Familiarity with DC Alex Grinch draws linebacker Tackett Curtis back into his orbit for his senior season at UCF.
Tackett Curtis transferred from Wisconsin to play for the UCF Knights, and a significant reason behind his decision was the relationship he shares with Alex Grinch.
Curtis started his collegiate career at USC in 2023, where Grinch was the defensive coordinator. He transferred to Wisconsin after one season with the Trojans and Grinch served as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Badgers.
Grinch became the defensive coordinator at UCF last season and it was the first year Curtis and him were apart. When Curtis entered the transfer portal, the familiarity with the coaching staff drew him to Orlando.
“Knowing a few of the people here, knowing it was going to be my last year and wanting some familiar faces,” Curtis said on Tuesday after spring practice. “Knowing coach Grinch, knowing coach [Pete] Alamar — he recruited me coming out of high school, like he came and saw my hometown. And then knowing coach D’Onofrio a little bit from being recruited earlier in my career.”
Curtis said his familiarity with the coaching staff will help him diagnose concepts in the playbook faster because he’s older, smarter and Grinch hasn’t reinvented his scheme.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker is coming off a season where he recorded 25 tackles (14 solo), one pass defended and one sack. His addition to the linebacker unit bolsters the depth alongside the return of Lewis Carter, who captained the defense.
Curtis may share the deepest bond with Grinch, having played under his tutelage for two of his three collegiate seasons, he said Alamar is strengthening his fundamentals.
“He’s helped me a lot with fundamentals and technique of playing special teams and how to be a great special teams player, man,” Curtis said. “He’s poured so much into special teams. It’s crazy, I think he’s the most invested special teams coach I’ve ever seen.”
Curtis said his goal throughout spring practice is to get better every day, and the coaching staff is helping him achieve that goal.
The Many, Louisiana native arrives in Orlando primed to make the best of his senior year. Curtis said he’ll do whatever the coaching staff needs when his number is called and help UCF win games next season.
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