New faces, new places

When redshirt senior Bruce Miller and the rest of the senior class arrived at UCF in 2006, the Knights still played at the Citrus Bowl.  UCF had never won a Conference USA Championship, been nationally ranked or won a bowl game.

What a difference four years can make.

"I think the biggest [difference] is from the talent standpoint," Miller said. "The guys that they are recruiting now, they are able to compete with the bigger schools in the state and recruit guys and get them here who can really play football. That's a really big step."

After completing the most successful season in school history, there will be plenty of returning starters and new faces who have big shoes to fill.

Running backs

UCF's running backs shouldn't miss a beat next season.  Junior Brynn Harvey isn't exactly a new face, but will return after redshirting the 2010 season due to injury. Harvey accounted for the bulk of the Knights' run game in 2009 and led the team in rushing attempts (261), rushing yards (1,109) and rushing touchdowns (14).

Wide receivers

Seniors Jamar Newsome, Kamar Aiken and Brian Watters were favorite targets of quarterback Jeff Godfrey in 2010 but all are graduating, leaving the receiver corps a bit young. Freshman Joshua Reese, a former Miami Central teammate of Godfrey, will look to make an impact in 2011. Nico Flores, a former high school quarterback who saw time in wildcat formations this season, will see more action.

Offensive line

The offensive line will miss senior tackle Jah Reid, who will likely be a selection in the NFL Draft.  The Knights hope to replace him with freshman Tony Jacob, a versitile lineman who can play center and tackle. Freshman Torrian Wilson, who ESPN lists as a four-star recuit, will hope to see playing time at guard. Junior college transfer Jose Jose, who was also a four-star recruit that committed to the Knights last year, was released from his scholarship after an arrest stemming from alleged gun possession.  The charges were later dropped, and after playing a year at Eastern Arizona College, Jose re-commited to UCF, turning down offers from USC and Kansas State.

Defensive ends

The Knights will have to combat big losses at the defensive end position in 2011. They'll lose two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Bruce Miller and senior David Williams. Freshman Quinton Brown, a versitile athlete who played tight end and on the defensive line in high school, will use his 4.5 second 40-yard dash time to help out the Knights' pass-rush. UCF also added a four-star junior college transfer in Toby Jackson, who signed his letter of intent with the Knights in December. Jackson, who was named the Defensive MVP of the Junior College National Championship, had two sacks and two tackles for losses for Navarro (Texas) in the title game.

Linebackers

Ray Cottman, a junior college transfer, signed his National Letter of Intent in December to come to UCF from Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, where he recorded 88 tackles, an interception and forced four fumbles.

Secondary

The Knights' young secondary will try to maintain their momentum after a huge game against Georgia. The defensive unit held projected top-five NFL draft pick A.J. Green to 77 yards and kept him from scoring. The young unit, which features two returning starters in sophomore safety Kemal Ishmael and sophomore corner back Josh Robinson, will be bolstered next season by freshman Jordan Ozerities, who made the most of his limited playing time in 2010.  Ozerities had an interception returned for a touchdown against Tulane and forced a fumble against Memphis.