The UCF Knights have a competition on their hands for the starting running back position with talented playmakers, and Duke Watson believes the position can be very good.
Watson is competing against Landen Chambers and Taevion Swint, but he doesn't see it that way. He sees it with an "iron sharpens iron" mindset, saying he feels they're all getting better together.
The Louisville transfer said the "wide zone" is the team's "baby" on offense when running. It's a style he believes complements his skill set.
'When I'm moving side to side, I mean, I'm going to get it up north eventually, but when I'm moving side to side, from the start, that's like that's my goal," Watson said after Wednesday's scrimmage.
A designed outside zone run may be his bread and butter, but Watson prides himself on being versatile. He extended that same praise to his fellow competitors.
"I feel like I could take it to the A gap, take it to the C gap; it'd be the same result," Watson said after Wednesday's scrimmage. "And then just working with them, I feel like they're all around backs, too, though."
Questions arose about how UCF would replace the production of Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon after their eligibility expired. The duo combined for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
There wasn't a tailback with more than 63 rushing yards, but coach Scott Frost quickly addressed those issues in January's transfer portal. Signing Watson and Chambers gives the Knights a versatile backfield that can diversify Frost's playcalling.
Watson led the nation in yards per carry as a freshman at Louisville, averaging 8.9 yards per rush. He rushed for 597 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024.
Injuries and the emergence of Isaac Brown limited his touches for the Cardinals last season. The then-sophomore ended the year with 197 yards and one touchdown on 47 carries.
Chambers is a power back who can push through contact for short-yardage gains. UCF struggled to pick up short yards, either breaking out big runs -- like Nixon rushing for 89 yards -- or getting stopped at the line of scrimmage.
The Central Arkansas transfer is a proven 1,000-yard rusher. It is an aspect the Knights have desperately missed since the Denver Broncos drafted RJ Harvey last offseason.
Both transfers aim to transform their team's rushing game and balance the offensive attack. UCF ranked 11th in rushing in the conference with 158 yards per game.
Expectations deviate for the program this offseason. Some analysts expect a borderline winning season, while others believe it will miss a bowl game for the third straight season.
The running back group, which has ranked well nationally, could be the foundation UCF relies on for success. Watson is eager to show the college football world what the team can do.
"I'm ready to show the world what this team really got," Watson said. "Not more on me, like just really ready to see what the team got."
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