TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Largo's Harvey Among RBs Headed For UCF

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILL FAY, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 7, 2008

ORLANDO - The University of Central Florida's search to find a productive replacement for All-American tailback Kevin Smith may take awhile, but the Knights reeled in some solid candidates Wednesday.

The class UCF signed includes four with notable rushing credentials. The most impressive of that group might be Largo's Brynn Harvey, who set the Pinellas County single-season rushing record with 2,567 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. He rushed 51 times in a playoff game last year and his coach doesn't see him slowing down in college.

"The way UCF plays is set up perfect for Brynn," Largo coach Rick Rodriguez said. "They liked to run Kevin Smith about every down and we did the same thing with Brynn. He's a strong, durable back who can carry the load for about anybody."

UCF Coach George O'Leary said he liked both the durability and versatility of the four running backs he signed. The other are Latavius Murray, the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in the state of New York; Brandon Davis, a preseason All-American from Suwanee, Ga., and Vance King, a two-way player from Stockbridge, Ga.

"They're all pretty good athletes, who could help us in other positions," O'Leary said. "I'm not going to move any of them to another position until I find out which two are going to be able to help what we have already."

The Knights beat out the University of Maryland to sign quarterback Rob Calabrese, who graduated from East Islip (N.Y) High School, the same school that produced former NFL QB Boomer Esiason. Calabrese broke Esiason's career mark for passing yards (3,992) and TDs (34) while leading his team to an 11-0 mark and the Long Island championship.

UCF's biggest scores might have been up front blocking for these guys. The Knights signed 6-foot-4, 319-pound tackle Jarien Moreland from Belle Glade, 6-3, 305-pound Steven Robinson of Tallahassee Lincoln and 6-5, 302-pound Chad Hounshell from Mentor, Ohio.

"When I first came here, we were just out there looking for bodies," O'Leary said. "Now, we're getting some national TV exposure, we've got a great stadium and that's allowing us to be more specific about what we want and what we really need. I like what we've got."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT