Booth Breakdown: A far-out look at the UCF Knights

By Conner Becker     Jul 14, 2023

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FILE - UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) throws the ball during the first half of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game against Duke, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in Annapolis, Md. Plumlee returns for a second season as the Knights’ starter after completing 63% of his passes for 2,586 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. He was also UCF’s leading rusher with 862 yards and 11 TDs. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

This preview is the sixth of a 12-part series breaking down the upcoming KU football schedule.

One of the four new programs found at Big 12 Conference Media Days this week, Central Florida, will make its first trip to Lawrence this fall when Kansas hosts the Knights in Week 6. Looking ahead, the matchup will be the third conference meeting of the 2023 season for the Jayhawks.

UCF, a member of the American Athletic Conference since 2013, enters its Big 12 era having won nine or more games through five of the last six seasons. Second-year head coach Gus Malzahn led the Knights to a 9-5 (6-2 AAC) finish last year, including a 30-13 loss to Duke — the same team KU defeated 35-27 at home last year — in the Military Bowl.

A key change to UCF’s personnel is the promotion of newly minted defensive coordinator Addison Williams, following the departure of Travis Williams for Arkansas. That job, which includes six returning starters on the defensive end, will be a challenging task in a conference in which offenses averaged over 32 points per game in 2022.

Senior tackle Ricky Barber, who ranked eighth on the team in tackles last year with 49, is one of those returning faces expected to lead the UCF defense this season. Padding the walls will be defense ends Josh Celiscar and Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, who each racked up 52 or more tackles in 2022, including nine total sacks.

Only one experienced linebacker, Jason Johnson, is rostered this fall for the Knights. Johnson led UCF with 126 tackles last season and will maintain those high expectations this year as the Knights shape their defense.

Further back, starting corners Corey Thornton and Brandon Adams are both slated to return, but Clemson transfer Fred Davis will challenge the pair.

UCF’s offense will be partially handed over to co-coordinator Darin Hinshaw, who returns to Orlando after a one-year stint as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UAB. Hinshaw was a senior analyst for the Knights in 2021 and previously spent four years as the OC at Kentucky from 2016 to 2020.

That offense, to be juggled between Malzahn and Hinshaw this season, will be led undoubtedly by returning fifth-year quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. The Ole Miss transfer was the team’s leading rusher (862 yards), while throwing for 2,586 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 appearances at UCF last year.

Leading the Knights’ ground attack this year will be returner RJ Harvey, who piled up 796 rushing yards to lead the backfield last year. Aiding Harvey will be Johnny Richardson and Florida transfer Demarkcus Bowman, a former five-star recruit originally committed to Clemson.

Receivers-wise, UCF will look for steady growth behind returning targets Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson. Baker racked up 796 total receiving yards on 56 receptions last season, while Hudson led the team with seven touchdown receptions and 641 total receiving yards accumulated on the year.

Up front, fifth-year offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole is slated to be the main anchor for the offense this season. Alabama transfer tackle Amari Kight and Stanford transfer center Drake Metcalf were tabbed in the portal to fill the gaps.

The weapons exist within UCF’s offense to remain competitive. The Knights, appearing in seven consecutive bowl games since 2016, will be fighting a far tougher regular season schedule in the Big 12 to maintain their bowl status. They were selected eighth in the conference’s preseason poll despite lacking a single preseason all-conference selection.

UCF opens the year with a reasonably winnable non-conference schedule facing Kent State for its home opener, traveling to Boise State in Week 2 and finishing its opening three-game stretch at home against Villanova.

The Knights begin their Big 12 schedule at Kansas State on Sept. 23.

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Written By Conner Becker

Conner covers high school sports and more for the Journal-World.