On Friday, as the late Florida sun shone, UCF Knights football unveiled an early version of its 2024 roster during the Knights-Nauts spring game. This is the first action fans have gotten on the offense, which has a new fielder, and the defense's progress in strengthening its forward line.
After two 12-minute halves, with the Notes starting on offense and the Knights starting on defense, the teams competed in fastest man, longest throw, and O-line vs. D-line punt-catch competitions. The event was a practice and fan spectacle.
Knight fans introduce you to your new QB.
KJ Jefferson, a transfer from Arkansas, looked as sharp as could be expected as a center at this point in his UCF career, without top wideout Kobe Hudson and running back RJ Harvey. He extended the drive with completions of 4 and 7 yards to Xavier Townsend before capping off the Notes' first drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Randy Pittman.
Jefferson then connected on a 71-yard bomb to Jarrad Baker for his second touchdown of the night. Jefferson finished the night completing 12 of 22 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
He also recorded two interceptions, one of which was taken by freshman defensive back Christian Peterson from the shaky hands of wide receiver Chauncey Magwood. Magwood redeemed himself late in the game, gaining 70 yards to set up Johnny Richardson's 1-yard touchdown run.
Jefferson's other interception was a pass in the end zone intended for Xavier Townsend. Defensive back Nicolas Antoine took advantage of a late opportunity and committed the Knights' second turnover of the game.
Compatibility in the red zone remains an issue for Townsend and his new quarterback, but the two appear to be in sync elsewhere on the field, as Townsend finished the contest with six catches for 100 yards. .
The most surprising performer of the night was Baker, who finished the night with three catches for 88 yards receiving. He also had a 23-yard run. This was the longest play on the field for the 'Notes'. That record was broken only by Knights quarterback Timmy McClain, who had 24 yards.
McClain was a starter last year, replacing injured John Rhys Plumlee. Considered a backup to Jefferson this season, he completed 7 of 14 passes for 43 yards and was the night's leading rusher with 59 yards on seven carries. Ta.
Richardson scored the only touchdown of the night, but the Notes' top rusher was Myles Montgomery, a transfer from Cincinnati, with 34 yards on five carries.
What about that defense?
Under new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, the message all spring was to be more aggressive up front. That was on display during the spring game, when the Knights and Nauts defenses combined for nine sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Noto also forced a fumble on McClain while scrambling to escape pressure on one play, but the Knights recovered it.
The Knights and Nauts defense shuffled their personnel groups throughout the game. Jerry Alexander, a transfer from Idaho, led the Knights defense with four tackles, and Byron Slates, a transfer from Cincinnati, led the way with five tackles. As a defensive back, the threat also recorded a half-sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Seeing young players and transfers play like this at this early stage is enough to make Knight fans cautiously optimistic. The team still has a lot to work on in the coming months, and there are still plenty of changes that could happen to the roster.
The real test will be on Aug. 29, when UCF opens the season against New Hampshire.
