Jeff Godfrey’s career with the Knights doesn’t appear to be over just yet.
After two seasons with the program, the quarterback’s tenure with UCF abruptly ended when the junior-to-be decided he would transfer after a shaky sophomore campaign with UCF.
However, Godfrey’s departure may be short-lived as news broke earlier this week that coach George O’Leary plans to meet with the former Knights quarterback about potentially rejoining the team next season.
Before that can happen, Godfrey will need to have certain things completed in order to be reinstated, after he was declared ineligible for spring football activities due to an undisclosed violation of university policy unrelated to the program.
“Jeff called me Saturday night at about 9:15,” O’Leary said to the Orlando Sentinel. “I didn’t get the phone, but he left a message saying that he wanted to visit with me. … I already visited with him once about wanting to come back and this and that. I’ll gladly talk to him and stuff, but he knows what he has to do as far as to be back on the team. But I’ll visit with him again.”
O’Leary plans on meeting with the former Conference-USA Freshman of the Year next week to discuss the possible return.
Godfrey became an instant success at UCF after a stellar freshman year, in which he guided the Knights to the C-USA Championship, an 11-3 record, their first-ever national ranking, as well as their first ever bowl win.
The Knights had high expectations for the dual-threat quarterback this season, hoping to match last year’s success. However, Godfrey and the Knights struggled this season, stumbling to a 5-7 record, prompting Coach O’Leary to have redshirt freshman Blake Bortles split snaps with Godfrey.
Godfrey ultimately lost the majority of his playing time towards the end of the year as Bortles outplayed his counterpart and made a strong case for the starting spot in the season’s final three games.
Godfrey and the program had an ugly ending after his father, Jeff Godfrey Sr., and the quarterback’s mentor, Luther Campbell, alleged O’Leary was racist and purposely didn’t cater to Godfrey’s strengths, which basically pushed him out of the rotation.
Godfrey stayed in Miami during the Spring semester and was rumored to be transferring to FAU, but he never made a final decision.
Despite all that’s happened, the speedy quarterback posted on his Twitter account earlier this week about possibly reuniting with the team: @GOHARDJG2“I have no problem apologizing bout wat [sic] I did bout leavin out on the team but wat [sic] luke (Campbell) and my dad had nothing to do with me I didn’t say anything bad about the program or about GOL he has my most up respect.”
At this point, it will be up to Coach O’Leary if Godfrey can make a return to the Knights, however O’Leary has suggested that Godfrey understands what he has to do to be reinstated.
Even if he does return, Godfrey will need to restore his good academic standing off the field, and then accept a different role on the field. Unlike 2010, Godfrey will face fierce competition under center next season with incumbent starter Blake Bortles, Missouri transfer Tyler Gabbert and senior Rob Calabrese all having potential to earn the Knights starting QB job.
One thing is for sure: If Godfrey returns, the Knights will have considerable depth at the quarterback position.
Keep checking KnightNews Sports for updates on the Godfrey situation, and keep up with us via e-mail at athletics@knightnews.com or Twitter.
