Walters looking for separation in final stretch of camp
It's a big week at the Wayne Densch.
UCF has just a few practices left - leaving just a few more days for players to make their case - before coaches finalize a depth chart and begin preparations for the season opener against FIU.
While many spots have likely already been solidified, offensive coordinator Troy Walters says there's still plenty to be decided.
"We've got another scrimmage tomorrow (Wednesday)," Walters said. "Basically four practices. We told the guys these next four practices we'll evaluate where guys are. A firm depth chart will come out after these four practices. Guy knows they have a sense of urgency to show the coaches what they can do.
"There are battles across the board, like at my position of receiver. We know what Tre'Quan (Smith) can do. Everything else is up in the air. I want guys to compete, knowing the details of the offense. I told the guys our defense is awesome. They're going to create turnovers, create havoc. If we can play fundamentally sound and don't turn the ball over, be detailed and efficient, then we're going to move the ball and win games. We want guys to be detailed, do what we ask them to do, and they'll make plays."
At the quarterback position, Walters confirmed the departure of redshirt senior Pete DiNovo, who entered camp as the No. 2 option to McKenzie Milton.
"He's not with us," Walters said. "He hasn't been at practice and all that. We're focused on the guys that are here. We've got to go with the guys who are here. The guys who are here can help us win games."
According to team sources, DiNovo stopped showing up this past weekend.
"There wasn't any communication with me," Walters said. "I'm not sure what's going on there. It is what it is."
That leaves three quarterbacks on scholarship - Milton and true freshmen Noah Vedral and Darriel Mack Jr. Vedral in particular has been noted for having a strong camp and appeared to have the inside track to the backup job, even before DiNovo's departure.
"They're doing a good job," Walters said. "They keep developing every day. We throw more and more at them. I tell them and Coach Verduzco tells them, once we get in game plan mode, it's going to be a lot easier. Right now our whole offense is in. Any given day, you can pull from a vast array of concepts. Once we get specifically in a game plan and an opponent, then we'll cut what we do down. It'll be a lot easier for those guys. Like I said, they're here in the mornings learning from Coach Verduzco and they're staying after late. They want to be good. They understand their role has changed and they've got to be ready to go."
Speaking of true freshmen, Walters had positive things to say about a couple in his position group - Otis Anderson and Manny Logan-Greene.
"I love Otis, man," Walters said. "First and foremost, he works his butt off. He's an effort guy. He's going to leave it all on the field. In the spring he was primarily a running back. Throughout the summer we thought that he could be even more valuable if he learned the receiver position and had a dual role as a receiver and a running back. He's going to help in the return game. He's valuable. He keeps learning the offense. He's just a freshman. I've got to remind myself he's just a freshman. There's going to be some ups and downs. Every day he comes out and wants to be great. Learns. Leaves it all out on the field.
"Manny is doing a good job. We're moving him inside and outside, so he's learning both positions and is doing a good job. Great route runner. Slippery. He knows how to run routes. That's one thing as a freshman, when you come in, sometimes guys don't know how to run routes. He knows how to create separation. He knows how to do the little things to get open. He's got to keep maturing, keep getting stronger. I think he's 165 pounds. In order to hold up, he's got to get a little bigger. He's doing a great job."