June 9, 2011
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By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) -UCF opens the 2011 football campaign on Sept. 3, hosting Charleston Southern at Bright House Networks Stadium. With the campaign approaching, UCFAthletics.com's John Denton takes a look at tight end Adam Nissley, who will help lead the UCF offense this season.
PLAYER: Adam Nissley
POSITION: Tight End
HEIGHT, WEIGHT, CLASS: 6-6, 266, Senior
HOMETOWN: Cumming, Ga.
BEST ON-FIELD TRAITS: Nissley is arguably UCF's best all-around athlete, possessing great size, a 500-pound bench press, 4.7-second speed in the 40-yard dash and better-than-average hands. He blocks like a tackle and catches everything thrown his way.
2010 STATISTICS: He caught six passes for 59 yards and one touchdown. He had two catches for seven yards in UCF's AutoZone Liberty Bowl defeat of Georgia. He had a 21-yard catch against South Dakota and a 19-yard catch against UAB. His lone touchdown catch came on a three-yard grab against Rice.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: No one enjoyed UCF's 10-6 defeat of Georgia more than Nissley, a native of Cumming, Ga., who grew up dreaming of playing for the Bulldogs as a child. His brother lives in Athens, Ga., and Nissley made sure to wear his UCF gear every time he visits the University of Georgia's home. Nissley's ability to overwhelm defenders with his power is a big reason why the Knights were able to run the ball so well last season. This season, he'll team with Nick Pieschel (6-foot-7, 301 pounds) to form a dominating right side of the line for quarterback Jeff Godfrey and tailbacks Latavius Murray, Brynn Harvey and Ronnie Weaver to run behind.
WHERE HE'S BETTER: Nissley is likely headed for the NFL following his senior season at UCF because his measureables (height, weight, strength and speed) are off the charts for a tight end. But before he departs he will try to make himself a more well-rounded tight end this season in the passing game. UCF offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe has devised a few more formations to get Nissley involved in the passing game. There are even some sets where Nissley will split off the line like a wide receiver. He could very well become a big-time weapon for Godfrey in the pass game because of his size and ability to catch the ball in traffic.
UCF 2011 football season ticket packages can be purchased or renewed online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Home games include Charleston Southern [Champions UKNIGHT (Sept. 3)], Boston College [Hall of Fame Weekend (Sept. 10)], Marshall (Oct. 8), Memphis [Alumni UKNIGHT - Homecoming 2011 (Oct. 29)], Tulsa (Nov. 5) and UTEP [Senior Day (Nov. 26)]. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3 and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.