Will Stanback didn't hesitate when asked what his personal goal was for the upcoming season.
"I'm looking forward to running for 1,000 yards," Stanback said. "I need it. I'm looking for it... I have (1,000 yards) written down in my notebook."
After a promising freshman debut in 2013 as the backup to Storm Johnson, Stanback's sophomore campaign was limited by injuries. He still rushed for a team-leading 697 yards, but missed three games and never was 100 percent with a nagging case of turf toe.
Saying he feels much better than he did last season, Stanback believes he's faster than he was a year ago. His signature play of his first two seasons was when he "trucked" a Rutgers defender on a run during his freshman year, but he wants to be known for more than just power.
"I want to work on my speed coming out from the line of scrimmage," Stanback said. "Change of speed. I'm working on my cuts and planting on the right foot. In past games I've been planting on the wrong foot, slipping and sliding all over the place. I want to work on my craft, get much faster and better with my cuts. Make the right decisions, hit the right holes... I want to become more elusive. I know I've got some power, but I want to be much faster and more elusive this year."
UCF's Top 10 Rushing Seasons
1. Kevin Smith, 2007 (2,567/450)
2. Marquette Smith, 1995 (1,511/274)
3. Willie English, 1991 (1,338/236)
4. Kevin Smith, 2005 (1,178/249)
5. Gerod Davis, 1992 (1,154/183)
6. Storm Johnson, 2013 (1,139/213)
7. Brynn Harvey, 2009 (1,109/261)
8. Latavius Murray, 2012 (1,106/198)
9. Marquette Smith, 1994 (1,058/194)
10. Alex Haynes, 2002 (1,038/204)