UCF embraces monumental moment as new Big 12 members

ARLINGTON, Texas — Terry Mohajir decided to bypass the usual car ride over to AT&T Stadium for Big 12 Football Media Day Thursday, choosing instead to make the 10-minute stroll from his hotel. During his walk, the UCF athletics director couldn’t help but think about the enormity of the moment that awaited him and the rest of Knight Nation. For the first time in the 44-year history of the program, UCF will be introduced as a member of a Power Five conference. “It’s fantastic,” said Mohajir. “We’ve been preparing for the last couple of years and now it’s here. Now it’s time to compete. It’s time to quit talking about the transition and time to do what we intended.” Big 12 has plenty to celebrate heading into 2023 season It also wasn’t lost on Mohajir the people who came before him — players, coaches and administrators who helped put UCF on the road to his moment. “No one ever does anything on their own,” he said. “You look at their forefathers and our foremothers with the coaches, the presidents and the vice presidents. They’ve all had a hand in contributing to why we’re here today.” UCF wanted to make sure it got its message out to those media members in attendance, passing out an information flier touting the school’s 68,000 students, its three New Year’s Six bowl appearances over the last night years and its 368,430 living alumni — the second-largest alumni base in the Big 12 behind Texas. Gus Malzahn, who was born in nearby Irving, is no stranger to coaching in a Power Five conference, having led Auburn in the SEC from 2013-20. Even so, Malzahn knows the importance of this day for his program. “This is a great conference, one of the best football conferences in college football and probably the deepest from top to bottom,” he said. “The great thing is we’ve had almost a year-and-a-half to get prepared for this moment. The overall excitement of the challenge of playing these great team teams in this league is what’s exciting for us.” A handful of Knights players joined Malzahn for Thursday’s festivities led by quarterback John Rhy Plumlee, receiver Javon Baker, defensive tackle Ricky Barber, defensive end Josh Celiscar and offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole. The magnitude of the moment struck the players as they pulled up to the 80,000-seat venue. “It kind of almost feels real now,” said Plumlee. “To be in the stadium, to be with all these cameras around, it’s super exciting for us players.” Said Baker: “Honestly, it hit me the day we were officially in the Big 12. It’s a big thing for not only us but for everybody that comes up with us.” Big 12 football preseason poll projects UCF will finish middle of the pack Plumlee has played in some stellar venues from his time at Ole Miss to UCF, but it was still an impressive sight for the redshirt senior. “I have to pinch myself a little bit that this is real,” he said. “I know a bunch of guys from back home in Mississippi that would give an arm and a leg to be here, so I feel super blessed to be here.” The players quickly ingratiated themselves with their surroundings, jumping in on a game of competitive cornhole before being grilled by a group of kid reporters. Later in the day, they would meet with reporters, many of whom are interested in learning more about UCF. Celiscar has spent the first three years of his career with UCF, signing with the Knights’ 2020 recruiting class. As team captain, he doesn’t need to be reminded what Thursday’s appearance signified. “I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve been telling myself, ‘This is a big year in a bigger conference and bigger competition,'” he said. “I just want to make big plays and do what I can to help my team.”