It’s July, which means that there will be college football games played next month. As the Knights continue to prepare for the upcoming 2019 campaign, which kicks off Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. from inside Spectrum Stadium, we will take a look at what UCF brings back and what fans of the Black and Gold have to look forward to this fall.
Making Up for the Missing
Defensive line is a position group that UCF has lost a lot of talent off following the 2018 season, as starting seniors from a year ago Joey Connors, Titus Davis and A.J. Wooten have moved on. Oh yeah, and Trysten Hill was also selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, going to the Dallas Cowboys. There are some big shoes to fill, but the Knights bring back a good group of returning linemen to go with a large crop of newcomers looking to make an immediate impact.
Hayes Hounded Offenses in 2018
Brendon Hayes, r-Senior | 6-3, 293
Stats: Made 44 tackles with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, two break-ups, six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery
Note: Although not always the most talked about Knight on the defensive line in 2018, Hayes was second on the team with 11.0 tackles-for-loss and second with 3.0 sacks last season
Watch: Hayes was a Second Team All-Conference selection as a junior and with all four first teamers from 2018 now out of the league, look for Hayes to make a name for himself as a senior
Other Returners on the Line
Randy Charlton: sophomore defensive end (21 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack in 2018)
Mason Cholewa: r-sophomore defensive tackle (had eight tackles and three hurries last year)
Kalia Davis: r-sophomore defensive end (made the switch from linebacker this spring)
Anthony Montalvo: r-sophomore defensive tackle
Kenny Turnier: r-junior defensive tackle (moved inside this past spring after recording two sacks on the outside in 2018)
Staphon Zayas: r-sophomore defensive end
Watch the Highlights
Tweet This
Excited to see that re-loaded @UCF_Football D-Line in 58 days ✊🏾
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) July 2, 2019
Saw glimpses of these young guys last year dominate at times including @RandyL_Charlton 😤 #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/tvSywds2Nu
D-Line Pics
The 2019 season gets started Aug. 29 when the Knights host Florida A&M at Spectrum Stadium. UCF will also play host to Stanford, UConn, ECU, Houston and South Florida as the Knights aim to win a third straight American Athletic Conference Championship and return to a New Year’s Six bowl for the third consecutive season.