UCF wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe fielded a wide range of questions as his team prepares to open the season on Thursday against South Carolina State.
"I'm really excited," O'Keefe said.
What did he think of Gus Malzahn's decision to name John Rhys Plumlee starting quarterback?
"Like coach said, we have two guys in that battle we can win all the games with," O'Keefe said. "John (Rhys), he's our starter so we're all behind him. I feel like as a team we grew in that camp. The chemistry, just growing as a team."
What element of JRP's game is he excited to see?
"I feel like John Rhys adds another element to the run game," O'Keefe said. "We've already got a deep room at running back. Having to respect his legs, that opens up one-on-ones for the outside. We've got a talented receiver room. Him with his legs opens up a lot for us."
What does he think of transfer wide receivers Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson?
"Those two are straight dogs," O'Keefe said. "They came in and bought in. They came along right with us. I'm excited for them. We've got other receivers in the room like Jaylon Griffin. Amari Johnson is hurt right now. Xavier Townsend. The room is deep."
O'Keefe also talked about Mikey Keene, who will begin the season as the backup quarterback.
"Mikey still comes in and attacks every day. He's a winner, for real... Seeing Mikey push us, still leading the team, it's great to see. Having those two together, it's a good thing."
Just like last season when Mikey was called to play, the same could happen this year.
"He understands that," O'Keefe said. "He's not one of those guys that's going to be selfish. He's bought in. He's still a leader on this team. He's still pushing us. He's still doing everything he needs to to touch the field."
How is the chemistry between JRP and the wide receivers?
"I feel we came along a lot," O'Keefe said. "We're in a good spot right now. We're going to continue catching balls after each practice, just trying to perfect that chemistry."
How excited is he for the season?
"I can't wait," O'Keefe said. "I can barely sleep I'm so excited. I'm ready to get back in the Bounce House and play in front of the best fans and put good stuff on the field."
How is John Rhys Plumlee as a passer?
"I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on his arm," O'Keefe said. "That's a good thing for us. That will open up even more stuff. John Rhys is a quarterback. Everybody says he's a runner. I thought he was at first too. He's shown he can throw the ball. I'm really excited to go out there and play with him. He understands our offense. He understands the reads. He comes up to us, the receivers, we try to get on the same page with each other. He's a really good leader for this team."
Will O'Keefe play on special teams?
"I want to be on special teams. Right now I'm on kickoff, kickoff return, a little bit of punt. I'm trying to get on the field with special teams."
What are his goals to improve playing receiver?
"Me personally, just show what I can do and that's take the top off. That's what I've got to do. Show I can take the top off. I feel I'm very versatile as far as all the running. I want to show I can run routes and take the top off."
How good can this offense be?
"The sky is the limit for this offense. I can't put expectations on us. If we just understand, we've got to go out in every game, it won't be handed to us, but I feel like we're in a good spot to do something special."
How can this offense beat somebody?
"It's pick your poison. If you want to attack the run, okay we'll throw it. If you want to drive everybody back, we've got a quarterback that can run and got a running back that's deep. Pick your poison."
Does UCF want to take back the American from Cincinnati?
"That's always the goal, to win the championship. We understand it's not going to be easy. We're going to get each opponent's best each and every week. We've got a lot of talent in this conference. A lot of people sleep on it. "
How does ROK feel about the UCF defense?
"That's the best defense in the conference. I feel going against those boys gets me better each and every day. The DB room is deep. Straight dogs. You've got d-linemen that get after it. Linebackers, dogs. Our defense as a whole is going to be something special."
ROK named two breakout players to watch: Jaylon Griffin or Xavier Townsend.
"Jayon is a really smooth route runner. He's going to go up and get the ball. He's a bigger body. He was a basketball player in high school so he understands how to go get the ball.
"Everybody says (Xavier Townsend is) the next me. I tell Xavier don't be the next me. Be the best version of you. You'll be better than me. As a freshman, he's already getting snaps. Just take care of your business and the sky is the limit for you."
