Sept. 1, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Along with other returning players to the 2009 season, redshirt sophomore wide receiver AJ Guyton (Homestead, Fla.) sets to take the field after a season ending ACL tear a year ago. Guyton, along with senior Rocky Ross and junior Kamar Aiken, looks to pace the Knights air attack on offense. All three receivers missed at least a portion of last season due to injury and return to provide sophomore quarterback Rob Calabrese a few additional targets when the Knights have the ball.
After watching from the sidelines all of last year, Guyton is ready to help improve the Knights offense. With new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe's offensive scheme and guidance, Guyton looks to return to the form that made him UCF's fourth leading receiver as a freshman in 2007.
As UCF prepares for its season opener Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. against Samford, UCFAthletics.com recently caught up with Guyton to get his thoughts on returning from injury and getting the season started.
Season tickets and single-game tickets for the Samford game are currently available. To order season tickets, or to learn more about attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000.
After missing last season with an injury, how excited will you be to be back in a game uniform and on the field Saturday night?
"I'm real excited because it was hard sitting out last year and watching my team, and watching us struggle as a team at times. I don't look at it as taking a step back but taking a step forward. I just wanted to train hard to come back to be faster than what I was, stronger than what I was and more mentally focused than what I was as a freshman."
How difficult was it watching from the sidelines last season and not being able to help the team?
"It was very difficult especially with away games when I couldn't go and had to stay here and watch them in my room. My main focus was to get through camp and stay healthy so I could get back out there."
Talk about your rehab and the hard work you put in to get back in playing shape.
"When I went down on March 27, and got surgery on April 5, about a month afterwards when I was able to start doing rehab, I just started working hard. I got with the strength coaches doing little extra things. They had me doing some one leg drills just to get my leg stronger. Every day I told myself just to get stronger, get my leg stronger."
Do you think you are physically back to where you were as a freshman?
"I think I'm 100% right now. I went strong through spring, I went strong through camp and now I'm trying to stay healthy and strong through the entire season."
You were not the only receiver to miss time last season as both Rocky Ross and Kamar Aiken missed a portion of the season as well. How will the addition of all three of you help the offense?
"It definitely helps out with all three of us back and healthy this year. It was tough seeing the offense struggle last year, but with Rocky and Kamar back, and myself, we'll be able to help out Rob and the entire offense turn things around this year."
What do you think the team improved the most on during preseason camp?
"From the time we got back in the weight room in January, we improved on competing. Coaches stressed on competing with a point system, and also with going hard everyday. Also with consistency, coming out everyday and consistently doing well on both sides of the ball."
From an offensive standpoint, how have things been getting settled in under new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe?
"I definitely love the addition of Coach Taaffe. One thing he stresses is do your 1-11. It could be that one person out of the eleven that didn't do their job. If I drop the ball, then I didn't do my part on offense. Also, he stresses on taking what the defense gives us and attack them on every play. He brought in a much more passing offense as well which makes any defense have to cover us in every way."
Looking at the Samford game, what do you expect to see from them defensively?
"I think we're going to see a lot more man coverage seeing that as receivers we are not looked at as a threat to them. Our offensive line is solid and much better this year, and whatever they throw at us we'll be prepared for."
Is it exciting to get to start the season in front of the home crowd at Bright House?
"I can't wait until this Saturday to get the season started. I'm taking it one day at a time and I'm getting better each and everyday. When September 5 comes, and we're under the lights, I can't wait to show the fans that I'm back."
What is the mindset of the team heading into the season? What are the team's goals?
"As a team, our goal is to get to that championship and to win that championship. And the mindset everyday is to focus and finish. Our mindset has to be on focusing on our assignments and to finish each and every play. If we happen to miss an assignment, then the next goal is to finish the play."
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