Weaver embraces No. 3 quarterback role

Knights running back Ronnie Weaver is proving himself to be a man of many talents.

The former walk on has, in the past week, asserted himself as a likely candidate for the starting running back job, showing an inclination for gaining what coach George O'Leary calls "the hidden yards."

Now, Weaver has emerged as UCF's third-string quarterback in the wake of quarterback/wide receiver Rob Calabrese's season-ending ACL injury and the news that recruit DaMarcus Smith will not be academically eligible this season. The losses left the Knights in a pinch in the event that starter Jeff Godfrey and back-up Blake Bortles both go down to injury.

The coaching staff responded to the issue by having a few candidates, including the running backs, compete for snaps, try out the "Wild Knight" system and throw the ball downfield.

Weaver, who already has a reputation as a hard worker on special teams and is a tough, gritty running back, impressed coaches the most, displaying a strong arm capable of heaving the ball downfield.

"We had a tryout the other day," Weaver said. "I did pretty well understanding the plays and concepts as far as the Wild Knight is concerned…I'm learning."

To be specific, Weaver will be used as an emergency quarterback option, running the Wild Knight formation.

What's more, Weaver has never taken a snap at quarterback in college or high school. At Vero Beach High School, he played safety and running back. Weaver says his only experience at quarterback came during youth football.

Despite all that, he is confident in his ability to do the job and is working hard to get the system down.

"It's just going to be a tad bit of an adjustment," Weaver said.

Weaver realizes his role as the third-string quarterback is preparation for emergency situations, but he hopes that it will be something available for the Knights to use to their advantage in other situations, as well.

"The more comfortable I get with it, the more comfortable coach will be it and try to implement that into the offensive scheme," Weaver said. "As far as being implemented into the game plan, I'm not exactly sure how that's going right now. But I'm practicing hard at it."

Unfortunately, Weaver's opportunity came as a result of Calabrese's misfortune.

With Calabrese running the system, UCF had some success with the Wild Knight last season before the senior suffered an ACL injury against Marshall.

Calabrese recovered from his first injury and was doing well taking snaps at both wide receiver and as the third-string option in preseason camp before re-injuring himself on a non-contact play last week.

"When I was making my cut, I heard it pop," Calabrese told reporters. "I'm highly disappointed. I really wanted to get out there and help this team win this year."

Despite having to sit out again, Calabrese, one of the team's more vocal leaders, still believes he can help the team.

"I'm going to try and help out the team in any way I can, whether it's helping guys on the sideline or just trying to be a motivator out there," Calabrese said. "I'm still part of this team."

Calabrese, a senior, has not used a redshirt yet, leaving open the possibility that he could have one more year of eligibility.

"That (decision) is going to be made later on, with talking to my family, coach and the doctors," Calabrese said.

In the mean time, Weaver will be handling an increased role in a Knights' offense, hoping to do all that he can to help out in Calabrese's absence.

"I'm getting the hang of it pretty swiftly," Weaver said.