UCF Coach Josh Heupel Reacts To First December Signing Period, UCF Signs 12 Players
By Andy Seeley, UCF Knights // December 23, 2017
"We added some integral parts on the offensive side of the ball"
ABOVE VIDEO: Coach Heupel Talks Inaugural Signing Class
ORLANDO, FLORIDA (UCF Knights) – Josh Heupel was named the new head coach for UCF Football on Dec. 5. A little more than two weeks later, Heupel was introducing his first group of new Knights.
Wednesday marked the first December signing period in college football and Heupel held and pulled together a group of 12 student-athletes he believes will help continue the Knights’ positive momentum.
“I’m really excited about the kids we were able to go out and attract to this great university,” Heupel said.
“I’m really proud of what our staff did in the last 10 days, having the opportunity to really evaluate our current roster, identify some positions of need and then … go out and attract the right types of players.”
Heupel’s first group of recruits was balanced between offense and defense. The Knights signed six student-athletes slated to play offense and another half dozen targeted as defenders.
“We added some integral parts on the offensive side of the ball,” Heupel said. “In particular, we have three mid-year (enrollees who) will be able to help us – a couple offensive linemen and a tight end. On the defensive side, we did a good job of balancing things out. We were able to add key parts at all positions. A couple of those kids are mid-year (enrollees) as well.”
Five of the offensive players signed Wednesday were offensive linemen, while one was a tight end. On defense, it was three defensive linemen, one linebacker and two in the secondary. Nine of the 12 play on the line of scrimmage.
“Whenever you’re building a program, the (lines are) absolutely critical,” Heupel said. “Certainly, up front, you’ve got to continue to get bigger, stronger and more athletic. You can’t have enough big bodies inside your program. Those guys are always going to help you. Any time you can add length and size, it’s critical to do that.”
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