rest of the AAC might not have heard of yet.

I am predicting:

Defense: Dayon Pratt-Outside linebacker

Offense: Corey Hunter-Runningback

I think Tulsa sees a more mature and more composed Dane Evans this season. He was thrown straight into battle last year and he seemed a bit shell shocked at times when those D Linemen were coming at him.

Outside of QB play, we should see at least one of two new RB's step up
I'm guessing Tavareon Dickerson (Transfer from Utah St. via Juco), then at WR there's an early enrollee - Nigel Carter - who should see significant action.

On D, getting back safety Marco Nelson from ineligibility will be absolutely huge. The D-Line will be more mature as well.

I don't know if he'll see action as a true freshman, but WR Curtis Burston could be one Pirate newcomer to keep an eye on. He enrolled early (a developmental head start) and participated in Spring drills with the Pirates, and had 4 catches for 89 yards in one of the scrimmages.

Offense: Stanback RB
Defense: Jacoby Glenn CB

WR Khalif Herbin

(07-22-2014 11:40 AM)Rowdydowdy Wrote:  rest of the AAC might not have heard of yet.

I am predicting:

Defense: Dayon Pratt-Outside linebacker

Offense: Corey Hunter-Runningback

Not sure that he even plays a snap

Stanback and Glenn were both all AAC last year.

Some lesser known guys will be:

Dontravius Wilson RB

Jackie Williams WR (sat out last year, but had 110 rec in 2011 and 2012 combined for UAB) Could lead UCF in Receptions.

Josh Reese WR - Elite blocking WR that was actually the highest rated recruit of the group. I wish we had a star QB to throw to these guys because you add Perriman, Hall and Worton to the last two guys and we might as well run the oopty oop every play....paging John Moxon.

True Freshman DB's Kyle Gibson and Chris Williams. At least one will have an impact at some point.

My hope is that Justin Tukes TE becomes a weapon. He has been completely under utilized but a beast at 6-5 250.

I basically picked a breakout position player at each major position group on offense and defense. All the guys are coming off good spring performances and/or building off strong finishes to the 2013 season. I am not including incoming freshmen into these projections.

Offense:
QB Mike White - has had a great offseason and really showed a lot during Spring practice
TE Sean Price - he has a chance to be a revelation at TE on a national level; started coming in late 2013
RB/FB Kenard Swanson – former 4-star with ‘real’ offers from UF, LSU, Bama but grades issues landed him at USF where he defied the odds and qualified as a freshman last year and had a great spring
OL Thor Jozwiak – comeback season for a kid that had heart condition; completely healthy and probably one of the meaneast but smartest OL in the AAC
WR Chris Dunkley – Florida transfer seems poised to finally have a big year

Defense:
DE Mike Love – skinny, defensive end from St. Pete has put on weight but kept his explosiveness; Selvie-esque type of potential
LB Nigel Harris – played a lot as a freshman and has the ‘it’ factor to play the position
DB Nate Godwin – significant time as freshman, high leadership/character guy that was one of Taggart’s first ‘steals’ when he got hired as this kid has NFL type ability; athletic punishing hitter and excellent range that can play Safety or CB

QB Tanner Lee.

O: WR/RB/KR/PR Khalif Herbin He's in the Darren Sproles mold at 5'7 170 and has speed for days. He had 5 receptions for 93 yards and a TD and 2 rushes for 16 yards in our spring game. Should join JR WR John Christopher in making up for Robby Anderson's production.

D: True freshman DE Michael Dogbe. #2 in NJ in sacks behind Ohio State signee Darius Slade. Picked Temple over Vanderbilt and Rutgers. Bulked up on his own from 6'3 223 to 6'3 250. Could put on another 10-15 lbs. pretty quickly with an actual college weight and strength program. Likely too talented to not play right away.

(07-22-2014 12:44 PM)KnightsFan5912 Wrote:  Stanback and Glenn were both all AAC last year.

Some lesser known guys will be:

Dontravius Wilson RB

Jackie Williams WR (sat out last year, but had 110 rec in 2011 and 2012 combined for UAB) Could lead UCF in Receptions.

Josh Reese WR - Elite blocking WR that was actually the highest rated recruit of the group. I wish we had a star QB to throw to these guys because you add Perriman, Hall and Worton to the last two guys and we might as well run the oopty oop every play....paging John Moxon.

True Freshman DB's Kyle Gibson and Chris Williams. At least one will have an impact at some point.

My hope is that Justin Tukes TE becomes a weapon. He has been completely under utilized but a beast at 6-5 250.

