The 2024 Sonny’s

A staple of the Sons of UCF coverage over the years has been the annual Sonny awards, given out to members of the football team based on their performance in that season. As you know, 2024 was a challenging year, but the Sonny’s must go on.

A couple of category notes: a player is labeled as a newcomer if this is his first year with the program (transfer or freshman). A player is eligible for the breakout category if they have been with the Knights for at least a season (redshirts included). Everything else should be pretty self explanatory. Without further adieu…

Offensive Newcomer - Jacoby Jones, WR

Jacoby came to the Knights through the transfer portal via the Ohio Bobcats. A big bodied receiver at 6’3” and 228 pounds, it stood to reason that Jones would be a candidate to get some targets in the middle of the field and on short yardage downs. Unfortunately, Jones usage was minimal early, notching only 2 catches for 29 yards through the first seven weeks of the season. However, the quarterback change to Dylan Rizk seemed to spark Jones, and he hauled in 20 catches for 298 yards and 2 TDs over the final five weeks.

Defensive Newcomer - Xe’ree Alexander, LB

Xe’ree came to the Knights through the transfer portal via Idaho. Initially playing in more of a backup role, Alexander provided depth at the linebacker position in the early parts of the season. Once week six rolled around, injuries and a lineup change provided Alexander more playing time, and he became a constant at the linebacker position throughout the rest of the season. He finished second on the team with 68 total tackles, including six tackles for loss. In week eleven against West Virginia, Alexander had a season high 17 total tackles to lead the Knights defense. Alexander figured to be a key piece of the 2025 Knights, but he entered the transfer portal and ultimately signed with the University of Washington.

Offensive Breakout Player - Randy Pittman, Jr - TE

The true sophomore tight end came into the year expecting to have an increased role with the loss of Alec Holler. While the tight end position under Gus Malzahn has a heavy emphasis on blocking, Pittman hauled in 32 receptions for 416 yards and 2 TDs. He also proved to be a key part of the running game, which helped propel RJ Harvey to a career year. With his name generating more buzz in college football, Pittman exercised his right to enter the transfer portal, eventually reuniting with Gus Malzahn at Florida State.

Defensive Breakout Player - Braeden Marshall, DB

The true sophomore defensive back saw his playing time increase in 2024, including making 6 starts. While his statistical totals were similar to the 2023 season, Marshall delivered 22 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 INT in only 9 games due to injury. Unfortunately, Marshall’s 2024 season will probably be best remembered for dropping the ball on the one-yard line against Iowa State, which cost him a pick six.

Special Teams MVP - Evan Morris, TE

I imagine this one might be a bit controversial, but let’s face it, there were not many bright spots on special teams in the 2024 season. Originally recruited to Michigan State as a kicker, Morris made the move to tight end at the end of the 2020 season. Morris committed to the Knights via the transfer portal before the 2024 season to provide depth and a blocking at the tight end position. However, the injury and opt-out of kicker Colton Boomer forced UCF to get creative, and the 6’5” 245 pound Morris moved into the kick-off specialist role beginning in week 5. Morris finished the year with an average of 62.8 yards per kickoff, including 20 touchbacks.

Defensive MVP - Nyjalik Kelly, DE

Nyjalik joined the Knights this offseason through the transfer portal via Miami (FL). The 6’5” 250 pound junior was seen to be another added piece to a defensive line that had several returning veterans. However, as the season wound down it was clear that Kelly became the consistent centerpiece of that unit, finishing with 53 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and a team leading 5.5 sacks. Kelly also logged 3 forced fumbles on the year, which made him the team leader in turnovers produced. At the conclusion of the season Kelly initially entered the transfer portal, but several days later he removed his name and declared a return to UCF.

Offensive MVP - RJ Harvey, RB

Full disclosure, I tried to think of another player for this award because I didn’t want to give one person two different awards (spoiler alert), but I just couldn't justify making that decision. Not only was Harvey the leading rusher on the team with 1,608 yards, he was also fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 267 yards. All told, Harvey accounted for 25 total touchdowns for the Knights, 21 more than the next closest player. It is truly frightening to think about what the 2024 team would have looked like without RJ Harvey.

