Offensive tackle Wyatt Miller says #UCFast - and #UCFierce - is off and running after the first week of camp.
"We're light years ahead of where we were last year," Miller said. "You can see the difference between the offense and the defense. The defense is flying around. The offense is getting to the ball fast, making calls. We're real smooth. You can just tell. Yesterday when we got in pads it was really fast. Everybody was glad to compete, put hands on people. It was fun."
With experience comes knowledge, which is allowing the offense to run a lot quicker.
"I think we were quick in the spring and we're quicker now," Miller said. "Guys have more of a grasp of not only their job, but what everybody else is doing. Where that back is hitting the hole. What the receivers are doing. The more we learn about offense, the more we learn about what other people are doing, the more your offense can go and grow."
Every member of UCF's first team offensive line now weighs north of 300 pounds. That includes Miller, who begs to differ with his roster-listed weight of 298.
"Day six of camp today I was 301, so I am 300," Miller said. "Everybody got a lot bigger, faster, stronger. I look a little slim, but I'm over 300 now. It's good. Coach (Zach) Duval does a great job with us, especially the big guys. Putting on muscle so we're not losing weight and we're still getting faster . We're in great shape too. Coach Duval does a great job with that.
"Coach Duval, when we came in here, he knew what he had to get done. He knew we had a lot of body shaping we had to do with these different guys. With me especially. I think he does a great job of molding you into a player he wants you to be. He knows what each lift is going to do to you, how much running to do. The same way with practice. They plan practice off of how we're going to be feeling. We might go fast one day and the next day is shorter. It's pretty cool how they do it. They have it all planned out."
During the summer, Miller says they did various group activities such as bowling. But the real key was having different position groups intermingle instead of just sticking to themselves.
"As far as groups and our positions, we're pretty close, but we don't have to have a separation between the offense and defense," Miller said. "If we come off the field and we're three-and-out, we want our defense to pick it up. The defense wants us to do the same thing. That's where I felt we grew the most. Building a relationship with Shaquem (Griffin) or Titus (Davis). Me and Jamiyus (Pittman) are really close, but enhancing that relationship with other people too."
Speaking of Pittman, Miller says going against UCF's stout defensive line is the best thing they could ask for.
"They're making us better every single day," he said. "We're growing and learning different stuff to do because they're going to be one of the best defensive lines in our conference. They're making us better every day. I love it."
Asked to name a freshman who could surprise this season, Miller says he's been impressive by wide receiver Gabe Davis.
"Gabe is really having a great camp," Miller said. "He can move. I really noticed him in the weight room. He's a hard worker. He gets things done. He loves the grind. That's what I love about him. He's a good kid and he's been making plays too."
And how's that quarterback competition shaking out? McKenzie Milton and Pete DiNovo have been joined by freshmen Darriel Mack Jr. and Noah Vedral.
"Good," Miller said. "All the quarterbacks been looking good. It's still a competition. I think all of them are competing well and all of them are slinging the rock pretty good. Heck, I might get back there one day if they'll let me."
It would be a dire situation if that were to happen, but Miller noted that he does have at least some experience there.
"I actually played quarterback in flag football," Miller said. "I had like two touchdowns and then I threw an interception on the one-yard line. I did chase the guy down, but that was my end of playing quarterback. They didn't let me play anymore."
