I posted this on the front page here --> https://ucf.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1761373
I'll also copy it here for easier mobile formatting. This was right before the spring game.
April 28, 2015
Defensive Line Q&A with Coach Zo
Brandon Helwig
UCFSports.com Publisher
The strength of UCF's defense in 2015 should be be the defensive line, led by senior defensive end Thomas Niles who finished with a team-leading 7.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss a season ago. The only loss is Jaryl Mamea who accounted for seven sacks at defensive tackle, but Lorenzo Costantini is confident in the depth with seniors Demetris Anderson and Lance McDowdell along with fast-rising sophomore Jamiyus Pittman. Defensive ends Luke Adams and Miles Pace have significant experience and could be pushed by this preseason by Monte Taylor, an incoming junior college recruit.
A few days before the spring game, UCFSports.com caught up with Costantini - "Coach Zo" as he's known by his players - to talk about the spring and what he wants to see from his unit moving forward.
As I've been watching spring practice, if I had to pick one position group on the team I'd say is the best, I'd say it was the defensive line. You've got a lot of players returning, a lot of experience. I know when you have units like that, it's not about breaking in new players, it's refining technique and just making yourself that much better. Knowing you have guys like Thomas Niles who has played for a few years, how would you assess where things are?
"I think right now we're in a good place with the d-line. The only problem I had today was a true test for them because it was the first day where we really had some heat. I always tell my guys, 'I want guys that can run.' I don't care how hot, how cold. You've got to be able to run all day and have a motor to play this game. They were challenged today. They came out fast. The problem is they slowed down really quick. They let that get to them. That disappointed. That's part of growing up as a defensive lineman, in my opinion. As long as they keep working they'll get there. Now they know what I expect. Even though they made some plays, every play needs to be the same speed. You can't lose that much in a matter of 15 minutes. It's uncalled for. But do I think we're in a good place? I think we are. I think they have developed. I think they're a good group. They've jelled together. I think they're only going to get better. It's endless how good they can be, I think. We have size, we have length. We have all of it. As long as they keep working and refining their technique, we can be special."
A couple years ago it was improving pass rush, last year it picked up quite a bit with Thomas Niles leading the team in sacks with Mamea right there too, do you think that can improve even more?
"It should be better. I don't know if people even realize we were No. 1 in the conference in sacks. I think we should be better than we were last year. We should be because I think some people have really stepped up on that d-line, some of the younger guys. They're going to help make it even better. Also tackles for losses need to improve. In order to have a great defense, you need to have tackles for losses and sacks, period. It all starts up front. I think we're getting there. I think their technique and their effort is getting there. I think they're starting to develop that forward push that we want. I think it's going to be exciting."
Looking at Thomas Niles, he's the experienced guy in the group who's been around. Assess where he is right now.
"To be honest with you, I thought he started spring slow. Put on a little bit of weight. He's realized he needs to knock that off. He's knocked it down. He made some good plays today because he has dropped that weight. He's always going to be a steady player. I want him to break out of that steady shell. I told him, 'Hey, it's your last year. Steady doesn't cut it anymore. Now you have to turn it into a special year for yourself being a senior and for the team.' I think he will. I think he'll have a good summer working out. Shed a little bit of that weight, that winter coat and get ready."
The other stalwart on the other side of the line at defensive end has been Luke Adams. He's been a run stopper through the years. What kind of spring has he had?
"Luke has had a good spring. He's truly a steady guy. What Luke does is he doesn't make mistakes. He plays with technique and fundamentals. That's what helps him stays where he's at. Luke, on third and long, we pull him off and ask him some questions. All the other downs he's good in there. He does a good job. He's solid. He works at it. He works at the game."
I'll also copy it here for easier mobile formatting. This was right before the spring game.
April 28, 2015
Defensive Line Q&A with Coach Zo
Brandon Helwig
UCFSports.com Publisher
The strength of UCF's defense in 2015 should be be the defensive line, led by senior defensive end Thomas Niles who finished with a team-leading 7.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss a season ago. The only loss is Jaryl Mamea who accounted for seven sacks at defensive tackle, but Lorenzo Costantini is confident in the depth with seniors Demetris Anderson and Lance McDowdell along with fast-rising sophomore Jamiyus Pittman. Defensive ends Luke Adams and Miles Pace have significant experience and could be pushed by this preseason by Monte Taylor, an incoming junior college recruit.
A few days before the spring game, UCFSports.com caught up with Costantini - "Coach Zo" as he's known by his players - to talk about the spring and what he wants to see from his unit moving forward.
As I've been watching spring practice, if I had to pick one position group on the team I'd say is the best, I'd say it was the defensive line. You've got a lot of players returning, a lot of experience. I know when you have units like that, it's not about breaking in new players, it's refining technique and just making yourself that much better. Knowing you have guys like Thomas Niles who has played for a few years, how would you assess where things are?
"I think right now we're in a good place with the d-line. The only problem I had today was a true test for them because it was the first day where we really had some heat. I always tell my guys, 'I want guys that can run.' I don't care how hot, how cold. You've got to be able to run all day and have a motor to play this game. They were challenged today. They came out fast. The problem is they slowed down really quick. They let that get to them. That disappointed. That's part of growing up as a defensive lineman, in my opinion. As long as they keep working they'll get there. Now they know what I expect. Even though they made some plays, every play needs to be the same speed. You can't lose that much in a matter of 15 minutes. It's uncalled for. But do I think we're in a good place? I think we are. I think they have developed. I think they're a good group. They've jelled together. I think they're only going to get better. It's endless how good they can be, I think. We have size, we have length. We have all of it. As long as they keep working and refining their technique, we can be special."
A couple years ago it was improving pass rush, last year it picked up quite a bit with Thomas Niles leading the team in sacks with Mamea right there too, do you think that can improve even more?
"It should be better. I don't know if people even realize we were No. 1 in the conference in sacks. I think we should be better than we were last year. We should be because I think some people have really stepped up on that d-line, some of the younger guys. They're going to help make it even better. Also tackles for losses need to improve. In order to have a great defense, you need to have tackles for losses and sacks, period. It all starts up front. I think we're getting there. I think their technique and their effort is getting there. I think they're starting to develop that forward push that we want. I think it's going to be exciting."
Looking at Thomas Niles, he's the experienced guy in the group who's been around. Assess where he is right now.
"To be honest with you, I thought he started spring slow. Put on a little bit of weight. He's realized he needs to knock that off. He's knocked it down. He made some good plays today because he has dropped that weight. He's always going to be a steady player. I want him to break out of that steady shell. I told him, 'Hey, it's your last year. Steady doesn't cut it anymore. Now you have to turn it into a special year for yourself being a senior and for the team.' I think he will. I think he'll have a good summer working out. Shed a little bit of that weight, that winter coat and get ready."
The other stalwart on the other side of the line at defensive end has been Luke Adams. He's been a run stopper through the years. What kind of spring has he had?
"Luke has had a good spring. He's truly a steady guy. What Luke does is he doesn't make mistakes. He plays with technique and fundamentals. That's what helps him stays where he's at. Luke, on third and long, we pull him off and ask him some questions. All the other downs he's good in there. He does a good job. He's solid. He works at it. He works at the game."
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