UCF offensive line coach Herb Hand discusses the main objectives this preseason and also reveals his new favorite local food discovery.
Last Thursday's media day was probably our only opportunity to speak with non-coordinators this season, and I was finally able to connect with Hand at the end after most coaches had already left. His voice was shot so I tried to keep it brief.
Cole Schneider had served as UCF's emergency center last year. Sam Jackson was practicing in that role during the spring. I asked Hand if that was still Sam's job or if they've made other plans.
"Lokahi (Pauole) has been taking reps there, John Harris, Nate Brady, Cam Kinnie repped a bit this summer. Freshman Caden Kitler is in there as well so we have options. That's one of the goals as we come out of training camp, figuring out who's our No. 2 at the position."
John Harris (Mercer) and Cam Kinnie (Georgia) were summer transfers.
What his biggest question for the offensive line?
"It's always about identifying who are your three top tackles, who are your three top guards and who are your two top centers? Then finding the right mix. Who's going to be the first guys, the starters who walk on the field? What do we have to do in different scenarios? If this happens, here is the answer. So you always have your best five guys on the field."
I asked about Paul Rubelt's progress.
"He's doing phenomenal. From the time we got here to now, there's not another guy maybe on our team that has developed more than Paul. I think you'll see that as we go through the season. He's certainly a guy that we're counting on."
I asked about the two tackle transfers, Ryan Swoboda (Virginia) and Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State), and Hand also brought up the summer transfers, John Harris (Mercer) and Cam Kinnie (Georgia).
"Those two guys (Swoboda and Grable) were here in the spring which was very beneficial. They were able to really learn the offense, learn about the language that we speak in the offensive line room. That was invaluable. They've acclimated very well. They're both tremendous additions that will really help us out. We also added John Harris and Cam Kinnie in the summer. They got here in June. Interior players, guard/centers. Both of those guys so far have done some really good things. They're still learning. They're a little bit behind Ryan and Tylan just because of the experience and them being here in the spring."
During his spring interview, Hand raved about King Bao and their bao buns. So I asked if he's discovered any new local eateries.
"Go to Sushi Pop. It might be a local chain. There's one in Oviedo. This is going to sound weird. Sushi Pop for the chicken wings. They just have one option they cal KFC: Korean Fried Chicken. It's breaded chicken wings with this gochujang sauce. It's fantastic. When I had them, I was with Matt Lee so we both agreed on that one."
