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ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 94. Deshawn Pace, LB, Cincinnati, Junior. Notable 2021 stats: 95 tackles (45 solo), 4 INT. Last year's ranking: NR. At 6-2, 215 pounds, the junior combines all the best aspects of both a nickel back and outside linebacker. He made 14 run stops at or behind the line, and when he dropped into coverage, he picked off four passes and allowed just six completions for 45 yards. - ESPN.com

(DS#33 OLB) rSr/2025

OLB Deshawn Pace, Central Florida
News Source: ESPN.com
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08/28/22 - JaVarrius Johnson, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Ja'Varrius Johnson's decision to enter the transfer portal on Feb. 2 seemed a considerable blow to an Auburn position group that was already going to lack experience heading into 2022. The receiver logged the fourth-most snaps of anyone in the receiver room last fall. Of those four, Kobe Hudson had already transferred to UCF nearly a month prior and Demetris Robertson was NFL Draft-bound, leaving Shedrick Jackson and Johnson as Auburn's only receivers with more than 150 snaps from 2021. "I had a hard time going on," Johnson said Wednesday of his decision to enter the portal. "It was just a decision that I made with my family, and I took some time off and thought about it." But after thinking about it, Johnson made up his mind, and as spring practices rolled around in March, he'd withdrawn from the portal and returned to the Tigers because "This is where I wanted to be," he said. "I've been here, going onto my fourth year now, and you know, the connection I had with each player on the team, so that was like the biggest thing too, for me, was just not like leaving my boys because I've been here for a while and made connections with them," Johnson said. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2025

WR JaVarrius Johnson, Central Florida
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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08/26/22 - John Rhys Plumlee, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-0, 203 (DS#17 QB) + More +

UCF coach Gus Malzahn has named John Rhys Plumlee the team's starting quarterback, Malzahn announced on social media Sunday afternoon. Plumlee beat out sophomore Mikey Keene and true freshman Thomas Castellanos to earn the job. "All the way back to spring, I've watched every scrimmage - the ones that were live and the other ones that weren't - just trying to put [together] all of the information to make the best decision," Malzahn said Saturday before the announcement. Prior to training camp, the UCF coach aimed to name a starting quarterback following the second scrimmage but an extra week was needed to make the choice.

Malzahn previously said it's one of the most important decisions the coaching staff will make. "That's probably the biggest challenge," he said a week ago. "The good thing is we've got two guys we can win with. I don't know how many programs around the country can say that, so we feel really strong about that." Although Plumlee and Keene each offer their own strengths and weaknesses, Malzahn knew a decision had to be made at one point. "We've got to name a starter," Malzahn said Saturday. "That will help our team and help our chemistry." The Ole Miss transfer brought great speed and athleticism with him from the SEC. "Coach Malzahn is the type of offensive mind that can use a good skillset. My skillset is pretty unique with my running ability," Plumlee said at the team's media day. "He's had success in the past [at Auburn] with Nick Marshall and guys that have similar abilities to me." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#17 QB) rSr/2024

QB John Rhys Plumlee, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/25/22 - Landon Woodson, rSr/2023, Central Florida, 6-5, 235 (DS#999 DE) + More +

The Orlando Sentinel previously reported that defensive end Landon Woodson has not been practicing with the team and at times has worn a knee brace on his left leg. Malzahn shared Saturday that Woodson is expected to miss the entire season with a knee injury. "He is going to be not with us as far as playing but he is going to be assisting us in every possible [way]," Malzahn said. "He's a big part of our team." Malzahn said Woodson, who appeared in 12 games last season, will take part in senior-day festivities at the end of the regular season. "He's one of the unsung leaders, so he'll be helping the defense with all kinds of different things," the UCF coach said. "His knee is just not allowing him to be able to play but he'll be with us." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2023

DE Landon Woodson, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/22/22 - Trent Whittemore, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-4, 211 (DS#180 WR) + More +

Trent Whittemore has shown steady progress at receiver in each of his first three seasons with the Florida football team. Whittemore could carve out a bigger role in the offense for the Gators this upcoming season. He's been consistent throughout camp and is emerging as one of the leaders in a position group that will look to make more big plays under first-year coach Billy Napier. "We have a lot of good leadership in the room," Whittemore said. "Guys who have played some ball. (Justin) Shorter and Xzavier Henderson are guys that provide great leadership … along with myself in that room. I think we'll be ready to surprise some people during the season." Whittemore played mostly in the slot the last two seasons under former head coach Dan Mullen. In 29 games over the last two seasons, Whittemore has posted 29 catches for 338 yards and 2 TDs.

