UCF’s goal is to compete for championships in its first year in a Power 5 conference

UCF has arrived — finally — as a Power 5 program.

The Knights began their football odyssey as a Division III program in 1979, went 0-10 in their first season as a Division II program in 1982 and finally rose to the Division 1/FBS level in 1996.

UCF reached another level when it went 13-0 in 2017, starting a three-year 35-4 run.

Now, it’s on to the Big 12 with a 2023 conference schedule that includes four top 25 teams: No. 11 Texas, No. 16 Kansas State, No. 17 Texas Christian and No. 20 Oklahoma.

The Knights boast three preseason All-Big 12 defenders: linemen Tre’Mon Morris-Brash (first team) and Ricky Barber (second) and linebacker Jason Johnson (first). Johnson led UCF with 126 tackles last season. In all, UCF returns four of its top six tacklers.

In addition, cornerback Decorian Patterson transferred from Middle Tennessee after he tied for the national lead with seven interceptions in 2022.

On offense, the Knights have skill with three key seniors: quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, running back RJ Harvey (third team All-Big 12) and wide receiver Javon Baker (second).

Plumlee is a dual-threat QB, passing last year for 2,586 yards and 14 touchdowns and running for 862 yards and 11 TDs.

“John Rhys is playing with a lot more confidence than at this time last year,” UCF coach Gus Malzahn said during a preseason news conference. “Just a year prior to that, he was playing receiver [at Ole Miss].

“Now he’s making all the throws. He understands when to put touch on the ball. He understands protections, and, more than anything, he’s our leader.”

Harvey came on late last season, finishing the year with 796 yards and a 6.7 average. Baker had 56 catches for a team-high 796 yards, five TDs and a 14.2 average.

Senior Kobe Hudson is another receiver to watch. Last year, he caught 39 passes for 641 yards, a 16.4 average and a team-high seven TDs.

UCF’s offensive line is led by 6-7 senior Tylan Grable, a third-team All-Big 12 selection in the preseason. Transfers Bula Schmidt (Fresno State) and Marcellus Marshall (Kent State) are set to become immediate starters on the line along with two-year UCF starter Lokahi Pauole.

The Knights also have a dynamic kicker — aptly named Colton Boomer, who made 14 of 15 field goals last year. His only miss came from 54 yards.

“We have something to prove,” Malzahn said. “We don’t want to just be a member of the Big 12. We want to compete for championships.”