American

[JEJunior]

[slovtec21]

2025 UCF Preview

Head Coach
First time head coach Buster Cherry was brought in to make the Golden Knights a championship contender. It will be a significant undertaking to pull the Knights out of mediocrity and break past their typical 6-6 mark. Cherry will be making dramatic changes to both the offensive and defensive schemes and will immediately start recruiting guys who are better fits for his schemes.

Offense
The Knights will be transitioning into a single back scheme that relies on multiple tight end sets. They will rely heavily on senior RB Scooter Chapman and try to avoid asking too much from senior signal caller J Rose, who lacks mobility but is a very accurate passer. Lastly, the biggest off-season surprise was the coach's decision to move junior Jamaal Dennis from OLB to WR. Its not something you see often but the Knights needed to add another offensive weapon with sure hands and Dennis fits that mold.

Defense
The biggest question about the Knights surely has to be its defense. Coach Cherry likes to run a 3-3-5 and the Knights current roster was not built for that scheme. They are weak at SS which is the cornerstone of the 3-3-5 and they could use some more DE's that are stout against the run. The bright spot of this group is the LB corp, with senior MLB Justin Carter calling the plays the Knights will look to put senior OLB Michael Kramer in one-on-one pass blocking situations to create havoc in the passing game.


Bold predictions

1. RB Scooter Chapman if healthy will be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman
2. TE Andrew Ross will be a finalist for the Mackey Award
3. Regular season: 7-5
4. Post season: Liberty Bowl birth

[slovtec21]

UCF Season Outlook



The Knights finished last season with a 9-5 record and are looking to build off of that surprise season. They are currently the defending Beef O Brady Bowl champions and have openly stated they are looking to win the division title this year. Even though they lost over 10+ starters from last season due to graduation, the future is looking bright. The Golden Knights ended up with a top 30 recruiting class and should be able to utilize this young talented class to help propel them into national relevance.

Record Outlook = 10-4
Awards Outlook = None (I don't need that bad voodoo)

Unit Grades
Overall = B
Offense = B+
Defense = B-
SPT = D+

Key Positional Grades

QB = B+

Key Starter = A Murphy - 86 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = none

This group is lead by junior Anthony Murphy (86ovr) who will be seeing his first significant game action since joining the Knights. The backup is sophomore Nicholas Franklin (81ovr) who has a similar skill set as Murphy but lacks the overall game awareness of Murphy

RB = B+

Key Starter = N Means - 91 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = Tank Lockwood (3*) - 79 Ovr

After rushing for nearly 1,700 yards in only 9 starts last year Natrone Means (91Ovr) returns for his season year and hopes to pickup where he left off. Outside of Means the Knights have a stable of unproven redshirt freshman and sophomores. Its worth noting that 3 star recruit Tank Lockwood committed to the Knights after being overlooked by all the power 5 schools and some analysts have identified him as a diamond in the rough for the Knights.

WR = B

Key Starter = J Dennis - 89 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = Treangen (3*) - 70 Ovr

The WR corp is lead by senior Jamaal Dennis who has made the transition from linebacker to WR look easy. He lead the Knights in receiving yards last year, almost topping 1,000 in his first year at the position. The 2nd WR slot has been secured by senior Matt Jones (85Ovr) who is more of a burner than Dennis and should help take the top off the defense.

D Line = B+

Key Starter = M Fowlkes - 80 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = DE: M Brooks (3*) - 74 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = DT: B Turner (3*) - 75 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = DT: A Thompson(3*) - 72 Ovr

The D-Line returns all three starters and will be comprised of all seniors Small(85),Fowlkes(80) and Washington(84). Fowlkes will be looking to build on his 7 sack performance last season.

Linebackers = C

Key Starter = ROLB: J Smith - 79 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = MLB: D Carr(3*) - 68 Ovr

The single biggest question mark for the Knights will be its LB play. The Knights last 3 senior starters from last year and will look for junior John Smith to lead an entirely new group of LB's.

Secondary = C-

Key Starter = CB: E Williams - 85 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = FS: C Williams (4*) - 70 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = SS: T Lawson(3*) - 69 Ovr
Key incoming recruits = SS: E Hardy(3*) - 67 Ovr

The secondary is another concern for the Knights as they had trouble slowing down the pass last season. The Knights were near the bottom of the NCAA in interceptions and forced fumbles largely due to a lack of play makers. They have some solid freshman in the pipeline but it may take a season or two until they see the field.