March 27, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read the Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - It was a different view for Bruce Miller and Derrick Hallman. In years past, the two decorated Knights were often the ones who were first on the field and last to the locker room. They led by example of how to play, practice and go about your business off the field. But now they were spectators like the many UCF fans who were on hand for the first football scrimmage of the spring. And yet, after two hours of a scrimmage something so different seemed very similar.
While Miller and Hallman are no longer players, their way of leading has rubbed off a new set of Knights who have taken the role of "do-as-I-do" and "this-is-the-UCF-way."
It begins with free safety Kemal Ishmael. The all-American candidate is the clear voice of the UCF defense. And based on the way Ishmael treated a spring scrimmage, you better play as he plays or he will hit you as hard as he hit receivers and running backs on a hot Saturday in March.
"Guys like Bruce and Derrick taught me when I came here and now it is my responsibility to do the same with our younger players," said Ishmael. "We have a proud tradition around here and the new players need to learn what that means, and how serious we take that."
Ishmael will adjust to being more vocal than in the last two years, but watching him this past Saturday, that should not be a problem. If you line up in the wrong spot, Ishmael will let you know. Miss a tackle, Ishmael will let you know. Blow a coverage...you get the picture.
While Ishmael seems to be the guy on defense to keep his fellow defenders in line, who is the guy on offense?
George O'Leary has always looked at his seniors to set the example when it comes to leadership. While Ishmael is a junior, no one questions his role to lead. As for the offense, there are seniors in linemen Cliff McCray and Nick Pieschel who will be called upon to accept their roles in teaching younger players the "UCF way."
But all you needed to do was watch the first drive of Saturday's scrimmage to know quickly who is the leader of the UCF offense. One snap, one deep pass and Jeff Godfrey tossed a touchdown. Then he kept throwing for more scores and hitting receivers in stride and creating plays when there appeared to not be a play to be made.
But it is Godfrey's presence in the huddle and on the sideline that sets him apart. He has the walk, the talk, the game and the body language that rubs off on his teammates. Godfrey doesn't need to scream. The sophomore goes about his business in such a way that teammates know you better be on your game, because he is.
Other observations from Saturday's scrimmage:
Jeff Godfrey is good...Quincy McDuffie should play a much bigger role in the offense this season. "We need to get him the ball," said O'Leary. "He is too quick to not have him involved in the offense. I expect a big season from Quincy."...Right tackle Tony Jacob is going to be really good. The 6-foot-8, 340 pound redshirt freshman from Atlanta is not just a big guy. He is a big guy who has great footwork and has the potential to be a special player...J.J. Worton has a chance to be a big-time fan favorite. The redshirt freshman is 6-foot-2 and has great hands. For someone not recruited much from high school he doesn't play with a chip on his shoulder. "No. I just go out and love to play. I don't worry about who did and didn't recruit me," said Worton...Defensive end Toby Jackson is big at 6-foot-5 and looks the part. For now, Jackson is still learning the system and while no one will replace Miller, Jackson should be a very good pass rusher...Jonathan Davis was an all-state linebacker in high school. He has moved from running back over to the defense and is running with the first unit. Davis is small at 5-foot-9 but his motor makes him a player to watch for his impact on the defense...Latavius Murray looks bigger and better. He broke through the defense for a 70-yard score in the scrimmage and seems to be in great shape and handling his role as the number one back...Meanwhile, Brynn Harvey is coming around. He is not 100 percent and will not be for a while, but no one should write off a former All-CUSA back and his impact come the fall.
Knights notes and more: Despite the loss in the CBI semifinals, Donnie Jones and his team had a memorable season. Few would have predicted 21 wins, four weeks ranked nationally and there was no downside to playing three postseason games. UCF returns most of its key players and adds a solid recruiting class and group of transfers. It will be difficult to duplicate the start as this year's team enjoyed, but the Knights should be a team to contend for one of the top spots in the league next season...In Omaha for UCF's CBI game against Creighton, I got to see the new Ameritrade Park. The stadium is the new home for the College World Series. It is spectacular from the outside and perfectly located in downtown Omaha. It appears to be a baseball paradise...Speaking of baseball, Conference USA is the 3rd ranked league in the country when it comes to RPI and has six teams in the top 50 in RPI, including UCF. The Knights picked up a huge series with at No. 23 Rice this past weekend...Butler, VCU and UConn prove something that is possible in college basketball. They proved you can strike lightning and get hot. The teams entered their conference tournaments not playing well and possibly sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble. They got hot stayed hot to get to the Final Four...Final thought: For those who wear golf spikes at a tournament, like Bay Hill, and you are not a PGA Tour player, stop it. I don't wear cleats to call UCF baseball games and neither you nor I will be called upon to play if someone drops out.
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.