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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UCF tackle Paul Rubelt a perfect ‘ambassador' for the Knights
For a brief moment, it felt as though time had come to a standstill. Three oranges hovered in the air, nearly in sync, thanks to the efforts of UCF's Paul Rubelt, who was attempting to juggle the fruit. But just as quickly as they danced along their intended arcs, the oranges slipped from the grasp of the 6-foot-11, 330-pound offensive lineman, bouncing to the floor below. The laughter that erupted was unmistakably Rubelt's, accompanied by a wide, beaming smile stretching across his face. This juggling act took place on the field at The Star during Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas, on July 8. In many respects, it marked a significant milestone for the fifth-year senior, who was making his debut at the media event. 'I get to represent UCF, and I value that and it's awesome. It's a positive experience,' Rubelt told the Orlando Sentinel. His trademark positivity is always on display, whether it's juggling fruit or talking about football. 'I like being a kind person. People are too serious sometimes. There's a time and place and I can be serious, but why not laugh? Life's too short to have a frown on your face,' Rubelt said. Rubelt was one of four seniors in attendance for media days, along with running back Myles Montgomery, linebacker Keli Lawson and defensive end Nyjalik Kelly. The group of Knights spent much of their time speaking to the media about the expectations facing a team that features more than 70 new faces to start the season. While Montgomery, Lawson and Kelly are relative newcomers to the program, Rubelt has been the one constant, having played for three different coaches: Josh Heupel, Gus Malzahn and now Scott Frost. 'I liked Coach Malzahn and I love Coach Frost,' Rubelt explains. 'He's an awesome guy who is very personable.' Despite having only known Rubelt for a short seven months, Frost has nothing but kind words for his starting tackle. 'He's almost like an ambassador for UCF,' Frost said during media days. 'He has been here six years. He's a great human being. He's fun to be around every day. I love everything he stands for, and I've seen him improve even more than he was last year during my short time at UCF.' Rubelt's time at UCF has been one filled with patience. Born in Frankfurt-Oder, Germany, Rubelt wasn't naturally drawn to American football. After 11 years of competitive swimming, he lost his passion for the sport but soon discovered a new interest: football. 'Football is where I really flourish,' Rubelt said. 'It doesn't matter your body size or appearance; everyone has a role, and I fit in really well.' After attending several football camps in the U.S., Rubelt was encouraged to pursue the sport. 'People suggested I email coaches, but I didn't consider it. I'm from Germany and not a lifelong competitor like American kids. However, after trying it at a camp, a coach encouraged me to give it a try. I gave it a shot, and eventually, I got picked up by UCF.' After arriving in Orlando in 2020, Rubelt quickly found himself balancing multiple roles on the offensive line and special teams. During this time, he worked hard to deepen his understanding of the game. 'I struggled a lot with football, learning the schematics. I had a very small football IQ, I would say, and that has drastically increased and improved,' he said. During his inaugural season, he formed a close friendship with teammate McKenzie Milton, who was recovering from a severe knee injury that nearly cost him his leg. After multiple surgeries and extensive rehab, Milton returned to lead the scout team as quarterback. It was in this setting that Rubelt and Milton's friendship took root. 'I remember his last day before he transferred [to Florida State], I walked up to him and asked, 'Hey, dude, can I get an autograph on my helmet?'' Rubelt recalled. 'I knew McKenzie was the guy at UCF from when Frost was here. He was always kind to me.' Five years later, the two would once again reunite with Milton returning to take over as quarterbacks coach under Frost. 'I always have to remind myself, he's my coach,' Rubelt said with a smile. 'But he's always KZ to me.' 'Paul is like a 10th-year senior, isn't he?' Milton joked earlier this year. Rubelt's career continued to flourish, stepping into the starting right tackle role last season. He took part in 815 snaps, tied for the most on the team with Adrian Medley and Amari Kight. As the only returning starter this season, Rubelt figures to play a prominent role in the offense. When not on the football field or in the classroom, where he is working towards his second degree in kinesiology, Rubelt can be found working on his car, a white 2010 Crown Victoria that he purchased from a police auction in Hillsborough County. He takes regular trips to junkyards across Central Florida, searching for parts to help maintain the sedan. While he enjoys his time with his teammates and friends, Rubelt especially enjoys the solitude that he can find under the hood of his car. The start of fall camp next week is another reminder that Rubelt's time at UCF is slowly winding down. 'Every time, I've been thinking that this is my last winter conditioning. This is my last spring ball. It's a little bit emotional, especially when you have great teammates and you're not going to be able to play with them next year. That's unfortunate, but I'm taking as much in as possible,' he said. Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@ Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking all 16 Big 12 logos from worst to first
