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Trio of tailbacks have shot to start

By IZZY GOULD, Times Staff Writer
Published February 7, 2008

The biggest hole UCF hoped to fill was that left open by Kevin Smith, who led the nation in rushing with 2,567 yards then dashed to the NFL after his junior season. In doing so, the Knights signed three running backs.

A closer look

BIGGEST EARLY IMPACT: Pick a running back, any running back. Brynn Harvey Largo, Vance King (Stockbridge, Ga.) and Brandon Davis (Suwanee, Ga.) will have an immediate chance to step in. King brings explosiveness and strength while Harvey this past season scored 31 touchdowns and set a Pinellas County record with 2,567 yards.

SMALLEST RECRUIT: At 5-10, 190, Davis is a small package. But the Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) High star still set a school rushing record with more than 5,000 career yards.

BIGGEST RECRUIT: Jarien Moreland is a 6-foot-4, 319-pound transfer from Glade Central Community who can play anywhere on the offensive line.

BEST NICKNAME: "Moose," also known as Tallahassee Lincoln guard Steven Robinson.

LONG-TERM STAR: Robinson started all four years in high school. Besides being a star in track and wrestling, "Moose" also plays the tuba.

Coach George O'Leary

Quarterback Rob Calabrese: "You go after a quarterback because of arm strength and if they can line up on a hash and throw ... to the other side of the field. Those are the guys you want."

Running back Brandon Davis: "When you're a player of the year up in Georgia, you've done some great things. His team has gone to the state playoffs for two years, and he has been the leading rusher. He's just a great kid with great hands."

Running back Brynn Harvey: "I think Brynn Harvey is a kid that I really liked to begin with. Basically, he did a great job with his grades, which is the one thing that we were questioning. He really did a nice job. He's had the same amount of yards as Kevin Smith had last year for two different years, so it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being a heck of a running back here."

Defensive tackle Chris Martin: "Chris Martin got the MVP in that North-South Conference game. He's a flat back guy, an interior guy. I think his future's ahead of him, but he has a good first step. I think he's going to be a kid who has the good size you're looking for."

Izzy Gould can be reached at izzygould@gmail.com or (727) 580-5315.

[Last modified February 6, 2008, 23:57:56]