I caught up with Tarik Cook yesterday.
Three of UCF's projected starting offensive linemen could be underclassmen, but the group should be bolstered by a pair of fifth-year seniors: Tarik Cook and Joey Grant.
Cook, a native of Georgia, knows he's one of the veterans so he's trying his best to become more of a leader.
"Me and Joey have been here for a minute, watching the older guys before us like Jordan and Justin McCray, Torrian (Wilson) and trying to take after them," Cook said. "We do feel like the older guys in the group."
Naturally, George O'Leary has been stressing the importance of improved line play this season. The head coach always says championship teams can run (and stop the run) and that starts up front.
"The coaches say they want to work on pad level and hands," Cook said. "Coach O'Leary always stresses being mean and tough, moving the defensive line at the line of scrimmage. Getting movement on double teams and stuff like that. Basically a mindset and mentality of being tough and moving people off the ball."
Though things could change, the starting offensive line to begin camp was Cook at left guard, Aaron Evans at left tackle, Joey Grant at center, Chavis Dickey at right guard and Wyatt Miller at right tackle. Evans and Dickey saw their first action last season while Miller redshirted.
"With the experience coming back we're definitely getting better as a group picking up on blocks, pressures and stuff like that."
A key to the unit's success could be Grant, who was hampered last season with a bad shoulder. The hope is that offseason surgery will return him to his previous top form.
"Joey is probably even better than the 2013 Joey Grant," Cook said. "He's definitely doing good. I don't think his shoulder is affecting him at all. He's playing at 100 percent right now. I feel like he's doing a great job."
Playing next to Cook at left tackle is Aaron Evans.
"I think Aaron is having a great camp this year," Cook said. "He's doing really good things on the field. I know in our double team blocks, our pass sets and switch-offs are real crisp. I feel like me and him are in unison real well."
There's been a lot of talk about UCF's defensive line, particularly the two guys up front: Lance McDowdell and Jamiyus Pittman. In particular, Pittman has drawn praise from fellow players and coaches.
"Both of those guys are pretty good," Cook said. "With Jamiyus, every day with me and him it's a competition thing. We're real good friends, but on the field there's no friends. We got at it every day."
How's the overall offense coming along?
"I feel the offense is coming together really well. Just taking it day by day. Coaches are installing plays, we're taking what they're teaching us in meetings to the field."
What's been his favorite moment as a player?
"My first start at Penn State, the Fiesta Bowl year," Cook said. "It was one of the biggest moments probably in my life. It was a great adrenalin rush. A great experience going against good competition. Probably one of the best moments of my life."
UCF defeated Penn State 34-31, rushing for 219 yards. Nothing beats the feeling of taking it to an opponent on their home turf, Cook said.
"It feels good to shock and awe the other team and their fans," Cook said. "It definitely boosts our fans up too. I feel like we're going to be really good this year too."
Cook graduated in the spring with a sport and exercise science degree. He's planning on a career path in physical therapy.
Three of UCF's projected starting offensive linemen could be underclassmen, but the group should be bolstered by a pair of fifth-year seniors: Tarik Cook and Joey Grant.
Cook, a native of Georgia, knows he's one of the veterans so he's trying his best to become more of a leader.
"Me and Joey have been here for a minute, watching the older guys before us like Jordan and Justin McCray, Torrian (Wilson) and trying to take after them," Cook said. "We do feel like the older guys in the group."
Naturally, George O'Leary has been stressing the importance of improved line play this season. The head coach always says championship teams can run (and stop the run) and that starts up front.
"The coaches say they want to work on pad level and hands," Cook said. "Coach O'Leary always stresses being mean and tough, moving the defensive line at the line of scrimmage. Getting movement on double teams and stuff like that. Basically a mindset and mentality of being tough and moving people off the ball."
Though things could change, the starting offensive line to begin camp was Cook at left guard, Aaron Evans at left tackle, Joey Grant at center, Chavis Dickey at right guard and Wyatt Miller at right tackle. Evans and Dickey saw their first action last season while Miller redshirted.
"With the experience coming back we're definitely getting better as a group picking up on blocks, pressures and stuff like that."
A key to the unit's success could be Grant, who was hampered last season with a bad shoulder. The hope is that offseason surgery will return him to his previous top form.
"Joey is probably even better than the 2013 Joey Grant," Cook said. "He's definitely doing good. I don't think his shoulder is affecting him at all. He's playing at 100 percent right now. I feel like he's doing a great job."
Playing next to Cook at left tackle is Aaron Evans.
"I think Aaron is having a great camp this year," Cook said. "He's doing really good things on the field. I know in our double team blocks, our pass sets and switch-offs are real crisp. I feel like me and him are in unison real well."
There's been a lot of talk about UCF's defensive line, particularly the two guys up front: Lance McDowdell and Jamiyus Pittman. In particular, Pittman has drawn praise from fellow players and coaches.
"Both of those guys are pretty good," Cook said. "With Jamiyus, every day with me and him it's a competition thing. We're real good friends, but on the field there's no friends. We got at it every day."
How's the overall offense coming along?
"I feel the offense is coming together really well. Just taking it day by day. Coaches are installing plays, we're taking what they're teaching us in meetings to the field."
What's been his favorite moment as a player?
"My first start at Penn State, the Fiesta Bowl year," Cook said. "It was one of the biggest moments probably in my life. It was a great adrenalin rush. A great experience going against good competition. Probably one of the best moments of my life."
UCF defeated Penn State 34-31, rushing for 219 yards. Nothing beats the feeling of taking it to an opponent on their home turf, Cook said.
"It feels good to shock and awe the other team and their fans," Cook said. "It definitely boosts our fans up too. I feel like we're going to be really good this year too."
Cook graduated in the spring with a sport and exercise science degree. He's planning on a career path in physical therapy.
