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The table is set for
Tre'Mon Morris-Brash to become UCF's most productive pass rusher.
A year ago, he was nipping on the heels of
Big Kat Bryant on UCF's defensive stat sheet with 10.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
Defensive coordinator
Travis Williams said earlier this week he was looking for a player to emerge that can consistently provide pass rush without blitzing. Morris-Brash could be that guy.
Here's a rundown of our five-minute conversation at Media Day.
Tre'Mon revealed this was his first appearance at Media Day, which was surprising to me because he's been an impact player since he was a freshman.
He said summer conditioning was good. He said it was more "mental" in regards to pushing through stuff like the team runs.
I was aiming to get some comments about getting back into shape after missing the spring, though he didn't really bite.
Asked about everything being set up for him to become "the guy" in terms of pass rush, he did acknowledge that could be the case but said he doesn't really have specific goals.
"I just want to produce in general. More than I have in the past. Every season I've had has been productive. This season I just want more."
T-Will said the other day that Morris-Brash jumped offsides during a practice and said if he's going to do that than he better get "three sacks a game." I brought that up.
"It's definitely a mental part. No real excuse. I was just eager. But if you look back to last season, I didn't jump offsides in one game. You'd rather do that in practice than the game. It's been scientifically proven I didn't jump offsides in games."
Morris-Brash said the defense is "looking good" and they're all "experienced" which goes a long way.
I asked a general question about the defense, saying the secondary and defensive line might be more of a proven commodity but there are some new faces at linebacker that have something to prove. Morris-Brash took exception to that insinuation.
"You say we got a lot of dudes at DB and dudes on the d-line," he said. "No, they're all dudes. (All the linebackers) have impressed. Of course,
Jeremiah (Jean-Baptiste). The new guys.
Jason Johnson has definitely impressed. T2 (
Terrence Lewis).
Branden (Jennings) also. All dogs."
They want the defense to be "top 10 in the nation."
"I think it was
William Wells who asked T-Will. 'Coach T-Will, if we're a top team in the nation, can we get a freestyle?' Coach T-Will said, 'If we're top 10 you get a freestyle easy."
I asked what he's looking forward to this season. He's not thinking that far ahead.
"I'm most looking forward to the scrimmage," he said.
I laughed and said he must be anxious to hit somebody. Morris-Brash concurred.
"I didn't play in the spring so I didn't get to hit anybody. Actually, the other day I hit
(Isaiah) Bowser by accident. But he's good. I'm definitely eager to hit somebody."
