ESPN the Mag on UCF

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This is an EXTREMELY thorough analysis...individuals with short attention spans have been warned.

COACH AND PROGRAM

One day before his reigning Conference USA champions were scheduled to begin spring practice, fifth-year UCF head coach George O'Leary experienced his ultimate nightmare.

Ereck Plancher, a redshirt freshman receiver with no known history of health problems, collapsed after a coach-supervised conditioning drill and never regained consciousness. He was 19.

Sometimes a tragedy like this can bring a team together, forging an unbreakable bond as players push forward, intent on honoring their fallen friend. "There's a lot of ways to honor someone, whether you put a number on a helmet or a number on a jersey, but the best way you can honor Ereck is to act like him," O'Leary said.

Sometimes, however, a tragedy can rip a program apart. Days after Plancher's death, four UCF players told the Orlando Sentinel that the "mat drills" were much more intense than the university originally stated and that O'Leary cursed at a visibly distressed Plancher for a lack of effort. Initial autopsy results were inconclusive.

O'Leary, 61, a two-time C-USA Coach of the Year who has worked very hard to restore a reputation tarnished by his infamous Notre Dame résumé flap, defended his actions in a statement to the Florida Times-Union. "There's been an incredible lack of credibility and accuracy in the statements that have been made," he said. "There's been no real determining factor in what happened to the young man. Anytime there's an unknown, that leads to questions until it's resolved."

The Knights already had enough questions entering 2008. Defending the first conference championship in school history is an enormous challenge after losing record-setting running back Kevin Smith, as well as the starting quarterback and four linemen from an offense that averaged 35.9 points per game and broke school records for points (502) and touchdowns (62) in a season. At home, the Knights averaged 42.3 points per game and won six straight games to close out the season, including a 44-25 victory over Tulsa in the league title game.

Nine starters are back for a defense that ranked third in the country with 24 interceptions and led the conference with 39 sacks. The Knights yielded just 19.8 points per game over the final eight contests.

The program has certainly come a long way since going 0-11 in O'Leary's first season in 2004. UCF cut the ribbon on Bright House Network Stadium last year and promptly set school single-season records for home wins and attendance. Another solid recruiting class came on board in February and graduation numbers are the highest in team history. Three Knights were selected in the 2008 NFL draft -- three more than Alabama for those scoring at home.

O'Leary and his team face a complex challenge this fall. They must overcome their grief and their differences if they don't want to lose all that positive momentum.

"It's a sad situation, but the best way to move on is to get back on the field," senior safety Sha'Reff Rashad told the Florida Times-Union. "There was a lot of emotion surrounding [Plancher's death]. We're just trying to make sure that we stay together and not get pulled apart."

Another potentially devastating loss was averted in early May after cornerback Johnell Neal was shot multiple times during a visit to his hometown of Baton Rouge, La. Miraculously, Neal survived and was expected to play again this fall.

Neal, who graduated with a degree in criminal justice and is coming back to play a postgraduate season, was in town for a graduation party but was apparently at the wrong place at the wrong time when assailants were looking for someone else.

QUARTERBACKS

Kyle Israel started all 14 games last season, which mostly consisted of handing the ball to Kevin Smith and throwing the occasional pass. UCF averaged 47.9 rushing attempts per game, compared to 24.7 passes. Israel was effective if not spectacular, passing for 2,173 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The senior also ran for five scores.

Junior Mike Greco (6-3, 220) is the only quarterback on the roster with game experience. He played in nine games last year and was 24-of-45 for 303 yards with one interception. He rushed for two touchdowns and completed 11-of-12 pass attempts in a 56-20 rout of Memphis. Greco began his collegiate career at NC State before transferring to Pearl River (Miss.) Community College in 2006.

Greco's experience gave him an early edge in the quarterback competition this spring, but an injury (hip pointer) suffered in the spring game opened the door for redshirt freshman Joe Weatherford (6-4, 200) to make a strong audition. The younger brother of Florida State QB Drew Weatherford completed 7-of-15 passes for 148 yards and threw a 32-yard touchdown strike.

Quarterbacks coach George Godsey was pleased with Weatherford's physical and mental growth during the offseason. "He has gotten into the weight room and added about 15 pounds," Godsey said. "Joe understands our offense and just needs more repetition and time to execute. He has shown some improvement knowing our system and understanding what we're trying to do."

