Key losses: QB John Rhys Plumlee, QB Timmy McClain, TE Alec Holler
Top returners: TE Randy Pittman Jr., So. (6-2/225)
Key additions: QB KJ Jefferson, 6th year (6-3/245, 38 career starts at Arkansas), QB Jacurri Brown, RS So. (6-4/220, three starts at Miami), QB EJ Colson, Fr. (6-1/185, c/o 2024), TE Kylan Fox, Fr. (6-4/215, c/o 2024), QB Riley Trujillo, Fr. (6-3/210, c/o 2024)
After putting all their chips in the middle of the table with Plumlee last season, and losing both Mikey Keane and Tommy Castellanos in the process, the Knights have attempted to once again re-stock their QB room in 2024.
Jefferson started for three consecutive seasons at Arkansas (including a win in the Swamp against Florida last year), and now comes to Orlando to play out his final year of eligibility for Gus Malzhan. The Mississippi native has amassed over 7,500 yards and over 65 passing TD's in his career, to go along with over 1,800 yards and 21 TD"s on the ground. In Brown, UCF also added a Jefferson insurance plan for this upcoming season, as well as a possible starter down the road.
UCF also added two heralded true freshmen quarterbacks in Colson and Trujillo. Both capable (in my opinion) of taking over the reins at quarterback for this program at some point down the road, my only question remains - will they stick around long enough for that vision to come to fruition? Transfer culture defines the current climate in college football, and the quarterback position seems to carousel even more than some other spots. The Knights currently boast Brown (three-years of eligibility remaining), Rizk (four-years of eligibility remaining), Colson (four-years of eligibility remaining), and Trujillo (four-years of eligibility remaining) as depth pieces in their rather crowded QB room behind Jefferson. Who stays at UCF among this group? Who looks elsewhere?
Pittman Jr. caught 19 balls for 215 yards as a true freshmen for the Knights last season (1 TD, one start). He returns and his primed for a potential jump in production in '24. In Fox, UCF was able to snag a top-20 tight end nationally (12th by ESPN, 15th by Rivals, 19th by 247). For Malzhan's run-heavy scheme, the Knights also brought in this past offseason two 'run-blocking' tight ends in Reece Adkins (6-6/250, from Eastern Kentucky) and Evan Morris (6-5/245, from Michigan State).
Prior Positional Previews:
Defensive Line - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-defensive-line.117479/
Offensive Line - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-offensive-line.117554/
Linebackers - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-linebackers.117648/
Running Backs - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-running-backs.117885/
Top returners: TE Randy Pittman Jr., So. (6-2/225)
Key additions: QB KJ Jefferson, 6th year (6-3/245, 38 career starts at Arkansas), QB Jacurri Brown, RS So. (6-4/220, three starts at Miami), QB EJ Colson, Fr. (6-1/185, c/o 2024), TE Kylan Fox, Fr. (6-4/215, c/o 2024), QB Riley Trujillo, Fr. (6-3/210, c/o 2024)
After putting all their chips in the middle of the table with Plumlee last season, and losing both Mikey Keane and Tommy Castellanos in the process, the Knights have attempted to once again re-stock their QB room in 2024.
Jefferson started for three consecutive seasons at Arkansas (including a win in the Swamp against Florida last year), and now comes to Orlando to play out his final year of eligibility for Gus Malzhan. The Mississippi native has amassed over 7,500 yards and over 65 passing TD's in his career, to go along with over 1,800 yards and 21 TD"s on the ground. In Brown, UCF also added a Jefferson insurance plan for this upcoming season, as well as a possible starter down the road.
UCF also added two heralded true freshmen quarterbacks in Colson and Trujillo. Both capable (in my opinion) of taking over the reins at quarterback for this program at some point down the road, my only question remains - will they stick around long enough for that vision to come to fruition? Transfer culture defines the current climate in college football, and the quarterback position seems to carousel even more than some other spots. The Knights currently boast Brown (three-years of eligibility remaining), Rizk (four-years of eligibility remaining), Colson (four-years of eligibility remaining), and Trujillo (four-years of eligibility remaining) as depth pieces in their rather crowded QB room behind Jefferson. Who stays at UCF among this group? Who looks elsewhere?
Pittman Jr. caught 19 balls for 215 yards as a true freshmen for the Knights last season (1 TD, one start). He returns and his primed for a potential jump in production in '24. In Fox, UCF was able to snag a top-20 tight end nationally (12th by ESPN, 15th by Rivals, 19th by 247). For Malzhan's run-heavy scheme, the Knights also brought in this past offseason two 'run-blocking' tight ends in Reece Adkins (6-6/250, from Eastern Kentucky) and Evan Morris (6-5/245, from Michigan State).
Prior Positional Previews:
Defensive Line - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-defensive-line.117479/
Offensive Line - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-offensive-line.117554/
Linebackers - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-linebackers.117648/
Running Backs - https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/2024-position-preview-running-backs.117885/
