(This interview was done on the Thursday before the spring game. I decided to leave in the J-Flash quote).
Edward Collins' No. 1 goal this spring was to become more versatile within UCF's offensive line.
His forte has been right tackle, but offensive line coach Herb Hand challenged him to add guard to his repertoire.
"We talked in January," Collins said. "(Hand) said I'd be getting more guard reps over the spring to be more versatile... A goal of mine was to get an understanding of each position and the techniques that come with playing guard and tackle. I feel I've done a good job with that, especially looking back to earlier in the spring. I dreaded playing guard but the more I did it, the better I got at it. I feel I'm able to play all the positions on the offensive line."
Fellow senior and UCF guard Lokahi Pauole has always been there to offer advice along the way.
"I always go to Lokahi about stuff with guard," Collins said. "He's always in my ear about different techniques. Going from tackle to guard, you go against a different type of guy. Things at guard can move a lot faster.
"I also watch Adrian Medley's pass pro reps to emulate him, what he does. He's one of the best pass blockers I've seen, especially at the guard position. I'm trying to learn from them."
How was spring in general for the offensive line?
"I think we've had a pretty good spring, especially compared to last year," Collins said. "We were able to come out running following the fall we had. Being able to grow with Coach Hand. He's a great coach and a great man. I love the guy. I feel we've got an experienced group coming back with Sam (Jackson), Lokahi, Adrian, me, Matt (Lee). We've got a great group of guys coming back. We're gonna have a good year."
Among the up and coming linemen, Collins has seen considerable progress from Paul Rubelt.
"Ever since Paul got here, he's been right next to me," Collins said. "Always asking me questions. Good to see him grow up. He's had a great spring this year, especially in pass pro. He's gotten a lot better. Always a tough guy, wants to play hard. He always asks a lot of questions. I'm glad to see things come to fruition for him, especially seeing how he arrived in 2020."
Asked about players stepping up this spring, Collins name-dropped Rubelt again along with tight end transfer Kemore Gamble and running backs Johnny Richardson and Mark-Antony Richards.
"They've been doing great things," Collins said of Richardson and Richards. "Johnny is doing a lot better at pass pro, listening to what the offensive line is saying and knowing his ID, what he has to scan. I think those two guys have gotten a lot better in terms of pass protection."
Who is the toughest defensive lineman he has to face?
"Probably Landon (Woodson)," Collins said. "He's got a rare combination of speed, power and length. When he turns on you, it's pretty hard to stop. Real fast, real long. When I'm at guard, Ricky Barber. He's really twitched up and athletic in there. Trying to stay in front of Ricky is pretty tough."
With the playmakers surrounding him, Collins sees a big season ahead for the offense.
"I'm very excited. I love to see when Johnny gets the ball in his hands. That's a highlight tape right there. Him, (Ryan) O'Keefe, J-Flash, all those guys. I'm really excited to see Alec Holler this year and Kemore Gamble. Those guys had a great spring. We can't wait for the fall to see what they do this season.
"I think we've got a great team. We've got a chance to be really good. That's what Coach (Gus) Malzahn says. Every team in the conference wants to win the conference championship. We know the hard work that it's gonna take. I think we'll have a chance to do that."
