In its first season in the Big 12, UCF frequently had to shuffle its offensive line because of injuries. This meant moving players to different positions at different times to ensure the best five were on the field at all times.
The Knights had eight linemen who saw snaps at multiple positions last season, two of whom took snaps at three different spots.
It was a challenge for offensive line coach Herb Hand.
“Marcellus Marshall started games at us at three different positions,” Hand recently told the Sentinel. “Lokahi [Pauole] started games at two different positions. Bula Schmidt started games at two different positions. Amari [Kight] sometimes played right and left tackle for us.
“So, the versatility of the group was outstanding.”
Center was particularly difficult for the group, with injuries forcing the Knights to use four players there. Drake Metcalf, Caden Kitler, Schmidt and Pauole started games in the middle.
Big 12 football preseason poll picks UCF to finish in middle of pack — again
While Hand has high praise for Kitler’s emergence, he’s also well aware that one must be prepared for any situation.
“‘I’ve been very pleased with Kitler’s growth through the spring, but you also have Cam Kinnie who is in that mix, Jabari Brooks took snaps at center this spring and you have Waltclaire [Flynn], a freshman who is still learning the position.”
Not only did UCF finish as one of the top rushing teams in the country, averaging 228 yards per game, but it featured one of the top running backs in RJ Harvey, a Doak Walker semifinalist who finished sixth in the country with 1,416 yards.
“To be able to do that … and getting hats on hats and communicating well, that’s a tribute to the guys in the room,” said Hand.
While every offensive line coach appreciates versatility, it’s not necessarily on everyone’s wish list out of high school. It’s a different story for veterans pulled from the transfer portal.
“You recruit with that in mind,” Hand said of adaptability.
That thought process has paid off for the Knights, who have added eight transfer offensive linemen during the past three recruiting cycles, including three this season. Brooks came in from Samford, Keegan Smith was at Central Michigan and Wes Dorsey played for Western Kentucky.
“You bring in a guy like Jabari Brooks, who played center and guard in his career,” said Hand. “Keegan has played center and guard in his career and Wes Dorsey is a guy who can play guard or tackle on both sides of the line.
“With high school guys — Waltclaire [Flynn] — he played left tackle his senior year but had played center before, so we put them at that one position when they’re young. You’re not trying to cross-train guys when they’re young. I don’t want guys that are jack of all trades and master of none.”
According to Hand, cross-training becomes more prevalent as younger players mature.
Heading into Year 2 in the Big 12, the Knights return four players who have started multiple games, led by Marshall (23), Kight (10), Adrian Medley (7) and Kitler (2). That, coupled with the transfers and experienced upperclassmen such as Paul Rubelt and Kinnie, gives the group a veteran feel.
“We’ve got pretty good depth,” said coach Gus Malzahn. “When you go through a new conference, it’s about quality depth, and the fact we brought in some guys who played a lot and complemented the guys we kept puts us in a good spot.
“We’ll do a better job keeping one guy in one position this year and getting that continuity.”
Despite having so many new faces, Hand is pleased with the culture that has developed.
“It’s a real brotherhood,” he said. “That’s something that is fostered. It’s been developed, but it’s also a result of having some really, really good dudes.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