Team MVP - RJ Harvey

I already discussed the phenomenal 2024 season from RJ Harvey, but his impact on the UCF program overall is just as impressive. He broke the record for total career touchdowns (48) and is now the second leading rusher in UCF history (3,792 yards) behind only Kevin Smith. In an era of transfer portal and NIL paydays, it has been well documented that RJ was in high demand from many college programs vying for his services. However, he chose to work out a deal with UCF (perhaps for a lesser amount), because he wanted to finish his career as a Knight. While history may look back on these past four seasons with some frustration, here’s to hoping that RJ Harvey gets the credit he deserves for all that he achieved.

Play of the Year - Dylan Rizk to Randy Pittman, Jr

The 48 yard TD pass from Dylan Rizk to Randy Pittman to end the first half against the Arizona Wildcats wins play of the year. The game was pretty much out of hand at that point, but Knights fans finally had something to cheer about after weeks of misery.

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The year in Sons interviews

At the Sons of UCF, one thing we take great pride in is our long form interviews with some of the biggest names in UCF history. We had some good ones in 2024, and you know what that means… a Top 5! Here are the Top 5 Sons interviews of 2024

OLI (Outside Looking In): Brock Huard, Fox Sports - originally aired September. One of the main reasons for the excitement heading into the Colorado game was the standalone coverage UCF was going to get from Fox Sports. This included Fox sending one of their top broadcast crews to call the game - Kevin Kugler (filling in for Jason Benetti) and Brock Huard. Trace Trylko and I were fortunate enough to get an exclusive interview with Brock, who was actually in the visiting radio booth of the Bounce Hose after finishing his local Seattle radio show. Another fun fact, Brock did not have any headphones and was having a hard time hearing our questions, which is why you see him putting his ear to the camera throughout the interview.

OLI (Outside Looking In): Jeremy Tache, Meadowlark Media/FanDuel Sports - originally aired August. Many UCF fans will recognize Jeremy from his current role as a contributor on the Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz or as a sideline reporter for FanDual Network’s Miami Heat coverage. However, Jeremy is also a UCF alum who got his media career kicked off on the student run sports program Hitting The Field. In this interview with me and UCF Mike, Jeremy talks about his time at UCF and his expectations for the 2024 season [Editor’s Note: he was a tad off in predicting UCF would go 12-0]

5) Shane Burnham: UCF Defensive Coach 2018-20 - originally aired December. Perhaps this is recency bias, but my conversation with Shane Burnham was revealing for a few reasons. First, he was engaged and told some great stories, but perhaps more importantly, he is the first coach we’ve spoken to who worked on the Josh Heupel coaching staff. You’ll hear talk about a lot of the key games in that era, and of course, the usual hard hitting questions about second half Randy, shackets, and the four play playbook.

4) Mario Verduzco: UCF QB Coach 2016-17 - originally aired January. Mario Verduzco was the QB Coach on Scott Frost’s initial UCF staff in 2016. Known as a unique QB guru, many, including McKenzie Milton, have credited Verduzco with helping them learn the position. Verduzco also had a front row seat to the drama surrounding Coach Frost departing for Nebraska, and his first few years in Lincoln. While it’s clear him and Coach Frost aren’t on each other’s Christmas card list, Verduzco still holds great respect for UCF. This interview has it all - great stories, knowledgable perspective, and eccentricity.

3) Jay Bergman: UCF Baseball Coach 1983-2008 - originally aired May. You simply cannot write the history of UCF Baseball without mentioning former Coach Jay Bergman. He helped to literally build the program from the ground up, including facilities, scheduling, and infrastructure. However, Coach Bergman’s time ended in scandal, causing him to stay away from the program for almost 15 years. With Rich Wallace installed as the new head coach, Bergman has slowly begun re-integrating into the program he helped build.

2) Shaquem Griffin: UCF LB 2013-17 - originally aired December. Maybe another recency bias selection, but you can never go wrong listening to UCF Hall of Famer Shaquem Griffin. In this interview from Sons of UCF LIVE, Shaquem joined me, Trace, and Andrew Cherico to talk about the hiring of Scott Frost. It is guaranteed to get you fired up for the Frost 2.0 era.

