What Will Elevate UCF’s Offense From Good to Great?
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Offensive coordinator Steve Cooper revealed the UCF Knights want to be as explosive as possible to transform the offense from good to great.
It all starts with their operations at the line of scrimmage. Cooper said that varies from a quarterback’s cadence to pre-snap communication from an offensive lineman.
“It takes no talent to be elite in the pre-snap,” Cooper said at UCF’s local media day.
The Knights struggled in the pre-snap last season. Players were adjusting to a new coaching staff and playbook on the fly.
Inexperience and miscommunication resulted in frequent penalties. Illegal shifts, delay of games and false starts erased downfield progression throughout the season.
Penalties cost the team vital conference games. UCF picked up three false starts in the fourth quarter after Kansas Jayhawks running back Leshon Williams scored the lead-taking touchdown on Oct. 4.
The Knights couldn’t overcome their self-inflicted mistakes, leading to a devastating 27-20 loss.
Those mistakes should be few and far between next season. There is more familiarity with Coach Scott Frost’s scheme as he retained 61% of last year’s production. Communication and expectations from returning players to newcomers are streamlined.
Cooper said Frost has emphasized the operations throughout the year. The next step for the coaching staff is identifying players who can make explosive plays.
He highlighted running back Taevion Swint and transfer wide receiver Josh Derry. Both are predicted to have breakout seasons.
Frost said Swint is an X-factor for UCF with his speed and potential to make big plays. His high school days playing for the Osceola Kowboys — 45 minutes away from campus — support Frost's comments on the young running back.
The former Kowboy recorded 1,778 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior season, leading his team to the state championship game. Swint rushed for over 100 yards 23 times in his high school career.
Derry is a 5-foot-9 speedster and earned the nickname "Scary Derry." He was Monmouth's lead receiver and had a productive season at the FCS level.
The former Hawk hauled in 133 catches for 2,018 yards and 18 touchdowns over the last two seasons. His productivity carried over to the Power Four level, as he had a strong spring for the Knights.
UCF has the pieces to become an explosive offense in 2026, reviving the firepower they once had in 2017 and 2018. It all hinges on their pre-snap communication at the line of scrimmage to limit the penalties that stole games from the hands of victory.
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