(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
ORLANDO, Fla. – When the University of Central Florida took the field last season, there was at least one part of the defense the Knights knew they could rely on: the secondary. In 2016, the secondary starters consisted of four seniors: Shaquill Griffin and D.J. Killings at cornerback with Drico Johnson and T.J. Mutcherson at safety. With no returning starters at defensive back, it’s now up to a new group to man the secondary.
For Knights defensive backs coach Travis Fisher, there’s no concern with his new group, as he believes UCF’s new starting secondary can be better than last season’s.
“Even the guys I had last year, those guys were still improving and those guys were all seniors,” Fisher told the New Day Review after practice on Sept. 5. “So, it’s the same thing with this group. I think this group will be a lot better than the last group, eventually. But, right now, it’s all about these guys—just camaraderie and playing together and playing for each other.”
The new starters in the secondary consist of redshirt juniors Tre Neal and Kyle Gibson at safety while redshirt freshman Brandon Moore and junior Mike Hughes starting at corner. Senior Chris Johnson also started Week 1 against Florida International University before Hughes was named the starter for Week 2.
Hughes, a transfer from Garden City Community College, had relatively very little preparation for Week 1, as he joined the Knights less than two weeks before the season-opener. But that didn’t stop him from making an impact in a 61-17 win over the Panthers. Hughes, who wasn’t even listed on the depth chart entering the first game, finished the win with two tackles, a forced fumble and three pass break-ups. He also contributed on special teams with three punt returns for 50 yards and a long of 43.
“Mike played really well,” UCF head coach Scott Frost said at the team’s game-week press conference on Sept. 4. “Remarkable considering how little preparation he had going into that game with us. I think the coaches did a good job of getting him ready. And he showed up ready to go to work. But he’s gonna be a really solid player for us. We’re glad to have him.”
While Hughes and Moore have the starting jobs for now, it’s not certain that they will keep them the rest of the year. Frost said his defense will play multiple players at cornerback.
“We’re gonna play a bunch of guys at corner, just like every other position,” the second-year head coach said. “Chris did some good things. Brandon Moore did good things. Obviously Mike. [Rashard] Causey. Keenan [Johnson] did some good things late in the game, too. Hopefully we got a bunch of guys that can be efficient out there and make plays, and we’ll keep rolling ‘em as much as we need to, keep ‘em fresh.”
Hughes may be the most impressive player in the Knights’ secondary right now, but Neal has been the one to take the reigns as leader of the group. To make sure he was prepared as a leader, he talked to last year’s defensive backfield.
“Yeah, I talked to Shaquill and D.J. And actually Drico and T.J., also, and they just said, ‘Just be yourself. You don’t wanna be somebody you’re not,’” Neal said after practice on Sept. 4. “And then they told me last year, ‘As long as you be yourself, these guys will follow you. You lead the right way, they’re gonna follow you.’
“I mean, it doesn’t really matter who’s the leader, who’s not the leader. As long as we’re doing the right thing as a group, we’re all gonna continue to grow with each other and keep bettering ourselves as a unit, and I think that’s the best thing for our group.”
For Fisher, there’s a certain of trust he has in Neal, a fourth-year Knight. Fisher can rely on Neal to make crucial adjustments in games when other, less-experienced teammates can’t.
“Tre has done a great job,” Fisher said. “He’s been here a while. He’s seen it. He’s very smart. He can get this defense lined up. Some of the toughest formations, some of the toughest things the offense is doing. Tre will get that thing fixed real quick on the field. He’s the leader in the room, which is crucial. He’s a leader on and off the field, which is crucial. So it’s great to have Tre and Kyle in the room doing that kinda stuff.”
UCF’s secondary will face stiffer competition in Week 2 when the Knights host the University of Memphis to start conference play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Spectrum Stadium.
For more on the Knights, as they look to face off against their first conference opponent on Friday, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.
