The veteran offensive lineman ignores outside noise to anchor a disciplined culture, eyeing a Big 12 resurgence and a chance to become UCF’s first drafted blocker since 2011.
Preston Cushman sees how the college football world views the UCF Knights, but he's not worried about outside chatter; he's worried about winning games with his teammates.
"We're just focused on our culture and our process and everything we do in the facility day in, day out," Cushman told Sons of UCF at Big 12 Media Day. "It's not a hobby, as we say. It's our job, and we're in there doing the right things to put us in a position to go 1-and-0 every week."
That's a great mentality from the senior offensive lineman who is embracing a leadership role. The Knights, across the board, share the same mindset as Cushman, especially following a 5-7 finish last season.
With the program entering its fourth year in the Big 12 and coach Scott Frost heading into his second year with a team that embodies his style of culture, 2026 is the year for UCF to win like a Power Four program. Cushman understands that winning cures all, and it will also help him achieve his personal goals.
"The world revolves around winning games, and that's just what the goal is," Cushman said. "So, winning football games and really focusing on the man to the left, man to my right, is going to get me wherever I want to go with my personal goals, and I know that."
Cushman was UCF's most available offensive lineman, tallying 753 snaps at right tackle in 12 starts. He ended the season with a 63.1 Pro Football Focus grade, which was the fourth-best on the team in his position group.
The Knights' reliable right tackle played a significant role in the program earning Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week, as they allowed zero sacks against North Carolina on Sept. 9. Cushman's ability to elevate the offensive line and mitigate sacks against Alonza Barnett III could earn him the recognition he desires from NFL teams.
He wants to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate, Paul Rubelt, who is currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rubelt went undrafted, so Cushman has the opportunity to be the first UCF offensive lineman drafted since the late Jah Reid in 2011.
The team has been pushing each other to improve, preparing themselves for a bounce-back 2026. Florida's heat is a home-field advantage for the Knights, and it's everything they want.
Cushman said it's horrible to be out at three o'clock in the afternoon, sweating with the blistering heat, but the hard times build strong bonds. The nurtured chemistry is an underrated strength for UCF heading into the 2026 season.
"We'll be calloused and ready to go on the road and do our thing this year," Cushman said.
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