The 16-team Big 12 Conference is home to some iconic college athletic brands, despite losing Oklahoma and Texas in recent years. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State, the four most recent additions to the conference, may not all be football powerhouses. Still, they are among the best athletic programs in other sports, such as skiing, swimming, golf or basketball. The most recognizable aspect of all these programs is their logo. Worn at every athletic event, the logo is front and center in all big moments and is often the most recognizable thing about a team. So far this offseason, we've ranked the Big 12's 16 football stadiums, evaluated each stadium's in-game atmosphere, and ranked each program's helmet and uniforms. Now, to wrap up our offseason ranking series before season preparation begins to ramp up in late July, here is an in-depth look at the Big 12's 16 logos, ranked from worst to best. 16. Houston Cougars Houston's logo feels more functional than anything creative or unique. The block "UH" with interlocking letters is clean and recognizable, but it misses the opportunity to connect to the "cougar" mascot. A redesign that leans into an actual cougar might help it climb the rankings. 15. UCF Knights I am just not a big fan of the entire UCF branding. The lettering is fine and has good lines, but similar to Houston, it lacks creativity. Compared to other Big 12 brands, it comes across more like a generic logo rather than a timeless college football emblem. 14. TCU Horned Frogs If the logo above were used as the primary logo for all sports, TCU would likely rank higher. The Horned Frog is such a great mascot, but TCU does not feature it enough. Instead, their primary logo is the three letters, which is fine, but not anything to write home about. 13. Baylor Bears The interlocking "BU" is well known, but it is not memorable. There is no visual nod to their "Bears" identity, which detracts from its uniqueness among a multitude of more expressive logos in the conference. I love the colorway, and on the green helmet, the gold "BU" really pops, but I can't put an only-letter logo in the top tier. 12. Texas Tech Red Raiders Out of all the interlocking/overlapping logos in the Big 12, I do think Texas Tech's is the best. Furthermore, the Red Raiders' emblem is a historic one. However, it seems like it is due for a refresh, with the shaded aesthetic feeling outdated. It's easily identifiable and fans love it, but among the competition, it falls in the middle of the pack. 11. BYU Cougars BYU could have gone the direction of TCU, Houston, or Baylor, but instead, they chose to enclose only the "Y" in a circle. It seems pretty creative to me, albeit simple. It is distinctive, even if it lacks the connection to the cougar mascot. 10. Iowa State Cyclones Talk about creativity with only lettering. Iowa State does a great job of making the most of the letters. The overall logo is solid, but with a cyclone as a mascot, they could do better. It is easy to recognize, which gives it some bonus points. 9. Oklahoma State Cowboys Another logo with blocky lettering. Oklahoma State earns a spot in the top 10 for its historic significance and effective use of the cattle-brand font, which ties the logo to its cowboy mascot. The logo is somewhat clunky compared to the more modern Big 12 designs, and a refined version might help it rise to the upper half of this ranking. 8. Arizona Wildcats Maybe this pick is controversial, but the Arizona "A" is a classic. It is a perfect emblem to go on every athletic uniform. I love the tri-color outline, which gives it dimension and pop without feeling overwhelming. 7. Kansas State Wildcats The "powercat" logo is excellent and speaks to the aggressive nature of a wildcat. Its minimalist style makes it instantly recognizable, and the design conveys a sense of energy. The logo is a solid, upper-mid-tier logo. 6. West Virginia Mountaineers Now, talk about an iconic logo, especially when talking about college football. West Virginia's stacked "WV" is bold, and the font perfectly suits the school's mountainous identity. The golden yellow pops on the dark blue, making it one of the more eye-catching logos in the Big 12. It is a good example of the 'less is more' theory in action. 5. Cincinnati Bearcats Cincinnati does a fantastic job of connecting its logo to its mascot. The "C" in the shape of a bear paw is next level. It is one of the more creative and distinct animal logos in the conference. 4. Utah Utes I opted for the classic black "U" surrounded by a circle and two feathers, rather than the interlocked black "U." The feathers give the logo some cultural depth and are immediately recognized as the Utah emblem. It's bold, clean, and unique to college sports. 3. Kansas Jayhawks The Kansas Jayhawk logo is quirky but legendary. It is a smiling, colorful bird that is not to be liked. While it lacks intimidation, it makes up for it with charm and uniqueness. Not many mascots and logos are instantly tied to their university as the Jayhawk is to Kansas. 2. Arizona State Wildcats Kenny Dillingham at Big 12 media days confirmed that Sparky is returning to be a more regular presence on uniforms, which is fantastic. Sparky should be everywhere when it comes to the Sun Devils. 1. Colorado Buffaloes Colorado combines classic block lettering with a charging animal to make one of the best logos in college athletics. The back and gold palette feels timeless, especially on a gold helmet. The design conveys tradition, passion and regional pride all at once, which, as a college logo, is near perfection. This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Power ranking all 16 Big 12 logos from worst to first
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Greg McElroy Names College Football Program He's 'Bullish' About
Greg McElroy Names College Football Program He's 'Bullish' About originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Several programs this season are introducing new head coaches to lead their teams to success. Advertisement Some of the coaches are new to their respective universities, while others are returning to places where they previously found success. A notable example is Scott Frost, the head coach of the UCF Knights. He had a record of 19-7 during his two seasons at UCF, but he left after achieving an impressive 13-0 season to become the head coach at his alma mater, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Frost faced challenges during his time at Nebraska, finishing with a record of 16-31 before being dismissed early in his fifth season. Now, he is returning to UCF, hoping to replicate the success he experienced during his previous tenure. The Knights have struggled, suffering back-to-back losing seasons, including a disappointing 4-8 record last year. On his podcast "Always College Football," ESPN's Greg McElroy expressed his belief that UCF will have a strong comeback season in 2025. UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost.© Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images "I think they're heading to a bowl game this year," McElroy said. "I know this has been a major transformation. I've been bullish on UCF for a while. I still like their program's trajectory. I feel like last year was just not an indicator about where this team could go here at some point very soon." Advertisement McElroy discussed the significant roster changes this offseason, led by Frost's return. He believes that the strategy Frost implemented during his first tenure at UCF was effective, but acknowledges that the current landscape is different. When Frost was coaching, NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals weren't yet in place, and the transfer portal hadn't become fully active. Additionally, the Knights were not part of a Power Four conference. This season, however, things are different at UCF, which means he will need to adapt to these changes. McElroy believes that UCF can achieve success, but he warns that if Frost uses the same approach as he did previously, it will be more difficult. He emphasizes that a key concern for the Knights is their quarterback situation, although they should benefit from having a strong offensive line. Indiana Hoosiers transfer Tayven Jackson is the projected starter at quarterback. He's expected to be backed up by Jacurri Brown and Cam Fancher. Jackson has thrown for 1,300 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in limited playing time in his career. Advertisement Brown has thrown for 809 yards, with five touchdowns and eight interceptions, despite limited playing time. Fancher has played the most games, throwing for 5,294 yards, with 27 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during his time at Marshall and Florida Atlantic. The Frost era will resume as the Knights face Jacksonville State at 7:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 28. Related: Paul Finebaum Says He'd Be Shocked if Major College Football Coach Fails to Revive Program This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bill Belichick Earns Commitment From Former Alabama Pledge
Bill Belichick Earns Commitment From Former Alabama Pledge originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Alabama Crimson Tide could not lock down the commitment of Jamarrion Gordon, and North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick took advantage. Advertisement On Wednesday, On3's Hayes Fawcett reported that Gordon had committed to North Carolina. Gordon initially committed to Alabama in May of 2024 and de-committed a couple of months later in July of that year. He then pledged to the UCF Knights in that same month before reopening his recruitment a second time in November. Belichick returned to college after a 32-year NFL head coaching career that spanned from 1991 to 2023. He replaced the longtime North Carolina head coach, Mack Brown, after being fired last season. Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images Gordon is a four-star safety in the 2026 class and the No. 39 player at his position in the 247Sports Composite. Advertisement Belichick has some history with longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The two were on the same coaching staff when Belichick was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He hired Saban as his defensive coordinator from Toledo. Saban and Belichick later faced each other as head coaches. Saban was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, while Belichick was with the New England Patriots. They played each other four times from 2005-06, with the series tied at two to this day. Much like the Patriots with Belichick, Alabama is no longer led by Saban, who retired after the 2023 season. The Crimson Tide now has Kalen DeBoer at the helm. DeBoer has not achieved the same results as Saban, but has proven to be a solid recruiter. Advertisement Alabama has the No. 12 overall 2026 recruiting class via On3 Sports. One of DeBoer's recent commits, quarterback Jett Thomalla, was seen excelling at the Elite 11 Finals. Crimson Tide target Deacon Schmitt announces Alabama as one of his finalists and revealed his commitment date. The four-star offensive tackle is committing on Saturday. Related: Mark Ingram II Thanks Future Alabama Opponent for Bulletin Board Material This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-UCF Quarterback Puts Alabama on Notice With Blunt Message
Ex-UCF Quarterback Puts Alabama on Notice With Blunt Message originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UCF Knights have their own ongoing quarterback battle, but one of the team's former signal-callers is grabbing college football headlines for potentially the wrong reasons. UCF fans will be keeping an eye on the Florida State Seminoles this season and now the rest of the college football world will be as well as the team opens the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Advertisement Former head coach Gus Malzahn surprisingly bolted Orlando, Fla., to take the offensive coordinator role with the Noles following the 2024 season. Malzahn was a major factor in Florida State landing former UCF quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The playmaking signal-caller moved to Tallahassee, Fla, this offseason via the transfer portal after two seasons with the Boston College Eagles. UCF Knights quarterback Thomas Castellanos (12) throws a pass during the second half against the Temple Owls at FBC Mortgage Watters-Imagn Images Castellanos played in five games for the Knights during his freshman season at UCF in 2022. Now, Castellanos made some surprising comments about Florida State battling Alabama on Aug. 30. The Noles quarterback does not see Alabama "stopping me" in the season opener. Advertisement 'I'm excited, man,' Castellanos told On3's Pete Nakos in an interview on Monday. 'People, I don't know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. "I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me." Both Florida State and Castellanos are looking for a bounce back opportunity in 2025. The Seminoles are coming off a 2-10 season, while Castellanos was part of a musical chairs situation at quarterback with Boston College in 2024. Castellanos threw for 1,366 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 61.5% of his passes during eight appearances in 2024. Potentially angering Alabama's defense is an interesting way to start his Florida State tenure. Advertisement Related: UCF Announces Good News in College Football Transfer Portal for Scott Frost This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
