New starters, key backups emerge as UCF hits reset button | Analysis

After months of preparation and speculation, UCF kicks off the 2024 season by hosting New Hampshire on Thursday.

What can fans expect from the Knights when they take the field in the Bounce House against the Wildcats?

“I want to play good team football,” said coach Gus Malzahn. “I want us to be sound on offense without all the penalties and [expletive]. I want to be sound on defense and see some hits where the crowd goes ‘Woo!’

“I want to play good discipline football and return to basics. We talked about the whole fall camp, not having those self-inflicted wounds. That’s the challenge.”

UCF was among the most penalized teams in the Big 12 last season, causing Malzahn to refer to the Knights as undisciplined and soft. Thus, the team’s mantra is toughness and togetherness.

“You’re going to see guys flying around,” said fifth-year linebacker Ethan Barr. “A defense that comes in waves non-stop. We’ve got so many guys and a lot of depth. It will be a relentless defense that comes in waves at teams, no matter who’s in the game. It’s a defense that will step up, force turnovers and get off the field.”

That physicality isn’t limited to the defense.

“When you turn on the film, you’ll see a team that screams physicality,” said fifth-year quarterback KJ Jefferson. “It puts the fear in the opponent. Guys being physical, they’re desperate to win and desperate to win those one-on-ones. That’s the main thing. We want to go out there and prove we’re a dominant football team.”

What did Jacurri Brown do to earn the backup QB job?

From the moment the Miami transfer arrived on campus following the spring transfer window in April, it was assumed Jacurri Brown (6-4, 220 pounds) would have the inside track on the backup job.

The redshirt sophomore spent much of the summer and preseason camp competing with redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk and true freshmen Riley Trujillo and EJ Colson. Ultimately, Brown’s abilities and limited experience won him the job.

“We let him go live a couple of weeks ago in the scrimmage and it was completely different letting a guy like that go live with his playmaking ability,” said Malzahn. “He and KJ have similar skill sets, so you don’t have to change your offense completely.”

Who emerged at 3rd receiver spot?

With Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend having locked up the top two receiver spots, the biggest uncertainty heading into the season was who would start as the third receiver.

The group is deep, with Chauncy Magwood and transfers Jacoby Jones and Ja’Varrius Johnson, but veteran Trent Whittemore ultimately received the nod.

“Trent has been one of those guys who has been in the background since he’s been here,” Malzahn said of the redshirt senior. “He’s starting to establish himself as one of our better receivers. He’s always been one of those dirty-work guys. He’ll block, he’s very smart but taking his game to the next level. More than anything, he’s gotten more opportunities.”

Whittemore (6-4, 211), whose father Mark played at UCF in the 1990s, appeared in every game last season and finished with 3 catches for 13 yards.

How did Knights solidify offensive line?

The offensive line was a crucial contributor to UCF finishing fourth in the nation in rushing (228 yards per game) and helping RJ Harvey rush for a career-high 1,416 yards. The unit returned starters Marcellus Marshall, Adrian Kight and Adrian Medley.

The biggest surprise outside the football building was the emergence of redshirt senior tackle Paul Rubelt, who earned the starting nod at right tackle. The coaches have praised his development throughout spring and fall camps.

“Paul has grown as much as any player in one year as I can remember,” said Malzahn. “His knowledge of the game, his mindset, everything that goes with it. He’s starting to come on and is turning into one of our better offensive players.”

“The growth that has taken place in his game has been exponential,” added offensive line coach Herb Hand. “I don’t know if there is a more improved player in our building.”

The 6-11, 300-pound Rubelt won the job over Western Kentucky transfer Wes Dorsey.

Which transfers earned defensive starts?

No unit underwent more of change than the defense, which added a new coordinator in Ted Roof and more than a dozen transfers. Six of those players earned starting spots in the season-opening depth chart.

Defensive end Nyjalik Kelly (Miami), linebackers Deshawn Pace (Cincinnati) and Ethan Barr (Vanderbilt), cornerback Mac McWilliams (UAB) and safeties Sheldon Arnold (East Tennessee State) and Ladarius Tennison (Ole Miss) all earned spots.

“Anybody that has started has earned it,” Malzahn said of the upperclassmen. “In the secondary, we have a lot of guys that could be listed as starters. That’s a good thing. We have some depth back there.”

The unit hopes to improve after finishing the season ranked 81st in the country in total defense and 122nd in rushing defense.

Matt Murschel can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@lehcsrumm