Cornerback Davonte Brown, who was UCF's top defensive performer in 2021 with a team-best 82.3 PFF season grade, talks about beginning year two under Gus Malzahn and who impressed him on the first day.
"It felt a lot different. You know what to expect. You know Coach Gus' expectations and Coach T-Will as a defense. He wants us to get to the ball, play aggressive and play without thinking especially these first few days of practice. He's trying to see everybody compete."
What are his goals for the spring?
"Personally, I would say playing with good leverage, improving technique, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of different coverages, understanding what the offense is trying to do, being a leader on the field, helping my teammates out and the younger guys too. I feel that's big."
During winter workouts, Brown estimates he put on 7-8 pounds. "As a team, everybody made improvements."
On the DB competition, Brown said "everybody is competing." You have to fight, "because the next guy is just as good as you."
Davonte was asked what advice he's giving his younger brother, four-star cornerback Damari Brown. He told him to go to a place where he'd want to go to school, not just for football.
Answering a question, Brown said Nikai Martinez is "adjusting well" and said he's quiet like he is. He's picking up the plays and is confident. Made some nice plays.
I then asked about the defensive highlight of practice and he name-dropped Nikai.
"I'd probably say Nikai. In 7-on-7 there was a go route. He tipped it and Koby Perry almost had an interception."
On Koby Perry, the transfer from Austin Peay: "He's funny so he fits right in with us... I'm excited to play with him."
Davonte thinks the defense has a chance to be really good if they work hard. "We'll be scary good."
