The 2017 season for the UCF football team is just around the corner and now is the time to get your first look at the Knights. UCFKnights.com will preview each position group in the weeks leading into camp to give Knight Nation an idea of what to expect this fall.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Four of UCF's starting offensive linemen from a year ago return in 2017. The Knights' offensive front should be led by a pair of book-end tackles.
Redshirt junior Wyatt Miller and redshirt senior Aaron Evans started every game in 2016 at right and left tackle, respectively.
"We feel like we have two really good tackles for our league in Aaron Evans and Wyatt Miller," head coach Scott Frost said. "With another year experience in the weight room and play in our system, I feel like they're going to be really good players."
The lone departure from the starting group from last season was center Jason Rae. Jordan Johnson, who started 12 of 13 games at the right guard position as a true freshman last season, is the frontrunner to replace Rae over the ball.
"Jordan Johnson is continuing to develop," Frost said. "We need him to keep pushing forward to be another anchor for us on that line."
At left guard, Tyler Hudanick was playing very well through six games last season, but he was lost to a knee injury in the Temple game. The rising junior is expected to return from that injury in 2017 and likely return to his left guard spot.
That leaves the right guard position up for grabs. Chavis Dickey and Tate Hernly each saw action throughout the course of 2016 at the guard position.
"Getting Tyler Hudanick back from his midseason injury last year is going to be big for us. He was doing great things at left guard for us until he got hurt," Frost said. "The other guard spot is going to be a battle between a lot of guys but I think we're going to have a lot better choices at that position than we had in the past."
Hernly and Dickey have both seen action for the Knights on the offensive line, while there are others with less experience who could also vie for playing time at that position.
In addition to the returning linemen on the roster, the Knights added Cole Schneider, Julio Castillo and Samuel Jackson on National Signing Day.
"I think we made some great strides on the offensive line over the spring," Frost said. "I was really impressed with some of our younger guys. I think our depth is going to be a lot better. We need to get better at that position. We were young and not very deep last year. If we can run the ball well on everybody I think that helps open up a lot of things. Our offensive line looks the best it has looked since I've been here."
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is just around the corner. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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