UCF Football News: Kristi Malzahn does better, thoughts from press conferences
Now that UCF Football can start heading into spring training, there was a bit of housekeeping to do this week. Here is a brief overview of what is happening with Ms. Kristi Malzahn, as well as the press conferences.
Message from Coach Malzahn
For those of you who didn’t already know, UCF head coach Gus Malzahn loves to recruit. Has always. When members of the media received an email from the UCF Sports Information Department stating that Coach Malzahn would not be at the National Signing Day press conference, it was concerning enough.
We all knew Kristi Malzahn had been hospitalized, but this email really put the situation into perspective. That said, the next day Coach Malzahn posted the following on Twitter:
Mrs. Malzahn’s resilience is to be commended, along with all the good people who have helped her through this difficult time. May she recover quickly and smoothly while resting at home. This is good news!
As for the National Dedication Day, it was different from usual with a press conference focusing on transfers and the two UCF coordinators.
what they said
Here’s part of offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s press conference:
Next up is Ole Miss transfer quarterback John Rhys Plumlee:
At receiver, UCF brings in Kobe Hudson from Auburn:
Thoughts on press conferences
As repeatedly stated in Inside The Knights articles and during The Daily Knight podcasts, the importance of signing defensive tackle Lee Hunter cannot be overstated. To give an idea of the level of talent he had at a young age, consider the following statement from defensive coordinator Travis Williams:
“I’ve been recruiting him since ninth grade.”
Stop and think about this statement. Ninth year. He’s a guy. UCF is very lucky to bring Hunter to UCF. It changes the defense. UCF can’t sign another transfer with more unique size and skills than Hunter in the next ten years.
Plumlee is an interesting guy. He’s down to earth, knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight and he wants to play. He has a chance to make an impact at UCF.
Hudson is what he should be. He’s an extremely confident receiver who knows he has the ability to start at UCF and be a mainstay on offense. It’s hard to see him doing anything other than being the Knights’ starting receiver.
As for offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, his comment on the inbound transfer of tight end Kemore Gamble should catch the attention of UCF Football fans.
“He’s a guy who will play at the next level (NFL).” Coach Lindsey began his commentary on Gamble, and he is truly a player worthy of being the first because of his versatile talent. Coach Lindsey also rightly mentioned how Gamble could play as a traditional tight end attached to offensive tackle, on the outside, and as an H-back. His versatility will really help the UCF offense. Watching it till the end is highly recommended as it contains a lot of information about playing styles, as well as the possibility to learn more about each player’s personality.
Here is the full press conference: