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Knights to Watch in 2012 - Victor Gray

June 27, 2012

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By John Denton, Knights Insider
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The start of preseason drills is less than six weeks away, so football season at UCF is right around the corner. And for many here in the football-crazed Sunshine State, that moment can't get here soon enough.

From now until drills begin in August, we here at UCFAthletics.com will be highlighting a UCF player to watch for the coming season and the expectations for that player.

The Knights open the season Aug. 30 at Akron. A week later the Knights travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State and new coach Urban Meyer. The home-opener at Bright House Networks Stadium is Sept. 15 against FIU. And the Knights will close the non-conference portion of the schedule on Sept. 29 with a marquee home game against Missouri.

UCF football season tickets are currently available for as low as $140, while single-game tickets are also on sale. For more information and to place an order, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com.

Here is a closer look at one of the key Knights expected to make a big impact this season:

NAME: Victor Gray
POSITION: Defensive line
HOMETOWN: Orlando
NUMBER: 91
HEIGHT, WEIGHT, CLASS: 6-4, 265, redshirt junior

2011 STATS: Gray was solid all season on the inside for the Knights. He had 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven pass break-ups and 10 quarterback hurries.

BEST MOMENT: He was as dominant as ever in the rainy 16-6 defeat of Marshall. Gray had five tackles and four quarterback hurries. One of those hurries resulted in a holding penalty in the end zone that produced a safety and two points for the Knights.

WHAT LIES AHEAD: No UCF defensive player made bigger strides last season than Gray, who was the most consistent Knight all year. His improved size and his ability to swat passes gives him a chance to be an emerging star in the future. At times this season, he could bounce back and forth between tackle and his natural position, defensive end, because of his ability to rush off the edge. Also, Gray's football smarts are off the charts. He is one of the team's best leaders because he backs up his talk with actions. He has a chance to be a team captain next season as a junior because he is so respected among his peers. Clearly, big things are ahead for Gray.

John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFAthletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.