Greco Ready for Challenge

In his first season with UCF, quarterback Michael Greco found some limited playing time behind senior QB Kyle Israel and while his stat line wasn’t spectacular, he received invaluable experience that should prepare him for the 2008 season.

This spring, Greco is competing with redshirt freshmen Joe Weatherford and Nate Tice for the starting quarterback position, but his game time experience has made him the front runner early on to win the competition and lead the Knights this upcoming season.

Greco started off his UCF career by completing his first seven passes against Memphis last year, and finished the game going 11-for-12 for 151 yards, and he also rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The junior QB saw action in seven more games for the Knights and finished the year with 303 passing yards, zero touchdowns, one interception and 128 rushing yards. His 105.4 QB rating may not have been dazzling on the collegiate level, but the poise and versatility Greco showed through the season was impressive.

At 6’3”, 211 lbs, Greco has been timed as high as the mid 4.4’s in the 40-yard dash and uses his combination of size and athleticism to his advantage when things break down.

“I’d say my best attribute is my ability to make plays,” says Greco, who also feels that another one of his strengths is being a leader. “I have a little more say now, a little more respect.”

That respect will be crucial for Greco whenever he takes the field because he will be leading a young offense in need of guidance. The playing time he accumulated this past season will certainly help his ability to lead the team.

“It was nice last season getting some experience, especially in front of 50,000 people. Playing against a live defense that isn’t during practice also helped me be more competitive.”

The left handed quarterback also learned a lot from last year’s starter, Kyle Israel. “He taught me a lot as far as doing the right thing on and off the field, listening to coaches, knowing that they are just trying to help you and make you better…I learned a lot from him.”

In the midst of what appears to be a QB competition, Greco is taking everything in stride and is just trying to better himself every day. “I come every day wanting to work hard, learn as much as I can, get repetition, which is the best way to get better.”

Greco’s attitude, experience and athleticism make him a front runner to win the battle for starting quarterback, but he knows that he still needs to improve every day. “I’m working on reading the defense, picking the right guy (to throw to), analyzing the coverage and releasing the ball quicker.”

If Greco can get more comfortable in the pocket and become more fluent in making his reads, he will likely become a top quarterback in the C-USA in 2008. Greco not only speaks of a great work ethic when he says he is giving the team 110% of his effort every day, but he certainly shows it on the practice field, as the Connecticut-born native is a hard-worker and a great leader, which are great ways to improve.