ORLANDO, FLA -- Quadry Jones has one career collegiate pass attempt.
He made the most of it.
A trick-lateral touchdown pass from DJ Mack to Jones to a wide open Adrian Killins helped lead UCF to a 37-10 road victory at ECU last season.
Just like that pass, Jones is maximizing his opportunity. The redshirt freshman is thick in the mix as the Knights continue their quarterback competition.
- Quadry Jones a candidate for UCF's starting quarterback
- Knights have not named a starter
- Jones is an Orlando-product from Jones High School
“My mindset is to dominate," Jones said after last week's post-practice availability. "I come everyday to work not depending on how I feel. Everyday I try and keep a smile on my face and stay self-motivated. That’s really how it is. There’s some real big shoes to fill in.”
Jones, alongside graduate transfer Brandon Wimbush and true freshman Dillon Gabriel, are vying to fill a void under center. 2018 Heisman hopeful McKenzie Milton will miss the season still recovering from a brutal knee injury. His backup DJ Mack remains sidelined with a broken ankle from the summer.
Jones is looking to capitalize on his opportunity but is putting the team first.
"It's still a brotherhood," Jones said. "It'll never change depending on who starts. We're still going to help each other. If I know a little bit more than Dillon does I'm not going to hold anything back over him."
In no way does that mean he's taking his foot off the gas.
“There’s competitiveness every time we’re out there even if we’re running sprints. I told Brandon the other day, he said I was cheating and I said beat me.”
Losses don't come his way easily. An Orlando-native and Jones High product, Quadry paced on of Central Florida's top offenses as a starter in 2016-17.
"“I think he was one of the best quarterbacks to come out of here his senior year," said Elijiah Williams, his high school coach, "but his knock was his height."
Despite gawdy stats lining his resume, his 5'11 frame detered major programs from calling.
Jones chose UCF allowing the chip on his shoulder to grow.
“I think he’s going to win that job," Williams said. "I’m praying for him. I know eventually one day he’s going to be that UCF starting quarterback. We don’t know when but hopefully it happens.”
According to head coach Josh Heupel, #12 has as good a shot as Wimbush and Gabriel.
“He’s continued to grow as a young guy in our program in every phase," Heupel said of Jones. "He's extremely confident and knowledgeable in what we're doing right now."
Quadry Jones continues to make the most of his opportunity. Now he knows exactly what needs to be done to make job his.
“The difference maker is probably consistenc," Jones said. "The end of the day we want to win football games. I feel like the head man is going to do what’s best for us to win games and put us in the best position.”
UCF opens the season August 29 against FAMU at Spectrum Stadium. Josh Heupel has not ruled out playing multiple quarterbacks.