College Football: 10 schools likely to bounce back in 2022

7. UCF Knights

2021 Record: (9-4, 5-3 AAC)

Key Departures: Dillion Gabriel (quarterback), Kalia Davis (defensive tackle), Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant (defensive end), Brandon Johnson (wide receiver), Cam Goode (defensive line, transfer)

Returning Starters: Isaiah Bowser (running back), Divaad Wilson (safety), Ryan O’Keefe

Key Newcomers: John Rhys Plumlee (quarterback, transfer), Joey Gatewood (quarterback, transfer), Terrance Lewis (linebacker, transfer), KD McDaniel (linebacker, transfer)

Why the Knights bounce back: It is hard to say that the Knights are in line for a bounce-back season because they won nine games and beat Flordia in the Gasparilla Bowl. However, UCF was never in contention in the AAC because of early losses to the Navy and Cincinnati.

This season should be different. Gus Malzahn is in his second season as head coach and has some exciting options at quarterback. Dillon Gabriel is at Oklahoma now, but Malzahn’s offense runs better with a quarterback who can run.

The Knights signed John Rhys Plumlee and Joey Gatewood via college football’s transfer portal. Plumlee is from Mississippi and Gatewood from Kentucky.

Malzahn recruited and signed Gatewood out of high school to come to Auburn. Gatewood did not beat out Bo Nix for the starting job at Auburn.

Both transfer quarterbacks are great fits for the “Gus Bus” offense and incoming freshman Thomas Castellanos. Though Castellanos signed as an athlete, he’ll get a look as a quarterback simply because he’s a scheme fit.

The defense added depth via the portal and needs to reduce surrendering big plays. However, the AAC is an offensive league, and expect the Knights to have plenty of it next fall.