Greco has better mobility, while Weatherford has a better arm. Look for O'Leary to decided on his No. 1 early in fall camp. "Both of them have a lot of different things that they need to work on -- throwing motion, transferring weight and decision making," Godsey said.

Red-shirt freshman Nate Tice (6-4, 205) and incoming recruit Rob Calabrese (6-2, 215) fill out the depth chart. Tice is the son of Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach Mike Tice, the former Minnesota Vikings head coach who played for O'Leary in high school.

Calabrese broke Boomer Esiason's career records for passing yardage and touchdowns at East Islip (N.Y.) High.

RUNNING BACKS

All-American Smith came within about six first downs of breaking Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season rushing record in 2007, leading the country with 2,567 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior. He averaged 32 carries per game and 5.7 yards per attempt with five games of 200-plus yards, including 320 against UAB. Lucky for the Blazers and the rest of Conference USA, "24K" left early for the NFL and was taken in the third round by the Detroit Lions.

As many as a half-dozen challengers are trying to fill the Grand Canyon-sized hole Smith leaves behind. Junior Phillip Smith (6-1, 194) was No. 1 on the spring depth chart but went down in the first open practice with an injury to his lower left leg and is not expected to be 100 percent until August. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in 2007. He carried 19 times for 96 yards against Memphis and 17 times for 90 yards and two scores at SMU. Red-shirt freshman Ronnie Weaver (6-0, 195) took the majority of the first-team reps after Smith's injury and had 15 carries for a game-high 45 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. Other returning players include sophomore James Jamison (5-11, 217) and junior Jayson Williams (6-0, 200), who will face heavy competition from a handful of new recruits this summer. O'Leary said at least two of the five incoming freshmen could help out this fall. The haul included Brandon Davis (5-9, 190) of Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) High; Brynn Harvey (5-11, 215) of Largo (Fla.) High; Latavius Murray (6-3, 215) of Onondaga Central (N.Y.) High; James Poe (6-3, 219) of Orlando's Freedom High; and Vance King (6-0, 195) of Stockbridge (Ga.) High, who could make a position change to cornerback or safety. Davis was a three-time all-state selection who rushed for more than 5,000 career yards and chose UCF over offers from Boston College, California, Clemson, Michigan, Ole Miss and South Carolina, among others. "He's a thick kid that runs hard," O'Leary said. "When you are a player of the year up in Georgia, you've done some great things. He's just a great kid with great hands. He does everything well."

Harvey set the Pinellas County single-season rushing record with 2,581 yards and 31 TDs as a senior. "It wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being a heck of a running back here because I think he can protect, he can run, he gets north and south and he has good size to him," O'Leary said.

The 6-3 Murray is an Eddie George clone who posted back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons and was the New York Gatorade Player of the Year. He hails from the same program that produced former Michigan tailback Mike Hart.

Poe is another big back who originally signed with Louisville over Nebraska in the 2007 class, but didn't qualify academically and spent last year at Georgia Military College. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in high school.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Without Smith's 5.7 yards per carry, the Knights need more production from a receiving corps that returns nearly a dozen players from last season. Senior Rocky Ross (6-2, 198) led the squad in receptions (50) and receiving yards (658) and sophomore Kamar Aiken (6-2, 205) led in yards per catch (17.7) and touchdowns (five) in 2007. In a spring game marred by dropped passes and fumbles, Aiken had four grabs for 70 yards and Ross had a 32-yard touchdown.

"I think some of the guys that played last year probably need to stop reading their press clippings," O'Leary grumbled.

Receivers coach David Kelly is counting on Ross for production and leadership. "He's the one that everyone looks at with a certain degree of respect because of his experience, his success, but more importantly, the kind of person he is," he said. "He's not a vocal guy, where he's going to be a cheerleader. He is a leader by example."

UCF lost promising sophomore A.J. Guyton (5-11, 184) to an ACL injury this spring (he is expected to redshirt), but classmates Sidney Haynes (6-4, 210), Khymest Williams (5-10, 170) and Brian Watters (6-2, 183) are ready to fill the void.

