The best players in (Modern) UCF Football History: Number 9
UCF fans like to refer to the school as Wide Receiver U and with good reason. But more on that later in this countdown. In realty this school should be referred to as defensive back U. The university has produced some fantastic cornerbacks and defensive backs that have not only produced at a collegiate level, but in the NFL as well. But we are focused on only the collegiate aspect for this article. So after number 10 on the list Rannell Hall we move onto number 9. This next player was a cornerback for the Knights from 1999-2002. He has the distinction of playing for UCF when they were independent and their first year in the MAC. While he was at UCF, this player was one of the most electrifying players at the university. This player is top 10 in many UCF categories and is the UCF hall of fame.
The player coming in at number 9 is Asante Samuel. Samuel's career at UCF is impressive to say the least. Samuel had 127 tackles (102 solos), eight interceptions, 38 break-ups, 63 punt returns for 673 yards (10.8 avg) and 10 kickoff returns for 168 yards (16.8 avg.) as a Knight. He also ranks 8th in career interceptions, 10th in single season interceptions, holds the school records for pass breakups, ranks in the top 10 for punt return averages for a career and single season, and was a 2 time all Independent team/MAC when he played. Oh and he was inducted to the UCF hall of fame last year. It can be argued that Samuel is the most successful former UCF player in terms of his tenure in the NFL. He is a three time Super Bowl Champion. Though again NFL experience does not count in these rankings.
When you hear former teammates talk about Samuel they speak about him with such reverence. How he was hard working and a great teammate. But more important they talk about how they knew he was going to be special. As one of his teammates said, "once Asante took the football field you knew no one was going to take that job from him." Asante brought a level of passion to the Knights. Needless to say from a raw talent perspective, Asante Samuel is top 5 player, perhaps even top 3. He was even better than his numbers dictated. Asante Samuel was a superstar at a time when UCF needed superstars to put the school on the map. He was the goal and complete package and lent credibility to UCF as a whole.
It is a shame that Samuel did not come to UCF a bit later. A player of his caliber deserved to bask in a conference championship. Some will say that Samuel is too low on the list given his status as a UCF hall of famer. But Asante Samuel is not the best cornerback to play at UCF. There are still 2 that rank higher than him. That is how good UCF defensive backs have been historically. That is why he now sits at number 9 on this list. But overall Asante Samuel was one of the best defenders to ever step foot on campus in Orlando. UCF fans really need to appreciate his time at UCF.
So who is number 8 on the list? Here is a hint: this is the other great running back that UCF has produced.
