Previewing the 2017 Central Florida Knights

The Knight’s depth chart is clearly Frost-bitten, and the resulting undefeated season and Peach Bowl berth are a testament to what the incoming Nebraska coaching staff can accomplish.

With no bowl game for the Huskers this season, Nebraska fans are focusing instead on Central Florida’s game against Auburn in the Peach Bowl. But other than being coached by Scott Frost, who are the Knights? Did previous head coach George O’Leary leave the pantry jammed full, or are Frost’s fingerprints all over this roster? Let’s take a deeper dive into Central Florida, starting at quarterback.

Sophomore McKenzie Milton (5’11” 170 lbs.) started all twelve games for UCF, completing over 69% of his passes for 3,795 yards and 35 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He also was the Knight’s second leading rusher, gaining 497 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Not only did Milton earn offensive player of the year honors in the American Athletic Conference, he also finished eighth in the 2017 Heisman balloting. A three-star recruit, Milton had been committed to play for Hawai’i until Frost offered him a scholarship two days after taking the UCF job. His backup? True freshman Noah Vedral from Wahoo Neumann, who’s completed 22 of 29 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 77 yards and two more touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Adrian Killins (5’8” 155 lbs.) raised eyebrows earlier this month when he said that Auburn “hadn’t seen speed like” UCF’s. The braggadocio aside, Killins might have a point. In high school track, Killins beat Auburn cornerback Javaris Davis in state track preliminary race; Davis is considered Auburn’s fasted player on their roster. Killins rushed for 762 yards and ten touchdowns this season, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Killins was considered likely to sign with Miami out of high school until Frost offered him a scholarship. Freshman Otis Anderson (5’11” 164 lbs.) split time between running back and receiver this season, rushing for 456 yards and four touchdowns (averaging 7.9 yards per carry) and catching 28 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Taj McGowen (6’1” 202 lbs.) rushed for 235 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.