Michael Willett reflected for a moment last weekend the first time he lined up in the back field against UConn.
The redshirt sophomore running back has been a contributor on special teams the past two years, but this marked his first time playing the position he's grown to love.
"It was a dream come true," Willett said. "As a kid, I always dreamed of playing in a college stadium with fans cheering for me. I couldn't picture anything else like it. It was a dream come true."
Willett made the most impact catching passes, hauling in five receptions for a team-high 65 yards which included a long of 27 yards.
Willett, who was born in New York and moved to Orlando in the eighth grade, played both running back and linebacker at Boone High School. He was overshadowed as a senior by A.J. Turman, a four-star prospect who would wind up signing with the University of Georgia. On a whim, Willett drove to the UCF football offices and personally asked George O'Leary if he could join the program as a walk-on.
"Signing Day I had nowhere to go," Willett said. "God told me to come and talk to O'Leary. He was coming out of his office and I asked if I could talk to him for a second. I told him I had nowhere to go, nowhere to play and would love to come as a walk-on and earn my spot. Right then and there O'Leary said come on the team. 'We'll put you on as a preferred walk-on. You're with us now.'"
Willett redshirted in 2013 and then saw special teams action last season, playing on the kickoff and punt return units. His first ever college play, the opening kickoff against Bethune-Cookman, resulted in his first career tackle.
Prior to the season, Willett was awarded a full scholarship for the year. It might be his proudest moment to date.
"Coach O'Leary called six people back after a team meeting," Willett said. "He told us we had a scholarship for a year. I didn't believe him at first at that moment. I just kind of stared. I didn't know what to say. I was ecstatic and happy. It was my mom's birthday that day. The first thing I did was call my mom. She was screaming on the phone, just jumping up and down. I had to run down and see my family."
He's pursuing a degree in criminal justice with an eye towards a future law degree.
"My grandfather was a commissioner in New York and my father was a detective in Manhattan," Willett said. "I've always liked law and I've been looking into being a lawyer. I'm not sure what law, but I know law is for me."