New offensive line coach and veteran players reveal a high-energy approach and excitement for developing the Knights' formidable front.
On Thursday, three offensive lineman and new UCF offensive line coach AJ Blazek talked to the media for the first time during Spring Practice.
"It's been awesome, man. It's been 100 miles an hour," Blazek said. "You know, the way Coach Frost organizes, runs things, you know, it's here for guys to work and for us to move and develop and to grind and take steps forward. Players, coaches, the offense, the offensive line. So the tempo at which we've worked has been a lot of fun and a lot of things [have been] going on since getting here, just in 3 months, but settling in with these guys and excited about where it's headed."
Connor Meadows, Cooper Terpstra and Henry Tabansi made up the trio of offensive lineman, all expressing their decisions to come to UCF and excitement for the season.
Meadows, who joined UCF after two previous stops, started in four games for the Knights this season, showcasing his versatility on the line. He filled in at right guard, right tackle, left tackle and even tight end throughout the season, spending his majority of snaps in the interior.
"I'm getting used to Frost's system," Meadows said. "I think all the guys are and we're rolling now."
Terpstra, who is entering his first year at UCF, spent three seasons at Michigan State, appearing in 10 games for the Spartans in rotational snaps.
He talked about his decision to join the Black and Gold on Thursday, crediting UCF for feeling like a "brotherhood."
"Coach Frost says it all the time, but I mean, I was just looking for some place that felt like home and felt like I could have a brotherhood and be close with the guys," Terpstra said. "But I also wanted to get significant reps and make an impact on the team. Be a vocal guy and I mean, it's been a cool experience and I've loved the last three months. It's a lot different from -17° and snow. So it's been a good change."
The final lineman who spoke is Henry Tabansi, who transferred in after three seasons at Buffalo.
Last season, as a redshirt sophomore, Tabansi ranked as the third-highest graded offensive tackle in the MAC according to PFSN College, earning a 75.3 grade.
Tabansi said that his decision to leave Buffalo was difficult, but after visiting UCF, it was a "no-brainer."
"But leaving to go to the portal and come to UCF was a no-brainer," Tabansi said. "After my visit with coach Blaz, and the rest of the coaching staff, they really showed me what what they had in store for me and what they could do to elevate my game. And with coach Blaz's reputation, it was a no-brainer to come here and then be a part of the Knights."
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