“AJ has a gift for developing offensive linemen. He knows how to teach the details, build toughness and create a standard in that room. His experience gives him a great perspective, and our players are going to benefit from that every day.”
Scott FrostA former All-Big Ten Center, Blazek helped Wisconsin’s offensive front to an impressive season in 2024, allowing just 13 sacks which was fewest in the Big Ten and 10th at the FBS level. The Wichita, Kan. native won a national championship with North Dakota State in 2019. The Bison set a school-record with 4,601 rushing yards that season while going 16-0 to capture their eighth FCS title in a nine-year span.
Blazek began his playing career by earning All-America and Academic All-America honors at Butler Community College. He spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons there before spending the following two at Iowa. A two-year letter winning center with the Hawkeyes, Blazek earned All-Big Ten Conference honors his senior season and earned a pair of Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors. He was a co-captain during his 2000 campaign. Before beginning his journey as a coach, Blazek played two seasons for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football league, earning the 2001 Walter Payton Award for community service.
Blazek earned a degree in health, leisure and sport studies in 2002 and added a graduate degree in recreation and sport administration in 2004, both at Iowa.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.