UCF’s Gus Malzahn aims to name starting QB early in preseason camp

Following a summer filled with recruiting, prospect camps, team workouts and a quick vacation, UCF football coach Gus Malzahn and his staff returned to the office Monday to prepare for preseason camp that starts in 13 days.

One of Malzahn’s main objectives will be naming a starting quarterback. He hopes to pick between sophomore Mikey Keene and Ole Miss transfer John Rhys Plumlee early in the practices.

“We’re going to have two scrimmages fairly early in fall camp and it would be great if we could figure out who that starter is going to be after that second scrimmage,” Malzahn told Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi on 96.9 The Game Monday morning.

“We’ll see what happens but obviously, common sense, the sooner the better you can name a starter will benefit our team,” he added. “We’ll see how that goes.”

While preseason camp doesn’t start for almost two weeks, the Knights have had the opportunity for some workouts since spring camp ended.

For the first time this summer, college football teams were able to conduct two hours of noncontact practice with the use of a football but no other equipment.

This allowed for players to use a football during practice for two of the permissible eight hours per week of summer athletic activity that previously included weight training, conditioning and up to two hours of review of practice and game film as well.

The change benefited both Keene and Plumlee in a big way because they both were able to throw in a practice setting, albeit in a limited manner.

“It’s been super that we’ve been able to work with our guys with a football for the first time,” Malzahn said. “We’re able to see them throw to receivers and both of them had a really good summer.”

In addition to regular team workouts, both quarterbacks used the summer to improve.

Plumlee was one of the multiple college quarterbacks to participate in the Manning Passing Academy, which included a passing challenge, at the end of June.

Keene recently helped former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton run a quarterback prospect camp in Orlando.

“Both of them are handling themselves like the starters right now and have had a really good summer,” Malzahn said.

Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.