NFL expertise arrives in Orlando. New coach David Overstreet II brings pro secrets to elevate UCF's defensive backs, aiming for elite play and more turnovers.
The UCF Knights bounced back after Will Johnson left for the NFL with the hiring of David Overstreet II. He brings his knowledge of teaching the pros to his defensive back group.
Overstreet II served as the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys last season before the Knights hired him on March 11. He's coached at the NFL level for eight seasons and is imparting his knowledge to the young defensive backs at UCF.
"I've been able to talk to them about what it takes to get there, but also what it takes to stay there," Overstreet II said. "Also, the things that pro players, All-Pro players, I've been fortunate enough to coach, what they do to be able to have success."
Overstreet II also served as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears in 2022 before switching to exclusively coaching the nickel position in 2024.
He coached Jaylon Johnson, guiding him to Pro Bowl status and earning an All-Pro second-team selection with four interceptions in 2023.
Overstreet II's time in the NFL has the UCF defensive backs picking his brain about his experiences coaching All-Pro-level cornerbacks.
"They're dying to be coached, you know?" Overstreet II said. "They got a thirst for knowledge. They are always asking questions. They say, 'Well, what did Jaylon Johnson do?' or 'What did Daron Bland do?' Stuff like that. So, they want to know and having those experiences is able to teach them and coach them through it as well."
The Knights were a top-3 pass defense in the Big 12 last year, and Overstreet II's guidance could sustain that success or push them even further. However, UCF struggled with takeaways last season.
Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has preached that turnovers influence the outcome of a football game. The team that forces more turnovers is more likely to win, and Overstreet II carries that same mentality.
"You're always doing something where the ball is important, and when you watch the tape, you say, "Hey, you see this right here? This is the PBU. It could have been an interception if you would have done this. Hey, you see this guy running by you right here? You tagged off. You really could punch the ball right here,'" Overstreet II said.
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