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UCF Golden Knights Feature Player |
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#11 Doug Gabriel
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Year: Senior Position: Wide Receiver Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Hometown: Orlando High School: Dr. Phillips Junior College: Mississippi Gulf Coast CC |
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Doug Gabriel, a big, 6-2, and natural pass wide receiver who has the ability to play on either side of the ball. Gabriel was originally signed with Miami (FL) out of high school. He was recruited heavily out of Gulf Coast CC by Florida State. Gabriel surprised everyone by signing with the Knights over the Noles after his junior college. Gabriel has the ability to go deep down the field which had helped UCF to compete well against some tough opponents.
Last season, which was his first season at UCF, Dough Gabriel was a shinning star for UCF. He had an average of 28.7 yards per reception in 2001 season. Four of Gabriel's receptions were longer than 50 yards. In the Virginia Tech game, Gabriel had a reception of 71 yards. And his 83 yards reception against Liberty tied him for 2nd in school history longest pass reception.
Gabriel had two 100 yards games in his junior year. He led his team in touchdowns, 9TDs. And nine of his 22 receptions were touchdowns. Gabriel had a forty percent (40%) chance of a touchdown each time he touched the ball.
Gabriel also handled the kick return duty. Gabriel had handled the kick return duty six times with a total of 162 yards. He averaged 27.2 yards per return. Gabriel's season-long return was 45 yards.
Outlook for 2002
UCF fans will remember the name Doug Gabriel in the 2002 season. This is the coming-out season for Gabriel. Watch for Gabriel to excel from last season and become a greater threat once again for UCF. His statistics will improve dramatically and there is no doubt that his God given athletic ability will provide him the ammunition to achieve greatness on the field.
Opponent coaches surely will keep their eyes on Gabriel. Look for Gabriel to get double coverage from defensive backs. As UCF enters the new chapter of its program, member of the MAC, Gabriel will make a mark as well. He will leave some of his statistics on the MAC's records book.
Many who believe Doug Gabriel will make his mark in college football includes ESPN's Mel Kiper. Kiper picked Gabriel as his number 10 player in major-college sleeper for the 2002 football season. Nevertheless, his coach head coach Mike Kruczek, believes that Gabriel will be a 1st rounder and possibly number 9th overall pick in the 2003 NFL's draft.
