UCF coach Josh Heupel’s decision to name Brandon Wimbush the Knights’ starting quarterback was not surprising, but the plans he revealed Monday for true freshman Dillon Gabriel were unexpected.

Heupel said Gabriel, the runner-up in the starting quarterback race, will get a chance to lead the Knights’ offense during the season opener against Florida A&M Thursday.

“Dillon Gabriel is going to play in the first half,” Heupel told the Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi on his Open Mike radio show Monday. “He's earned that opportunity. I'm looking forward to seeing him go out and play.”

While Wimbush went 13-2 as a starter at Notre Dame before transferring to UCF, Gabriel broke Hawaii high school career passing records and chose the Knights over USC.

UCF quarterbacks coach Jeff Lebby said the decision to play Gabriel early against FAMU shows just how tight the quarterback competition among Gabriel, Wimbush and redshirt freshman Quadry Jones really was during preseason camp.

“First of all, it was incredibly hard. I think that’s evident by how we’ve handled it up to this point. Obviously Dillon playing in the first half speaks volumes to how it all worked out and transpired through fall camp,” Lebby said of the decision to name Wimbush the starter. “[Wimbush’s] got a lot of experience on the field and putting him out there first is something we felt is the best thing for our football team and that unit, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

With Wimbush now officially named the starter, Lebby hopes the Notre Dame transfer can settle into the job without worrying about getting replaced.

“He doesn’t have to look over his shoulder or do anything like that,” Lebby said of Wimbush. “Dillon’s going to play in the first half, but Brandon can go cut loose and play, it doesn’t matter what’s the score. I think that allows him to go play freely.”

UCF QB Brandon Wimbush discusses being named the starting quarterback for the Knights' opener against FAMU Thursday, Aug. 29. UCF QB Brandon Wimbush discusses being named the starting quarterback for the Knights' opener against FAMU Thursday, Aug. 29. SEE MORE VIDEOS

Wimbush knows all too well the pressure that goes with retaining the starting job after losing the top spot at Notre Dame to Ian Book despite leading the Fighting Irish to a 3-0 start last season. His experience gives the senior a distinctive perspective entering Thursday’s opener.

“That’s another experience that I’m able to bring over here having this be my fifth year of football. It’s not pressure for me anymore. I understand this is a privilege and I’m just excited and happy to be able to do it again,” Wimbush said of his second chance to start at quarterback for a college football team.

Wimbush said Gabriel will still play an integral role for the Knights’ offense despite not winning the starting job.

“I made sure to tell him right after the announcement, ‘I’m going to need you as much as you’re going to need me over the next five months,'" Wimbush recalled. "I told him he needs to stay engaged, he needs to keep a smile whether it’s fake or not on his face and as I’m coming off to the sidelines, I need his eyes. If he sees something on the field that I wasn’t able to catch, then I’m going to need it.

"I told him I would be there the same exact way as a big brother coming off the field as if you were playing. I told him it’s all love and nothing’s changed.”

Lebby said Wimbush’s message to Gabriel highlights the unique bond that has developed in the UCF quarterback room, which also features injured McKenzie Milton and Darriel Mack Jr. joining veteran Hayden Kingston in player-coach roles.

“We’ve got a bunch of selfless guys and that’s been as fun to see," Lebby said.

The quarterbacks coach said he would love to see Jones, the other starting quarterback contender, see action against the Rattlers as well.

“Quad’s done an unbelievable job and that’s a kid that nobody’s talking about right now. He’s done a great job and if he gets a chance to play we expect him to play at a high level,” Lebby said. "He’s done a great job in the last three days of preparing like he’s going to be the guy so that if his number’s called, he’s going to be able to go out there and be clear-minded and execute and play well for us.”

Mack recovery continues

Mack continues to recover from surgery to repair a broken ankle he suffered in early July and has watched football practice without a walking boot he wore during part of preseason camp.

“He’s doing better getting a little further into his rehab, but he’s not in a position where he will be able to practice this week,” Heupel said.

Lebby wasn’t willing to speculate on whether Mack’s return would open up the quarterback competition again.

“We just want DJ to get healthy, so he’s in the front of our mind from that standpoint," Lebby said. “But at the same time, we’re worried about Thursday night and that’s just the reality of this profession.”