"I'm starting to see bits of improvement here and there," Kelly said. "I want to see plays being made down the field. I'm going to challenge them. I want them to get better. They will be a group we can depend on by the time we open up against South Carolina State." The Knights lost their best blocking tight end in Mike Merritt. Junior Corey Rabazinski (6-3, 243) has made 15 career starts and had 10 catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns last fall. Duke transfer John Lubischer (6-4, 252) and redshirt freshman Adam Nissley (6-6, 235) will see plenty of playing time.

OFFENSIVE LINE

UCF lost three starters plus a projected 2008 starter from a unit that helped the team score 501 points and rush for 3,287 yards. Right tackle Josh Sitton and center Kyle Smith both graduated and right guard L.J. Anderson left early. Junior Cliff McCray, expected to take Anderson's place on the line, left the program this spring. He was Ereck Plancher's roommate.

Senior Patrick Brown (6-5, 290) has started 38 games at left tackle, more than anyone else in the nation. Senior Mike Lavoie (6-5, 294) takes over at center after a great spring. Junior Jeramy DeVane (6-3, 290) tops the depth chart at left guard, with senior Cody Minnich (6-3, 296) at right guard and sophomore Jah Reid (6-7, 313) returning at right tackle after making the C-USA All-Freshman team.

O'Leary was pleased with Lavoie's progress. "He is blocking Torrell Troup every day in practice, and some people don't understand what a chore that is with 320 pounds hitting you all day," he said. "He has really caught my attention in a good way."

Reserves who caught his eye this spring included redshirt freshman guard Nick Pieschel (6-7, 295) and sophomore Wes Tunuufi Sauvao (6-3, 304), a converted defensive tackle. "They are the two I see really coming on pretty good," O'Leary said. "I am really pleased with that. It gives us a lot more depth. It's almost like the light bulb has come on."

Others in the mix include sophomore tackle Mike Buxton (6-8, 317), redshirt freshman tackle Billy Offutt (6-6, 306) and junior center Ian Bustillo (6-2, 304).

KICKERS

Sophomore Jordan Dodds (5-11, 210) looks like the favorite to replace Michael Torres, who booted a school-record 21 field goals last season. Dodds is an Orlando native who transferred from South Carolina, where he made 2-of-2 extra points for the Gamecocks in 2006.

He kicked a 33-yard field goal in the spring game, but also flubbed a PAT to open the door a little for sophomore Kyle Iketani (5-7, 166) and redshirt freshman Salvatore DiMauro (6-3, 180).

DEFENSIVE LINE

UCF returns nine starters on a defense that led the conference in sacks and ranked second against the run and third in total defense. The Knights lost half of their eight-man line rotation -- ends Leger Douzable and Emeka Okammor and tackles Keith Shologan and Rex Hill -- but still return 12 players who recorded at least one sack.

Spearheading the pass rush this fall will be sophomore end Bruce Miller (6-2, 245), who made the Conference USA All-Freshman team with 38 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and seven sacks for minus-53 yards. Competing for the No. 1 spot at the other end of the line are senior Antonio Wallace (6-2, 250) and JUCO transfer Jarvis Geathers (6-2, 215), son of 13-year NFL vet Jumpy Geathers.

Sophomore David Williams (6-2, 236) had a terrific spring after moving from linebacker and sophomore Darius Nall (6-3, 226) appeared in 13 games last season.

Junior tackles Torrell Troup (6-3, 335) and Travis Timmons (6-4, 306) are formidable run stuffers, but their backups are on the smallish side, averaging less than 250 pounds per man.

That could spell opportunity for freshmen Theo Goins (6-4, 285) of Hightower (Texas) High and Chris Martin (6-5, 290) of Choctawhatchee (Fla.) High. Goins had 22 sacks and 32 tackles for loss in his last two seasons, while Martin posted 92 tackles, 21 sacks and 27 tackles for loss as a senior.

LINEBACKERS

New linebackers coach Geoff Collins inherits the football equivalent of a winning lottery ticket, taking over a unit that has three returning starters from 2007 and three others with significant starting experience.

"These kids are so far ahead compared to a lot of places that I have been," he said. "With the first six, there is really not a depth chart. It is such a close race. If anyone went down, it would be easy. Somebody stepping up would be no problem."

