ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) - It was a quick turnaround for the UCF football team, as Thursday night's first practice of 2017 #KnightsCamp was followed up by an early morning second session on Friday. The second of six straight days of practice to start camp, the Knights were in just helmets for the final time at Nicholson Fieldhouse Friday morning.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"We want to be great. We want to go from good to great. Our standards are high; expectations are high. We don't want to win six games. We want to win and compete for championships. I tell them every day you're out on that field, we're competing for a championship. I think they're getting that mindset that everything we do is to be great. That's the message." - Troy Walters
POST-PRACTICE WITH TROY WALTERS AND ERIK CHINANDER
KNIGHTS IN THE NEWS
UCF returns bigger, stronger and faster than last season - Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
UCF's Shaquem Griffin to sleep at football facility during preseason - Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel
UCF QB battle, O-line progress among top areas to watch during preseason camp - Iliana Limon Romero, Orlando Sentinel
#FROSTBYTE
It's a wrap on Day 2 at #KnightsCamp
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) July 28, 2017
Get your first #FrostByte ?? pic.twitter.com/TVhh7psiBU
MORE FROM THE COORDINATORS
Troy Walters
On how the team looks after two days of practice…
"(The guys look) awesome. They did a great job this summer. Coach Duval and his staff did an excellent job of getting the guys in shape, getting them stronger, getting them faster. Across the board, we're better. And it's evident. Last night at practice, even today, the guys are running, flying around. We're big; we're strong. It's exciting. Scheme-wise, the guys put in their work this summer. They were working on their own in the meeting rooms, going over the playbooks. They knew the standards and expectations that we wanted, so we didn't miss a beat, last night and even this morning."
On having Tre'Quan Smith as a leader for the wide receivers…
"Tremendous help. Now he's going into really his fourth year here, he knows how to practice. He knows how to be a pro. He's doing a great job of taking a leadership role – mentoring the young guys, setting the example. That's what I needed most. Not so much talking. Set the example. Show the young guys how to do things – how to practice, how to prepare. Because (he's) been successful. The proof is in the pudding. He's done that and he's been a great addition and a great guy to the room(?)."
On the offensive unit overall…
"The first thing you notice is, physically, we look like a football team. I couldn't say that last year. Up front, we look like a good o-line. They worked their tails off this summer, and it showed the first two practices. They're getting after it. Our d-line is special. Our d-line and our outsider backers, they're special. They're going to make the o-linemen work every day. They're holding their own. They're athletic, but the one thing I like about our o-line is that they're playing as one. They've really come together in the offseason and the summer and you can tell that they're a family. They're a close-knit group, and that's what you need. You need all guys on the same page, rowing in the same direction."
Erik Chinander
What have you seen from the players in the first two practices…
I think the knowledge by the ones and two have continued their accelerated paths, and that's credit to the kids. They put in a lot of work group work when the coaches weren't even here during the summer. The cool thing about this group is that the old guys are bringing the young guys along. You only get there when the starters say 'I'm going to show you how to take my job, but you're not going to take it.'
On Burgess-Becker moving to linebacker in the first practice…
No moves are final. We've moved a couple guys around so far. My job is to get the best guys on the field for a personnel package, and for me to do that he (Burgess-Becker) will have to play a few different positions along with some other guys. He has a lot of tools in his tool box, but we're going to find the best place to use him in week one.
What do you expect from the team from year one to year two…
I know the culture is better. I know the team is a better team. The guys are doing better with the process. What we don't know is that we lost a lot of guys on defense and how the players will respond. The front is pretty good right now, but they've got to prove it every day. Shaquem has to prove it every day like he always has his entire life. The back end will need to step up, so we'll see how we come along. I'm really impressed with the offense to start camp. They look like a completely new unit. They look fast, they look like they know what they're doing. The offensive line is doing a good job. I like how the offense has improved, and I hope we can come along with them.
Reaction to Shaquem sleeping in the locker room…
It's not surprising if you know the kid. He's in here all the time anyways. I think it's a little crazy. I'd probably go home and sleep on my own pillow, but that's what he wants to do. If he thinks that will give him the edge, I'm all for it, as long as he can get his rest and he's ready to go. He's a phenomenal kid. He watches more film and meets with the coaches more than anybody. He helps the young guys, so it's not surprising.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM CAMP
Yo @ucf.football, it's good to have you back ?? #riseandconquer #knightscamp #????
A post shared by UCF Knights (@ucf.knights) on Jul 28, 2017 at 9:59am PDT
RISE AND CONQUER
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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