Inside UCF’s Fearless O-Line Revolution: Cam Kinnie Reveals the Brutal Secret Behind Their Dominance

A Lawrenceville, Ga., native who began his career at Georgia, Kinnie transferred to UCF in 2022 and is now entering his fourth year in Orlando. After appearing in 11 games last season with a start against Cincinnati, the senior is preparing for one final run in Black & Gold, this time under head coach Scott Frost.“Mine would be family,” Kinnie said when asked about his ‘why’. “My parents have sacrificed a lot for me, so I’m paying that forward. I’m more of a lead-by-example guy, but I know when it’s time to step up and lead.”

Cam Kinnie has been part of UCF’s offensive line for long enough to have seen the program from multiple perspectives.

Kinnie, who has taken reps at both guard and center during camp, said the first preseason under Frost has been both challenging and rewarding.

Academic success off the field

Kinnie knows this will be his last season of college football, and he’s determined to make it count.

“More of a running off the ball philosophy, kind of just mauling people’s face off,” Kinnie said. “Not afraid to miss, because when you have great backs, they’re going to make us right more times than not.”

“It’s fast,” he said. “But it’s been fun getting that under our belts, knowing that if I’m tired, the guy across from me is more tired than I am, and I’m going to kick his butt on the next play.”

Adjusting to a new offensive line philosophy

The increased competitiveness in practice has also stood out compared to previous seasons.

“There’s a lot more competition going on at practice with offense vs. defense,” Kinnie said. “You may lose one rep, but you pat that guy on the butt and say, ‘Alright, I got you next time.’ It’s been a great back-and-forth.”

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“Last year the offensive line was really close, but the team as a whole was not as close as I’d say this year,” he said. “We’re spending a lot more time together, like golfing with the running backs and going to see a 4-D movie together. Little things like that bring you together.”

High-tempo offense and practice competition

“I’ve been able to play a lot more free,” he said. “Clark’s been getting me in at center and both guards. Just being able to translate that cerebral knowledge from center to guard, talking to (center) Carter Miller, even in between plays, it’s been great.”

“It’s been a good culture,” Kinnie said. “Just getting to know those weird things about each other brings everyone closer.”

Frost has encouraged team bonding with lighthearted player introductions, which range from cartwheels to splits.

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Building chemistry — on and off the field

The new offense has brought a faster pace, more wide-zone concepts, and in Kinnie’s view, that’s a lot more fun.

As for his own role, Kinnie embraces being a steady presence for younger players.

That includes living up to the identity he and his fellow linemen have embraced this offseason.

“It’s been good. It’s been a lot of fun,” Kinnie said. “There are days where it gets monotonous, but Coach (Shawn) Clark and Coach Frost come out there and bring the energy, and it brings the team along. So, it’s been a great camp. I can’t complain at all.”

Kinnie’s summer also brought a milestone away from the field.

“Run off the ball, don’t be afraid to miss, and just run through someone’s face,” Kinnie said. “Good things happen more often than not.”

Leadership and motivation

“We saw Superman in 4-D, so it literally felt like a Universal ride for two hours,” Kinnie said with a laugh. “We were all getting thrown around by the movie together. It was fun.”

One of Kinnie’s biggest takeaways this year is how much closer the team has become.

Final-year focus

“I graduated last summer with my undergrad, and then I graduated this summer with my master’s,” he said. “I’m trying to get all my ducks in a row for when football’s over, because I know I’ve got to put the pads down one day. So I’m just kind of getting ready for the next step.”

This offseason brought a new position coach in Shawn Clark, who has introduced a more aggressive style of line play.

“Just do whatever I can to help this team win,” he said. “When we win, everyone wins.”

He said his undergraduate degree was in media production and management, and his master’s in integrated business.

What movie?

When you’ve been in the trenches of UCF’s offensive line like Cam Kinnie, you don’t just see the program—you live its evolution. Hailing from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and kicking off his college journey at Georgia before finding a new home in Orlando in 2022, Kinnie’s journey is as layered as they come. Now stepping into his senior year, he’s ready to make one last stand donning Black & Gold, this time under Scott Frost’s playbook that’s already put a fresh spin on how the Knights operate up front. After logging 11 appearances last season, including a start against Cincinnati, Kinnie’s versatility at guard and center during preseason drills shows he’s more than ready for the challenges ahead. And based on his words? This camp’s been a rollercoaster of grit and grit-earned fun, thanks to the energy coaches like Shawn Clark and Frost bring to the field. Intrigued to discover how Kinnie’s balancing his on-field grind and off-field milestones? Dive deeper right here. LEARN MORE