New Transfer Pieces Elevate UCF Knights Offense

© Jerome Miron/USA TODAY SPORTS

The UCF Knights already have a stacked running back room as well as an experienced quarterback in KJ Jefferson. With their latest additions from the transfer portal though, the Knights have given themselves more firepower in their arsenal and opened up new options in their offensive playbook.

Agiye Hall Walks On

Receiver Agiye Hall, who formerly played for Alabama and Texas, committed to UCF on Monday. Hall is 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds and was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He committed to the Crimson Tide in 2020 and would spend one year there before transferring to Texas. Hall would record 4 receptions for 72 yards over 7 games his freshman year. His production would falter while at Texas though, where he recorded just 1 reception for 7 yards over 3 games played.

Hall's behavioral history is certainly something to keep an eye on. Hall was suspended for violating team rules at Alabama in April 2022, which led to his transfer from the program. Hall was also arrested and charged for removing a parking boot from his car during Texas' preseason camp in 2022. Texas would suspend Hall indefinitely due to alleged repeated incidents of breaking team conduct.

© Robert Scheer/USA TODAY SPORTS

"(It's) not something that was based on one incident," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated in regard Hall's suspension.

This suspension would lead to his limited production, which led to him walking away from football in March 2023.

Hall would get his third chance at FBS play though with the Knights as a preferred walk-on 17 months after walking away from the game. If Hall can stay out of trouble and get back to form, the big-bodied receiver could certainly see time in the receiving fold as a big target with a lot of athletic ability and speed for his size.

According to his 247sports profile, "(Hall) has the athletic ability to make acrobatic catches and pull away from defenders after the catch. (He) is raw technically as a receiver and will need to improve his releases and route-running in addition to being hesitant around contact at times."

While there are a lot of "ifs" with Hall, this is a low-risk pickup by the Knights that could pay off immensely. His ceiling is being a good Javon Baker replacement that could hash out a decent college and potential pro career. His build and talent coming out of high school showed that. His floor is another crashing out that results in him being out of football entirely, which is something the Knights can afford should that happen especially with him being a walk-on. It is up to him which road he chooses.

Knights Nab Auburn Transfer

The Knights picked up another receiver just a day after Hall walked on, acquiring Auburn transfer Ja'Varrius Johnson. Johnson will be a scholarship player with a year of eligibility left going into this season.

At 5-foot-10, 159 pounds, Johnson isn't exactly the biggest presence on the field. However, Johnson was fairly productive as a slot option for Auburn, amassing 64 receptions for 1114 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns and 83 yards rushing. His average yards from scrimmage numbers are something to note as well, as he averages 16.9 yards per play off 71 total plays.

Johnson also spent four years at Auburn with current UCF coach Gus Malzahn. Johnson will reunite with Malzahn with this recent move, which is already a good sign for the Knights' receiving corps. Another good sign is Johnson's experience, as he is a seasoned veteran at an Southeastern Conference program who will bring that experience to a fairly inexperienced group of receivers.

The one knock on Johnson is his size, which given his use at slot, isn't a gigantic issue. He won't be a number one receiver at the edges but will provide new offensive coordinator and receivers coach Tim Harris Jr. with plenty of playcalling options both in the run game and pass game. This is a great pickup for the Knights and is sure to pay dividends for an offense that already has a lot of dimensions, explosiveness and good options to it.

Adding the Final Pieces

UCF needed to bolster their receiving corps to "complete" this offense. The running back room is one of the best in the nation, the offensive line has acquired the needed pieces and has developed a "family vibe" type of chemistry according to the Orlando Sentinel's Matt Murschel and the receiving corps already had some quality pieces in Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend. These new additions just add more options, explosiveness and potential.

If Jefferson can bring this offense together and mesh with these players well, this could easily be one of the best overall offenses in the country. With Big 12 Conference title hopes in sight, an offense like this certainly gives the Knights a good chance at being a dark horse contender, with their chances elevating with these two recent pickups on top of their already stellar transfer class.