UCF’s quick turnaround led by coach Frost, two star offensive standouts

By this time late in the football season, you begin to recognize a few underdogs that have risen out of the ashes to rise to prominence. One such team? The UCF Golden Knights.

Ranked in the top 25 after posting just a 6-7 record last year, the Knights have taken just two seasons to rise from the ashes of a 0-12 campaign.

A hot commodity in coaching search circles, Golden Knights head coach Scott Frost is in his second season at the helm. Based on reports, numerous schools are targeting him for head coaching openings. Their 10 wins this year have drawn a lot of attention recently, but a big reason for their success is a pair of undersized – and practically overlooked – star players.

Two-year starter McKenzie Milton was the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015. The quarterback had offers from Hawaii and Air Force and drew interest from Oregon and Boise State before ending up in Orlando. Frost’s arrival at UCF made up Milton’s mind where he wanted to play his college football, and it has paid off for both of them big time.

Milton is the 20th rated passer in the nation. Only 5-foot-11, he has thrown for 2,928 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Adrian Killens (5-8, 152) has 629 yards rushing (7.5 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns. He had a 96 yard touchdown run against Memphis. The Daytona, Florida native was the state’s 200 meter champion as a senior. Killens considered offers from FIU, Syracuse, Miami, Louisville, FAU, USF, Iowa State and West Virginia. He was the very first commitment for Scott Frost in his first signing class in 2016.

UCF averages 48.2 points per game. Frost will most likely move onto a bigger job but he has the program on good footing.