cal, South Florida and several others have already offered. He visited UCF this past weekend.
As a high school player in California, Richardson said he was lightly recruited coming out of Menlo School in the Bay Area. He chose to take advantage of the best academic opportunity.
"I had some smaller FCS type schools and JUCOs looking at me," Richardson said. "Academically, it didn't make sense to go to a JUCO when I could attend a school like Tufts."
Richardson arrived for his freshman year in 2020 only to see his first season canceled due to COVID-19. After limited action as a sophomore, Richardson emerged as one of Tufts' top offensive players in 2022 when pulled in 41 receptions for 666 yards and seven touchdowns.
In 2023, Richardson led the team with 46 receptions for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns.
"I think physically I was a late bloomer," Richardson said. "Tufts was a great fit for me athletically, academically and socially. Since I'm graduating (in December), I wanted to see what other opportunities may be out there. My coaches were very supportive of me.
"I went into (the transfer portal) without any expectations. I had an open mind. If I get the right opportunity, great. The first day I went in, I had like five schools reach out that night. I woke up the next morning to like 30 texts and I was like whoa. It's been chaotic, but you've got to enjoy it for what it is."
UCF was one of those first schools to reach out. He initially spoke with Director of Player Personnel Cory Giddings.
"(Giddings) reached out right before Thanksgiving and said they were real interested," Richardson said. "Then last Sunday after Thanksgiving I got a call from the wide receivers coach, Grant Heard. He said, 'Hey, we really want you to come visit.' So over the course of last week I talked with him 2-3 times a day to get it arranged. I had never been down there before. I loved it. It was a great time."
Richardson's visit began last Friday. The first day included an outing to Topgolf and hanging out with players. Saturday they toured the campus while learning more about UCF's academic offerings. On Sunday morning, Richardson had breakfast at head coach Gus Malzahn's house.
"It was a really good experience," Richardson. "This weekend was my first time meeting with him. We talked a little on Saturday and then me and my family sat down with him on Sunday. He took me through his office which was cool. A pretty down to earth guy. One of the head coaches that's easier to talk to. He's a former high school coach so his perspective is a little different than other guys. The way he approaches the game and coaching is pretty cool."
His player host was tight end Randy Pittman and he also spent time with defensive lineman Kervins Choute and running back RJ Harvey.
"It was great hanging out with those guys," Richardson said.
What stood out the most?
"I think for me, coming from Tufts which has like 6,000 kids, just the sheer size of the school," Richardson said. "I knew that going in, but seeing the campus was really cool to see. Just all the resources available. That would be any D1 school compared to here, but the resources towards academics was amazing. I met Ms. Tara (Helton), who is in charge of academics, she was great. I also loved seeing how the coaches interact with the players and vice versa, that really stood out too."
On the football side of things, UCF feels Richardson could be a major force in the Big 12. They love his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame.
"Coach Heard said I have three things: Size, speed and hands," Richardson said. "That's what you look for in any receiver, but he said he likes how I'm able to run away from people. He said people can talk about D3, but size and speed always translate to any level.
"He doesn't really know what's going on with Javon Baker and there might be a couple guys that may not be there next year. There's a good chance they'll have a younger room. As a grad student with two years left, Coach Heard thinks I'd have a good opportunity to contribute and also be a presence in the room for the younger guys. He also said they love hard work around there and they know how I've hard I've worked. They know I'd come in and buy into the culture."
Richardson said he was contemplating his next steps and possible visits while finishing up his academic requirements. He is set to graduate later this month with a degree in economics.
As a January enrollee, Richardson knows he can't wait too long to make a decision. Cal and Washington will likely be top considerations. He recently visited both unofficially.
He's been accustomed traveling coast to coast from California to Boston while at Tufts. While geography is something to consider, Richardson said it won't be a "main factor" in his decision. He did like the fact there are direct flights from San Francisco to Orlando.
"UCF is definitely up there for me," Richardson said. "It's about finding the best fit and I think it absolutely could be a fit for me. I'll be talking to my family and seeing how everything plays out."
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