After starting 24 games at quarterback the past two seasons, Jeff Godfrey decided to transfer from UCF last December after he had all but lost his starting job. Or because he had been declared academically ineligible for the spring semester by the school. or a combination of the two.
Two months later, Godfrey stated that he was “very close” to transferring to FAU to continue his collegiate career. Now, however, it appears Godfrey is on the verge of returning “home”, albeit with a positional twist.
Speaking at a booster tour stop Tuesday night, and as relayed by Florida Today through the Orlando Sentinel, head coach George O’Leary said that Godfrey will be returning to the football program, probably in May and provided he cleans a couple of issues up academically. When Godfrey does return. O’Leary added, it will be as a full-time wide receiver and part-time QB in UCF’s version of a Wildcat package.
“I’ve met with him a couple of times and basically he has some things he has to take care of regarding school itself, some sanctions he has to deal with,” O’Leary said at the stop. “If he does that I told him that, meeting with the coaching staff and myself the last time, that I would take him back.
“And he’s coming back as a wide receiver in the program with the opportunity to help us out at quarterback in the Wild Knight package and other things using his athleticism.”
Godfrey had an outstanding true freshman season with the Knights, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors after starting the final 12 games of the 2010 season and finishing 15th in the country in passing efficiency. His performance this past season, however, took a precipitous nosedive as the sophomore, despite starting 12 games, threw as many touchdowns as interceptions (five).
Blake Bortles was officially named the Knights’ starter shortly after Godfrey’s departure, however, and UCF also added Tyler Gabbert into the QB mix after the former Missouri player transferred into the program this past January from the JUCO ranks.