UCF's offensive line got a boost of experience via the transfer portal this spring with the addition of Ryan Swoboda, who started at right tackle the past two seasons for Virginia.
Swoboda, who is originally from Clermont, caught up with the media following Tuesday's practice.
"It's been good. It's my sixth year of spring football."
What's it like working with Herb Hand?
"He's energetic. If you mess up, he'll coach you real hard. If you do real good, he's gonna love you up real hard too. I love it. It's new to me. He's a great coach. I'm loving every minute."
Swoboda was asked what makes him a good player.
"I think I'm a physical football player. On the field, there are no friends... You've got to be physical. I have a lot experience pass blocking. Footwork and hand speed in pass pro. I think I excel in pass blocking. Run blocking, I want to learn footwork and proper techniques. Leverage."
How has he improved this spring?
"We run the ball, so a lot of focusing on my steps. Six inches one way or six inches the other way. The minute details that I never thought about before. Now we really hone into those things. Just learning that. Every day trying to implement different changes."
Swoboda joins an experienced group that includes Sam Jackson, Lokahi Pauole and Matt Lee.
"I think it's a really confident group. A lot of leaders. Guys that know how to work hard and play football the right way. Everybody is teaching everybody."
What does he think of the running backs?
"They're very good. Explosive. Patient. I'm not the running back, I don't know all the words. But when they're getting a lot of yards, that's a good thing."
He's a fan of the two quarterbacks, Mikey Keene and John Rhys Plumlee.
"I love both those guys. They're both very good. They both do a lot of things really well. They're both fun to watch. When you're blocking, you can't see what they're doing but when you watch the film you can see they're doing a lot of good stuff."
The biggest challenge joining a new team is learning the lingo and the tendencies of his teammates.
Has anything surprised him about being at UCF?
"I'd say the explosiveness and the strength (of the UCF defensive line). They've got some really good moves. A lot of strength and speed. Not to say I didn't expect that, but it's everywhere. That's very impressive."
Being local Swoboda has always followed UCF.
"When I watched the Gasparilla Bowl, I saw physical football. It was very impressive."
How good can this offense be?
"We've got a chance to be really good. Something I always say is you can't let your expectations exceed your preparation. We're working every single day. We can talk about how great we're gonna be, but if we're not preparing and grinding every day, who cares. We have a chance to be very good."
What would be the perfect way for him to go out?
"Winning a lot of games."
Paul Rubelt is the only football player Swoboda has ever met that's taller than him.
"Just barely (taller). I think he's a redshirt sophomore? He's way ahead of where I was at that time. Strong, athletic guy. Wants to learn. Wants to be physical. That's everything you want. He was really the first guy I met. We've been working a lot together. Paul's my guy. He's pretty good."
Who has impressed him on the defensive line?
"We've got Landon Woodson. He's got a mean two-arm swipe. It's lethal. Antony Montalvo is a strong guy. Ricky Barber gives us a lot of problems. You've got Josh Celiscar. Speed to bull (rush) is his move. He's really good at it. KD McDaniel is very twitchy. A lot of really good moves from the defense."
