Godfrey to transfer

Jeff Godfrey, who as a freshman led the UCF Knights to their greatest season in the program's history, will be transferring out of the program.

Godfrey's father, Jeff Godfrey Sr., confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that his son was granted a release from UCF by head coach George O'Leary. According to Godfrey Sr., in addition to the mandatory one year transfer players typically have to sit out, Godfrey also is restricted from going to a school in the Big East or Conference USA, terms mandated by the release.

While rumors are swirling about Godfrey's possible next destination, nothing has been confirmed. Also, there is no word on whether FIU is a possible destination for the Miami-native, or whether it has been blocked as an option because of the Knights' current four game series they are signed to play against the Panthers.

Typically, transferring players are barred from going to teams the former program would face in the near future.

UCF has yet to confirm the sophomore quarterback's departure, but did release a statement regarding his eligibility Monday evening. The statement declared Godfrey ineligible for the spring semester, stating "University of Central Florida quarterback Jeff Godfrey has been declared ineligible for the spring semester, per university policy. University policy prohibits releasing details of the ineligibility, although it is not related to any NCAA investigation."

While the release does not address Godfrey's impending departure, it does create questions about his eligibility and where he would be able to go next. It has been suggested, though not confirmed, that Godfrey may have to spend a season at a junior college before transferring back to the Division I level.

For the Knights, the transfer simplifies what was shaping up to be a hotly contested quarterback battle in the spring between Godfrey and red shirt freshman Blake Bortles. Now, however, UCF has some clarity with Bortles as the clear cut starter, but the program also now has some issues at depth at the position.

Graduating senior running back Ronnie Weaver was supposed to have been the Knights' emergency third string option this season, though it never got to that. UCF had a quarterback commitment lined up in Jupiter Christian's Kedric Bostic, but Bostic just this week had a change of heart and is opting to attend Princeton.

Rob Calabrese, once the starting quarterback for UCF before he ran into injury problems, will be staying for a red shirt senior year, though it is unclear whether he will play receiver or quarterback. For now, the Knights will have to evaluate new recruiting targets at the position, and also take a look at the quarterbacks they used during the season on the scout team.