Done with UCF bringing in players through the Portal? Think again…

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

I’ve seen the idea thrown around on Twitter (and here) that UCF needs to stop turning to mercenaries through the portal every offseason, instead focusing on developing their HS recruits.

While I appreciate the notion, unfortunately I do not foresee this off-season being the time to turn away from the portal. Outside of defensive line and quarterback, you can make an argument that UCF needs to bring in 1-3 players at almost every position group. If you thought this 5-7/4-8 team was rough, wait until you see what is (or isn’t returning) next year.

In Kobe Hudson, Jacoby Jones, Trent Whittemore, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Jarrad Baker, and Xavier Townsend, UCF is losing 92 catches, 1,308 yards, and 7 TD’s. That is 96% of their catches from WR’s this past season, 93% of their yards from WR’s this season. Only WR Chauncey Magwood is slated to return in 2025 out of the WR who recorded a catch this season (4 catches, 91 yards).

In RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and Penny Boone, UCF is losing 271 rushes and 1,785 yards from RB’s this past season. That is 85% of their rushes this year, 86% of their yards gained. RB Myles Montgomery is slated to return in 2025 (44 rushes, 267 yards, 4 total TD’s).

The Knights will also need to replace two full-time starters at LT and LG, with very little experience behind them. While I don’t personally feel like the losses will be as difficult to replace (because they’ve been terrible this season), it also should be noted that UCF will be looking for three starting defensive backs. They also lose two starting LB’s with ten combined seasons of experience.

To the Portal we go!

 

[B R Knightz2]

We are doomed.

 

[NestaKnight1]

We are doomed………………..to mediocrity under boom boom.

FIFY, yw.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

I’ve seen the idea thrown around on Twitter (and here) that UCF needs to stop turning to mercenaries through the portal every offseason, instead focusing on developing their HS recruits.

While I appreciate the notion, unfortunately I do not foresee this off-season being the time to turn away from the portal. Outside of defensive line and quarterback, you can make an argument that UCF needs to bring in 1-3 players at almost every position group. If you thought this 5-7/4-8 team was rough, wait until you see what is (or isn’t returning) next year.

In Kobe Hudson, Jacoby Jones, Trent Whittemore, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Jarrad Baker, and Xavier Townsend, UCF is losing 92 catches, 1,308 yards, and 7 TD’s. That is 96% of their catches from WR’s this past season, 93% of their yards from WR’s this season. Only WR Chauncey Magwood is slated to return in 2025 out of the WR who recorded a catch this season (4 catches, 91 yards).

In RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and Penny Boone, UCF is losing 271 rushes and 1,785 yards from RB’s this past season. That is 85% of their rushes this year, 86% of their yards gained. RB Myles Montgomery is slated to return in 2025 (44 rushes, 267 yards, 4 total TD’s).

The Knights will also need to replace two full-time starters at LT and LG, with very little experience behind them. While I don’t personally feel like the losses will be as difficult to replace (because they’ve been terrible this season), it also should be noted that UCF will be looking for three starting defensive backs. They also lose two starting LB’s with ten combined seasons of experience.

To the Portal we go!

Penny is out of eligibility? Why would he come to
Us with 1 year to play? He was barely
Used. I thought he had another year.

 

[tjb74]

Penny is out of eligibility? Why would he come to
Us with 1 year to play? He was barely
Used. I thought he had another year.

He has agreed to play in the Hula Bowl, I think that’s a pretty good sign he is done.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Penny is out of eligibility? Why would he come to
Us with 1 year to play? He was barely
Used. I thought he had another year.

Nope. COVID year in 2020, Maryland 2021, Ohio 2022-23, UCF 2024.

 

[LoboCane]

I’ve seen the idea thrown around on Twitter (and here) that UCF needs to stop turning to mercenaries through the portal every offseason, instead focusing on developing their HS recruits.

While I appreciate the notion, unfortunately I do not foresee this off-season being the time to turn away from the portal. Outside of defensive line and quarterback, you can make an argument that UCF needs to bring in 1-3 players at almost every position group. If you thought this 5-7/4-8 team was rough, wait until you see what is (or isn’t returning) next year.

In Kobe Hudson, Jacoby Jones, Trent Whittemore, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Jarrad Baker, and Xavier Townsend, UCF is losing 92 catches, 1,308 yards, and 7 TD’s. That is 96% of their catches from WR’s this past season, 93% of their yards from WR’s this season. Only WR Chauncey Magwood is slated to return in 2025 out of the WR who recorded a catch this season (4 catches, 91 yards).

In RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and Penny Boone, UCF is losing 271 rushes and 1,785 yards from RB’s this past season. That is 85% of their rushes this year, 86% of their yards gained. RB Myles Montgomery is slated to return in 2025 (44 rushes, 267 yards, 4 total TD’s).

The Knights will also need to replace two full-time starters at LT and LG, with very little experience behind them. While I don’t personally feel like the losses will be as difficult to replace (because they’ve been terrible this season), it also should be noted that UCF will be looking for three starting defensive backs. They also lose two starting LB’s with ten combined seasons of experience.

To the Portal we go!

Lee Hunter and Ricky Barber are gone as well. Malzone built a house of cards…player development has been nonexistent.

 

[BlakNGoldAllDay]

Gus played Boone in 5 games. He’s always ruining redshirts for no reason. 2 Carries against Colorado.

 

[HammerB08]

Just reality of the current landscape you have to use the portal to your advantage and fill holes. UCF SHOULD have an advantage of being able to offer good players who developed and got experience at this level the chance to finish their college career in Florida. I don't trust this coaching staff to know what to do with them once they arrive on campus, though.

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Gus played Boone in 5 games. He’s always ruining redshirts for no reason. 2 Carries against Colorado.

He also has a young child. Boone may just be ready to move on from college and on to the next chapter of his life. Wish him well. He didn’t play poorly at all, just played behind one of the best players in program history.

 

[lawknight]

Just reality of the current landscape you have to use the portal to your advantage and fill holes. UCF SHOULD have an advantage of being able to offer good players who developed and got experience at this level the chance to finish their college career in Florida. I don't trust this coaching staff to know what to do with them once they arrive on campus, though.

This 1000%

 

[Bring Back Wackadoos]

Lee Hunter and Ricky Barber are gone as well. Malzone built a house of cards…player development has been nonexistent.

Lee Hunter is not gone. Now maybe he tries to play at the next-level, or perhaps heads to another school.

But no, he is not out of eligibility. And no, don’t even try to tell me you know anything because no one here is trying to hear that (see your predictions last year on Harvey, Hudson).

-Auburn - 2021 (redshirt)
-UCF - 2022-2024
1 year left

 

[SimpleJack53]

I’ve seen the idea thrown around on Twitter (and here) that UCF needs to stop turning to mercenaries through the portal every offseason, instead focusing on developing their HS recruits.

While I appreciate the notion, unfortunately I do not foresee this off-season being the time to turn away from the portal. Outside of defensive line and quarterback, you can make an argument that UCF needs to bring in 1-3 players at almost every position group. If you thought this 5-7/4-8 team was rough, wait until you see what is (or isn’t returning) next year.

In Kobe Hudson, Jacoby Jones, Trent Whittemore, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Jarrad Baker, and Xavier Townsend, UCF is losing 92 catches, 1,308 yards, and 7 TD’s. That is 96% of their catches from WR’s this past season, 93% of their yards from WR’s this season. Only WR Chauncey Magwood is slated to return in 2025 out of the WR who recorded a catch this season (4 catches, 91 yards).

In RJ Harvey, Johnny Richardson, and Penny Boone, UCF is losing 271 rushes and 1,785 yards from RB’s this past season. That is 85% of their rushes this year, 86% of their yards gained. RB Myles Montgomery is slated to return in 2025 (44 rushes, 267 yards, 4 total TD’s).

The Knights will also need to replace two full-time starters at LT and LG, with very little experience behind them. While I don’t personally feel like the losses will be as difficult to replace (because they’ve been terrible this season), it also should be noted that UCF will be looking for three starting defensive backs. They also lose two starting LB’s with ten combined seasons of experience.

To the Portal we go!

Portal is not sustainable. Its a 1 year plug we have used for 4 years now over too many positions. Rivals says we are recruiting well. Which leaves only 1 thing we arent developing that talent.

I personally think 1 year mercenaries are okay for 2-3 "holes" add depth etc. but 25 is way too many and risks changing your culture.

 

[goodknightfl]

The portal isn't going anywhere, and everybody is on board. Players are not going to stay for 4 or 5 years very often. You no longer can build on High school recruiting. You have to find the right balance that works. That will be different for every school. Part of the problem is we can't pay what many older established programs can. We needed a QB and got a bust for x number of $$, UM needed a QB and got a gem for X + Y number of dollars. They hit a home run, we struck out.