Central Florida knights
Scott Frost isn’t taking over a typical winless program. Central Florida averaged 9.4 wins from 2010-14 and claimed a Fiesta Bowl victory during that stretch. He has starters returning all over the field and an expectation of becoming competitive immediately.
The new head coach brings a different approach — the former Oregon offensive coordinator brings the wide-open, no-huddle approach the Ducks used to become a power out West. Still, the foundation of the offense begins with the line, where the Knights have four starters returning. Only Chavis Dickey, a junior right guard, rode the bench for UCF last season.
How much does bringing back 80 percent of your starters matter, though, if the offensive line was a position of weakness? The Knights still start one senior — center Jason Rae — so the rest of the young linemen will have time to adjust into the unit Frost needs them to be in his spread offense. Immediate success, however, hinges on their improvement.
Aaron Evans gives UCF a 6-foot-5 left tackle with upside and Tyler Hudanick is a sophomore at left guard who can grow alongside Evans. Right tackle Wyatt Miller is also a sophomore after starting for the Knights as a freshman in 2015.
DB to watch
Shaquill Griffin, Sr.
UCF should start four seniors in the secondary, including three who started during last season’s winless campaign. The cornerback, who was a track star at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, is reveling in the Knights’ increased tempo this offseason and should anchor the strongest unit of the UCF defense.
Impact newcomer
Dredrick Snelson
Fr., WR
An Under Armour All-American, Snelson has a chance to be a difference maker for an offense that returns one starting receiver. The wide receiver from Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines was originally committed to Minnesota before flipping when Frost was hired.
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 4-8
Central Florida slogged through its first winless season in more than a decade, ending a three-year bowl streak that included a pair of double-digit-win seasons. Former Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost ushers in a new era in his first season. With four returning starters on the offensive line, a finally healthy Justin Holman at quarterback and one returning starter at wide receiver, UCF has the personnel in place to take a leap forward.
Deep at: Secondary
Linebacker
Thin at: Defensive line
Running back
Head coach: Scott Frost
Career: First season at UCF and overall, previously served as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Oregon (2009-2015)
2016 schedule
S3 | SC State, 7 p.m. |
S10 | at Michigan, Noon |
S17 | Maryland, 7 p.m. |
S24 | at FIU, 7 p.m. |
O1 | at E. Carolina* |
O7 | Tulane*, 8 p.m. |
O15 | Temple* |
O22 | at UConn* |
O29 | at Houston* |
N12 | Cincinnati* |
N19 | Tulsa* |
N26 | at South Florida* |
* — Conference game
Times TBD unless noted
2015 results
FIU L, 15-14 |
at Stanford L, 31-7 |
Furman L, 16-15 |
at S. Carolina L, 31-14 |
at Tulane L, 45-31 |
Connecticut L, 40-13 |
at Temple L, 30-16 |
Houston L, 59-10 |
at Cincinnati L, 52-7 |
at Tulsa L, 45-30 |
E. Carolina L, 44-7 |
S. Florida L, 44-3 |
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Central Florida knights."