$UCF Football\'s 5 Most Intriguing Players Heading Into 2014$

UCF Football's 5 Most Intriguing Players Heading Into 2014

By Quinne Lowe

UCF Footballs 5 Most Intriguing Players heading into 2014

UCF Knights mascot — The UCF Knights stand at a program defining crossroad. Will they become the next Boise State -- a mid-level team that used a successful 2006 season to catapult their program into football relevancy? Or will the they be Utah -- a team that caught lightning in a bottle in 2005, but was unable to sustain the success over a long period of time? The following five players could determine which side of the road the Knights end up on in 2014 and beyond.

5. Jaryl Mamea, Redshirt Senior, DT

UCF Defense

5. Jaryl Mamea, Redshirt Senior, DT

UCF defense — The Knights' defensive line is a position group that has a lot of bodies, but not a lot of experience. Of the six returners who saw game action last season, only defensive tackle Jaryl Mamea is a senior. Even though he only started in 4-of-12 games last season, he had four sacks and showed the ability to be a significant contributor in 2014.

4. Shaquem Griffin, Redshirt Freshman, S

Shaquem Griffin

4. Shaquem Griffin, Redshirt Freshman, S

Shaquem Griffin UCF — The older of the Griffin twins, Shaquem Griffin, was the one who had to wait his turn to play for the Knights after redshirting last season. Even though Amniotic Band Syndrome cost him his left hand at age four, he is out to prove that he is just as talented as his brother, Shaquill Griffin, and will add depth to the safety position.

3. Breshad Perriman, Junior, WR

Breshad Perriman UCF

3. Breshad Perriman, Junior, WR

Breshad Perriman UCF — Breshad Perriman has become the big play receiver for the Knights. In 2013, he had 39 catches for 811 yards, including four plays of 50+ yards. However, with a new quarterback under center, those numbers could take a hit. If he can replicate those numbers in 2014, UCF could have another successful season.

2. William Stanback, Sophomore, RB

William Stanback UCF

2. William Stanback, Sophomore, RB

William Stanback UCF — William Stanback came to UCF as an unheralded recruit, but eventually became Storm Johnson’s primary backup. He rushed for 443 yards and scored six touchdowns in a limited role in 2013, but with the departure of Johnson to the pros, how will he handle the responsibility of being the full-time starter?

1. Justin Holman, Sophomore, QB

Justin Holman UCF

1. Justin Holman, Sophomore, QB

Justin Holman UCF — The starting quarterback job is an open competition at UCF, but many feel that Justin Holman already has a slight edge heading into Saturday's spring game. Last season, the sophomore from Snellville, GA completed 9-of-14 passes for 75 yards and rushed for 40 yards, but does he possess the "it" factor needed to secure the job from his competitors?

Teams in this article »

UCF Knights

Share On Facebook

Share