The UCF Knights finished 5-7 this season but there are plenty of signs that progress was made and things are headed in right direction
The UCF Knights showed signs of growth during the first season of coach Scott Frost's second stint with the program.
It wasn't enough to make a bowl game, but the Knights gave reason to think things could turn around in Year No. 2. Roundtable Sports writers Demetrius Montero and Matthew Feldman recently broke down the season and what needs to happen for a turnaround next season.
The Knights' season ended with a loss to BYU. At 5-7, they won't qualify for the postseason.
"UCF's season is over at 5-7," Montero said. "They don't make a bowl game a second straight year. But I will say there is a definitely a bright future for the Knights because Scott Frost took a team that was injured the entire season. You had injuries at almost every key position throughout. From Game 1, you missed this player, Game 4, you missed these players, Game 7, you missed these players but got this player back. Being able to navigate an injury-riddle season and still finish a game away from a bowl game, it's pretty impressive."
Among the biggest concerns entering next season is quarterback play. Tayven Jackson shined at times but he also battled inconsistency.
"Tayven is an interesting player to watch," Feldman said. "Because sometimes when I watch him and he's rolling, I'm like, `All right, this is the guy. Next year, I'm cool with this guy.' And then when he doesn't have time in the pocket and when it looks like things get flustered for him, that's when he struggles."
Jackson should have lots of motivation entering the offseason. Frost played a role in four-star quarterback recruit Rocco Marriott flipping his commitment from James Madison. He is the highest-rated quarterback to ever join the program.
"It's a big season offseason," Feldman said. "We have a lot of people that should be coming back as of now. We also have a couple of people leaving. I think the biggest question mark for me is obviously quarterback. If Tayven does stay, I think it's his job to lose. But you've got a 6-4, 220-pound freshman coming in. I don't think he came to sit. We'll see what he can do."
Frost has made a commitment to getting this back on track. This was only the third season the Knights missed the postseason since 2011. These next few months will be key if progress is made.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of UCFRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com