The University of Central Florida (UCF) football team introduced 15 new transfers on National Signing Day, with an emphasis on defense. Coach Gus Malzahn mentioned that the team adjusted its focus in the transfer portal based on their experience in the Big 12. The transfers, including defensive back Bryon Threats, Deshawn Pace, and running back Myles Montgomery from Cincinnati, expressed their reasons for choosing UCF. Mike Elko, associated with Texas A&M, highlighted the significance of recruiting and the value the new players bring to the team. Additionally, players like Terry Bussey and Timir Hickman-Collins discussed their roles and excitement about joining their favorite teams, FSU and UCF, respectively.
Timir Hickman-Collins says the 2013 national championship season inspired his FSU fandom growing up.
Timir Hickman-Collins says he got the heads up that FSU was going to start recruiting him and that was very exciting to him as the Seminoles were his favorite team growing up.
Timir Hickman-Collins joins us first. Says that Florida State was his favorite school growing up. Update: https://t.co/F4I0Hrqmpo https://t.co/UePZ0fu3Xb
Murphy says he was taken off-guard when Nick Saban retired. The whole team was. But he already knew FSU was one of the schools he'd have interest in if he were to enter the Portal. https://t.co/g2wgBLTQI7
"We can bring some of Alabama to Florida State and mix our cultures up." Murphy thinks the Alabama group (5 transfers) can bring a lot to the table at FSU, contribute in very impactful ways on or off the field. https://t.co/g2wgBLTQI7
With much of the heavy lifting done, #UCF spent National Signing Day introducing its 15 new transfers. The emphasis of this group was defense. “I wanted experience, some veteran guys that have been there and done that, not just potential." https://t.co/YkMgmlBF2y https://t.co/mEmTZORbXf
Mike Elko: "We have the pieces in place, and now we have to build it."
Mike Elko: "We weren't looking to just bring in bodies." "We identified guys that we thought could add a lot of value for us, and we were able to land a lot of that group from the transfers to Terry (Bussey)."
Mike Elko: "Our kids and our energy around this building is at a really high level right now."
Mike Elko: "We didn't want to go into a situation where, post-spring ball, we were having to fill a lot of spots because I don't know that there's a lot of natural attrition at that time."
Mike Elko: "We got in after the bowl game, and we started in the office as a staff on Dec. 30. On Jan. 2, we looked at a depth chart magnet board, and we had a lot of work to do to get where we wanted to go before spring ball." "We've been able to fill the roster, and we've been…
Mike Elko on Derek Miller: "He's critical. That role is really important. You're recruiting a portal with like 2,000 or 3,000 kids. You're trying to sort through all of that and find what creates value for you and fits you." "He does a phenomenal job. He and his team are…
Mike Elko on the work it took to get Bussey signed: "A lot. When you're talking about a kid that's coveted by the entire country that I didn't meet until I got here... Committed or not committed, it takes a lot." "(Many different people) Understood the priority he was and how…
Mike Elko on Bussey: "Both ways all of the time is hard, but when you have a kid that's as dynamic as he is, you have to find ways for him to impact the football game... Some of that will be in the return game, in spot ways on offense, and we anticipate a lot that being on…
#UCF defensive back Deshawn Pace, another Cincinnati transfer, on what he knew about the Knights. https://t.co/dMmESENCGH
Mike Elko on Bussey: "For us, he's going to come in at corner, but he'll certainly have a role with the ball in his hand in the return game and as a specialist in some situations."
Mike Elko: "Terry Bussey, we're going to call him an athlete." "When you look at him on tape, he's an elite athlete... There's not a whole lot this kid can't do."
#UCF running back Myles Montgomery, another transfer from Cincinnati, on what he knows about the Knights. https://t.co/RJuYg0kIRJ
#UCF defensive back Bryon Threats, who transferred from Cincinnati, on whether the Bearcats saw the Knights as rivals. https://t.co/SX4zC4jDLs
#UCF transfer linebacker Ethan Barr on why he chose the play for the Knights and his goals this season. https://t.co/GRdITnsOw6
#UCF coach Gus Malzahn said the Knights changed some of their focus in the transfer portal based on their experience from the 1st season in the Big 12. https://t.co/GophSHc6BG