The only senior at the position is Cory Hogue (6-1, 230), who has 27 career starts and is coming off a "great, not good" spring, O'Leary said. In 12 starts last season, he notched 72 tackles with 55 solo stops. Junior Chance Henderson (6-1, 241) collected 74 tackles from his middle linebacker slot and sophomore Derrick Hallman (6-0, 205) was second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss.

The No. 2 unit features sophomore Lawrence Young (6-0, 212), junior Alex Thompson (6-2, 231) and junior Jordan Richards (6-2, 226), who was a starter in 2006 and missed last season with a shoulder injury. Young had 31 tackles and forced two fumbles in 2007. Thompson tallied nine tackles in the opener against NC State but missed 10 games with a leg injury.

Other prospects include 2007 signee Josh Linam (6-3, 224), who sat out last season with a back injury, Western Michigan transfer Jay McCahill (6-1, 211) and redshirt freshmen Tom Lewis (6-2, 210) and Jack Carter (6-2, 225).

The linebackers put on a show in the spring game. Hallman had a 39-yard interception return, two sacks and five tackles and Hogue made six stops. Young had an interception and Linam forced a fumble and recorded five tackles.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

New secondary coach Gary Blackney also hit the jackpot, taking over a unit that picked off a school-record 24 passes last season (third most in the nation) and returns four senior starters. Blackney was head coach at Bowling Green for 10 years and spent five seasons (2001-05) as the defensive coordinator at Maryland.

Cornerbacks Joe Burnett (5-11, 183) and Johnell Neal (5-10, 177) shared the league lead with six interceptions each in 2007. Burnett ranks second in UCF history with 13 career picks, which is also tied for second among all active returning players.

Neal, who survived a shooting in his hometown of Baton Rouge, La. in the offseason, must be one tough hombre. Though he was shot in early May, he was scheduled to be back in the fall, to play a postgraduate year after earning his degree.

A year ago, Neal had a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown at SMU and blocked a field-goal attempt against Memphis.

Strong safety Sha'reff Rashad (6-0, 198) led the Knights with 103 tackles in 2007 and free safety Jason Venson (5-10, 211) was second with 94. Rashad had eight tackles for loss and four interceptions. Venson took C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after logging nine tackles and forcing a fumble against Memphis.

Burnett made the coaches' all-conference first team, while Rashad made the second team and Venson earned an honorable mention.

Junior Emery Allen (5-9, 172) and sophomore Darin Baldwin (5-11, 191) will see time in nickel packages, while sophomore Justin Boddie (6-2, 180) and senior Breon Rogers (6-3, 198) are the backups at safety. Also in the mix are sophomore Reggie Weams (6-0, 190) and redshirt freshman Omar Hansborough (6-2, 180), who shared the team lead with six tackles in a nice performance in the spring game.

PUNTERS

Sophomore Blake Clingan (6-3, 221) started as a freshman last season and averaged a respectable 40.8 yards per punt with 14 dropped inside the 20-yard line.

"He is a year older and a year stronger," special teams coordinator Brent Key said. "He has been working to get better and obviously he has gained more experience. From the standpoint of field position, he understands how important the punt game is."

Sophomore Parker Langley (5-11, 176) returns as the backup after averaging 38.2 yards on four punts last year. Langley is also expected to resume his duties as the holder on place kicks.

SPECIAL TEAMS

UCF ranked second in C-USA last season in punt return average and kickoff returns and finished third in punting.

Senior cornerback Joe Burnett leads all active players in the FBS with 926 career punt return yards and a career average of 13.2 yards per return. He has returned three punts for touchdowns, including an 83-yarder in the 2007 conference title game against Tulsa. With the departure of Curtis Francis, sophomore wideout Khymest Williams and junior cornerback Emery Allen could share kick-return duties. Allen averaged 23.9 yards on 13 returns, while Williams averaged 35.9 yards on eight returns with a 99-yard touchdown against SMU.

The leading candidate to replace first-team all-conference long snapper Michael Buscemi is sophomore Ryan Khawly (6-0, 205), with redshirt freshman James Getsee (6-2, 210) also on the roster.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

The defending Conference USA champs had time to prepare for the loss of running back Kevin Smith to the NFL, stockpiling five top recruits to help fill the void. But the Knights were blindsided by the tragic loss of a teammate, which left a hole that may never be filled for many of them. "Our team will move forward with Ereck forever in our hearts," O'Leary said.

