Aug. 19, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After an impressive freshman season in 2007, redshirt sophomore Darius Nall (Douglasville, Ga.) was one of numerous Knights to miss time last season as he courageously battled with a cancerous mass in his chest. The inspirational Nall, now a cancer survivor, was unable to get on the field at all in 2008 and was granted a medical redshirt. The defensive end is currently working hard with his teammates to get in shape and preparing to make an impact in 2009 where he is expected to see ample playing time.
When Nall was on the field in 2007, he was a key to the UCF team that won the Conference USA title and advanced to the Liberty Bowl. He tallied 22 tackles, four tackles for a loss and a sack, and his performance impressed those around the conference as Nall was voted onto the coaches' C-USA All-Freshman team.
UCF will once again be working on the practice field Wednesday afternoon from 3:20-5:30 p.m. in preparations for its season opener on Sept. 5 against Samford at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Order your season tickets today to see Nall and his UCF teammates hit the field seven times this season at Bright House Networks Stadium, including a contest against Miami on Oct. 11 and four C-USA tilts. For more information, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.
UCFAthletics.com recently spoke with Nall about his thoughts and goals on the upcoming season.
What was the highlight of your summer and where did you spend most of it?
"The highlight of my summer was getting in shape. I've just been getting into football shape and conditioning. I went home probably three times during the week over the summer, but that's about it."
What are most looking forward to about the upcoming season and why?
"Having a great year from the first game. Being able to get off from the first game on the road to have a a good year."
Where do you think you improved on the most over the offseason as an individual?
"I think I've improved on getting more physical. As much as I've been working, I feel like I have definitely gotten more physical."
What do you think will be the biggest differences in the team this season compared to last season?
"Everybody is more aggressive this year, everybody is hungrier. It's been a lot of hard work and we all want it more."
What do you think the most important part of preseason practice is in preparing for the season and why?
"The biggest part of preseason is the practices in general. Having everyone get back into shape, having everyone get to know what they need to do and just getting ready for the season."
What do you see as the keys to your team having success this season?
"We just need to have everyone come out hard."
What will be the key to replacing Joe Burnett and the rest of the secondary from last season?
"The key will be just having everyone go out there and acting as a good secondary on the field. Just releasing the defensive line, getting more pressure on the quarterback will help as well."
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?
"To leave confidence out there and just attack the ball"
What are your goals individually this season?
"Yeah, just the same, to attack it."
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.