AJ Blazek is igniting fierce competition and a physical new culture in Orlando, leveraging high-profile transfers to transform the Knights' front into a dominant national force.
New UCF offensive line coach AJ Blazek has one goal in mind for his position group for the 2026 season: becoming a staple of the football program.
Blazek is bringing the competition to the offensive line room. Transfers, returners and incoming freshmen are all competing against each other for starting spots, and nothing is guaranteed.
"Coach Blaz and the coaching staff's attitude, like the way he talked about the room, how it's going to be competitive, and no spot is secure, like I'm going to have to come here and compete," Buffalo transfer Henry Tabansi said.
Tabansi finished his redshirt sophomore campaign at Buffalo as the third-highest graded offensive tackle in the MAC. He earned a 75.3 grade from PFSN College and helped the team finish fourth in total offense.
The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman is experienced and has produced at the Group of Five level. However, that hasn't penciled him in as a starter to protect Alonza Barnett III when the season begins.
Blazek isn't only fanning the flames of competition with his position group; he's changing the mindset and approach to blocking opposing tackles and rushers. The shift has linemen excited about the group's potential.
"I'm really excited for our whole offensive line," Michigan State transfer Cooper Terpstra said. "Like, we just want to be physical and just beating the crap out of people."
UCF's offensive line could see a complete revitalization under Blazek. He coached at Wisconsin for two seasons before joining the Knights last December, and the Badgers were one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten.
They allowed 13 sacks in 2024, the fewest in the Big Ten and 10th in the FBS. Wisconsin's rushing attack was also the eighth-best in the conference at 153.7 yards per game.
Blazek also helped the North Dakota State Bison set a program record in 2019. The Bison rushed for 4,601 yards en route to an undefeated season and captured their eighth FCS title in nine years.
His extensive resume shows that he has transformed offensive lines into some of the best in their conferences, and sometimes, the nation. UCF needs a shift at that position, given its struggles with penalties last season.
Blazek may be new to the Knights program, but he is forging his players into a physical, detail-oriented group. UCF's offensive line could become the staple of the program that Blazek aspires for them to be.
"We're going to develop it," Blazek said. "We're going to evolve with it. And I would really be proud of this group if they ended up. And we said, "Man, that's a tough group now. They're ready to go."
Join the Community. Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