The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Whittemore is preparing this fall camp to play any of the three receiver spots on the field. "Coach Napier is going to put everybody in the right spot to make optimal plays," Whittemore said. "So I don't want to limit myself to any direct spot on the field. I just go wherever I'm placed that week as far as game plan goes. And like I said, Coach Napier is a great offensive mind and I think he'll change up some looks throughout the year and that will be to our benefit." Rather than focus on anything specific, Whittemore said his offseason development consisted of working on his all-around game. He's caught most targets thrown to him in individual drills, including some nifty one-handed catches on sideline routes. - Gainesville Sun

(DS#180 WR) rSr/2025

WR Trent Whittemore, Central Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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08/22/22 - Nyjalik Kelly, rSr/2026, Central Florida, 6-5, 250 (DS#26 DE) + More +

The Miami Hurricanes still don't have clarity on who might start on the defensive line when they open the season next month against the FCS Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and they like it this way. The defensive line, by all accounts from people there, was one of the highlights of Miami's first preseason scrimmage Saturday in Coral Gables, with enough bodies to rotate three full lines worth of potential contributors and Chantz Williams said not to discount one freshman trying to bust his way into the rotation. Nyjalik Kelly, the defensive lineman said, is "very young, but he's a freak of nature." "I see Nyjalik making noise sooner than most people expect," added Williams, who's playing the same position as Kelly in training camp. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound freshman from Dillard was one of the prizes of the Hurricanes' Class of 2022 and coach Mario Cristobal's first major recruiting win after he returned to Miami late last year.

On the first day of the early signing period in 2021, Kelly picked the Hurricanes over the Oregon Ducks during a ceremony at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale and immediately became the top-ranked player in Miami's 2022 recruiting class. After the dust settled in the 2022 recruiting cycle and Cristobal added a few more prospects, Kelly still wound up as the No. 2 player in the Hurricanes' class - he was the nation's No. 90 overall player, according to the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2022 class - and now he's on the short list of freshmen fighting to play a major role for Miami this year. "He's fast and long, and just twitchy and just lanky," said fellow defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte, who made a point to emphasize Kelly's speed. "He's going to be a freak in the future. Just give him a few years. He's going to be good." - Miami Herald

(DS#26 DE) rSr/2026

DE Nyjalik Kelly, Central Florida
News Source: Miami Herald
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08/16/22 - KJ Jefferson, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-3, 247 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Arkansas' football team is ranked 19th in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll that was released Monday. The Razorbacks' ranking is higher than where they finished last season, when they were ranked 21st following a 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl that improved their record 9-4. Arkansas is ranked in the AP preseason poll for the first time since 2015. Cincinnati is ranked 23rd in the preseason poll. The Razorbacks are scheduled to open the season with a game against the Bearcats on Sept. 3 in Fayetteville. Six SEC teams are ranked in the preseason poll, led by top-ranked Alabama. Georgia (3), Texas A&M (6), Kentucky (20) and Ole Miss (21) are also ranked. Arkansas is scheduled to play Texas A&M on Sept. 24 in Arlington, Texas, and is scheduled to host games in Fayetteville against Alabama on Oct. 1 and Ole Miss on Nov. 19. The Razorbacks are also scheduled to play a non-conference game at No. 25 BYU on Oct. 15. Arkansas opponents LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and South Carolina received votes in the AP poll but were unranked. - Northwest Arkansas Times

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB KJ Jefferson, Central Florida
News Source: Northwest Arkansas Times
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08/12/22 - Ricky Barber, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 6-1, 296 (DS#56 DT) + More +

UCF defensive coordinator Travis Williams already has moved on from the first training camp scrimmage when he witnessed his defense dominate. "You've got to have the mindset of being greedy," he said Tuesday. "Whatever happened Sunday was Sunday. We've got to get better tomorrow. That's what I tell the players." For defensive tackle Ricky Barber, "being greedy" means never being satisfied. "Just because you made a couple of plays, there's still work that needs to be done so keep going," he said.

Williams wants his side to focus on the next play and the rest will come their way. "Let's get better, enjoy the process and once we look up at the end of the season see where we're at," he said. "I want them to continue to get to the ball with bad intentions and communicate." Barber is one player who has the mindset required. Last year, the transfer from Western Kentucky finished tied for fourth on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss to go with 3 sacks which tied for third. "He's our guy up front," Williams said. "He's our leader and get's everybody going. He has a really good skill set. He's a guy we trust and I'm happy he's here. "I could go on and on about Ricky Barber." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#56 DT) rSr/2025

DT Ricky Barber, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/12/22 - Jyaire Brown, rJr/2027, Central Florida, 5-11, 177 (DS#999 CB) + More +

Jyaire Brown was the first member of Ohio State football's 2022 recruiting class and now, he's "officially a Buckeye." The cornerback became the first true freshman to lose his black stripe in fall camp, joining linebacker Chip Trayanum as the first players to do so in the preseason. Overall, five players have done so, with nickel Tanner McCalister, safety Kye Stokes and defensive lineman Caden Curry losing the stripe in the spring. Brown was the nation's No. 192 player and No. 24 cornerback spending most of his life in New Orleans before coming back to Ohio for his final two years of high school football. He joins a room that's already short on depth with just six scholarship players, with Brown and Ryan Turner being true freshmen. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

(DS#999 CB) rJr/2027

CB Jyaire Brown, Central Florida
News Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
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08/11/22 - Kemore Gamble, rSr/2023, Central Florida, 6-4, 234 (DS#35 TE) + More +

A gifted athlete as a child, Kemore Gamble excelled at sports like basketball, tracks and volleyball, but if things had been different, his world would have been saber blades, lunges and parries. "I did fencing, and there was a summer league every year," said Gamble. "I was good, but I would always lose to the same dude in the championship. Every time and the fourth year it happened, I said, 'I'm done doing this.'" Gamble sees a striking similarity between fencing and his current sport of football. "You try not to get hit," he said. The fifth-year tight end is making a new start after transferring from Florida to UCF this offseason, where he wraps up his final year of college eligibility.

The 6-foot-4 Gamble entered the transfer portal on Jan. 12 with thoughts of possibly playing somewhere in the Big Ten or Big 12, but when it came down to making a final decision, he chose to play somewhere closer to his home in Miami. "I talked to my mom and she doesn't like to fly, so I wanted to find a place close enough so she could come to my final games," Gamble explained. "Then one of the UCF coaches hit my phone, asking me to come in for a visit. I came in, liked it and Gus Malzahn showed me how they planned to use me [in the offense]." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#35 TE) rSr/2023

TE Kemore Gamble, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/10/22 - Tremon Morris-Bash, rSr/2024, Central Florida, 6-3, 246 (DS#35 DE) + More +

UCF defensive coordinator Travis Williams has high expectations for defensive end Tre'Mon Morris-Brash this season. "I expect him to be a household name coming off the edge this year," Williams said. "He has a natural ability to rush the quarterback. I'm looking for him to be that guy to put pressure on the quarterback." Morris-Brash is just hoping for a productive senior year. "My goal is to produce more than I did in the past," he told the Orlando Sentinel at UCF football media day last week. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound edge defensive end already has been quite a force on defense for the Knights.

Last year, he finished second on the team with 10 tackles for loss and 5 sacks despite missing the first two games. He was suspended for two weeks following an on-campus arrest for driving under the influence. When UCF was without Morris-Brash, the Knights failed to record a sack. "I was suspended for the first two games. I know for a fact I would have had a sack in both of those games," he said. "Not taking anything away from anyone else but I feel like if I did play, it would have been different." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#35 DE) rSr/2024

DE Tremon Morris-Bash, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/09/22 - Quadric Bullard, rSr/2025, Central Florida, 5-11, 178 (DS#109 SS) + More +

Even as Quadric Bullard started all of UCF's 13 football games last season, the safety from South Florida dealt with a torn ligament in his left shoulder, he told the Orlando Sentinel during Thursday's team media day. "I was reluctant to get surgery early in the season because I had built such a connection with my teammates I didn't want to let them down," Bullard said. "I had played an important role in the spring and just became the starter. "I was like, 'I'm not going to let this moment go to waste,' so I played throughout the whole season with it." Bullard received clearance from the medical staff to play with the injury because it couldn't get any worse, defensive backs coach Addison Williams told the Sentinel. "It was challenging at first but he ended up starting every game for us and had a really good year," Williams said.

Bullard said from time to time that it was hard to play hurt and his body reminded him often of his decision. "Dishing out blow for blow, your body tells you, 'Hey, I'm breaking down,' and after big hits, my shoulder would become weak from time to time," he said. "I didn't want to become a detriment to my team, so I'd step out and let someone else step in." When Bullard took a break, then-freshman William Wells would enter the game. "He was under me but he learned from me every rep," Bullard said. "He was there asking me questions as I was when the [new] coaches first got here. "When he stepped in, the talent stayed the same because Will was there behind me, every day learning from me." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#109 SS) rSr/2025

SS Quadric Bullard, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/09/22 - Javon Baker, Sr/2024, Central Florida, 6-1, 202 (DS#24 WR) + More +

When Kobe Hudson heard his good friend Javon Baker was looking for somewhere to continue his college football career, it didn't take long for the junior receiver to reach out with a sales pitch. Hudson had reunited in the spring with his former coach Gus Malzahn at UCF as a transfer after two seasons at Auburn. Meanwhile, Baker entered the transfer market in January after two seasons at Alabama and after a brief sojourn at Kentucky.

A 4-star prospect out of high school, he was without a football home. "I basically begged him to come," said Hudson. "After [former UCF receiver] Jaylon Robinson left, I knew he could be a big key for the team." Baker took a leap of faith and joined Hudson despite not having much prior knowledge of UCF. The childhood friends whose football paths ran parallel, taking them from the suburbs of southern Atlanta to nearby Alabama - where they found themselves on opposite sides of the Iron Bowl rivalry between Alabama and Auburn - were back together again. "We've been friends since eighth grade," said Baker. "We played 7-on-7 against each other and then we teamed up on a 7-on-7 team." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#24 WR) Sr/2024

WR Javon Baker, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/05/22 - Terrence Lewis, rSo/2026, Central Florida, 6-2, 190 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

Maryland linebacker transfer Terrence Lewis has been cleared to practice fully after being limited in the spring. Lewis injured his knee ahead of last season at Maryland and was sidelined throughout before transferring to UCF. "He's clear to go 100% and you can tell he's chomping at the bit to hit people and being in the right position," Williams said. Coming out of high school, Lewis was ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the country for the 2021 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. "You can hear him talking and see his athletic ability," Williams said about the 5-star recruit. "You can see exactly why he was recruited highly." - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#999 OLB) rSo/2026

OLB Terrence Lewis, Central Florida
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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08/03/22 - Alex Ward, rSr/2023, Central Florida, 6-4, 240 (DS#1 LS) + More +

2022 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCHLIST: Alex Ward, UCF,...Ward, a fifth-year player from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was one of three finalists for the award in 2021. He earned third-team All-America honors in 2021 from Phil Steele and also was selected first-team all-American Athletic Conference by Steele. Ward is a preseason third-team All-America pick by Steele for 2022. He graduated in December 2021 with a degree in mechanical engineering and is currently pursuing a second degree in integrated business from the College of Business Administration. He was named to the Order of Pegasus last spring, earning the most prestigious honor for any UCF student. Ward also was a dean's list selection for the spring 2022 semester. - Central Florida Football

(DS#1 LS) rSr/2023

LS Alex Ward, Central Florida
News Source: Central Florida Football
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