June 18, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Led by senior offensive lineman Patrick Brown and senior cornerback Joe Burnett, several Knights are receiving preseason honors from college football preview magazines. Brown and Burnett recently garnered preseason All-Conference USA First Team recognition from Athlon's and Lindy's.
Brown has made 38-consecutive starts at left tackle - the most of any returning player in the nation. A year ago, he helped tailback Kevin Smith earn consensus All-America honors as the UCF offense established a school record with 3,287 yards on the ground.
In addition to receiving all-conference accolades, Brown was selected as the best run blocker in C-USA according to Lindy's.
Lindy's recognized Burnett as the seventh-best cornerback in the country and also called him the third-best "NFL talent" in the conference.
He ranks second on the UCF career charts with 12 interceptions. Burnett is also second among active returning players in the country in the category. Additionally, Burnett was named an All-C-USA First Team punt returner by Athlon's.
Sophomore defensive end Bruce Miller earned first team honors from Lindy's and second team status from Athlon's. Miller totaled 7.5 sacks in 2007 and was named to the league's all-freshman squad.
After recording 56 tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2007, senior cornerback Johnell Neal was named to the All-C-USA Second Team by both publications.
Sophomore linebacker Derrick Hallman was also a C-USA All-Freshman Team selection a year ago. He was named to both magazine's preseason All-C-USA Second Teams. Hallman recorded 57 tackles, 3.0 sacks and an interception last year.
All five players helped the Knights post a breakout season in 2007. UCF went 10-4, won the C-USA Championship and played in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
The Knights are slated to play six contests at Bright House Networks Stadium this year, including the season opener against South Carolina State on Aug. 30.
Season tickets are currently available. To order tickets, or to learn more about attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also visit www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.