1) Kirk Speraw - UCF Basketball Coach 1993-2010 - originally aired February. 2024 was quite a year for the former UCF basketball coach: first he was elected to the UCF Hall of Fame, and then he got to talk to me and UCF Mike. I kid of course, but for Mike and I it was a real treat to hear from Coach Speraw. From recruiting out of a mini-van, to the advent of Kirk Jerk’s, Coach Speraw played a big role in helping shepherd the UCF program to new places. While his tenure came to an end sooner than he had hoped, it is obvious the love and respect Coach Speraw has for his time in Orlando.

All of the Sons content can also be enjoyed in audio form via your favorite podcast player. Use the link below to find your favorite, and be sure to subscribe:

We got some new guys

Here is an update on the latest players to sign with the Knights since the update I provided last week:

• OL Preston Cushman - Ole Miss

• OL Jakiah Leftwich - North Carolina

• OL Justin Royes - Virginia Union

• TE Dylan Wade - Maryland

• DT Horace Lockett, Jr - Georgia Tech

• LB Keli Lawson - Virginia Tech

• LB Phil Picciotti - Oklahoma

• DB Phillip Dunnam - FAU

• DB Jaeden Gould - Syracuse

• DB Jayden Bellamy - Syracuse

By my math, this should bring the total scholarship roster to 67 players (if you include all of the HS and JUCO signees). [Editors Note: there are still JUCO and HS players who have not officially signed, including RB Waymond Jordan]. If UCF stays at the 85 scholarship limit, there are 18 spots left to fill. So where does UCF go next? Here are my thoughts:

• 1 or 2 more QBs - one of which needs to be somebody to make a push for the starting spot

• 2 or 3 more RBs - there are currently only three RBs on the roster, so UCF will need to shore up depth here

• 2 or 3 more WRs - there are currently only 7 WRs on the roster, so this is another area where some depth would be needed

• 2 more OLs - there are currently only 10 OLs on the roster, and ideally you would like enough to provide depth out to at least a third string

• 3 or 4 more DEs - there are currently only 4 DEs on the roster, and considering the injury history UCF has had at this position, depth is badly needed

• 1 or 2 more LBs - there are currently 9 listed on the roster, and again, having depth here can help UCF through a long Big 12 season

• 1 Punter - somebody has to kick the ball

• 1 Long Snapper - somebody has to snap the ball

Keep in mind that UCF can also find depth through walk-ons depending on what is decided with scholarship limits.

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The Best of the Rest

It might have been a holiday week, but the Sons still put out some new content, including:

The second episode of To Your Point, a UCF centric roundtable show hosted by Jeff Allen. This episode features Brian Peterson, Matt Murschel, and Dali Drama. Check it out:

UCF Basketball closed out the non-conference schedule with a win over Jacksonville. Andrew Cherico and Dwayne Jones were on hand:

The 2024 Cure Bowl featured a matchup between Ohio and Jacksonville State. Andrew and Dwayne were at Camping World Stadium:

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Today I Learned

On September 20th 2025, 6 time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick will bring his North Carolina Tar Heels to the Bounce House. But, did you know that Belichick is not the first Super Bowl winning head coach to be the head coach of another team playing at the Bounce House?

From 2022-24, the Hula Bowl has been played at the Bounce House, and the head coach of Team Kai in all of those games was Brian Billick, who won Super Bowl XXXV as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Billick will return to coach in the Hula Bowl in 2025.

A bonus fun fact: in 2024 the Bounce House hosted former Super Bowl champion player and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. However, Coach Prime was not the first Super Bowl winning player to be the head coach of another team playing at the Bounce House.

On February 23, 2019, the Orlando Apollos of the now defunct Alliance of American Football (AAF) hosted the Memphis Express, who were coached by Super Bowl XX champion Mike Singletary. The Bounce House was the home of the Apollos in their first and only season in existence.

The Week ahead

The Sons will be back to a quasi regular schedule for the upcoming week. You can expect new episodes of Around The Kingdom, Sons of UCF LIVE, and a basketball preview from Andrew Cherico.

Also, don’t forget that the UCF Men’s basketball team opens conference play on December 31st against Texas Tech at 2pm EST.

Until then, be kind to yourself as we embark on a new year. We are all doing the best we can.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Charge On.