Newcomers looking to make an impact at receiver are Doug Gabriel and Ivery Gaskins. Both players had strong showings in the spring. Gabriel is considered one of UCF's top recruits of the 2001 class. He enrolled in January after graduating from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, while Gaskins is a transfer from Grambling. The Golden Knights will look to add a new dimension to their offense this season at tight end with the progress made by returning starter Mario Jackson and emergence of newcomer Michael Gaines.
Gaines possesses good size, great speed, excellent hands and blocks like an offensive lineman.
Look for the pair to form possibly the best 1-2 tight end combination in the country. UCF looks to have plenty of potential in the back field with a trio of players fighting for the starting job. Redshirt freshman Alex Haynes, who ran extremely well in spring scrimmages, will also look to make an impact. Haynes has good size and speed and is perhaps the most powerful of the trio that will vie for time in the backfield this fall. Junior Sean Gaudion is expected to handle the fullback duties while incoming freshman Dee Brown will be counted on in a reserve role.