UCF Knights Open Preseason Football Camp
By Space Coast Daily // August 3, 2013
'The first day is always intriguing'
ABOVE VIDEO: The Knights hit the field for their first fall practice of 2013.
CENTRAL FLORIDA, USA – The threat of inclement weather did not stop UCF Wednesday when the Knights opened preseason camp inside Nicholson Fieldhouse.
Among the UCF players in camp for the Knights is Brevard County’s Deondre Barnett from Cocoa High School. Barnett is a 6-3, 215 pound, weak-side defensive end who racked up six sacks last season for his 9-2 Tigers.
It was the Black and Gold’s first time back on the field since the spring game April 13. The first few segments of day one were dedicated to a 30-minute individual workout session, while the first interception of the preseason came at the hands of D.J. Killings. Several members of the media were on hand before and after practice to follow the Knights as well.
“The first day is always intriguing,” Head Coach George O’Leary said.
“(The true freshmen) are anxious, they don’t know what to expect. The thing that usually gets them is the speed of the game. Everything is so much quicker, everybody can run.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: Facebook Photo Gallery
Friday and Saturday that’s when you’ll see the ones that can help you out when you put pads on. Now you add contact speed to what they know, and that’s when you really find out the freshmen that are going to help.
It’ll be tough for freshmen to help us out this year with the people back. But you’re always looking, and the skilled area has the best opportunity.”
One area in which a veteran leads the way is at linebacker, where Terrance Plummer enters his junior year after posting 108 tackles at middle linebacker in 2012.
“Everybody was running to the ball, everybody was enthusiastic. It was very exciting,” Plummer said.
“We take out (of the first practice) effort and enthusiasm, so when we step on to the field we want to see how everybody’s running to the ball, if everybody is excited and getting their assignments done.
“The first day is always intriguing, [The true freshmen] are anxious, they don’t know what to expect. The thing that usually gets them is the speed of the game. Everything is so much quicker, everybody can run”, Head Coach George O’Leary said.
You can’t get much out of it from a hitting standpoint because we don’t have shoulder pads on, but you can see who is flying around to the ball and see who is athletic.”
UCF gets back to work with its only morning practice of the preseason Thursday from 9:10-11:30 a.m.
Plan your game days this fall with the Knights and experience one of the best schedules in program history. Season tickets, starting at $99, guarantee both the South Carolina & USF match-ups.
And games are better in groups. Groups of twenty (20) or more are available for all home games at a 20% discounted price.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 407-UCF-1000.
SEE RELATED STORY: Knights Suit Up For Media Day
