Aug. 17, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Lawrence Young (Pensacola, Fla.) emerged as a starting linebacker for the Knights as a sophomore in 2008, and the Woodham High School product made the most of the opportunity. Young is now using preseason camp to get ready to bring his game to even another level as part of an experienced linebacking corps returning for the Knights.
As a sophomore in 2008, Young tied for second on the team in tackles with 72 also racked up 10.5 tackles for a loss, and his performance him garnered Conference USA honorable mention honors. His season included a career-high 11 tackles at Miami (Fla.) on Oct. 11.
With the Knights midway through preseason practice preparing for the season opener on Sept. 5 against Samford at Bright House Networks Stadium, UCFAthletics.com recently caught up with Young to get his thoughts on the summer as well as the upcoming season.
If you want to see Young and the Knights play at Bright House Networks Stadium seven times this season, order your season tickets today. For more information, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.
What was the highlight of your summer and where did you spend most of it?
"Outside of football, I've been doing a lot of individual work such as footwork I need to work on and other things like that. I went home a couple of times, maybe two times. It's kind of a trip so it's difficult to make that trip very often."
What are you most looking forward to about the upcoming season and why?
"I'm looking forward to getting out on the field and seeing the fans. As a defensive unit, we're going out there and doing what we need to do and making plays. I'm ready to see that in action."
Where do you think you improved on the most over the offseason as an individual?
"I've improved on my strength and speed, and these were things I needed to work on. I've been getting bigger and packing on more weight."
What do you think will be the biggest differences in the team this season compared to last season?
"I would say the attitude. We're coming with a new attitude. We won't be as passive as we were, and we're going to be more of a mean team. We won't let people just run over us. We're going to be more aggressive."
What do you think the most important part of preseason practice is in preparing for the season and why?
"The most important part is knowing what you need to do as far as your alignments and assignments, making sure you study your playbook. That's very important in the preseason. It's also important to just give effort."
What do you see as the keys to your team having success this season?
"The key is for our offense to click better, and have more production on the field. Also, in terms of defense, it is important for us to make fewer mistakes and also do better on the field."
What will be the key to replacing Joe Burnett and the rest of the secondary from last season?
"They had their own style and flair, but I would say the key is to motivate the people coming in and have them work hard. They have high standards to live up to."
For the defensive side of the ball and a whole and for your position group specifically, what will be the main focus or goal this season?
"I would say our main focus is playing hard, playing how we know how to play, and making more turnovers."
What are your goals individually this season?
"My goal individually is to help the team as much as I can, doing whatever I can to help the team and just to play the best I can."
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