Schell packs on pounds and refines his quickness, embracing a versatile role inside and out for UCF's defense.
Josh Schell played defensive end before transferring to UCF. The shift to defensive tackle has brought some challenges, but adds to Schell's versatility in his final college season.
The 6-foot-4, 264-pound defensive tackle started his career at Grand Valley State, where he primarily played defensive end. He transferred to Tennessee last year and called it a buffer year, learning the basics of what the position requires.
"I played pretty much strictly defensive end at Grand Valley," Schell said after Thursday's spring practice. I played a little bit of three (technique) for rushing. So, it's been a little bit of a difference. I did have a little buffer year because I played d-tackle at Tennessee. So, I got the basic idea of it."
Schell said the big differences between the positions are the weight he had to gain and the quickness needed to battle opposing offensive linemen.
"The biggest thing is I had to put on like 35-ish lbs," Schell said. "So, it's been a little different moving with all that extra weight, but I feel a lot more powerful. And just like it's a lot more quick inside. Like you don't have a lot of time to react. So, it's like super fast reactions."
Although Schell shifted from defensive end to tackle, he added that it increases his versatility, and he can play inside and kick out to the outside of the line.
"I think it adds to the versatility to have the opportunity because we will rush from five sometimes even as a defensive tackle," Schell said. "So to have the experience to be able to play outside and inside, just the more versatile, the more you can do, the better."
In Tennessee, Schell played all 13 games and recorded one tackle. He played over 100 snaps on special teams, never cracking the defensive line rotation for the Volunteers.
However, at UCF, he wants to prove he can play in the Big 12 and showcase his newfound versatility in the defensive end and tackle positions.
"This is my last year, so it's do or die for me," Schell said. "And go out there and show everybody that I'm a playmaker and that I can play at the highest level."
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