I was going to say the same about Stanback, who would hardly be a breakout player as he is known talent that is going to get a lot more carries this year. He isn't as explosive as Storm Johnson but seems like a more consistent, reliable and smarter football player than Johnson....which in O'Leary's offense usually does very well.

Two concerns for Stanback would be how quickly the three new OL gel together and if your newbie QB will do enough to keep teams from stacking the line. IMO, that is the lynch-pin to UCF's season.

(07-22-2014 12:59 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 12:44 PM)KnightsFan5912 Wrote:  Stanback and Glenn were both all AAC last year.

Some lesser known guys will be:

Dontravius Wilson RB

Jackie Williams WR (sat out last year, but had 110 rec in 2011 and 2012 combined for UAB) Could lead UCF in Receptions.

Josh Reese WR - Elite blocking WR that was actually the highest rated recruit of the group. I wish we had a star QB to throw to these guys because you add Perriman, Hall and Worton to the last two guys and we might as well run the oopty oop every play....paging John Moxon.

True Freshman DB's Kyle Gibson and Chris Williams. At least one will have an impact at some point.

My hope is that Justin Tukes TE becomes a weapon. He has been completely under utilized but a beast at 6-5 250.

I was going to say the same about Stanback, who would hardly be a breakout player as he is known talent that is going to get a lot more carries this year. He isn't as explosive as Storm Johnson but seems like a more consistent, reliable and smarter football player than Johnson....which in O'Leary's offense usually does very well.

Two concerns for Stanback would be how quickly the three new OL gel together and if your newbie QB will do enough to keep teams from stacking the line. IMO, that is the lynch-pin to UCF's season.

So long as our QB can hit the receivers on short passes and/or screens then I think he'll be fine. There's plenty of blocking experience/raw speed at WR to edge out 5-6 yards per pass.

Defense: Byron Jones - C and Obi Melifonwu - S

Offense: Geremy Davis - WR and Casey Cochran - QB

(07-22-2014 12:59 PM)CyberBull Wrote:  

(07-22-2014 12:44 PM)KnightsFan5912 Wrote:  Stanback and Glenn were both all AAC last year.

Some lesser known guys will be:

Dontravius Wilson RB

Jackie Williams WR (sat out last year, but had 110 rec in 2011 and 2012 combined for UAB) Could lead UCF in Receptions.

Josh Reese WR - Elite blocking WR that was actually the highest rated recruit of the group. I wish we had a star QB to throw to these guys because you add Perriman, Hall and Worton to the last two guys and we might as well run the oopty oop every play....paging John Moxon.

True Freshman DB's Kyle Gibson and Chris Williams. At least one will have an impact at some point.

My hope is that Justin Tukes TE becomes a weapon. He has been completely under utilized but a beast at 6-5 250.

I was going to say the same about Stanback, who would hardly be a breakout player as he is known talent that is going to get a lot more carries this year. He isn't as explosive as Storm Johnson but seems like a more consistent, reliable and smarter football player than Johnson....which in O'Leary's offense usually does very well.

Two concerns for Stanback would be how quickly the three new OL gel together and if your newbie QB will do enough to keep teams from stacking the line. IMO, that is the lynch-pin to UCF's season.

My prediction is that UCF is top 10 in the nation in YAC this year. Lots of short routes, blocking and throws to RB's. Help out the line and QB as much as possible.

(07-22-2014 11:40 AM)Rowdydowdy Wrote:  rest of the AAC might not have heard of yet.

I am predicting:

Defense: Dayon Pratt-Outside linebacker

Offense: Corey Hunter-Runningback

I say for ECU

Defense: Devaris Brunson -LB

Offense: Curtis Burston - OWR

Marquez Grayson - RB

Gunner Kiel QB
McKay WR
Holton WR
Luc MLB

While Stanback was all AAC last year, he was still relatively unknown and completely overshadowed by Storm Johnson to most people. This year will be his big year to get recognition.

Basically no one outside of UCF and a few AAC fans would know him.

Tanner Lee Tulane Quarterback. Break out year

(07-22-2014 01:53 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  Gunner Kiel QB
McKay WR
Holton WR
Luc MLB

I agree with those (although I think most people have heard of Gunner Kiel).

My picks for UC would also include

Tion Green- RB
Mike Tyson and Zach Edwards- Safeties

Davon Grayson and Jimmy Williams - WR's

Davaris Brunson - LB

Ike Harris - OL

Marquez Grayson - RB