UCF Knights

Head Coach

George O'Leary	5th year
07-08	10-4
C-USA	7-1
FCR	32

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - George O’Leary enters his 5th year at UCF and last year the roller coaster continued, in 05’ they had 8 wins and with high expectations they followed that with a four win season but rebound nicely last year with 10 victories. The question is what will 08’ bring, fourteen starters return but there are major concerns on offense where they must replace Kevin Smith , the nation’s leading rusher, QB Kyle Israel who threw 15 TD’s and three O-Lineman.

Quarterback - At quarterback junior Michael Greco is the frontrunner despite missing part of spring ball, Greco is an accurate passer who has good mobility and will add a another dimension to the offense. Redshirt freshman Joe Weatherford got the opportunity to showcase his skills after Greco went down and will be given the chance t compete for the starting spot, incoming freshman Rob Calabrese will also be in the mix when fall camp opens.

Running Backs - Look for sophomore Phillip Smith to be the starter this fall, he has good speed and skills and he gained 262 yards and added 4 TD’s in a reserve role last season. Competing for carries this fall will be redshirt freshman Ronnie Weaver and incoming freshman Latavius Murray. Lining up at the fullback spot will be sophomore Ricky Kay, he gained but 60 yards last season, but he’s devastating blocker who paved the way for Kevin Smith last fall.

Receivers - Both wide receivers return for the Knights and in senior Rocky Ross and sophomore Kamar Aiken they have an outstanding duo. Last season they combined for 83 catches for 1,242 yards in an offense that was geared for the run. Lining up at tight end will be junior Corey Rabazinski who had 10 receptions for only 66 yards in a limited role but he did score twice.

Offensive Line - They lose three starters but in left tackle junior Patrick Brown they have a strong foundation to build off he’s was 1st team All-C-USA last season. Starting at right tackle will be sophomore Jah Reid who cemented this spring his position in the starting lineup as did senior Mike Lavoie at center. At the guards look for junior Jeramy Devane to be on the left side next to Brown and on the right it will be between junior Cliff McCray and senior Cody Minnich.

Defensive Line - Nine starters return on defense but only two are back on defense, returning at one end will be sophomore Bruce Miller and at defensive tackle, junior Torrell Troup. As a freshman Miller had seven sacks and was named 2nd team All-C-USA, Torrell is a big body who’s capable run stopper. Sophomore David Williams moves from linebacker to the other end spot following his emergence this spring but expect to see senior Antonio Wallace in the rotation. Inside at the other tackle spot junior Travis Timmons will get the call.

Linebackers - All three starters return with senior Cory Hogue in the middle, and on the outside will be sophomore Derrick Hallman and junior Chance Henderson. Hogue and Henderson are big bodies who excel against the run and combined for 146 tackles last season. Hallman was named to the All-C-USA Freshman team after posting 50 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Defensive Backs - The UCF secondary, which picked off 24 passes last year returns intact with seniors Joe Burnett and Johnell Neal at the corners, Jason Venson the free safety and at strong safety, Sha’reff Rashad. Burnett was 1st team All-C-USA and Rashad was named to the second unit, he led the team in tackles with 103 while Burnett and Neal each had 6 INT’s.

Special Teams - A pair of sophomore will handle the kicking with Jordan Dodds doing the placekicking and the punter will be Blake Clingan who averaged 40.7 last season. Joe Burnett is an outstanding return man and he’ll be joined by sophomores Khymest Williams and Darin Baldwin.

Schedule - Out of conference they get South Florida at home but must travel to Boston College and Miami. In conference they avoid Houston but get Tulsa on the road, playing So Miss and East Carolina at home is a plus. If the offense finds some answers at the QB and tailback they’ll be find as the defense will keep them in most games, expect some bumps and the roller coaster ride continues as the Knights finish the year with 7+ wins.