The 2017 season for the UCF football team is just around the corner and now is the time to get your first look at the Knights. UCFKnights.com will preview each position group in the weeks leading into camp to give Knight Nation an idea of what to expect this fall.
SPECIALISTS
For the first time in four years, the Knights will have a new punter handling most of those duties. On the other hand, the placekicking duties will likley be handled by student-athletes returning to familiar roles.
After four years of Caleb Houston handling punts, those duties may fall to Mac Loudermilk, who has seen limited action at the punting position over the past two seasons. Loudermilk has executed 15 punts over the past two seasons, averaging 44.3 yards per kick.
"Mac Loudermilk did some punting last year and I think we're going to be really good at that position," head coach Scott Frost said.
Junior Matthew Wright returns after two seasons of handling most of the placekicking duties. For his career, Wright is 22-of-29 for his career on field goals and has missed just two extra points in two years as the Knights' placekicker.
Junior Donald De La Haye handled all 73 kickoffs for the Knights last season, averaging nearly 61 yards per boot with 37 touchbacks.
"We have two really good kickers," Frost said. "I feel good about both of those guys."
With the departure of Gage Marsil, who was the starting long snapper for the past two seasons, that position will be up for grabs as well. Caleb Perez, Luke Ebbesmeyer, Alex Ward and Rory Coleman will be vying to take over the long-snapping responsibility.
The Knights have plenty of weapons to choose from in the return game. Adrian Killins has shown the ability to return kickoffs in explosive fashion and there are many candidates to handle punt return duties.
"Special teams wise, I think we'll have more guys capable of covering kicks this year and plenty of talent to kick it and return it," Frost said. "We should be better on special teams."
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is just around the corner. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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