March 20, 2011
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - George O'Leary has always said a football team is as good as its senior class. Last year the Knights had 18 members of that senior class that provided leadership throughout a championship season. But the likes of Bruce Miller, Derrick Hallman, Lawrence Young, Jah Reid, Jamar Newsome, Brian Watters and others must be replaced by a new crop that set an example for a team trying to repeat as a conference champion.
"It's one of those things I will look at during the spring," said O'Leary. "I look at each position and see who steps up. Guys like Nick Pieschel, Cliff McCray and Ronnie Weaver on offense have been here a while and it's time for Josh Linam to step up on the defensive side."
The 2011 version of the Knights might also find leadership from those that are not seniors in the form of sophomore quarterback Jeff Godfrey. Godfrey led UCF many times as a true freshman and seemed to have an effect on teammates in many ways by how he responded to challenging situations with a calm and poise that cannot be coached.
Although they are juniors, safety Kemal Ishmael and cornerback Josh Robinson have established themselves as players on the field and now have a chance to become more vocal in leading a UCF defense that still should be among the best in Conference USA.
As spring practice begins there are more questions than just who will become leaders for the Knights. UCF's defense lost seven starters from last year. O'Leary will be watching the linebacker position very closely.
"I want to see who steps up and if we have to rely on younger players at this position," said O'Leary. "Josh Linam was solid last year and we expect bigger things this season but we need other players to show they are ready to play."
Those other players would include the likes of Ray Shipman, Loren Robinson and a pair of new Knights in Ray Cottman and Terran Buck.
With Bruce Miller gone, a lot of eyes will focus on defensive end Toby Jackson. One of the top junior college prospects in the country, Jackson, at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, is expected to step in and have an immediate impact.
The secondary should be solid with Ishmael and Robinson back along with A.J. Bouye. Clayton Geathers is working as the top strong safety and depth comes in the form of Jarrett Swaby, Jordan Ozerites, Lyle Dankenbring and Cornelius Whitehead.
UCF's offensive line lost Jah Reid and Abre Leggins from last season. This year's front is solid as all five working on the first unit as camp opens have starting experience. The McCray twins, Jordan and Justin, along with big tackles, Torrian Wilson and Tony Jacob, give UCF a big front line to protect its quarterback.
Speaking of that quarterback, JGodfrey is ready to be better in all areas and that's tough to be after coming off a freshman year full of national and conference honors.
"Jeff will be better in the pocket and throwing on the run," said O'Leary. "We will use him more as a running weapon as well. He is too good to not have him create with his legs."
When not throwing, Godfrey has an arsenal of backs to hand the ball off to. That group includes Latavius Murray, who played super football the second half of last season. Also the Knights get back the services of a 2009 all-conference back in Brynn Harvey.
While wide receiver was the team's deepest position last season, it looks for new playmakers in 2011. A.J. Guyton is the most experienced and will be relied on for a big year. Quincy McDuffie has shown flashes but needs to be ready to be called upon more. Marquee Williams has been waiting for a chance and freshmen Joshua Reese and J.J. Worton are expected to be factors as well.
Over the course of the month, UCF coaches have a goal to finish the spring with a solid two deep chart. The fewer the questions that need to be answered in August the more time there will be to install a game plan to come out of the box strong.
The 2011 Knights will be a marked team. They should be the choice in the east division to repeat and expectations are high. The UCF coach would have it no other way.
"I'd rather be disliked by opponents and have them wanting to beat us, then have them not know you exist," said O'Leary. "But we know last year was last year and this is a new season, but the goal remains the same, win the conference championship."
UCF finished the 2010 season ranked 20th in the nation. It may or may not be ranked when the new year begins, but the talent is there for the Knights to have a big season and the work has started to make 2011 as good as 2010, if not better.
Knights notes and more: Joi Williams's women's basketball team played a solid game against Ohio State in their NCAA Tournament game this past Saturday. UCF rebounded and shot well during their 11 game win streak to get to Columbus and despite the Buckeyes bigger front court, UCF battled all game. Down 73-55 with a few minutes, the Knights scored 10 straight to pull within 73-65 before falling 80-69. With two tournament appearances in the last four seasons, the Knights have become one of the top programs in Conference USA...Donnie Jones' men's team will face Rhode Island Monday night in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational. While not playing in the NCAA or the NIT, UCF is one of the few schools still playing basketball. The additional practice time and playing quality opponents is valuable for a new staff. Monday's opponent, Rhode Island, has had four straight 20-win seasons and won 26 games last year reaching the NIT semifinals...Final thought: Happy 30-something birthday to my wife...again. Just like last year's 30-something birthday.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.