UCF’s Guidance Earned Daunte Culpepper’s Commitment in 1995
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Daunte Culpepper's poor grades led college coaches to remove him from their recruiting lists, but UCF offered the guidance he needed.
Culpepper recalled that former UCF assistant coach Paul Lounsberry believed in him when others gave up. He said Lounsberry called him into the principal's office at Vanguard High School and listed the classes he needed to retake.
The Vanguard alumnus led the football team to success as the 1994 Mr. Football, but he stood out in the classrooms, taking freshman classes as a senior.
It was a humbling experience for Culpepper. He said he had to swallow his pride because he envisioned himself as the first person in his family to go to college.
Culpepper's grades improved, and college coaches from major programs took notice. They put him back on their recruiting lists and started calling to recruit him.
Earning back the attention of high-level college programs is an accomplishment, but for Culpepper, none helped him as UCF did.
“I'm like, ‘Damn, where y'all was when I needed y'all?" Culpepper said on the "Talk Love Communication Podcast." "I needed Coach L. He figured out a way for me to do it. I called. I said, ‘Coach, I'm coming to UCF.’”
The local star quarterback repaid the Knights' belief in him with record-shattering performances during his tenure.
Culpepper rewrote every record Darin Slack held in the 1980s. His 73.6% completion rate set a new NCAA single-season record, breaking a 15-year record set by Steve Young (71.3%).
The Ocala, Florida, native finished his career with over 10,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. Culpepper became UCF's first NFL first-round pick after helping put the program on the map.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted him 11th overall, and he spent nine years in the NFL.
He cemented himself as one of the franchise's best quarterbacks as a three-time Pro Bowler, passing yards leader in 2004 (4,717), touchdowns leader in 2000 (33) and named to the 50 Greatest Vikings list.
UCF honored his No. 8 jersey for his contributions during the program's transition into the FBS. Culpepper's historic career led to him making the Daytona-Beach Journal's All-FBS Team and helped former coach Mike Kruczek earn a nomination to the UCF Hall of Fame.
Lounsberry's stepped in for Culpepper when nobody else did. He gave the young quarterback the guidance he needed to get back on track, and Culpepper repaid that with a stellar UCF career.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos