UCF receivers want to demonstrate physicality, swagger
As Gabe Davis slipped out of a recent UCF spring football practice, the former Knights and Buffalo Bills receiver was asked about his impending free agency.
“We’ll see,” he said with a smile.
A few hours later, the Seminole High product agreed to a 3-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Davis is among a growing number of former UCF receivers, including Breshad Perriman, Mike Sims-Walker, Brandon Marshall, Tre’Quan Smith, Tre Nixon and Jacob Harris, who have leaped to the NFL.
Javon Baker could be the next in line after a stellar showing last season.
Baker led the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,139) and became the first Knight with 1,000 receiving yards since Marlon Williams in 2020. His strong showing at the NFL Combine only helped his stock soar, making him a possible second- or third-day pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
Energy, effort please Gus Malzahn in UCF’s first spring scrimmage
The next generation of receivers, led by Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend, is already in place at UCF. The pair headlines a unit that includes Trent Whittemore, Jarrad Baker, Steve Martin, Chauncey Magwood and Tyree Patterson.
“We’re a real feisty room,” said Jarrad Baker, a fifth-year senior who has been limited during his time with the Knights because of injuries. “We’re going to go up and compete for the ball, we’re going to block and we’re going to talk our talk and do whatever we have to do.”
The 6-foot-1 Hudson will replace Javon Baker as the top receiver after a career season of 900 yards and 8 touchdowns.
“It makes me want to be great,” Hudson said of his new role. “It makes me want to come out and do everything right every day. I want to make plays so the younger guys can look up to me.”
Tim Harris Jr. has wasted no time establishing his philosophy as UCF’s new offensive coordinator and receivers coach.
“We’re going to play harder than everybody else,” he said. “We want to ensure we catch the football and consistently catch the ball. That’s the No. 1 job as a receiver, but more than anything, we will be a physical group.
“Sometimes guys look at the wide receiver position and think we’re all about finesse and speed. We’ll be about those things too when we have to, but when you watch us play, you’ll say those guys play hard.”
Harris’ message has already caught on amongst the receivers.
“It’s just very good to have somebody in there who comprehends everything that’s going on in the field and teaches things conceptually, which helps everybody, especially the young guys,” said Whittemore.
Added Baker: “[Coach Harris] brings another level of dawg to the room. He brings out the dawg in everybody in our group. He’s upped everybody’s game.”
For Townsend, who spent most of his first two seasons as a slot receiver, the spring has offered the junior a chance to work out as a wideout.
“It’s been a little bit of a learning curve,” said Townsend, who had 325 yards last season. “Right now, I’m strictly on the outside, learning that position and trying to get comfortable with it. I’m taking Kobe’s advice. He’s helped me a lot, teaching me the ins and outs of the position.”
Townsend spent the offseason strengthening his upper body while also getting faster. His top speed is 22 miles per hour, but the junior hopes to reach 24 by the start of the season. Physical attributes aren’t the only thing Townsend hopes to improve.
“Coaches have stressed to me this offseason to be more vocal,” he said. “When I was younger, I led by example and now I’m trying to step into that role and be more vocal.”
Baker stresses the unit’s mentality is all about not losing.
“There is no such thing as a 50-50 ball. It’s more like an 80-20 ball with us,” he said. “We have a little swagger in our room.”
It’s that type of bravado that the older players hope to pass on to the next generation of receivers, such as true freshmen Bredell Richardson, Kason Stokes and Jordyn Bridgewater.
“I’ve been here for a while and that’s always been the culture, whether it was Gabe Davis, Marlon Williams, Brandon Johnson or Ryan O’Keefe,” Baker said. “I know the culture and can pass it along.”
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com