The fifth in an occasional position-by-position preview of the UCF football team heading into the offseason:

TODAY: OFFENSIVE LINE

What to expect

The Knights face a significant challenge this season as they seek to compensate for the departure of four key starters: Amari Kight, Adrian Medley, Cade Kitler and Marcellus Marshall. Together, they accounted for approximately 73% of the total snaps played by the offensive line last year, leaving a substantial gap that needs to be filled.

Amid this turnover, tackle Paul Rubelt stands as the lone returning starter on the offensive line. The seasoned fifth-year player is poised to take on a leadership role, guiding a group of teammates that includes a blend of new transfers and some familiar faces.

Among those joining Rubelt in the tackle rotation are transfers Preston Cushman, Owen Spell and Connor Meadows, all of whom are anticipated to make considerable contributions this season. On the guard front, the lineup will expand to include Gaard Memmelaar, Jabarri Brooks, Keegan Smith and Shaheem Hill, each stepping up to fill larger roles than in previous seasons.

Competing for the pivotal center position are Carter Miller and Cameron Kinnie, both vying to distinguish themselves and seize this critical spot in the lineup.

What they’re saying

“We were very honest when we came in the program at our first team meeting and our first position meeting that we’re going to play the best five guys. It doesn’t matter if you know you’ve been here one year or six years; whatever it may be, everyone gets their fair opportunity.” — UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark

On the roster

Paul Rubelt, fifth year
Jabari Brooks, fifth year
Cameron Kinnie, fifth year
Colin Cook, fifth year
Patrick Barnett, fifth year
Keegan Smith, redshirt senior
Shaheem Hill, redshirt junior
Ethan Higgins, redshirt sophomore
Matthew Prigmore, redshirt sophomore
Andrew Phelan, redshirt sophomore
Cody Walz, redshirt freshman
Noah Senka, redshirt freshman
Thomas Gearity, redshirt freshman

Arrivals

Gaard Memmelaar (Washington), fifth year
Connor Meadows (Tennessee State), redshirt senior
Carter Miller (Texas A&M), junior
Preston Cushman (Ole Miss), junior
LaParka Langston (NW Mississippi), junior
Justin Royes (Virginia Union), sophomore
Owen Spell (Limestone), sophomore
Drew Fuentes (Tampa), freshman
Jaquez Joiner (Cocoa), freshman

Departures

Adrian Medley
Amari Kight
Marcellus Marshall
Caden Kitler
Chase Malamala
Waltclaire Flynn
Jakiah Leftwich
Johnathan Cline
Keyon Cox

Projected depth chart (offseason)

LT1 — Paul Rubelt
LG1 — Gaard Memmelaar
C1 — Carter Miller
RG1 — Jabarri Brooks
RT1 — Preston Cushman

LT2 — Owen Spell
LG2 — Keegan Smith
C2 — Cameron Kinnie
RG2 — Shaheem Hill
RT2 — Connor Meadows

Previous
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.