Gus Malzahn stresses UCF football's need for quality depth: 5 potential X-factors in 2024

ORLANDO — Gus Malzahn constantly stresses there is no such thing as too much quality depth on a college football roster. UCF found that out, often times the hard way, during its first nine-game slog through the Big 12 in 2023.

The Knights have recruited and developed plenty of upper-tier starters. Kobe Hudson and Lee Hunter earned preseason All-Big 12 recognition, quarterback KJ Jefferson is the front-runner for the league's Newcomer of the Year and several others, including running back RJ Harvey, landed on watch lists for major individual awards.

However, UCF's success as a team will ultimately depend upon the sum of its parts — and for a handful of less heralded athletes to emerge as major contributors. Last year, Malachi Lawrence blossomed into a pass-rushing specialist with 7½ sacks, Amari Kight and Adrian Medley emerged as starters on an ever-shifting offensive line and Xavier Townsend set career-highs across the board as a receiver (33 receptions, 325 yards, three TDs) while averaging 9.5 yards per punt return (21st in FBS).

Which players could make the difference in fortifying UCF as a contender this fall? Here are five potential X-factors for the Knights in 2024.

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Jacoby Jones

Jones suffered a broken right leg just three games into last season at Ohio. The year prior, the 6-foot-3, 228-pounder was one of the MAC's most dangerous wide receivers.

He caught 45 balls for 776 yards and six touchdowns as Kurtis Rourke's primary target, and added strong marks as a run blocker. Jones scored twice in UCF's first scrimmage on Aug. 4 and said he is feeling great ahead of his final season of eligibility.

"Physically, it took a while. I would say three months after (the injury) that I was back jogging and getting some stuff done," Jones said last week. "Later toward the spring, I started to get routes on there. In the summer, it was me getting back acclimated into the flow of the game.

"Mentally was probably the biggest thing, just trusting myself to put my foot in the ground, to be able to get out of something, to be able to against other people and other competition. It's been a rough journey, but (offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Tim) Harris has been pushing me. I feel like he was one of the biggest factors in me getting over that mental hump."

Javon Baker's departure for the NFL leaves plenty of targets on the table, though Hudson and Townsend are expected to be UCF's top two options in the passing game. Jones will compete for reps with, among others, Trent Whittemore, Chauncey Magwood and Ja'Varrius Johnson.

Nyjalik Kelly

One of the Sunshine State's most coveted high school defenders in the 2022 graduating class, Kelly possesses the athletic traits to be another injury bounceback candidate acquired via the transfer portal.

Kelly, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior defensive end, played in all 12 games for Miami as a true freshman, but he underwent shoulder surgery and was sidelined for the second half of last season. In 16 games for the Hurricanes, Kelly collected 19 tackles, 5½ TFLs and four sacks.

Kenny Ingram, UCF's defensive ends/rush coach, said during the first week of fall camp that Kelly's shoulder looks "how it's supposed to look."

"He still has some developing to do, not being able to do as much with the weight training, but from a physical standpoint, he looks good," Ingram added.

Lawrence is the leader among the edge defenders, but UCF will need several of its talented younger players to support him. Kaven Call, Isaiah Nixon, Jamaal Johnson and Kelly — along with Tennessee-Martin transfer Daylan Dotson — should all get their opportunities to impress.

Caden Kitler

UCF's center spot was a revolving door last year due to injuries and snapping inconsistencies. Four players — Drake Metcalf, Bula Schmidt, Kitler and Lokahi Pauole — each made at least two starts. Malzahn made it clear, though, that the position was Kitler's to lose entering the fall.

"I feel like he's got a really good grasp on our offensive system," said UCF offensive line coach Herb Hand, who recruited Kitler out of Plano, Texas. "He knows the communication progression, and he's very well versed and has a great football IQ.

"This is Year 3 for him. He's built up a lot of banked reps with experience. He's got to play stronger at times. That's probably the biggest thing I want to see him improve upon."

Kitler posted solid PFF grades in pass blocking (77.7) and run blocking (65.5) in the 163 snaps he logged across five games last fall. He was guilty for just one of the Knights' 45 offensive penalties.

Stability at center is crucial, especially with injuries already mounting in fall camp. Cam Kinnie and Waltclaire Flynn have each missed time, Malzahn said. Marcellus Marshall, who made starts at right tackle and both guard spots for the Knights, worked as the second-team center during the open portion of Monday's practice.

Mac McWilliams

Voted a team captain ahead of the season, McWilliams played more defensive snaps than anyone at UAB in 2023. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback tallied 52 tackles, nine pass breakups, two TFLs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

McWilliams, a Pensacola native, had 21 PBUs and one interception in 30 career games for the Blazers. He also served as the team's primary punt returner, gaining 60 yards on six kicks.

UCF brought McWilliams in from the portal after spring ball. Assuming he's picked up on Ted Roof's defensive scheme, he has the upper hand to start opposite Brandon Adams against New Hampshire. He'll also factor in heavily on special teams and occasionally rotate in at the nickel spot.

"I wanted to better myself and play with better competition," McWilliams said. "This was my only official visit. When I came down here, I fell in love with it. Coach Malzahn, Coach Roof, they talked great about (UCF). I believed it and went with it."

Myles Montgomery

RJ Harvey and Peny Boone each surpassed 1,400 rushing yards last season, combining for 31 touchdowns on the ground. UCF is largely shielding the duo in scrimmages, though Boone scored twice on Saturday in short-yardage situations.

They will likely shoulder the bulk of the workload, but Montgomery could prove an important home run threat when called upon. The Jacksonville native averaged just shy of 6.5 yards per carry (5.03 after contact) for Cincinnati last season, breaking off a season-long 63-yard scamper against Oklahoma State and a 38-yard run versus Baylor.

In UCF's first scrimmage, Montgomery broke loose for an 80-plus-yard touchdown, though it was called back due to a penalty.

"Right now, if you had to pick an MVP through these first two scrimmages, it would be Myles Montgomery," Harris said. "Everything that he does has been 100 miles per hour — his effort level, the little details in how he works and how hard he runs. He finishes runs, breaks tackles. He's done a really good job and put himself in a really good position."

Montgomery was sidelined for Monday's practice with an undisclosed injury. Harris declined to speak further on the redshirt junior's status other than to say, "We feel like he'll be alright in a few days."