Capturing another championship while dedicating the season to their fallen friend would make a great story, but this isn't Hollywood. With no proven running back or quarterback and a reconstructed offensive line, UCF could struggle to score 20 points a game in 2008. A veteran defense will ensure that the Knights won't be as bad as they were in 2006 (4-8), but they are likely looking at six or seven wins, tops.

They face another ambitious schedule with games against USF of the Big East and Boston College and Miami of the ACC. Fortunately, they play their two toughest C-USA East Division opponents -- East Carolina and Southern Miss -- at Bright House Networks Stadium, where they went 6-1 during the facility's inaugural campaign in 2007.

O'Leary and first-year defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable have tremendous confidence in a defense that returns nine starters.

"We have competition going on at every position and having all of the experience back has been a big help to the young kids," Huxtable said. Added O'Leary, "I think we're much faster on defense. We're much stronger up front on defense. We've got more depth obviously and more maturity and more experience." Offensive coordinator Tim Salem admits his unit remains a work in progress heading into the fall. "You have to go out there every day with the right attitude to want to get better," he said. "We are still installing things as we move along, but our guys are learning to make the plays and getting better."

After the annual spring game, which included a moment of silence for Plancher and the initials "E.P." were painted on the field as a tribute, O'Leary was optimistic about 2008. "I think we're well on our way to being a very good football team," he said. "We've got three months to get stronger in a lot of positions. The kids worked hard every day and gave great effort and enthusiasm."

UCF Knights

LOCATION Orlando, Fla.

CONFERENCE Conference USA (East)

LAST SEASON 10-4 (.714)

CONFERENCE RECORD 7-1 (1st)

OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 5

DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 9

NICKNAME Knights

COLORS Black & Vegas Gold

HOME FIELD Bright House Networks Stadium (45,301)

HEAD COACH George O'Leary (New Hampshire '68)

RECORD AT SCHOOL 22-28 (4 years)

CAREER RECORD 74-61 (11 years)

ASSISTANTS • Tim Salem (Arizona State '85), Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs

• Dave Huxtable (Eastern Illinois '79), Defensive Coordinator

• Gary Blackney (Connecticut '67), Defensive Backs

• Tom Freeman (San Diego State '69), Offensive Line

• George Godsey (Georgia Tech '00), Quarterbacks

• Geoff Collins (Western Carolina '93), Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator

• David Kelly (Furman '79), Receivers

• Brent Key (Georgia Tech '01), Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator

• Jim Panagos (Maryland '96), Defensive Line

TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.) 3-0-8-4-10

FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.)  102-117-87-103-52

2007 FINISH Lost to Mississippi State in Liberty Bowl.

Grading the UCF Knights 

Offense  C

Special teams  B

Defense  A-

Intangibles  C

If you read this entire post then congratulations...You do not have ADD.  ;D

[crambone]

A- for the Defense?!?!?  Ummm, okay...

I would rate them a B- at best.

[flsportsfan83]

A- for the Defense?!?!?  Ummm, okay...

I would rate them a B- at best.

They will have a very good secondary, I think B- is a bit low.

The O should be ranked a D- though.

[Velcro]

didn't this defense give up over 60 points to us?  with the same players in the secondary?

[crambone]

didn't this defense give up over 60 points to us?  with the same players in the secondary?

oooooh, you beat me to it!  The same secondary that gave our SECOND and THIRD string Offenses many yards and a few TDs?  B- is quite a compliment, if you ask me.

Now, if you are ranking their Defense in terms of C-USA teams, then an A- would be fair.  Only ECU and Southern Miss should be rated higher.

[DawgPound]

A- for the Defense?!?!?  Ummm, okay...

I would rate them a B- at best.

They will have a very good secondary, I think B- is a bit low.

The O should be ranked a D- though.

The line and receivers are good enough to warrant the grade given.

[Bull Martin]

A- for the Defense?!?!?  Ummm, okay...

I would rate them a B- at best.

They will have a very good secondary, I think B- is a bit low.

The O should be ranked a D- though.

The line and receivers are good enough to warrant the grade given.

Comparative to CUSA, not the NCAA as a whole