March 29, 2010
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - For anyone doubting whether or not highly acclaimed quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey can contribute immediately to the UCF football team as a freshman they need look no further than the Knights' secondary.
After all, that's where Godfrey often looks for support from his new UCF teammates.
In star cornerback Josh Robinson and standout safety Kemal Ishmael, Godfrey has two perfect examples of players who hit the ground running with UCF last season. Robinson was a Freshman All-American with six interceptions, while Ishmael blossomed into UCF's biggest surprise and likely its next defensive star.
Ishmael has become somewhat of a mentor to UCF's prized quarterback recruit, incorporating him into what is called ``The Miami Room,'' in an attempt to calm his freshman anxiety.
``I know how he feels. You are worried and you don't know anybody and you just kind of lean on the people who are from your town,'' Ishmael said. ``But we tried to take Jeff in like a brother and tell him everything how it's going to be and he's leaned on us. We walk with him to class, we talk to him all the time and he's one of us now.
``Times are going to be tough sometimes,'' Ishmael continued, ``but he's going to be OK.''
Ishmael was much better than OK last season when he progressed to the point where he went from being a part-time nickel back to UCF's starting free safety. The North Miami Beach product finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 70 total stops.
``I was surprised to make plays like I did and thought it would at least take me a few weeks because everybody is always talking about it being a different pace and everything,'' Ishmael said. ``I tried to take it in stride, but I couldn't believe what was happening to me last year.''
As fellow members of the UCF secondary, He and Robinson leaned heavily on each other while making the transition from high school to college football. Derrick Hallman, who started the season at safety but moved back to linebacker after Ishmael showed so much early progress, was also a mentor to UCF's freshmen defensive backs.
Ishmael still raves about the support he got from Hallman, saying there was ``no jealousy whatsoever'' and he considered the junior almost as one of his coaches. Hallman was equally impressed by Ishmael's progress as a freshman.
``I tell Kemal all the time that he's going to be twice or three times better than I ever was,'' Hallman said. ``Josh and him just have so much potential, potential to be great really.
``Some kids have just got it and after the first practice I could tell that (Ishmael) was special,'' Hallman continued. ``He was just so hungry out there. Most kids want to go home after practice and he's here at 9 or 10 at night, studying the tape and learning. So that says a lot about him.''
UCF head coach George O'Leary said Ishamel was so sharp at picking up coverages and alignments right away that he trusted him enough to move into the starting lineup. O'Leary feels that Ishmael was snubbed in the postseason awards, something that should be rectified this season with more growth and experience.
``He's a fine football player and a kid who should have made all-conference easily. He was overshadowed some, but he's really good and I think everybody will see that this year,'' O'Leary said. ``He just does everything right and you don't have to worry about him messing up or missing an assignment. His biggest thing is awareness because he can't see enough routes and formations.''
Ishmael worked hard this offseason to get bigger to become a more physical safety in the running game and one who can go up and fight for balls better against receivers. In a year's time, his squat lift has increased 100 pounds and his bench press max lift is up 40 pounds to 280 pounds.
No longer a green freshman in awe of playing college football, he's now eager to unleash his combination of improved strength and expanded knowledge on opposing wide receivers.
``There were moments when we'd say, `Wow, what a blessing this is for us,''' Ishmael said of his conversations with Robinson last season. ``We were in a situation that a lot of people want to be in freshmen and we had to take it a step at a time.
``I'm in a sport now where understand everything we're doing,'' he continued. ``Last year I was deep in the playbook trying to understand the calls and jumping around everywhere, but now I'm relaxed and free back there. Now I can just go and make plays.''
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John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFatheltics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.