Four of UCF’s leading receivers have left following last season, leaving only one receiver with significant game experience under his belt – good for just six percent of the receiving yards racked up by last year’s receivers.
Returning for the Knights in 2015 is sophomore Jordan Akins. The former 3-star rated recruit by ESPN and former professional baseball player is poised for a breakout year. The 6’3” Akins showed promise his freshman season at UCF while heavily involved in special teams.
Akins recorded 12 catches for 135 yards in minimal playing time and returned 15 kickoffs for 363 yards, not bad for a 6’3” 237 pound man. Being 23 years old, head coach George O’Leary agreed Akins brings a lot of maturity to the UCF receiving core.
“I don’t treat him like a sophomore. He’s 23 or 24 years old…just a little younger than myself,” said O’Leary.
Red-shirt freshman and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith is expected to see playing time as well this season. Smith is a former 3-star rated receiver by ESPN and the 2014 UCF Scout Team player of the Year.
The Knights are also expecting true-freshmen Tristan Payton to battle for playing time. Payton was ranked ESPN’s 11th best receiver in the Country in high school. The 4-star recruit rated by ESPN rescinded his commitment to USC to join the UCF football team. Payton looks like a young Marqise Lee, the former Trojan great. If his high school highlights are an indication on what he will do in college UCF fans should be in for a show.
A sleeper breakout player is red-shirt Junior Nick Patti. The Central Florida native and former Dr. Phillips Panther moved from quarterback to receiver this preseason camp. Patti is known for his elusiveness as a quarterback and he is expected to put his athleticism on display as a receiver. O’Leary says Patti will be in the gameplan this Thursday as the Knights take on in-state rival FIU.
“He’s athletic and can make people miss,” said O’Leary.
The Knights have athleticism on their side at the receiver position and have the potential to be an outstanding group this year, with junior Justin Holman returning to lead the Knights at quarterback. O’Leary continued at Monday’s press conference to say he does expect some up and down periods this year with the lack of experience. The Knights are young but have a lot to prove this season.
“The kids are anxious to get on the field Thursday night,” O’Leary said.
