UCF OL Connor Meadows Earning Reps at C in Fall Camp

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Connor Meadows has risen on the UCF Knights' depth chart from a rotational player to a potential starter on the offensive line.

Coach Scott Frost said he has played Meadows at center throughout fall camp. It's a shift from when he played guard in spring, and it's a compliment to his versatility, having played all the positions over the last year.

Frost is still figuring out the best five Knights to start in Week 1 to protect quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

The learning curve for Meadows is being the lead communicator with his teammates and making sure his snaps are crisp. Having played at tackle and guard, blocking at center is not that different.

"Once you've been on the line and know the blocking combinations and the calls, I don't think it's as hard as it seems," Frost told local reporters on Tuesday.

Meadows saw 187 snaps at right guard, 33 at right tackle and four at left tackle last season. His experience and versatility support his case to start heading into his final collegiate season.

He can spread out as a tight end, too. Frost started him at tight end in UCF's 30-3 loss to Baylor on Nov. 1.

On a 4th-and-1 with less than 2:30 remaining in the first, the Knights ran a trick play for Meadows. Former quarterback Tayven Jackson backpedaled as Baylor rushed him, and he put too much air on the pass, resulting in a turnover on downs.

"He [Meadows] was the fourth read on that play," Frost said. "We thought with that personnel on the field, maybe we could surprise them with a pass. They did a good job covering a few things. Connor was open early, and we didn't get him the ball."

Those trick plays are few and far between, but Frost has that play call in his bag to confuse opponents.

Meadows announced he would return to UCF last December amidst some of his teammates entering the transfer portal. He became part of the 61% returning production from last season.

At Tennessee State, his previous program, the 6-foot-4 offensive lineman was named to the Big South-OVC First Team All-Conference in 2024. It also finished second in the conference with a 9-4 record.

The Knights could have a strong offensive line this season, with Meadows' ability to play multiple roles. He'll likely take a new role at center, becoming the group's main leader and communicator.

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