A Little Optimism Heading into next Season

[UCF 10 Georgia 6]

New Coaches- We've seen what happened with programs such as Memphis, Houston, and Temple who went from dumpster fire/mediocre programs to quality top 25 programs within 2-3 years. In Houston's case, 1 year. Houston and Temple were in better shape than us at the start of the rebuild, but Memphis was just as bad. If Memphis can turn it around we can definitely turn it around.

Jordan Akins comes back. He showed flashes of becoming a good receiver during the spring and the FIU game. Hopefully he'll be healthy.

Chris Williams comes back. He was shot before the season started. GOL decided to sit him out so he could get a medical redshirt. I don't know if anyone realized it during practices/spring game but this guy is actually good. He was going to be our #2 CB opposite Shaquill Griffin. He's probably better than Griffin. If he has stayed in shape I'm excited to see what he can do for us next season.

Demetrius Anderson (should be) coming back. Although he isn't an amazing DT he is better than McDowdell. He's an upgrade at the position and him and Jamiyus Pittman aren't a bad pairing.

Tre'Quan Smith looks to build off of a productive Freshman season and become a star WR. If there is one guy I'm excited to see develop it would be him. He's shown an ability to make big plays/catches. If he can work on his route running and develop chemistry with a QB he will be a 1,000 yard receiver.

Justin Holman hits the rewind button to the pre-season and gets 100% healthy. At this point there are no excuses and hopefully he is productive as a senior and can regain some confidence.

Tristan Payton with a year of experience under his belt. For a 4 star who chose us over UF and USC he's not overly impressive, but he's a pretty good athlete with some potential.

Shaquill Griffin will be a senior. Once again Griffin isn't overly impressive, but you would like to think he will have a pretty good season next year given the amount of experience he has at the position.


Offensive Line gains a year of experience. The offensive line can't get any worse (especially in run protection) so there will be improvement haha.

We haven't burned safeties Brandon Scott and Mike Rogers' redshirts. These were 2 of our better rated recruits in the last class. Hopefully they didn't play this season because we wanted to save them for the future (and not pointless seasons like 2015) and it wasn't that the coaches see nothing in them.

We don't really graduate anyone. Thomas Niles hasn't touched a QB this season so who are we really losing?

This year's receiving core:
Tre'Quan Smith
Tristan Payton
Nick Patti
Jordan Franks
Blake Taralosi/Cam Stewart/D'erren Wilson

Next year's receiving core:
An improved Tre'Quan Smith
Jordan Akins
Tristan Payton
Jordan Franks or 2016 recruit
D'erren Wilson or 2016 recruit

When Nick Patti and Blake Taralosi are not seeing time at WR it will be a sign that we are no longer a terrible offense.

This year's secondary
CB #1 Shaquill Griffin
CB #2 Jeremy Boykins
CB #3 DJ Killings
FS #1 Drico Johnson
SS #1 Tre Neal/Brenden Straubel

Next year's secondary
CB #1 Senior Shaquill Griffin
CB #2 Chris Williams
CB #3 Kyle Gibson
FS #1 Mike Rogers
SS #1 TJ Mutcherson

With a better defensive coordinator (anyone but Chuck B) there's no reason not to think we will be much improved in the secondary.

As far as the offensive line and linebackers are concerned I can't say much there other than those guys will have more experience.

Land a couple of JUCO players on both the offensive and defensive line and the skill positions will take care of themselves.

 

[HammerB08]

Good write up.

I'd also add that Luke Hiers should be available next season to bolster the O-line. Hiers was listed as the seventh best center in the country by ESPN, and No. 14 by 247Sports. Could probably play guard or center I imagine, two positions we do actually lose experience at with Joey Grant's retirement and Tarik Cook's graduation. Hiers was offered at a ton of P5 schools including Kentucky (where we flipped him from), Mississippi St., Louisville, UM, 'Cuse, NC St., and Nebraska. Hiers is the highest rated O-line recruit currently on the roster. I think Hiers had surgery in the Spring and just redshirted this year.

We have to find a couple guys who can rush the passer. Our defensive line allows every QB we faced this season to stay clean and have the game of their lives. We are 116th in the nation in sacks with 14 in 11 games. I'm willing to bet we are nearly dead last in hurries if that stat were kept. The new coaching staff needs to evaluate what we have on the roster, scour the JUCO ranks or other transfer options, look at recruiting options, and find guys to get to the QB now.

We have plenty of playing time to offer anyone willing to suit up. No one's position is safe except maybe Caleb Houston punting.

 

[Central Floridave]

Thanks for the break down and glimmer of hope!

 

[EngAlum98]

The big question in my mind is going to be what systems the new coaches bring in. Expect a hit learning a new playbook on offense and learning coverages on defense.

 

[firm_bizzle]

There are no pass rushers on the roster. Maybe convert some of those LBs?

 

[KnightVision82]

Thanks for your hard work...

When I put the thank you seniors thread together, I was thinking about our red shirts including injuries for next season. Below is reason for optimism as well...

http://victoryway.sportsblog.com/posts/7701934/danny-white-is-a-home-run-hire-for-ucf.html

 

[Square Knight]

Wow...there ARE UCF fans who know how to think positive! Hallelujah...and good post!

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

I hope none of them leave the University :-/

 

[Poolside Knight]

bc of this season no more Thursday or Friday home games for at least 1 season

the return of full Saturday Tailgates!

 

[22knights_era]

Speaking of next season, when does the 2016 schedule get finalized? Wanna say 2015's schedule wasn't until February because of AAC scheduling

 

[Knight_Classes_begin_7pm]

Will Holman improve? That's a big question. Or is the offensive line going to make him better?

 

[Nashville_Knight]

The big question in my mind is going to be what systems the new coaches bring in. Expect a hit learning a new playbook on offense and learning coverages on defense.

Well considering Keys playbook was juvenile, it may not be as difficult as you think