When UCF takes the field Tuesday to start spring football camp, its a new chapter albeit with a familiar face.
Scott Frost is back after an eight-year absence, returning to the job he stepped away from after the 2017 season. A lot has changed for Frost, who has been out of college coaching since being fired at Nebraska in 2022, but the 50-year-old is a little wiser since the last time he opened camp in Orlando.
Frost and his staff will have 15 practices during the next five weeks to familiarize themselves with their roster, which includes 40 newcomers. It’s a fresh start for everyone as the Knights begin preparations for their third year in the Big 12.
Five things to keep an eye on:
What will be different under Frost 2.0?
When Frost filled out his new coaching staff, he brought back Sean Beckton Sr. (associate head coach/wide receivers), Mike Dawson (defensive run coordinator/edge coach) and Zach Duval (director of sports performance). He also hired former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton to coach the quarterbacks.
But Frost also hired coaches without previous experience working with him, including Steve Cooper (offensive coordinator), Alex Grinch (defensive coordinator), Shawn Clark (offensive line), Brandon Harris (defensive backs), Jimmy Beal (running backs) and Mark D’Onofrio (linebackers).
This group has never worked together. As much as spring camp will be new for the players, it also will be a chance for the coaches to get to know each other outside the meeting room.
Will a starting quarterback emerge?
For the first time since the 2019-20 season, UCF enters without a clear-cut No. 1.
Transfer Tayven Jackson might be the early favorite based on his experience at Indiana, but the rest of the room features plenty of candidates.
Dylan Rizk started the final four games, finishing 1-3 while completing 61% for 904 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Teammate Jacurri Brown started two games (0-2), accumulating 799 total yards with 5 touchdowns.
Redshirt senior Cam Fancher, who has made 25 combined career starts (13-12) at FAU and Marshall, also could be in the mix.
While statistics are good, Milton wants to see more from his group.
“Leadership isn’t always just checking boxes and showing up,” he said. “Leadership is performance. The leaders on the team are typically the guys who perform. You could be one of the least or worst character guys, but guys will follow you if you perform. I want high-character guys doing what they’re supposed to do, living right on and off the field and bringing guys in for extra work. What I’ve seen from our guys so far has been that.”
Who replaces RJ Harvey?
RJ Harvey concluded one of the most accomplished careers for a running back at UCF, leaving behind a significant void.
In the wake of his departure, Myles Montgomery emerges as a leading candidate for the starting role. Last season, Montgomery ranked third on the team in rushing yards, gaining 293 while primarily serving as a backup.
Adding to the competition is transfer Jaden Nixon, who joins the Knights after a productive stint at Western Michigan, where he started nine games. Nixon demonstrated his capability as a bell-cow back, rushing for 919 yards on 143 carries. His experience and track record could make him a key player in the backfield.
Additionally, Stacy Gage redshirted last season as he focused on development. Gage’s potential cannot be underestimated as he prepares to make his mark in training camp. True freshman Taevion Swint, who possesses untapped talent out of Kissimmee Osceola, also will be vying for playing time.
What will offensive line look like?
Four starters are gone, with tackle Paul Rubelt being the only returning starter. The redshirt senior participated in a career-high 815 snaps, contributing to a unit that helped the Knights achieve the No. 5 rushing offense in the nation.
Transfers Gaard Memmelaar (Washington) and Carter Miller (Louisiana-Monroe) will push to fill the vacated guard spots along with seniors Jabari Brooks, Cameron Kinnie, Keegan Smith and redshirt freshman Waltclaire Flynn.
Miller, who played center the past two seasons, and Brooks could step into that role.
Transfers Preston Cushman (Ole Miss), Jakiah Leftwich (North Carolina) and Justin Royes (Virginia Union) figure to play significant roles at tackle, along with junior college transfer Laparka Langston.
Can the defense find an identity?
In the past five seasons, the Knights have had a revolving door of four different defensive coordinators, and that has led to varied levels of success.
The current defensive coaching staff inherited a roster with Malachi Lawrence, Nyjalik Kelly, Chasen Johnson and Braeden Marshall. Eighteen newcomers adds diversity to the squad.
The defensive front has the potential to be one of the unit’s strengths, with Lawrence, Kelly, John Walker, Jamaal Johnson, Andrew Rumph and transfers RJ Jackson (Tulsa), Horace Lockett Jr. (Ga. Tech) and Sincere Edwards (Pittsburgh).
The secondary is probably the deepest group on the team with 23 players.
Linebacker is starting from scratch with returners Kam Moore, Troy Ford Jr., Qua Birdsong and DJ McCormick looking to make an impression along with transfers Phil Picciotti (Oklahoma), Lewis Carter (Oklahoma), Cole Kozlowski (Colgate) and Keli Lawson (Virginia Tech).
Matt Murschel can be reached at [email protected]
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