Nothing beats experience.
Kemore Gamble was one of UCF's bigger transfer additions this offseason as the tight end made the move from Florida this past January.
In 2021, Gamble was a favorite receiving target with 31 receptions for 414 yards and a team-leading four touchdown receptions. In all, he played in 49 games through the course of his UF career.
I caught up with him at Media Day. I didn't bother bringing up the Gasparilla Bowl and losing to UCF - I felt that was already played out from his spring interviews.
Gamble said it was easy transition as he already knew a bunch of players on the UCF team including Divaad Wilson. They're from the same neighborhood and played on the same 7-on-7 team together.
"I felt I was already at home," Gamble said.
He said he tries to be a friendly guy who talks to everybody - coaches, players, lunch staff, etc. With him mentioning lunch, that reminded me of a conversation Benny Z said he had with Gamble at the softball regional about UCF's food being superior to UF.
"It's like a buffet," Gamble said. "I'm a pescatarian. I lke to eat fish. I get like a shrimp burrito."
A pescatarian is similar to a vegetarian in that they do consume eggs and dairy but refrain from eating meat and poultry (no animal flesh), but the big difference is they eat fish and seafood (vegans do not consume any animal product at all).
Shifting to team talk, Gamble is excited about their potential.
"I feel like we can do everything on the offensive side of the ball. We've got talent everywhere from o-line, running back, quarterback, receiver and tight end. It's going to be hard to game plan against us.
"I'm very excited when I look at my right and see Kobe Hudson and look to my left and see Javon Baker or Ryan O'Keefe. I look behind me and see John Rhys (Plumlee) or Mikey Keene. I see (Isaiah) Bowser. The o-line is ridiculous. We've got some stuff. Our defense is loaded up too."
What about the quarterback competition?
"Both of them are having good days," Gamble said. "I feel like whatever quarterback starts, or however Malzahn does it, if it's a rotation, we're still going to be good."
Rotation? Hmm...
What players have made him think, 'oh wow?'
"Javon Baker. A lot of DBs gonna be in trouble. Kobe Hudson. All the receivers. We got one kid who transferred in, (offensive tackle) Tylan Grable, he's good. Our linebackers loaded up too."
Gamble comes off as very humble. I kind of had to prod to get him to talk about himself.
"Me personally, I just like to win," Gamble said. "If we come out here and win, I could have zero catches. I don't care. If I have zero catches and eight pancakes, then we score."
What is he known for though?
"I'm known for being a receiving tight end," Gamble said. "I've been working on my run blocking, getting that down pat. It was already pretty good, but I was trying to get my run blocking up with my receiving."
He said he really enjoys working with tight ends coach Brian Blackmon.
"He's the type of guy that will brighten my day up," Gamble said.
How is he liking UCF?
"I love being here. I haven't had any problems. Everybody around here is good people. If I was to stop playing football, people here will help you get jobs. UCF is a great place."
Asked about a future career, Gamble said he'll probably either be a coach or firefighter. I asked about becoming a coach. He said his stepfather was his coach throughout his youth and that was his inspiration.
How does he want to finish his career?
"I'm just trying to get out here and win a conference championship first and then they will let us into the final four when they see what we're about to do this year," Gamble said.
