July 2, 2012
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By John Denton, Knights Insider
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The start of preseason drills is a month 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: Josh Reese
POSITION: Wide receiver
HOMETOWN: Miami
NUMBER: Changing to No. 19 for the fall
HEIGHT, WEIGHT, CLASS: 6-1, 178, redshirt sophomore
2011 STATS: Reese caught 30 passes for 461 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 15.4 yards per catch. He came on late in the season, earning five starts in the final six games. The 30 catches were the fifth most ever by a UCF freshman receiver, while the 461 receiving yards were the third most by a UCF freshman.
BEST MOMENT: Reese blossomed alongside of J.J. Worton late in the season and had a big game at East Carolina. He caught four passes for 51 yards, including a dazzling two-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Reese also had a big role in the back-and-forth fourth quarter as the two teams repeatedly traded the lead.
WHAT LIES AHEAD: With Reese developing a strong bond with quarterback Blake Bortles, he should be poised for a big season. Reese impressed head coach George O'Leary with his ability to go up into traffic and come down with the ball. Somewhat smallish at 6-1 and 178 pounds, Reese makes up for it with exceptional leaping ability. The next step will be Reese showing an ability to go over the middle and catch balls on the inside on third down plays. But his future projects primarily as UCF's deep-ball threat, and he has shown flashes of big-play potential. The trio of Reese, Worton and Rannell Hall project to be stellar wide outs next season and should give UCF an elite pass game in Conference USA.
John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFAthletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.